When planning a trail ride on your ATV, these are some of the important things to do for a fun and safe ride.
1. PREPARATION: I know a guy who ran out of gas when he was far from any station, and he didn't realize that he had a reserve tank for just this sort of emergency. He could have saved himself a lot of grief if he had just read the manual that came with his ATV. Be sure to learn about your vehicle by reading the manual.
2. APPAREL: The helmet is the most important part of your dress. It should be a DOT approved helmet in good condition. A damaged helmet offers little or no protection, and bicycle helmets are not adequate. The second 'must' is snug fitting goggles to protect the eyes from flying debris which could cause serious and permanent eye impairment. If you can't see, you can't drive safely. Long sleeves and long pants is the order of the day to protect you from insects and scratches. Footwear should be boots above the ankle, and gloves with knuckle padding is a good idea.
3. TRAILS: Don't drive on paved roads. ATVS are off-road vehicles and can't compete with automobiles going 50 or 60 MPH. Use trails specifically designed for off-road vehicles. You may check online by Googling 'trail rides,' or phone toll free 1 800 887-2887 for information about finding trail rides in your area.
4. PASSENGERS: Never carry passengers on an ATV made for just one person. Two people ATVS are available. An extra passenger falling off the ATV is a very real possibility and very dangerous.
5. DRUGS: Any kind of drug, including alcohol, can influence your judgment and reaction time. You must be alert to trail dangers at all times. Logs, rocks, and even animals on the trail will call for quick evasive action.
There is a lot to learn about ATV trail riding, but following these five simple rules can help you to have a safe and fun filled riding experience.
No comments:
Post a Comment