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Winter is upon us and so far the trails have been in pretty good shape.  However, we are starting to see the conditions change.  This means be smart on where and when you ride.  We’ve received reports of large groups of cyclist riding past hikers and not abiding by current State COVID Guidelines. It seems that by this point, at almost 9 months of living in COVID, that we as recreators would respect other trail users. Unfortunately, a small few can ruin it for the rest of of us. A lot of people and groups have put in a lot of time to take care of the trails we all love and enjoy.  So, let’s do our part as riders and fellow users of the trails. Respect other trail users, and (though we feel as though we shouldn’t have to say this) WEAR A MASK. Avoid wet trails, if you do see a wet section, get off your bike and carefully walk through this section.  ACBC will do our best to post when trails are closed or should be avoided. Please look at the Trail Etiquette Guidelines we’ve put in place, in conjunction with MALT that we hope you will follow.

ACBC & MALT Trail Etiquette and Guidelines During COVID

• Wear a mask when encountering other users.  It’s pretty simple to wear a neck gator (especially now that its cold out) and pull it up and over your nose and mouth when near other trail users. This should not be a hard step to follow.

• Stay local. We discourage out of town users from visiting our trails. Many other networks are closed to cycling due to Hunting season. If you do not feel you can respect our guidelines then stay away.

• Currently only ride solo or with one other person if not from your household.  Immediate family’s riding together is of course an exception. Maintain distance and wear a mask. 

• Give each other space. We recommend a MINIMUM 2 bike lengths between trail users. We know that you will do better than that, you will do your best and still have fun. Air fives, posts and comments are great ways to appreciate the radness.

• Keep it to yourself. Don’t share bicycles, helmets, gloves, water bottles, snacks, whisky flasks, post-ride beers, vaping devices or smokes with your friends. If you need to loan a pump, tube or tool to someone, have them keep it until they can properly sanitize it.

• Take it down a notch. Hospitals, ambulances and first responders are under tremendous stress. Work on something fun and simple, like manuals, instead of eyeing up that big gap you’ve wanted to hit.

• Ride to ride. Putting your bike in/on your car to ride your bike has always been less than ideal. Riding to trails keeps you fit, outdoors, away from gas/charging stations and auto accidents.

• It’s snot cool. It’s never nice, but now blowing your mouth, lungs or nose out in the vicinity of others is dangerous to them and will diminish your opportunities to ride with others. Carry wipes or get a long, long, long way away from people and trail with your face aimed at and close to the ground.

• Ride the couch. If you are sick, in any way consistent with Covid-19 symptoms, please stay home and get well so that we see you on the trail again, soon.

• Go before you go. Lots of trailheads and trail areas don’t have restrooms and nobody wants to clean those that do. Before you ride, take a minute to relieve yourself.

• Make believe. Pretend that you are already sick and those other trail users are your best friends. It might be true.

• Have a stash. Keep some sanitizing wipes, a spray bottle of isopropyl and/or disinfecting spray handy, even in your pack. Your trail using friends will appreciate that you are wise and caring.

• Look out for others. Parents! You need to talk to your children and encourage over-adherence to these and other protocols. We are all in this together, so education, encouragement and calling out others are good tactics. Practice your heckling skills for use during cyclocross season or against those younger and more talented than you.

These guidelines have been put in place in conjunction with current State Regulations.

If you have any questions, or concerns please email us at addisoncountybikeclub@gmail.com