RIDE ON OPEN TRAILS ONLY - Stay off of trails that are closed to bikes. The way you ride will influence trail management decisions and policies.

LEAVE NO TRACE - Don't cut switchbacks, don't ride after heavy rain, don’t skid. Don't litter and please pick up garbage when you see it.

CONTROL YOUR BICYCLE! - Obey all bicycle speed regulations and recommendations, 15 mph Max, 5 mph when passing. Ride it, don’t slide it!

ALWAYS YIELD TRAIL - Slow down, announce your presence, be prepared to stop. Uphill riders have the Right of Way, both riders should slow down and stay to the right.

NEVER SCARE ANIMALS - When encountering equestrians announce your presence early, slow down and ask if it’s safe to pass.

PLAN AHEAD - Know your ability, take a map if you are riding in a new area, start early in case you get lost, pack enough food and water and always wear a helmet.

THINK BEFORE YOU RIDE - Common Sense:

• One bad encounter = ten good encounters, so create as many good encounters as you can.
• Avoid engaging in debate out on the trail. If you feel you need to address a problem report it to Share the Trail when you get home.
• Weekends are popular with all trail users, help avoid conflicts by choosing more remote trails on Saturday and Sunday.
• You should carry some form of ID when you ride, and when riding in a group, make sure at least one person has a cell phone in case of emergency.
• It's natural to want to ride after rain has kept you inside for a week, but this is when trails are most vulnerable to erosion. Please give the trails time to dry out. As a rule, postpone your ride one day for every day of rain.
• If you don't have anything nice to say... Don't add insult to injury, if you are speeding, or on a trail that's closed to bikes, you are in the wrong. An apology is appropriate, not a cruse word.

HOW TO PASS A HORSE SAFTELY ON A MOUNTAIN BIKE

Equestrians have a legitimate safety concern when encountering mountain bikes due to the natural predator/prey reaction horses often have, and the main defense mechanism for a horse is flight. A well-trained horse can usually interact with bikes without incident, but even the most experienced trail horse may be spooked by sudden action especially from fast moving objects approaching from behind.

To alleviate the potential problem, and to make your fellow land user group happy, when approaching a horse follow this simple protocol.

1. Let the horse know you are there as soon as possible, preferably by saying “Howdy,” or if more then 10 yards away, by ringing a bell. Be especially cautious when approaching from behind.
2. Slow down, be prepared to stop if on a narrow trail or if the horse seems nervous, and always ask if it’s safe to pass.
3. Be friendly, ask if you can pet the horse, engage in a little chit chat.

This may seem like an inconvenience, but it is rare to encounter equestrians on the trail, so why not take a little more care when you do. Positive mountain biker/equestrian interaction is a key step in developing a better dialog with equestrains.