7 Tips for Getting Back Into Trail Riding After a Long Break


Written by Abby Hill
4 mins, 6 secs Read
Updated On August 24, 2023

If you’re an experienced trail rider, you know there’s nothing quite like getting out on the trails and enjoying a good ride. However, life gets busy and prevents us from riding as often as we’d like. 

If you’ve taken a long break from riding and are looking to get back into it, here are seven tips to help you ease back into trail riding.

Make a Plan

Creating a plan is a pretty obvious yet effective first step toward getting back into trail riding. Think about your goals, achievement, and what you want to do to get better! Start by writing down these things and prepare a plan of action. 

Your likelihood of success increases with the level of detail you include in your strategy. Once you have a strategy, you can begin choosing the areas you want to focus on. So, if you want to get back into trail riding, pick a few specific trails and skills you’d like to work on. 


Pick a route that goes with your current skills. Don’t try to ride like a pro right away. Pick a route that you can work into your riding schedule. Try not to take on too much too quickly. 

Start with Shorter Rides

When you’ve been away from the trails for a while, it’s easy to want to get right back into it. But you’ll probably find that your riding fitness isn’t where it needs to be. 

This could lead to injuries and bad days out on the trails. To avoid this, start with shorter rides. You may find that you need to do this, but don’t be discouraged if that’s what you find. 

It’s a good sign that you’re getting back into shape. As you get more used to shorter rides, you can slowly work your way up to longer ones.

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Take It Easy On Yourself

While you may be eager to get back into riding, don’t push yourself too hard. There’s no point stressing yourself out or trying to do too much too soon. Remember, you’ve been away for a while, so you don’t have any excuse for being fit. 

In fact, you have more than likely gotten out of shape while you were away from riding. So don’t push yourself too hard when you are just starting to get back into it again. You might feel like you need to push yourself too hard right off the bat, but taking it easy on yourself will make you more likely to stick with your new routine.

Find a Good Trail

When you’re getting back into trail riding, the first thing you should do is look for a good trail. There are a lot of trails out there, and while you might be excited to get back on the horse again, it’s kind of pointless if the trail isn’t good enough. 

Pick a trail that you know will be good for you. One that is well maintained and one that you know is suitable for beginner riders. Just take short steps. 

Start by getting out once a week. Then try twice a week. Once you’re comfortable with that, add another day. Eventually, you’ll find yourself wanting more.

Find a Riding Buddy

A trail ride is a lot more fun when you’re riding with a good buddy. Picking a buddy who is also new to trail riding will help you both get used to being on the horse again. More than that, it will help you both keep each other in check, and help you to avoid getting out of shape. 

Finding a good trail buddy is key to making sure you stay motivated and committed to your goals. If you’ve been out of the saddle for a while, it’s not uncommon to feel rusty and unsure of what you’re doing. Having a partner who knows the trails well and has similar goals can keep you focused and accountable.

Join a Trail Riding Club

If you’re feeling like you want to get back into trail riding, but are having trouble finding a good enough trail, why not look into joining a trail riding club? Joining a trail riding club will not only give you access to more trails but will also give you a group of riders to ride with.

If you want to learn more about trail riding, join a local trail riding club. Many clubs offer beginner classes, clinics, and other activities designed to teach new riders the basics.

You might also want to try local group rides. These rides usually take place at a set location and riders meet up there before heading off on the trail together. This type of ride is perfect for beginners because this will allow you to ride with others and build confidence.

Practice Safely

If you’ve been riding regularly for years, you probably know how much fun it is. And if you haven’t ridden in a while, you might be surprised at how quickly you start feeling better when you get back into it.

Trail riding requires a balance between speed and control. You need to learn how to ride at different speeds while maintaining good form. It’s also important to practice safe techniques so you won’t injure yourself when you’re out there. 

Moreover, you need to properly maintain your bike when you are about to get back into riding, especially if you have failed to check up on your bike during the break. 

Conclusion

It’s not uncommon for riders to take a break from trail riding for a variety of reasons. Life sometimes gets busy and it becomes hard to get time to go out and enjoy trail riding. But when you’re finally ready to get back into trail riding, there are a few things that you can do to make sure that the transition is smooth such as finding a riding buddy or joining a club among others. 

We hope the tips you just learned can help you get back into trail riding and make the experience fresh and enjoyable once again!




Author: Abby Hill
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