Are you as stoked as we are for spring in the mountains?! We’re so excited! While spring riding brings warmer temps, budding flowers and trees, and a general sense of euphoria, it can also bring early-season overuse injuries, bike mechanical issues, and significant trail damage. Below are some tips for getting your 2023 riding season off to a great start!
Start Slowly!
We know. (We know.) You want to dive right in and break last year’s Strava record. But it’s better to start slowly and gradually build up mileage, elevation, and time on your saddle. Remember that to build up endurance, at least 80–90 percent of your riding should be low-to-medium intensity during the early season. Starting slowly and building up gradually will help you avoid injuries as well as set yourself up to rock longer and more strenuous rides later!
Give Your Bike and Gear a Thorough Checkup
It might be tempting to take your bike off its hanger and hit the trail as soon as possibly possible, but it’s well worth it to give your bike a really thorough checkup. Examine components, pump up your tires, and lube your chain. Take your bike in for any work you’re not comfortable doing yourself. While you’re at it, examine your shoes and helmets for damage, cracks, or general wear. Wash your bike gloves (gentle detergent, line dry) — especially if you stored them before washing them last fall.
Find Valley Trails to Ride
Those of you who live in the mountain west may have noticed that we got a fair amount of snow this year, and that will mean that some of our favorite trails might be snowy, wet, or muddy longer than usual. Riding on wet or muddy trails can cause extensive trail damage, widen singletrack paths, and harm both the landscape and your bike components. Valley-side trails are usually the first to become dry. Use apps like Trailforks and Alltrails to find current trail conditions, and if mud is sticking to your tires, turn around and try again in a few days!
Utah Mountain Bike Trail Associations
We recommend you check out these Utah trail associations that have up-to-date conditions for each area.
South Summit Trails Foundation (Kamas)
Mountain Trails Foundation (Park City)
Basin Recreation (Park City)
Wasatch Trails Foundation (Heber City)
Bonneville Shoreline Trail (Salt Lake City)
Salt Lake Trails Society (Salt Lake City)
Herriman Hills Trail Alliance (Herriman)
Lake Mountain Trails Association (Eagle Mountain)
Corner Canyons Trails Foundation (Draper)
Hobble Creek Bicycle Association (Springville)
Utah Valley Trails Alliance (Orem)
Friends of Four Bay (Payson)
Farmington Trails Committee (Farmington)
Ogden Bike Park (Ogden)
Check out Pink Bike’s comprehensive lists of trail groups in your area!
More about Trail Maintenance and other local trail associations can be found here.
Have fun and be an ambassador for mountain biking. Simple principles of courtesy and respect go a long way toward building a harmonious, healthy, and happy mountain community!