Rider Brain

You will need a relatively normal brain for riding with us.  Please no “Abby Normal” types allowed.  Your brain should contain some basic knowledge of what it takes to get along in the wilderness.  You don’t have to be an Eagle Scout, but basic survival skills and knowledge of how to take care of yourself and others and your bike are essential (i.e., first aid, navigation, bike repair).  We try to go prepared and reduce the probability of incidents, but things do happen.  Here are a few other things that your brain should have as standard equipment.

Good attitude.  Be optimistic and look forward to a fun day.  We are all out to have a fun ride.  Having a positive attitude can actually return benefits in the form of riding better.

Congeniality.  Be able to get along.  Be flexible, understanding, courteous and nice.  You know, bring those things with you that your Mom and your kindergarten teacher taught you.  You will find we are pretty nice people and that’s the kind of folks we want to ride with.

Knowledge of your abilities.  What kind of rider are you?  Check the ride difficulty rating on the ride schedule and talk to the ride leader if you haven’t ridden the trail before.  Do you have the skills necessary for the ride ahead?  If you don’t have the skills, don’t go.  If you are simply “pushing the envelope” and know that the trail may tax your skills somewhat, that’s fine.  If you don’t think you can do the whole ride, ask the ride leader if there are “bail out” points (dirt roads back to camp) and or ask if someone else is willing to ride back with you.  If there are no bail outs and no one is willing to ride back with you, then don’t go.  If you go anyway and crap out half way down the trail, then someone will have to ride back with you thereby shortening their day.  So be considerate.  (A note about bailing out:  Don’t just do this without telling anyone.  Talk to the ride leader or sweep rider so they know you are not lost.  Tell them the route you intend to take back to camp.  The ride leader will also want to see you back at camp so he knows you made it back.)

Knowledge of the abilities of your bike.  You wouldn’t want to take that big duel sport bike with the turn signals into the “5 Miles of Hell” trail.  The most common types and best suited dirtbikes for the trails we ride are the “Enduro” or trail type motorcycle (e.g, Honda XR, Kawasaki KDX or KLX, Suzuki DR or DRZ, Yamaha WR, and KTM EXC).  These types of bikes generally have the type of things required for trail riding (i.e., spark arrestor, quite mufflers, suspension and gearing set for trails, larger gas tanks, and lights in case we run late and have to ride after dark).  If you have a motocross bike, you will have to make numerous modifications, the least of which is a spark arrestor.  An entire article could be dedicated to the conversion modifications required to properly do this.  If your bike is not the right tool for trail riding, then modify it or get one that is. 

No drugs and alcohol.  While riding impaired, you will be a danger to everyone, including yourself.  You will find that many of us like to have a post ride cocktail or beer, but not while riding.

Risk management principles.  You can choose to reduce risks and prevent accidents.  Wear protective gear, make good decisions, prepare yourself and your bike, carry necessary tools and supplies for the ride.  Make sure you are well rested before a ride.  Being fatigued is much like being alcohol or drug impaired as you will not make good decisions and your reactions will be slowed.  Hence, you become an accident waiting to happen.