For the past fifteen years our trek mountain bikes have been serving thousands of customers who have come and gone, most of them happy and satisfied. But some will always find something to complain about. So, it’s not surprising that some of my customers ask me how they can make their next mountain bike trip a little safer. Below are my top ten tips.
Pack waterproof gear
It’s the first lesson we learn about hiking: don’t get wet. But when you’re caught in a sudden downpour without an umbrella, what do you do?
We’ve got you covered with these waterproof gear picks, from ultralight rain jackets to waterproof socks and even a backpack cover. They’ll keep your gear dry so you can focus on having fun!
Do a quick check before you ride off
Mountain biking is a great way to explore the outdoors and get an adrenaline rush. But there are several precautions you should take before you head out on your next mountain bicycle ride.
- Check the weather forecast
Mountain biking in the heat is a bad idea. The higher the elevation, the hotter it gets. So check the weather forecast for your area well in advance of your ride and plan accordingly. If it’s going to be over 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 C), find a shady spot for your ride or opt for another activity that day. If you’re riding at night, make sure you have lights on your bike so you can see where you’re going and avoid obstacles such as fallen trees or rocks in the road.
- Wear protective gear
This should go without saying, but just in case: Wear protective gear when mountain biking! You will most likely fall off your bike at some point during your ride (or at least slide off of it), so it’s especially important to wear a helmet with padding inside that fits snugly around your head and chin strap securely fastened above both ears. You should also wear gloves or mittens to protect your hands from branches and rocks while riding through rough terrain like mud, sand or gravel roads.
Wear bright colors
While biking, you need to be visible. Wear bright colors and make sure your bike is also bright.
If you’re biking at night, make sure that you have lights on your bike and people should see you from a distance.
There are lots of different kinds of lights that you can get for your bike, from simple blinkies to more complicated sets with multiple flashing modes. If you do get a set with multiple modes, don’t use them all at once; otherwise, it will be too much light!
Review maps often and carries a compass
A compass, map, and GPS device can be invaluable. You can use them to find your way back to camp and mark out where you have been. When you’re in an area that doesn’t have many landmarks, these tools can also help you identify various locations and plan routes for future trips.
If you decide to bring a GPS device, choose one that has an altimeter, barometer, and thermometer. These will help you accurately track your elevation gain and loss as well as temperature changes throughout the day.
Carry a first aid kit and use it responsibly
First aid kits are essential to any household. It’s important to have one on hand at all times, and for those with children or pets, it’s especially important to keep one in the car. If you’re not sure what to put in your first aid kit, here are some items that should be included.
Adhesive bandages
Antibiotic ointment
Antiseptic wipes or solution
Cold compresses
Digital thermometer (for infants)
Eyewash station (useful for cleaning foreign material out of eyes)
Fire extinguisher (make sure it’s rated for flammable liquids)
Instant cold packs (for sprains and strains, insect bites)
Latex gloves (for administering CPR or cleaning wounds)
Completely avoid night riding
Night riding is dangerous. You are less visible and more likely to be hit by a car.
But it’s not just cars that pose a problem. Bicycles can be invisible at night, and so can pedestrians, dogs, and other cyclists.
Because of this, it’s best to avoid night bicycle riding completely unless absolutely necessary. If you must ride at night, make sure you have lights on your bike and wear bright clothing so that people can see you coming from all directions.
Know the rules and follow them
Cycling is a fun and healthy way to get around. But you need to know the rules of the road, or you could end up in an accident or even in jail.
Follow the bicycling rules.
Bicycles are vehicles, so they must obey all traffic laws. This includes stopping at red lights and stop signs, yielding right-of-way at intersections, and riding with traffic on roads with two or more lanes going in each direction.
Use hand signals to indicate turns and stops.
Wear a bicycle helmet every time you ride.
Avoid riding at night without lights and reflectors on your bike.
Stay hydrated, even when it’s cold out
Winter is a great time to get outdoors and enjoy the snow. But if you’re not careful, you can end up feeling a little worse for wear if you don’t take precautions. The most common wintertime injury is hypothermia or frostbite.
To avoid these conditions, stay hydrated and dress warmly. Hypothermia occurs when your body temperature drops below 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius), which can happen when your body loses heat faster than it can produce it. Symptoms include:
Shivering
Confusion or disorientation
Slurred speech
Drowsiness or fatigue
Numbness or tingling in hands and feet
Wash all your clothes after every trip or wash them in hot water if you’re short on time
I always wash my clothes after each trip, but I know that’s not always possible. So if you’re pressed for time or just don’t want to spend another hour washing your gear, here’s a tip: Wash anything that’s been sitting in the sun with a few drops of bleach and hot water (the hotter the better). This will kill any bacteria and keep you from getting sick. It also helps remove stains and odors from your clothing.
If you don’t have bleach on hand, use vinegar instead — it works just as well at killing bacteria and removing stains.
Be on the lookout for poisonous plants and animals
Poisonous plants and animals can be found all over the world. There are many local plants that are poisonous to humans, so if you know what the plant looks like, it’s best to avoid it.
Plants that are poisonous to humans have been known to cause death. People have died from eating these plants and animals because of their toxic properties.
Poisonous plants include:
Aconite: This plant is also known as monkshood, wolfsbane, and blue rocket. It contains a poison called aconitine which causes severe pain in the chest when eaten. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and delirium. If left untreated, death can occur within hours of ingestion.
Foxglove: Foxglove is also known as digitalis and fairy fingers. This plant contains digitalis which causes nausea, vomiting, and dizziness when consumed by humans or animals. It may also cause fatal heart problems if too much is eaten at once or if it’s taken over an extended period of time without treatment.
Larkspur: The larkspur plant contains alkaloids that cause paralysis if ingested in large quantities by humans and pets alike. The effect is temporary but if enough larkspur is eaten at once, it will cause
With mountain biking, safety is always the top priority.
Mountain biking is a sport that requires a lot of gear. The mountain bike itself is heavy and bulky, so it needs to be transported on a truck or trailer. Mountain bikers also need to wear special clothing and shoes for safety reasons.
The most important thing about mountain biking is safety. You don’t want to get hurt, so you need to take precautions before you ride.
Here are some safety tips for mountain biking:
Wear a helmet and other protective equipment such as knee pads and elbow pads if you are going downhill fast or on rough terrain (such as rocks). These items will help protect your head and body if you fall off your bike.
Make sure your bike fits correctly so that it doesn’t slip out from under you while riding downhill fast or on rough terrain (such as rocks). Also make sure that all of the parts are working properly, such as brakes and gears.
