When riding our mountain bike trails, follow these guidelines to ride like a pro:

• Shift into an easier gear and stay seated while climbing. Your bike uses energy much more efficiently when you stay seated and pedal steadily. Lance Armstrong has said that everyone has a limited number of out-of-the-saddle efforts before they run out of gas, so every time you stand up, you're pushing yourself that much closer to running out of steam.
• Do not skid. The trails are sensitive, and if you spray dirt around, or lock up your brakes and slide, you're taking dirt off the trail and aiding erosion. Instead, learn to use your front brake more aggressively to slow yourself when necessary.
• If you encounter a muddy patch, ride through it, or walk around it, but do not ride around the side of it. This widens the trail unnecessarily and could encroach on plant and animal habitats near the trail.
• Similarly, if you encounter a trail obstacle that is beyond your ability, do not try to ride around it or create a new route around it. Trail braids are unsightly, unacceptable and contribute to erosion. This is the number one way to upset the trail builders and maintainers. Instead, get off your bike and walk or climb over it.
• Do not build extra trails without the clear and express approval from the proper authorities. This includes building trails to access technical features, drops or jumps. Do not alter or modify the trails in any way.
• Always wear eye protection.
• Always wear a helmet.
• Keep your eyes focused 20-30 feet ahead of you on the trail- look at what's coming, not what's under your wheel. You'll ride straighter and smoother that way.
• Riders descending yield to riders climbing in the opposite direction. It's much easier to continue riding downhill, while it's much more difficult to start climbing again once your rhythm is broken.