Bike Park 101: The Dos and Don'ts of Riding Park

Words: Hayden Wright

Photos: Tim Bardsley-Smith, Nick Waygood

There are few things better than loading your bike up on a chairlift or shuttle trailer and being carted to the top of a mountain that would take you hours to climb under your own steam. Here are our top 5 do’s and don’ts to ensure you get the most out of your next bike park trip. 

Do – Be prepared

Park riding is hard on your body, and your equipment. We strongly advise doing some preventative maintenance on your bike before heading to your favourite riding destination. Things like a completing a bolt check, replacing your tubelss sealant, checking your suspension settings and even throwing on a fresh set of tyres will ensure that you will minimise the possibility of a mechanical that would leave you kicking rocks outside the local workshop while all your friends lap the mountain. 

Going along with that, it’s always a good idea to don as much protective equipment as is comfortable. Without the need to pedal up the hill, wearing light weight breathable kit is not as important… throw on a full-face helmet and some body armour! It’s all about ensuring you get the most amount of time on the hill as possible and that you and your bike get back home in one piece.

Do – Listen to the staff

Bike park staff are there to help you. Whether that be on how to load the shuttle correctly, which trails are in the best condition, areas to avoid due to weather or even which trails they personally recommend, their job is to ensure you get the most out of your park riding experience. Don’t be afraid to ask for any tips and tricks – the staff know the park better than anyone else. 

Do – Make some new friends

Bike parks are full of people just like you – mountain bikers! Take the opportunity to have a chat, whether that is in the lift line, on the chairlift or trail side while you try and shake out some arm pump. Everyone is there because they want to ride and it’s a great place to make some new riding buddies! 

Do – Challenge yourself

Most bike parks have a myriad of trails, from mild to wild. Take the opportunity to check out a trail that may be a little above your pay grade. Take your time, walk some features, watch other riders as they ride the trail. You will be surprised at how capable you are and what you can get down if you take some time and approach things correctly… just be sure you aren’t alone when trying something new. 

Even better, sign up for a coaching lesson. Most bike parks have accredited coaches on staff and there isn’t a more appropriate place or time to work on your technique than with the help from a qualified professional. They’ll have you hitting the A-lines in no time. 

Do – Update your contacts

It’s a good idea to keep your phone on you, and ensure you have the phone number for mountain patrol or similar saved in your contacts list. Things don’t always go to plan, so whether you get lost going off piste or come across someone who’s had a uuuugey it’s best to be able to call for backup if the situation arises.  

Don’t – Do a skid at the bottom of the mountain 

Most bike parks funnel back together into one shared trail at the end which pops out at the park base and lift line. This is a simple one, but I can’t believe how often I see people do it… STOP RIPPING A MASSIVE SKID AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL. It rapidly increases the wear on an already highly used piece of trail and throws up dust in the common areas. If you want to impress onlookers throw some shapes on the last jump, this would be way cooler. 

Don’t – Judge other riders

Remember the first time you went to the ski fields? I do. You take an introductory lesson and then pick your way down the mountain at walking pace until you get the confidence up to try a blue run. You make it down alive and thank Baby Jesus that none of the more competent skiers took you out as they flew past you down the mountain. Some people have the same experience at bike parks in the summer. It may be their first-time mountain biking, so take it easy. Give everyone some space and don’t be a brat if someone gets in your way or accidentally drops in on you. Riders on rental bikes and in rental kit are usually very easy to spot, keep an eye out and be nice.

Don’t – Drop in on anyone or jump the queue 

If you are about to drop into a trail, ensure you aren’t going to cut anyone off regardless of their speed. No one wants to be picking dust out of their teeth after you drop in on them and blow up the first berm you come across. Less experienced riders may get a little rattled if you drop in too close in front of them too, so best to give everyone some space. Going along with this, don’t jump the lift queue. This is the number one easiest way to get the stink eye from everyone else in line and ensure that no one is stopping to help you mid trail if you have a mechanical or worse. 

Don’t – Use headphones

Bike parks have people everywhere, and it’s a good idea to stay vigilant. If you have headphones in you might not be able to hear a faster rider coming up to pass you, someone yelling out to you about a downed rider ahead, or announcements over the PA regarding wildlife or emergency trail closures. Leave your air pods at home. 

Don’t – Get in the rut of lapping one trail

One of the best things about park riding is that you can almost guarantee that there will be a sweet flow trail full of big berms and fun jumps. These trails are great as a warmup but in my opinion it’s easy to get sucked into lapping them over and over while some more technical, picturesque, fun or adventurous trails may await you. Take a trail map and see if you can tick off a lap of each course on the menu!