Trail riding
Trail riding is riding outdoors on
The modern term also encompasses
Types and uses of trails
Often, horses under saddle are subject to the same regulations as
In England and Wales a bridle path now refers to a route which can be legally used by horse riders in addition to walkers, and since 1968, by cyclists. In the US, the term bridle path is used colloquially for trails or paths used primarily for people making day treks on horses, and used primarily on the east coast, whereas out west the equivalent term is simply trail. The United States has few if any formal designations for bridle paths, though horses are generally allowed on most state and federal trails, roads and public routes except where specifically restricted, although rules differ among locations.[4]
There is some criticism of trail riding when excess or improper use of trails may lead to
Equestrian use
Many long-distance trails throughout the world have sections suitable for horse riding, some suitable throughout their length, and some have been developed primarily for horse riding. Within the United States National Trail Classification System,[5] equestrian trails include simple day-use bridle paths and others built to accommodate long strings of pack animals on journeys lasting many days. Some trails managed by the U. S. Forest Service and other governmental entities may restrict access of horses, or restrict access during certain times of the year.[6][7] Access to trails and pathways on private land is generally left to the discretion of the landowner, subject to the general trespass laws of each of the 50 states.
Pleasure riding
The term
Equestrian competition
There are competitive events that occur on natural trails to test the endurance or trail riding ability of a horse. The level of difficulty varies by distance, trail, and terrain.
There are competitive events at horse shows, called trail classes, which test the horse and rider's ability to handle obstacles resembling those commonly found on trails, such as opening and closing gates, crossing logs, and navigating forward, backward and to the side. There are also judged trail rides, which occur on a natural trail, but assess trail-class-style points based on the ability of the horse and rider to navigate specific natural and man-made obstacles encountered along the trail.
Mountain biking
Mountain bikes are typically ridden on mountain trails, fire roads, logging roads, and other unpaved trails. These types of terrain commonly include rocks, washouts, ruts, loose sand, loose gravel, roots, and steep slopes. Mountain bikes are built to handle this terrain and the obstacles that are found in it, like logs, vertical drop offs, and small boulders. Mountain bikes, therefore, are more sturdily constructed than regular bicycles, have larger knobby tires, more powerful brakes, and the lower gear ratios needed for steep grades with poor traction.
Trail riding on a mountain bike can be:
- On steep, highly technical, constructed trails.[8]
- On longer trails, like bridle paths, rail trails, farm and forest roads and towpaths. The South Downs Way in England and the Ohio to Erie Trail, in the USA would be examples.[9][10]
- On hiking trails that can include steep mountain trails and high passes. These rides can last for days.[11]
Off-road bicycle trails are generally function-specific and most commonly waymarked along their route. They may take the form of single routes or form part of larger complexes, known as trail centres. Off-road trails often incorporate a mix of challenging terrain,
Long rides on hiking and mountain paths have some resemblance to
There has been considerable controversy around trail access for mountain bikes, both in terms of environmental impact and the safety of other trail users. As a result, bicycles are generally restricted from narrow, single-track trails, though bicycles are allowed on most fire roads. However, mountain bikers in the United States generally have access to multi-use trails.[14]
In England and Wales, bridle paths and some other rights of way, such as byways and 'Roads used as paths' (RUPP), are open to cyclists, but footpaths are not. However, in Scotland there is no legal distinction between footpaths and bridleways, and it is generally accepted that cyclists and horseriders may follow rights of way with suitable surfaces.[15] Rights of way are somewhat limited in Northern Ireland.
There are long-distance routes throughout Europe, including some through the
Extreme trail riding, such as
See also
- Enduro (mountain biking)
- List of mountain bike areas and trails in the United Kingdom
- Mountain biking in Australia
- Single track (mountain biking)
- Trail bike
- Pleasure riding
- Leisure horses
- Bicycle touring
- Motorcycle touring
References
- ^ "AMC-NH - Trailwork: Old Bridle Path". amc-nh.org. Archived from the original on 26 April 2018. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
- ^ "bridle path". Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary. Merriam-Webster. Archived from the original on April 9, 2010. Retrieved July 24, 2010.
- ^ "Bridle Path". The American Heritage Dictionary (Fourth ed.). 2007.
- ^ "Concord Monitor: "N.H. drops plans to limit horse use of state trails after complaints"". concordmonitor.com. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
- ^ National Trail Classification System, FSM 2350, and FSH 2309.18, Federal Register: July 3, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 127), Pages 38021-38052 online copy on epa.gov Archived 2009-08-07 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ http://www.discoverytrail.org Archived 2015-08-01 at the Wayback Machine>
- ^ "American Discovery Trail Society - the only coast-to-coast, non-motorized recreational trail for hiking, biking, riding". www.discoverytrail.org. Archived from the original on 1 February 2018. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
- ^ Moran, Chris (21 August 2009). "Where to mountain bike in the UK". the Guardian. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
- ^ "South Downs Way Off-Road Bike Ride". www.bhf.org.uk. Archived from the original on 26 October 2014. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
- ^ "Ohio to Erie Trail". Retrieved 15 June 2022.
- ^ "The Alpine Bicycle Club & Colorado Rough Riders". www.alpinebicycle.org. Archived from the original on 11 September 2017. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
- ^ Stephen Lord, Adventure Cycle-Touring (2006)
- ^ "Mount Tamalpais". gatetrails.com. Archived from the original on 23 January 2016. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
- ^ "Dias Ridge". www.parksconservancy.org. Archived from the original on 12 July 2017. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
- ^ "Scottish Outdoor Access Code". www.outdooraccess-scotland.com. Archived from the original on 16 March 2018. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
- ^ "My Switzerland". myswitzerland.com. Archived from the original on 23 November 2014. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
- ^ The Grand Traverse of the Massif Central by mountain bike, road bike or on foot, by Alan Castle. Published by Cicerone Press http://www.cicerone.co.uk/product/detail.cfm/book/571/tab/detail/iid/4/show/introduction#.VEexAEvz0Ww Archived 2015-07-21 at the Wayback Machine]
- ^ "Video: Danny Macaskill rides stunning ridge on Isle of Skye - VeloNews.com". competitor.com. 2 October 2014. Archived from the original on 14 October 2016. Retrieved 25 April 2018.