TRAIL ETIQUETTE
when on the trails
Rules of the trail
The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) developed the “Rules of the Trail” to promote responsible and courteous conduct on shared-use trails. Keep in mind that conventions for yielding and passing may vary in different locations, or with traffic conditions.
- Ride Open Trails: Respect trail and road closures — ask a land manager for clarification if you are uncertain about the status of a trail. Do not trespass on private land. Obtain permits or other authorization as required.
- Leave No Trace: Be sensitive to the dirt beneath you. Wet and muddy trails are more vulnerable to damage than dry ones. When the trail is soft, consider other riding options. This also means staying on existing trails and not creating new ones. Don’t cut switchbacks. Be sure to pack out at least as much as you pack in.
- Control Your Bicycle: Inattention for even a moment could put yourself and others at risk. Obey all bicycle speed regulations and recommendations, and ride within your limits.
- Yield Appropriately: Do your utmost to let your fellow trail users know you’re coming — a friendly greeting or bell ring are good methods. Try to anticipate other trail users as you ride around corners. Bicyclists should yield to other non-motorized trail users, unless the trail is clearly signed for bike-only travel. Bicyclists traveling downhill should yield to ones headed uphill, unless the trail is clearly signed for one-way or downhill-only traffic. In general, strive to make each pass a safe and courteous one.
- Never Scare Animals: Animals are easily startled by an unannounced approach, a sudden movement or a loud noise. Give animals enough room and time to adjust to you. When passing horses, use special care and follow directions from the horseback riders (ask if uncertain). Running cattle and disturbing wildlife are serious offenses.
- Plan Ahead: Know your equipment, your ability and the area in which you are riding and prepare accordingly. Strive to be self-sufficient: keep your equipment in good repair and carry necessary supplies for changes in weather or other conditions. Always wear a helmet and appropriate safety gear.
And a few final words on Trail Etiquette from CMBC …
Be aware if your wheels are sinking in, you will be doing damage to the trails that will last all season unless someone else goes out there to fix it. We have little to no topsoil, and the clay will keep permanent ruts once it does dry out. Also, riding “around” to avoid wet areas will very quickly create trail braids, which we want to avoid – keep singletrack single! If a trail is 98% rideable and 2% is wet, please get off your bike and walk over the wet spots. Thank you everyone for your ongoing support and enthusiasm for the mountain bike community!
Bear safety in the Yukon
Carry bear spray, know how to use it, make lots of noise, ensure your dog is under control, and follow these tips from Government of Yukon.
Fat biking tips
These tips and recommendations are from a Singletracks article by author Greg Heil:
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If you’re leaving a deep rut, turn around: Fat biking enjoyment can be condition-dependent. Chances are, if you are leaving a deep rut and having trouble holding your line (i.e. wobbling and weaving a lot), not only are you pushing your bike a lot, but you might be making the trail less usable for others. Now how to avoid leaving ruts is the key (see below), and all snow-covered trails are prone to degradation, but if you’re out for a ride and find that you’re leaving a deep rut in the trail – turn around and come back another day! When the weather starts to warm up, going in the early morning after the nighttime cold will be when the trail is most hardpacked. When the temperatures climb above freezing, make sure that you don’t ride when the trail is slushy.
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Use tires that are at least 3.8″ wide: This gives you better traction, and makes it less likely you will leave a rut (also, tires of minimum 3.8″ width are required for crossing ski trails at Mt MacIntyre – see “Fat Biking at Mt MacIntyre” below).
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Adjust your air pressure to the conditions: As a general rule, the softer the conditions, the lower the air pressure you need to run in your tires. Air pressure is dependent on rider weight, and a heavier rider may need to use a slightly higher air pressure than a light rider. It’s easier to start a touch higher and let out air than it is to add air to your tires in the middle of a ride. A general guideline is to start at 6-8 psi and adjust from there.
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Don’t post hole through a groomed trail: “Post holing” is the act of hiking in deep snow without snowshoes, leaving deep footprint holes behind you, which resemble post holes. If you reach a hill that you can’t pedal up on your fat bike, make sure that you walk in the unpacked snow off to the side of the trail. However, in some places where the snowpack is very deep, you could easily sink in to your waist (or deeper) when you go off the packed trail. In such a situation, walking off the trail may be impossible. The best choice in this situation is, again, to turn around and not leave foot prints, or get off to the side of the trail as much as possible away from the packed tracks.
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As the weather warms, avoid thawing conditions: As the weather warms – either with a change in weather patterns or as spring approaches – trail conditions become more variable, with “freeze/thaw” conditions taking over.
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While the temps may climb above freezing, that doesn’t mean the trail immediately starts to melt. However, expect variable conditions, and plan your route accordingly. Areas with direct sunlight will soften and deteriorate more quickly, while forested or shadowed trail will stay firm for some time, even if it’s getting warm.
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Make sure that fat bikes are allowed on the trail you’re riding:
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See below regarding etiquette for fat biking at Mount Mac.
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Mount Sima is not open to fatbikes.
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Most of Grey Mountain is fair game (though not always packed or groomed), but please out of courtesy do not ride on the groomed Chadburn Lake Ski Trails. Those trails are groomed and tracked by volunteers and we ask fatbikers to avoid them to reduce/avoid conflict.
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If you are unsure about where you can fatbike, post your question in the Yukon Fat Bike facebook group or email [email protected]
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When riding on snowmobile trails, consider using lights and wearing reflective gear: Take precautions similar to those you would take while riding on the road, like wearing a blinky tail light and reflective clothing. Also, IMBA recommends that riders “stay to the far right of the trail and yield to snowmobiles.”
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Respect the other users on the trail. Respect other fat bikers. Respect the land manager. Respect the efforts of volunteer groomers.
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And, most importantly, be an ambassador for the sport – stay polite, educate other bikers, discourage bad behaviour, follow the rules, and we’ll all have a good time this winter.
Fat biking at Mount McIntyre
To access the trails at Mt Mac (Mount McIntyre), you can ride across the Copper Ridge Connector to Porcupine Ridge or start from the designated fat bike trail from the wax room/curling club parking lot (trail starts in the southwest corner of the parking lot, near the tennis court) and bike up to the dirt jump park, cross Olympic trail to the Rocky Canyon singletrack, turn left on the winter entrance to Can Can before crossing the 7.5 km, or cross the 7.5 km to connect to The Collective (the new end segment for The Collective we built in fall 2018 means you won’t have to bike along the 7.5 km, just one quick crossing).
CMBC guidelines for fat biking at Mt Mac, so we can help our friends at the Whitehorse Nordic Centre:
- If you would like to use the Mt. McIntyre Recreational Centre and its amenities (including sauna, washrooms, etc.) please purchase a day pass OR be a member of WCCSC.
- Purpose built snow bikes only please! Both tires must be at least 3.8” wide. Absolutely no regular mountain bikes.
- Snow bikes yield to skiers at crossings.
- Stay on snow bike designated trails. DO NOT ride on any ski trails. Ski trails should only be crossed in order to access singletrack.
- When crossing ski trails, stay on your bike. Do not walk across ski trails, this will leave punctures.
- Do not stop on ski trails. If you are waiting for colleagues, please wait on the singletrack. All trails are bi-directional. Keep your eyes and ears open for users that may be travelling towards you.
