ATV tips….from a Woman’s perspective

brandi Friday, January 14, 2011

My husband and I have taken several ATV trips. We rode in West Virginia on the Hatfield-McCoy trails, Kentucky in the Daniel Boone National Forest, Indiana and in Colorado in the Rocky Mountain National Park.

They’re all absolutely beautiful places to ride. All the trails were well marked and easy to navigate. And they all provided some breathtaking views and awesome photo opportunities. We have had our share of hardships on every trip ranging from something as simple as a flat tire on the trailer to a bad accident on the Hatfield-McCoy trails. There are some things that we have found that made our trips go much easier. Now keep in mind, this is written by a woman, so the men may not find these tips as necessary! If nothing else, then this article will help the guys to know what will make the ATV experience more enjoyable for their gal!!

Always pay attention to your weather. It’s fun to ride in the rain/snow, but things can turn bad quickly. We rode in rain gear many times and if you have a good set, you will stay dry. You can’t go wrong by investing in a good set of waterproof rain gear. If you do a lot of winter riding, look for ones that have Thinsulate as well as waterproof! Remember you may need a size bigger because of layering underneath.

The one thing that I really did not like was riding on dusty trails and fighting the dust all day long. We have found that goggles are a MUST! They not only protect your eyes from the dust, but also from tree limbs that invariably swing back and hit you in the face! Sunglasses work ok if it hasn’t been a dry season but the dust still swirls around them and into your eyes. If you need sunglasses, they make really good tinted goggles you can try.

Also we bought some thick, durable Shop Towels (the blue kind) and got them good and wet and then put them in a plastic sealable baggie. This way you can use them to wipe off your hands or face. They also come in handy for an emergency pit stop if needed! They lay flat so they take up almost no storage space, which makes them very convenient.

We always made sure we had Slime in our tires. It helps keep the tire inflated in case of a puncture. It works great and we have relied on it many times.

We also carried a small ax, rope, bungee cords, and towels. We usually rode with at least 4 people, so carrying this extra stuff wasn’t a big deal because we all had boxes to carry it in. The boxes also helped as a seat rest when we would make stops, so they’re nice to have on the back. I always have the big Ziploc baggies to put things in, especially the camera, wallet, and keys. Getting muddy and wet is a necessity for a good time, but you still want to keep your stuff dry. Even if you don’t intend on getting muddy, most of the time the trail goes through water so getting wet is almost guaranteed. So make sure all your baggies are well sealed. We also carried backpacks sometimes if we were doing shorter trips and didn’t need the boxes on the back.

If you’re riding in the winter (an absolute blast) then the heated handlebars are awesome and soooo worth the expense!! If your hands get cold, then you have a harder time hanging on to the handlebars and your hands start cramping. The heated handlebars work incredibly well and I highly recommend them.

Check your cellphone coverage. Most of the time you will not have coverage in the mountains so make sure you have an alternate plan for contacting emergency personnel in the area. Also, having a small first aid kit wouldn’t hurt. Bandaids, alcohol wipes, and gauze would be helpful for small cuts.

GPS systems are a must. Even on the best trails, knowing where you are on a GPS can really help you plan your routes. Sometimes you start out with the intention of going all day but due to weather, physical shape, etc. you need to cut your trip short. If you have a GPS, you can track your route out quickly and efficiently.

Layer your clothing. It can be a chilly morning but commandeering an ATV is physical work so you will warm up quickly. I always wore a T Shirt, Sweatshirt, Jacket and heavier coat if needed. You can always take off the layers if you get to warm. Good waterproof boots are necessary, especially in the winter. Nothing kills a ride faster than cold wet feet!! Even in the summer the waterproof boots are nice.

Above all else, safety first…..ALWAYS wear your helmet. Even if you think it’s a safe, easy trail. You can be on an boring trail and still have ATV trouble causing an accident. Riding gloves are helpful as well. They help keep your grip and absorb sweat when your hot.

Remember that if your riding in a group, when you pass others on the trail, make sure you hold up your hand to show oncoming traffic the number of people behind you so they know when it is ok to pass you.

The ATV community is friendly, helpful and really a lot of fun to get to know. We have had several enjoyable experiences, and everyone you meet on the trails are there for the same reasons you are…to have FUN!