Let’s be honest. With snow still clinging to the highest elevations, and enough rain to turn the moon dust at Round Valley into hero dirt, the trails right now are complete chaos. What better time to make our mark — without getting disappeared like a pride flag from PC Hill.
First impressions count. They build confidence and enhance your interpersonal relationships — especially the one you have with yourself. You matter! Possibly more than anyone else. With that spirit in mind, let’s review a few simple trail rules that will make this MTB season the best ever.
Ride your ride. Mid-rip into your first big PR of the season down Pulp Friction and someone’s climbing uphill? Whatever you do, DON’T STOP. Sure, they’re maxing out at Zone 5 on their heart-rate monitor, but you’ve got full-on momentum, a full-face helmet and a solid chance at a QOM. Pro tip: make eye contact as you blow past them, shouting the international trail salutation: “STRAVA!”
Pass silently. When approaching from behind, DO NOT announce yourself either vocally or by the ding of a bell. Especially not if you’ve got three or more friends trailing you. Remember, surprise is half the thrill of mountain biking. Let your fellow trail lovers experience the primal adrenaline rush of a total stranger suddenly breathing down their neck, ideally while passing on a blind corner.
Doubletrack your pleasure. When riding with a large group, be sure to take up as much space as possible. Think of it as manspreading, only on a bike. Stop whenever and wherever you like. Block every intersection. Flat tire? Hydration break? Chamois adjustment? No problem. Just pull into the middle of the trail and do you. A good guideline to follow: Trail width is a suggestion, not a boundary.
Crank it up. The louder the Bluetooth speaker, the chiller the vibes. As a rule of thumb, if you can still feel the bass under the rumble of fat tires ripping on loose gravel, turn it up a notch or two. The joy of one rider ultimately leads to the joy of us all — especially those two birdwatching hikers you’re about to cross paths with. Who doesn’t love a little Symphony of Destruction at 9 on a Sunday morning? The trail is your personal church. Worship accordingly.
Act fast. If your friend crashes off the trail into, say, a small pine tree or cactus, grab your iPhone as quickly as possible and start filming. Zooming is safer than actually helping and heckling is the best medicine. They can thank you later when the clip goes live on Jerry of the Day.
Leave every trace. You’re miles away from the trailhead and nature calls. By all means, drop trou wherever you like. Empty Haribo bags and Clif Bar wrappers? Toss ’em anywhere. Orange peels? Voila! Instant compost. Condom wrappers, plastic flossers, uncomfortable sport bra? Think of them as your gifts to the trail.
Teach your children well. Riding with your littles is big fun, especially when they do as you do, not as you say. Kids never forget those rides where Daddy “accidentally” shoulder-checked an old guy on an e-bike, or the time Mommy launched a surprise attack on a group of Team Sugar beginners as they inched up Big Easy. Take more than memories; leave more than footprints (details above).
And finally, remember: Riding etiquette isn’t set in stone. Like our beloved trails, the rules are constantly evolving. But mostly, good mountain bike manners are just like living in a civil society. It’s mostly common sense. Ride on!