Rules of the Trail

IMBA (International Mountain Bicycling Association) 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.

1.  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. Be aware that bicycles are not permitted in areas protected as state or federal Wilderness.
2.  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.
3.  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.
4.  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.
5.  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.
6.  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.

Legend

Suitable for all
Cycle path and dirt track that don’t request any technical task, even if it is advised to have a minimum training in order to finish the trip.
Equipment and special bike are not necessary; safety helmet is recommended.

Cross Country
It’s a path that mainly requires lungs and legs and shows rare demanding obstacles.
It’s better to have a solid front bike; safety helmet is mandatory.

Free Ride
It’s better to not improvize… Ability at ride on a technical path is requested, both in rise and in descent; the difficult of some rises could obly to make them by feet.
We advice a full bike, better if provided with good excursions of damper. Safety helmet is mandatory, knee and elbow pads are truly recommended.

Type of Land
– Cycle path
– Paved road
– Cemented road
– Dirt track
– Mule Track
– Path

Starting point
Starting point of the trip and its altitude.

Maximum height
Maximum height acheived is an important technical data, beacuse weather variations become curter when the altitude rises up. In case of uncertain weather or low temperature is recommended to prefer itineraries that develop at low altitude.

Difference in altitude
Real sum of all meters rise, included those of ups and downs.
For this reason, data is often superior to the sum of difference int altitudes of single rises. Real difference in altitude, togheter with duration, is one of the most indicative to evaluate the difficulty of the path.

Duration
Time that on average trained biker employ to finish the itinerary.
In this calculation, breaks to take photos, enjoy the lses, use special care and follcluded.
It’s clear that this is an estimate value; as a matter of fact a fast and well-trained biker can spend less time but also more time in case of hostile weather conditions.

Total Length
Length (in kilometers) of the path, from the starting point to the end.
Collection of data made with cycle-computer can be different from those made with GPS, in emasure of 10%

Technical difficulty
This is the level of ability requested to complete the itinerary.
The parameter is expressed into three values: low, medium and high. According to the type of itinerary, it is pointed out the technical difficulty requested in relationship with an on average expert biker.
The judgment refers to conditions of dry terrain; in case of rain and moist ground, difficulties grow up in an exponential way compared to what estimated.

Physical difficulty
This is the level of training requested to complete the path in relationship with an on average expert biker.
The parameter is expressed into three values: low, medium and high. Data is linked both to the duration of the itinerary and the difficulty of rises and descents.

Suitable Cycling
It is the percentage, calculated on the entire development of the itinerary, that is possible to spend on the seat in relationship with an on average expert biker.