ATV Trail Riding Tips
If you’re new to ATVs or to trail riding, there are some things you should be aware of for increased safety and fun. We at Lawton Motorsports love to help our clients use their machines to the max while staying safe, so we’ve compiled some information to help you conquer trails in your four-wheeler. If you’re looking for ATVs for sale in Lawton, OK, contact us to check out our wide selection. We’re also proud to be the chosen ATV dealer for all our friends from Edmond!
Respect the Riding Area
Yes, your ATV can take on a number of different terrains but that doesn’t mean you can disregard the bounds of the trail you’re on. When you go off-trail, you can cause damage to the surrounding ecosystem and harm both the native plants and wildlife. Your quad is a heavy machine and can easily crush delicate plants, thereby damaging the landscape and turning it less scenic. It can also be unsafe for you, since trails are created in a way to avoid hidden potholes, dips or other hazards that can harm ATVs or their riders.
When you’re trail-riding, practice leave-no-trace ethics. This means you won’t litter or leave anything behind when you stop to rest or have a snack. Clean up anything you drop or spill and carry away all trash. This includes picking up cans or wrappers left by less scrupulous riders. If you see any trash, regardless of whether you generated it, remove it from the area.
Another responsible act that makes you a “trailblazer” is using the winch or tow-strap on your ATV to remove obstacles from the trail that can inconvenience other riders. If there’s a log or any other obstruction on the path, it will take just a few minutes of your time to move it to the side of the trail. This will help prevent damage to the surrounding environment by other ATV drivers who simply maneuver off the trail to avoid an obstacle.
Share the Path
Remember that you’re not the only one using the trail, unless you get real lucky. Sometimes it requires a little patience to interact with others on the trails with their own bikes and quads. Each rider is looking for enough space to turn, brake and maneuver their vehicle. Always pass others at a reasonable speed and signal your approach whenever possible. If you give others their space and are considerate, you’ll have a much easier and less stressful time on the trail.
Read the Landscape
If you’re riding a really long trail, you can become complacent and think that you’re going in a loop or can’t possibly get lost. There are a lot of trails that are winding and have many spurs so you could take one wrong turn and end up confused about where exactly you are. Carry a map of the region and a compass to help you navigate. Your phone may not have a good enough service in remote areas to let you use the GPS. Being aware of the direction you’re headed can also prevent you from getting lost.
Check the Weather
How successful and enjoyable your ride will be depends a lot on the weather. Check the forecast to make sure there are no storms, heavy rains, lighting or triple-digit temperatures headed your way. You don’t want to have to rush back to your trailer when it begins to rain, only to cause an accident in your haste. You also don’t want to suffer heat stroke from being out in too-hot temperatures under the scalding sun. Rearrange your trip if the weather looks bad.
Be Polite
You know it can be annoying to be around selfish people. The same applies to ATV riders. People who blast their music and zip by in their quads leaving a cloud of dust and exhaust are rarely welcome by other riders. Follow proper right of way when encountering oncoming traffic. If you are continuing on, let other riders know how many people are coming behind you. If you are deferring, move over as far as you safely can.
If you’ve crossed an area of the trail that has some hazards, let other riders know. If you see someone stopped at the side of the trail, see if you can help them. Often people will stop by a scenic spot for a selfie or a break, but sometimes they have suffered a mechanical problem or medical issue and need some assistance.
Have a Buddy
You may want to hit the trails solo and enjoy some much-wanted solitude, but it’s a good idea to have a riding buddy, especially when you’re new to ATVs or the trail. If something goes wrong when you’re riding alone, you may be unable to call for help. It can also be much more fun to ride with a friend or even a group. You don’t want to risk your safety, so having a buddy or a group to explore trails with is in your best interest.
We hope you’ll find these tips useful when you go trail riding! If you’re looking for ATVs for sale, get in touch with us at Lawton Motorsports and have a talk with one of our friendly staff members.