How to protect paths and trails when biking

Laurin Lehner

· 07.04.2017

Photo: Robert Niedring

How to protect paths and trails when biking

If you take it easy on the trails, you'll enjoy them for longer and take the wind out of the sails of bike critics. Stefan Herrmann shows the most important dos and don'ts on the trail. A riding technique etiquette guide.

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And off we go with environmental protection and trail fun:

Brake correctly: Blocking the rear wheel clumsily causes erosion and annoying brake grooves. If you have your brakes under control, you can brake without wheel lock-up. That speaks against it: Locking the rear wheel not only demonstrates a lack of riding technique (i.e. cramped fingers), but also damages trails and paths. The best example on busy trails: braking bumps before the bend. Why? Inexperienced bikers apply the brakes too lightly, the bike locks up and shifts the ground: the result: erosion, braking bumps and a trail that is difficult to ride. In short: If you lock up the rear wheel, you ruin the trail, harm other bikers and yourself. What's the right way? Brake in moderation. In addition, a rotating wheel always has more control than a stationary one (ABS factor). Tip: Be sensitive when using the brakes. E.g. on steep sections. Negative example: This is how mountain bike opponents like to see us. Hooligans who damage trails with a locked rear wheel and make hikers jump to the side in fright.

Watch out for others: Nerves often fray between hikers and bikers. Stefan reveals how both parties can keep their pulse down the next time they meet. TIP! Hikers are often an older clientele who may have poorer hearing and are therefore more easily startled. Therefore, approach slowly. APPROACH: In principle, hikers and bikers have the same right to enjoy nature and relax. If the trail is not expressly forbidden for bikers, there is no reason for us to be submissive. Nevertheless, a diplomatic and considerate approach should be taken to ensure better coexistence. Classic example (see picture): Two hikers are blocking the narrow trail. Important: Approach slowly and make yourself clearly but friendly noticeable. Stefan's tip: a bell on the handlebars. If you don't have one, you can also draw attention to yourself with a "Hello" or "Good day" and say thank you as soon as the hikers have made way. A friendly grin usually takes the wind out of the sails of even bike critics.

Use the trail: Staying on the trails is good for the environment, promotes our sport and improves your riding technique at the same time. Stefan explains why. Stay on the trail - a code of honour for bikers. There are several reasons for this. One of them: 1. new trails (see picture) are usually the path of least resistance. Don't shirk the task, but face the bend or hairpin bend.

Use the trail and see it as a challenge to improve your riding technique.

Reason number two: 2. every biker knows that only narrow single trails guarantee full trail enjoyment and allow the trail to shine visually.

Thirdly: 3. it is forbidden to create new paths (this also applies to hikers, by the way). For good reason: because this is exactly how erosion occurs. The higher the altitude, the more critical.

TIP! Avoid creating new paths. This is the only way to take away the arguments of bike critics, which often lead to bike bans.

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Photo: Robert Niedring

Laurin Lehner

Editor

Born in South Baden, Laurin Lehner is, by his own admission, a lousy racer. Maybe that's why he is fascinated by creative, playful biking. What counts for him is not how fast you get from A to B, but what happens in between. Lehner writes reports, interviews scene celebrities and tests products and bikes - preferably those with a lot of suspension travel.

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How to protect paths and trails when biking

Laurin Lehner

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