Mountain Biking adventures are prevalent in the Bitterroot Valley; anyone, from the most advanced to the very novice can find both rugged and single-track-type trails to ride.
Remember there are risks involved in mountain bike riding. It’s important to know the area in which you plan to ride—know the distances and the general routes the trails take (an unexpected fork in the trail could lead to a missed turn and, possibly, to somewhere you didn’t intend), and, if you have the option, go with someone who knows the area, especially if you feel unsure navigating it yourself.
It’s also important to know the basic mechanics of the bike you plan to ride—a simple broken bike chain could leave you stranded in the mountains. While it’s good advice to know your bike, it’s very, very important to know the mechanics of it in the shoulder seasons, like now, when the trails are wet and muddy; the grime kicked up onto the bike’s drivetrain could cause it to run poorly or to malfunction completely. Before you take the bike onto the trails, remember to clean the chain—you will have to remove the chain to adequately clean the entire thing, and the practice of taking it off and then putting it on again will help you on the trail. Use a firm brush—an old or new toothbrush with stiff bristles works well—and clean out the chain’s links. Then lubricate the chain with a lubricant made specifically for bike drivetrains. While you are out on the trail periodically check the bike’s drivetrain to ensure that everything is working properly. Especially if you are riding extremely muddy early-spring-type conditions, trails on which the snow of winter has only very recently melted. Also, know and understand the relatively simple process involved in changing a bike tire. Practice at home, before you’re out on the trail; proficiency at a skill is oftentimes degraded in a non-controlled setting.
Most importantly, however, is that you enjoy your time biking in the Bitterroot Valley. Stay safe.
