ATV Trail Riding Tips
Trail riding is a great way to spend a Saturday. Conquer new trails. Enjoy the outdoors. Make memories with friends or families. Chase that adrenaline rush. It’s no wonder ATVs are so popular!
Here at Abernathy Cycles we love spreading enthusiasm for riding. We’ve put together this trail riding guide for your convenience. When you’re ready to hit the trail, stop by our location in Union City, Tennessee for all your quad supplies and maintenance needs.
Preparing for Your Ride
Before you hop aboard your four wheeler, you need to suit up with a helmet, goggles, boots, gloves, and outerwear. These protect you from the elements and in case you flip over. Bring a “just in case” kit filled with a wrench fitting your ATV’s bolts size, a knife, flashlight, fire starter, rain poncho, an extra gas can, water, snacks, a map, compass, GPS, and a flat tire patch kit. You never know what could happen on the trails and you’ll want to be able to adapt to unexpected circumstances.
Before each ride, you’ll need to conduct a pre-ride inspection. Look at your tires for any signs of damage. Make sure control connections and cables are in good working order. Inspect the chain for any worn links. Check for anything out of the ordinary with your quad. If you find anything, take it in for maintenance.
Finally, pick a riding buddy (or several). Going alone can be dangerous when you’re out in nature. If something happens, who knows how long it’ll be before help passes by? You could run out of gas, get lost, crash, or sustain a life-threatening injury. Don’t take any chances with your safety. Besides, it’s more fun to ride quads with friends!
Rules of the Trail
Just like there are rules of the road for driving cars, there are rules of the trail for driving ATVs. Stay on designated trail areas. There’s a reason they exist! They mark the areas you can expect to travel safely. Go off the path and you could encounter unexpected hazards that cause unnecessary damage to your vehicle.
As you ride your four wheeler, use proper riding form. It’s tempting to let your feet dangle, but they could get caught on your bike tires as you drive. Keep them secure on foot pegs or install nerf bars. While you ride, use proper etiquette as well. If you encounter others, yield to those in the passing group or those going uphill.
Adapting to the Trail
The trail you ride is not going to be straight and predictable. That’s why you chose it! But an exciting ride requires you continually adapt to the trail. As you go past houses or campgrounds, adjust your speed as a courtesy for the noise you’re creating. If you encounter an animal like a horse or dog, you’ll want to appear as non-threatening as possible. Turn off your engine, remove your helmet, and avoid sudden movements. If you startle a horse, it could bolt or buck its owner.
Part of adapting to the trail is tackling ruts. These are inevitable on trail riding. But if you don’t handle them well, you could tip over. You’ll want to put both wheels on the edges of the rut. Drive slowly and follow the natural path of the rut. Try to keep both wheels on the edges as much as possible. Keep your four wheeler level when going around a curve. Take them slow and adjust as you go. Soon you’ll be a rut pro!
Need some quad gear before you head out on the trail? Visit Abernathy Cycles. We stock the latest and greatest ATVs and related equipment. We proudly serve those in Union City, Nashville, and Memphis, Tennessee. We can get you ready for your next trail ride!