Some Do's and Don'ts for riding off-road
Posted on
June 9
in General
- DO Leave no trace: don’t leave your rubbish to ruin someone else’s day, pack out what you take with you, and if you’ve the space take other trash you find too.
- DO Be Nice, Say Hi: walkers, horse riders and land workers are all likely to use the same trails. Be respectful, slow down and alert them when passing.
- DO Respect the local countryside laws: whether that’s leaving gates as you find them, avoiding areas due wildlife concerns (nesting season etc) or not having campfires if you’re bikepacking pay heed. If you’re not sure, look them up, as ignorance should never be an excuse.
- DO Give animals space: whether it’s wildlife, livestock or a horse, always give plenty of space, ride slowly and avoid startling them. Pay special attention when animals are with their young.
- DO Ride through puddles not around them: yes you might get wet feet, but by going around you’re adding to the problem by causing more erosion and making the puddle bigger.
- DO Support the communities you pass through: indulge in a cafe / pub stop, raid that village store. Your pedalling pound helps rural economies.
- DO Give back: the public organisations that look after the land you pass through will always be on the lookout for volunteers to keep the trails clear and in good shape.
- DON'T Ride tracks that you know suffer during different seasons e.g. that perfect hard baked summer section that turns into a quagmire as soon as there’s a sniff of rain. Stick to durable trails.
- DON'T Treat trails without a clear line of sight like a race track: you never know who or what might be around the corner.
- DON'T Leave home without all the right gear to keep your bike in working order. Mechanical mishaps are more commons off-road, and your locations are more likely to be remote with less chances of trailside assistance.
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