ATV Trail Riding
Looking to go trail riding with your ATV? Of course you are. The all-terrain vehicles are built to handle various terrains. Here are some tips on to safely go trail riding without risking you or your ATV. If you ever have any questions about riding your ATV or its safety features, please sure to contact us at Interstate Cycles. Our professional and friendly staff are here and ready to answer all your questions to ensure a fun and safe trail ride with your ATV. You can also stop by our dealership located in Lake City, FL serving Gainesville, Tallahassee, Alachua, Valdosta, Jacksonville, and Sanderson, Florida.
Stay On the Path
While an ATV may indeed be an all terrain vehicle, that doesn't give you license to go riding wherever you want. When you're riding in a public area, it's important to keep in mind that thousands of other riders may be coming through after you. It may seem harmless to take off across a meadow or take a shortcut down a switchback, but every time you wear down a new track, you're leaving an invitation for other riders to do the same, and before long your subtle shortcut becomes a big, torn up trail of its own. In some cases, you can even provide opportunities for trail damaging erosion to take hold which could spoil the opportunity to ride for everyone. Have fun and explore, but keep your wheels on the trail.
Be Ready
Heading out on an ATV is exciting, but like most outdoor activities, ATV riding comes with its own set of hazards. If you get your ATV stuck, run out of gas, or have some other sort of emergency it pays to be prepared. First you'll want to make sure you're bringing along basic outdoor survival gear (extra food, water, a poncho, flashlight, matches). If worst comes to worst you'll want to be able to hike yourself back to the trailhead, but that can be quite a distance depending on your route. Having a winch on the front of your ATV is a great way to pull yourself or your friends out of trouble if things get muddy (or someone tries to ride through a deceptive puddle). If you get held up while you're out riding and wind up losing the light, having an LED light bar on your ATV may be just what you need to make that last half mile back to the truck.
Taking Care of Trails
ATV riding gives you access to some remote and beautiful areas of the country. This is a unique opportunity, so respecting the trail and your environment goes a long way. No one wants to stop to enjoy the view and see soda cans and cigarette butts all over the place, so take care of your own litter, and bring a small bag along to pack out any other trash you might see. Not only does this help to preserve the areas you ride in, but it sets a good example for the rest of your group. Another thing you can do to keep trails rideable is to be prepared for some light trail maintenance. If you're riding in the spring after the trails have opened, downed trees or other obstructions may need clearing, so keeping a saw on hand will open up the route for other riders later on.
Be Polite
If your favorite set of trails is a well known riding spot, you will undoubtedly see some other riders while you're out on the trail. If you are being overtaken by a faster group of riders, allow them to have the right of way at the earliest opportunity. If you're going head to head with an oncoming group of riders it's good manners to allow the larger group to go by, however if you're a part of the passing group, signal how many riders are with you so that a straggler doesn't get into a collision because the other group didn't expect them. Generally just be polite and patient with other riders on the trail, and you'll make sure that everyone has a great time out on the trail!
Whether you're looking to make sure you don't damage the trails you are riding on with your ATV or you're want to make sure you are prepared for the trail and anything that could happen, Interstate Cycles is here to answer all of your questions about ATV Trail Riding. You are always welcome to stop by our powersport dealership in Lake City, FL serving Gainesville, Tallahassee, Alachua, Valdosta, Jacksonville, and Sanderson, Florida and let our staff assist you in preparing for your next ATV trail ride.