Three Easy Things You Can Do To Make Another Rider's Ride Better

Mountain biking is a sport that is bigger than any single rider. Nonetheless, everyone of us has an effect. Whether the impact is favorable or negative is entirely up to us. When I ride, I consider what I want other riders would do to improve my riding experience, and then I strive to emulate them. Here are three basic things we can all do to make one other's lives better.



If you're the first person to ride the trail, try to clear it of any debris.

I'm a rider who gets up early in the morning. Occasionally, I'll come upon fallen limbs or other debris that fell across the trail over night. Most of the time, that's not a problem for me, but it could be a problem for a less experienced rider. I'd rather stop and move it off the route than leave it there to disrupt the flow of others. It may take a minute or two longer for me, but it's a little price to pay to keep the trails open for others. After all, I'd rather that others do it for me.

When the debris is too huge for me to transport (such as a fallen tree), I'll notify the local parks and recreation department and publish a notice on the Facebook page of our local cycling club. Other riders will be aware of the obstacle in advance, and will be prepared to slow down on that portion of path.

Stop and inquire whether another rider needs assistance if you spot them along the trail.

At some point, every rider has found himself on the side of the path due to a flat tire or mechanical problem. As horrible as those moments are, they can be made better when a stranger stops to see how you're doing and offers aid. These occurrences serve as reminders that you are a member of a large family who looks out for one another. Even if the problem can't be solved right away, you can still take something positive away from an otherwise terrible situation. So, the next time you see a rider parked along the route, stop to see how they're doing. It just might brighten their day.

Stop, smile, and greet another cyclist arriving from the opposite direction.

I believe that society is getting increasingly self-absorbed. Individually, we have the option of either complaining about how things are or attempting to improve them. I adore meeting cyclists who are having a good time on their journey and want to share it with others.

Stopping on a trail every time you see another rider approaching you isn't always safe or practicable. On a crowded trail, this proposal won't work because you'd never finish a ride if you stopped for every rider you saw. However, if you're riding less-traveled terrain and come across such an encounter, follow this advice. Stopping to greet other riders may cause you to lose a little time, but I'm sure you'll have a wonderful impact on someone else.

Even the little things can make a big difference.

If you're a jerk on the trail, you might drive another rider away from mountain biking altogether. If you take the time to support a struggling newcomer, it might just be the motivation they need to keep going and become the sport's next superstar. Our sport is only as good as the people that participate in it, therefore take the time to improve it by being pleasant.