Trail safety at Thunder Mountain Bike Park is paramount, ensuring an awesome experience for everyone. To keep the thrills coming and the spills minimal, it’s crucial to understand and respect the guidelines. For your safety and the safety of all riders, remember that riding or hiking up downhill trails is strictly prohibited.
Every rider plays a part in maintaining a safe environment. Before you drop in, take a moment to inspect the trails and features. Remember, trail features are dynamic – they vary in difficulty and size, and are constantly changing due to weather, maintenance, rider traffic, and even the time of day. Always respect posted rules and general bike park etiquette. Only one rider should be on a feature at any given time. Never use trails or features that are marked as closed. And most importantly, use your head! Ride in control and well within your personal ability level. Don’t attempt features that exceed your skill or experience. You are the best judge of your limits, both on the ground and when catching air. If a trail or feature feels too challenging, there’s absolutely no shame in walking your bike.
Good trail etiquette is the backbone of a safer and more enjoyable bike park for all. Always maintain control, ensuring you can stop or maneuver to avoid other riders or obstacles. Riders ahead of you always have the right-of-way – it’s your responsibility to avoid them. When overtaking, verbally notify the rider ahead and pass in a way that doesn’t widen or damage the trail. Avoid stopping on trails where you might obstruct other riders or where you’re not visible from above. When starting downhill or merging onto a trail, always look uphill and yield to other riders. Finally, let’s keep the bike park vibe positive! You’ll encounter riders with diverse skill levels. Be patient and supportive, giving everyone space to progress in a relaxed atmosphere.
Learning new skills in a bike park environment can be challenging, but Thunder Mountain Bike Park offers a fantastic resource. Their team of instructors are specially trained in gravity riding techniques. Taking a lesson with a certified instructor is often the safest and most efficient way to familiarize yourself with the terrain and features of the bike park, building your confidence and skills the right way.
Riding the right bike is essential for enjoying a downhill mountain bike park like Thunder Mountain. Downhill bikes are specifically designed with generous front and rear suspension to absorb the impacts of rough trails. If you don’t own a downhill bike, consider renting one at the park. The rental technicians can help you tune the suspension to match your body weight and riding ability, ensuring optimal performance and comfort.
There’s a good reason why you see so many riders geared up in protective armor – because it works. Crashes are a part of mountain biking, regardless of your speed or caution. Protecting yourself with pads is a smart move to prevent cuts and scrapes.
And finally, a proper fitting full-face helmet is non-negotiable. Protect your face and head by wearing your helmet correctly, securely fastened under your chin every single run.
