Your ADKTrailMap.com Adventure will be an experience to treasure!

What good is having a mountain bike unless you ride it in actual mountains? The Adirondacks offer an abundance of trails on which to test your endurance. Although mountain biking is a great way to connect with the natural beauty of the Adirondacks and likely less impactful on the environment compared with all-terrain vehicles, some regulations pertaining to mountain biking do exist in the Adirondack Park.

To help you make the most out of your Adirondacks experience, we here at ADKTrailMap.com have assembled a guide to help you have a safe and enjoyable journey while mountain biking. Remember to review this guide each time you pack for your trip to ensure that you don't leave anything behind.

The first stop for planning any trip to New York's Adirondack Mountains should be to ADKTrailMap.com. From here you can plan your route by browsing the map; seeing where to park; searching trails by trail type, level of difficulty, distance, and/or name; and additionally exploring an array of other outdoor recreation activities.

ADKTrailMap.com is also available on mobile devices with limited features. For full functionality on smartphones, download our free 'Adirondack Trails' app from the either the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.

• Tell someone where you're going and when you expect to return.
• Check the weather.
  • In the event you see lightening and/or hear thunder, take precautions immediately. If no sturdy structures are nearby, know what to do by reading this guide
• Know when it's going to get dark.
  • Use the US Naval Observatory's “Complete sun and moon data for one day” to get precise sunset and 'last light' times: http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneDay.php

Equipment

To ensure a positive experience, PRIOR to leaving, use our helpful checklist to make sure no stone is left unturned when packing for the trip.

• HELMET
• WATER
  • 1 liter per 4 miles is a general rule – this varies by person's fitness level
  • bring water purification tablets or a filter if back country camping
  • pack extra water in the car for when you return
• FOOD
• EXTRA CLOTHING (non-cotton)
  • dress in layers
  • when cotton becomes wet, it looses its insulating properties, which can contribute to hypothermia, even in mild temperatures.
• HEADLAMPS and/or FLASHLIGHTS
  • check that they work before heading out
  • bring extra batteries
• FIRST AID SUPPLIES
• MATCHES (waterproof) / CANDLES / LIGHTER
• TOOLS / REPAIR KITS
• EMERGENCY SHELTER
  • at a minimum, a garbage bag or poncho would suffice to help stay dry in the event of a sudden downpour
• SUN PROTECTION
• BUG REPELLENT
• MAPS / COMPASS / ADIRONDACK TRAILS PHONE APP

Adirondacks Mountain Biking Safety and Decorum

In case of any emergency know the DEC Forest Ranger Adirondacks Emergency Phone Line: 518-891-0235

If you have cell service in the Adirondacks, dialing 911 may direct you to a 911 Dispatcher in a neighboring county or potentially even Vermont. If for any reason a 911 Dispatcher can not assist you, dial the DEC Forest Ranger Emergency Phone Line. DEC Forest Rangers are highly trained emergency responders knowledgeable of the geography and subtleties of the Adirondack Mountains.

• Wear your helmet.
  • Helmets should be worn at all times while bicycling, no exceptions.

• Ride only on open trails.
  • Do not ride a mountain bike on any trails in DEC Forest Preserve Land classified as Wilderness.

Respect and help maintain the trails. Some content courtesy of the NYS DEC and the IMBA “Rules of the Trail”

• Stay on the marked trail.
  • However: If a trail is excessively muddy, consider not riding it. Riding on these wet, muddy trails degrade them, making the trails less enjoyable for everyone.
  • Do not follow unmarked switchbacks or create your own.
  • If on a shared-use trail, be conscious of other users and yield to other non- motorized users.
  • If traveling downhill on a trail signed for bicycles only, yield to users coming uphill.
• When it comes to anything you bring with you on the trails, remember: “Pack-in, pack-out,” even if the items are biodegradable
• If there are no privies available, dispose of human waste by digging a 6” – 8” hole at least 150 feet from water or campsites.
  • Although it may seem unorthodox, consider packing out human waste as well if you have the proper equipment.
• Follow the Leave No Trace principles:
  1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
  2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
  3. Dispose of Waste Properly
  4. Leave What You Find
  5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
  6. Respect Wildlife
  7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors ( © Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics )