October Mt bike safety
It's that time of year again when the leaves turn brilliant colors and begin to fall. This is a great time to get out on the mountain bike for some end of season riding. The dramatic changes that take place within the forest are a real treat as the trail conditions and forest itself change on a daily basis. However, there are some important safety considerations to take note of during this time.
This is the time of year when our beloved trails and forests are shared by a group of outdoor enthusiasts of a different kind: hunters. Now I don't mind hunters, or hunting. I say the more individuals that respectfully enjoy all that mother nature has to offer the better as it furthers the cause of preservation and that usually means more forest to build trails on (in fact there's a special sales tax added to hunting purchases devoted to this very cause).
However, our hunter friends can pose certain dangers to mt bikers. Especially during deer season. Greg Lemond suffered a hunting accident that left several shotgun pellets lodged in his lungs. Now he went on to win the Tour de France with many of these pellets still inside him. I'm not sure many of us would fair the same with a similar incident so it is imperative to be aware of your surroundings when on the bike during the fall.
First, never wear any clothing that has the color white or brown. When a deer is in the forest and startled, it starts to run, but it first flicks its white tail in the air and then crashes off into the forest. Many a mt biker makes a very similar sound, especially when riding on crisp leaves, so stay away from any colors that resemble the very thing a hunter is looking for.
Second, find a safety orange vest and purchase and wear it even on
Sundays when most states ban hunting. Seriously these vest are
unnaturally orange and for a good reason. You want to be seen in the
forest during this time so a hunter knows you aren't a deer.
Third, obtain a small bell and zip tie it to your bike. This might drive you crazy, but it could also save your life as no animal being hunted makes bell sounds and it will warn hunters that a non-hunt-able animal is in the area (usually a dog) but it alerts them to your presence, which is important because you don't want to startle someone who can shoot you.
And Finally, be respectful of these guys, even if you detest hunting. They are there to legally enjoy another outdoor sport and you want to be polite and accommodating. But also make sure they know you are around. They will hear you first and you might sound like a running deer, but then they may hear your little bells, or they will spot your bright orange vest and know not to sight you. So be safe and enjoy the fall riding!
