20 IMBA Tips That Don't Suck
- Bells are a great way to let your fellow trail users know that
you're approaching. Just be careful not to ring yours too close to horses or
hikers.
- Explore. Get out your maps and guidebooks to find new trails to ride.
You'll help reduce crowding on popular trails.
- Keep your groups small - no more than four. You'll minimize your impact
and won't disrupt others.
- Trailwork is super fun. Get involved with your local club and attend
their next trail event.
- The next time you see a park ranger introduce yourself and strike up a
conversation. By earning their respect, we'll preserve great places to ride.
- Teach a kid to mountain bike. Riding should be part of growing up.
- Take a date or friend on a trailwork event. Girls (and guys) love to
play in the dirt!
- Buy your riding buddy an IMBA membership.
- Don't build illegal trails. Keep it legal to keep it forever.
- Join with your bro's to pitch in some cash for a new single-speed bike
for your local trail advocacy leader. It's a new, fun twist on riding that will
balance their hard work.
- If you see trash on a ride, pick it up - especially the energy bar
wrappers and inner tubes that give mountain bikers a bad name.
- Be courteous at the trailhead. Don't crank the Black Sabbath until
you're headed home.
- Learn trailbuilding from the pros. The Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew will
be in your neighborhood some time in the next year. Check out their schedule at
www.imba.com
- Start a mountain bike patrol. Patrols assist, educate and inform to help
keep trails open. Dazed and confused hikers really appreciate your help.
- Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper explaining why you
love mountain biking and why continued trail access is important.
- Once per ride, stop and chat with a hiker or horseback rider. We are all
part of the trail community and need to get along.
- Go for a hike on your favorite mountain biking trail. It's a nice break
from riding and gives you a new perspective on trail user interaction.
- The next time there's a public meeting about a mountain biking issue,
go! Don't hesitate to stand up and say a few words about the sport you love.
- Volunteer for a park board or trails committee.
- Write irate letters to lame mountain bike magazine writers who pen pablum or trash.
