Quick Tip – Don’t Ride Muddy Trails

The weather is gorgeous. The trails are wet. What do you do?

As much as you want to head out for a ride and soak up the sunshine, you are going to have to show a little restraint.

The trails are the most vulnerable to damage when they are wet and muddy. For that reason, the International Mountain Bike Association has put out a set of guidelines to help preserve our trails. Here is a listing as outlined by IMBA.

Ride on open trails only – respect trail closures including seasonal or short-term closures.

Never ride in designated Wilderness areas, which are closed to bikes.

Don’t skid.

Don’t ride muddy trails.

Don’t ride around water bars – erosion is a trail’s worst enemy.

Stay on existing trails.

Don’t shortcut switchbacks.

“Leave No Trace” (energy bar wrappers, punctured tubes, etc.).

Texas mountain bike trails are built by volunteer associations across the state. It takes tons of work in order to provide us, the riders, with great trails. To ride during wet or muddy seasons can seriously damage them for the future by causing erosion.

Most trail associations keep an updated list of trail openings and closures, if you are planning a day of great Texas mountain biking do everyone a favor and check with your local association to ensure the trail is open.

Here is a listing of many of the mountain bike associations in Texas.

I hope that your next ride is dry and amazing. Be sure to follow these guidelines and ride safe.

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