How To Plan the Perfect Mountain Bike Ride: 10 Tips for a Better Day on Trail

Whether you’re heading out for your usual before-or-after-work loop, planning a big day in the saddle on some special singletrack, or you’re brand new to the sport and just trying to make your first rides go smoothly, a little planning can make a big difference.

At the heart of any great adventure is good planning. It’s surprising how quickly a ride can swing from great to disastrous—and back again. A sudden weather change, a mechanical, a missed turn, or a momentary lapse in judgment can all turn a “quick ride” into a surprisingly long day.

The good news? While some of those problems are big, the solutions are often small. A last-second weather check. An extra granola bar. A quick link and a zip tie that’s been living in the bottom of your bag for the last five years. Little things can often be the difference between a perfect ride and a problem ride.

Here are 10 tips and tricks to help you maximize the fun and minimize the number of four-letter words you have to use on your next ride.

1. Be Honest About Your Fitness and Skills

Whether you’re brand new to riding or you’ve spent more time on two wheels than on your own two feet, being realistic about your current fitness and skill level is one of the most important parts of planning a great ride.

If you’re new to the sport, let me start by saying this: There’s absolutely no shame in being a beginner. Everyone who rides started there—whether they like to admit it or not, however, may be a different story.

The best way to improve as a rider is simple: start small, ride consistently, and progress in manageable steps. In the beginning, it’s important to remember that skills develop over time, and the more you ride, not only will it get easier, but the more fun you will have doing it.

For more experienced riders, planning your next ride can often piggyback off your last one. Start by evaluating the current status of your strength, health, and technical riding ability, then ask yourself a few straightforward questions:

• How often have I been riding lately?
• When was my last ride?
• What did I ride? Think distance, climbing & terrain.
• How did it go?And how did I feel afterward?

If you pay attention to basics like distance, elevation, and terrain type, you can almost always find a starting point rooted in what you’ve done in the past.

Riding with a group? Plan for the least experienced rider.

Group rides are always a bit of a balancing act, but extra consideration should be given to the riders who are the least fit, least skilled, or least experienced. Communication and clarity are key.  Being honest with yourself and your group is the best way to ensure your ride goes smoothly and that everyone enjoys themselves. Nobody wants to be the guy who talks their buddy into hitting a feature that ends in six months of physical therapy, or worse: be the one ending your ride at the ER.

Mountain biking is supposed to be fun. It’s also one of the best ways to build fitness, confidence, and mental resilience while getting outside and doing something that makes us feel alive. That being said, pushing too hard has consequences. Some are obvious—crashing, exhaustion, dehydration—but others sneak up on you: aggravating old injuries, getting worn down, or throwing your body’s natural rhythms out of whack.

It’s not always about #mtbsendingit. Sometimes it’s just nice to get on your bike, ride at a reasonable pace, and enjoy being outside. Listen to your body and plan according to your needs—and the needs of your group.

2. Budget Time (With Buffers)

Planning time for a mountain bike ride can be trickier than dividing miles by speed. Your body is the engine, every trail is different, and a ride that looks “short” on paper can take way longer once you factor in climbing, mechanicals, stops, snack breaks, and the occasional “wait… are we lost?” Add in the planning fallacy—the very human tendency to overestimate what we can do and underestimate how long things take—and suddenly planning a ride becomes a calculation that is anything but an exact science.

As a general rule of thumb:

On mixed terrain rides:

• Pace: ~10 miles per hour on trail (adjust for climbing, technical features, and fitness)
• Climbing: ~1,500–2,000 feet per hour on sustained climbs

For example:
A 25-mile ride with 4,000 feet of climbing can easily take 4–6+ hours once you add bathroom breaks, photo ops, navigation tasks, mechanical fixes, quick (or not so quick) rests, and whatever else you might need to do trailside. Moral of the story: on any given ride, you’re doing a lot more than just pedaling.

Pro tip: Build buffers into your plan.

Add at least 15–20 minutes of buffer per major climb or highly technical section. That keeps you on track if something unexpected happens and helps you avoid the classic “we’ll be back before dark” lie.

Always tell someone your plan.

Even if it feels small, it matters.

Something as simple as:

“Hey, I’m going out for a ride after work with the crew. We’re heading to (Trail Name) and might grab a beer after. I’ll be back by 8.”

Simple and effective, it gives your partner, family, or friends useful info if anything should go sideways—and it’s an easy habit that becomes more important the bigger and more remote your rides get.

This becomes especially critical when:

• Riding alone
• Riding highly technical or consequential terrain
• You’re far from cell service
• Unpredictable weather is present
• Riding late in the day

Even if it’s your usual route, it’s better to be safe than sorry. And honestly, your mom or your partner will probably be stoked to hear from you.

3. Use Digital Tools—But Don’t Rely on Them Alone

Apps like Strava, Trailforks, and MTB Project are powerful tools for scouting routes, viewing elevation profiles, and tracking rides. They’re also a great way to end up standing at a trail junction staring at your phone with 1% battery and no service while your map digitally disappears before your eyes. Digital tools are great—just don’t let them be your only plan.

A few simple ways to avoid getting burned:

• Download your route for offline use.
  Cell service can be spotty depending on location and provider, and losing GPS at a critical junction can be a great way to accidentally add 10 miles to your ride.
• Mark or make mental notes of key waypoints before you ride.
  Trail junctions, water sources, bailout points, major climbs, and any “don’t miss this turn” sections.
• Pay attention while you’re riding.
  Sometimes noticing a weird-looking tree or a unique rock feature—and making a mental note of it—can help you navigate back when your phone is dead, and the sun starts dropping.
• Bring a paper map if you can.
  Even if it’s rudimentary, it’s better than nothing. Tuck it into a sandwich bag to keep it dry, and you, too, can reduce, reuse, recycle your Cheeto-dust-covered way back home in a pinch.

In short: be observant, plan ahead, and remember that redundancy is annoying… until it saves your ride.

4. Pick a Route That Matches Your Goals

Not all mountain bike rides are created equal. Before you commit to a route, ask yourself:

• Are you aiming for a scenic cruise or a technical slog?
• Do you want flowy singletrack or rugged backcountry terrain?
• Is the goal mega miles, heavy training, views, or exploration?
• How much time and energy do you actually have today?

Whether your ride is an all-day epic or a quick escape, your route should match your goals. Are you looking for a multi-day bikepacking mission, or are you just trying to spin the legs and clear your mind after a long day?

Also, how are you feeling? Are you fighting off a cold? Did you sleep like garbage? Are you feeling weirdly strong and motivated to go huge? Your ride should match the reality of your body and your day—you’re not always the idyllic version of yourself.

There are a few things worse than being out on a ride and just wishing it would end. Bonking, running out of water, and realizing you’re still miles from the trailhead happen sometimes—but if it’s a regular occurrence, it might be time to reevaluate your planning. And, as always, if you’re unsure, err on the side of caution. You can always take another lap or plan a longer ride in the future.

5. Know the Terrain and Key Sections

Before you roll out, take a look at the elevation profile and a rough idea of the distance. Identify steep climbs, technical sections, creek crossings, or any other features that could slow you down or that you'll need to be prepared for.

If possible, place challenging sections earlier in the day when you’re fresh. Build in contingency plans in case things get out of hand. Pace yourself, knowing what lies ahead, and ride conservatively when it makes sense.

Knowing your terrain also helps you come prepared, for example:

• If it’s a trail known for sharp rocks, double-check your flat kit is with you (maybe even toss in an extra tube).
• If it’s an abnormally hot day and the trail lacks shade, bring extra water and don’t be afraid to douse yourself in extra sunscreen.
• If you’re feeling tired or off, choose a route with bailout options, ride arounds, or even a shorter ride altogether.

In this day and age, it’s easier than ever to get trail intel. Check online reports, ask friends for beta, or talk to other riders on trail. When it comes to planning your best ride, knowledge is power, and a few words' worth of information can often be the difference between blasting a section and blowing it.

Pro Tip: Add checkpoints and be willing to bail.

Assign checkpoints along your route and set target times. If you miss a time point or conditions change—weather, fatigue, mechanical issues all happen. When adversity strikes, it’s okay to bail to a safer or shorter alternative. The trail will still be there next weekend.

Pushing too hard, too far, or into dangerous conditions like darkness without lights or a storm rolling in can have serious consequences. Turning around is always an option. The goal is getting home safe and having a good time—not forcefully sticking to a rigid plan.

6. Give Your Equipment a Once-Over

As mountain bikers, we’re only as functional as our equipment. Taking a few moments to check your bike before you load up the car or start pedaling can save you a lot of headaches when out on the trail. 

Bolt check:

Trail vibrations love to loosen things over time. Check your:

• stem bolts
• pedals
• axles
• linkage bolts
• crank bolts (if applicable)

It takes two minutes and can prevent a ride-ending failure.

Tire pressure:

Tire pressure affects grip, comfort, and efficiency more than many people realize, and it varies quite a bit even day to day. While every rider has their own personal preferences, as a lighter rider, if in mostly dry conditions, I usually aim for around 22 psi front & 24 psi rear, depending on the trail, temperature, elevation and day.

A general baseline formula is: Rider weight (lbs) ÷ 7 = X

Then roughly:

• Front: X - 1 psi
• Rear: X + 2 psi

If you want to get more technical, SRAM has a solid tire pressure calculator here and helps adjust for a wide variety of variables: https://axs.sram.com/guides/tire/pressure

Lube your chain:

A lubed chain is generally a happy chain. It’s a small and simple task that helps your drivetrain last longer and function better. Use wet lube for wet conditions and high mileage applications, but be aware that since the lubricant stays wet (thus the name), it has a tendency to pick up dust and debris in dry riding conditions.

Dry lube is best used for dusty and dry conditions. It is the most common type of chain lube, but it has a shorter lifespan than wet, which means you’ll need to reapply more often. There are also wax-based options, which, while more complicated to apply, might be the ideal solution for certain riders. By using the correct type of chain lubricant, you can avoid unnecessary wear and tear to some of your bike's more expensive consumable components.

Test critical functions:

Stopping and shifting, as it turns out, are pretty important things for your bike to be able to do on the trail. Make sure: brakes feel normal, shifting is functional, and nothing sounds catastrophic. Rotors and pads can get contaminated fairly easily. Even on your bike rack or between shuttle laps, grime can creep into your brakes on your way to ride. It’s always worth it to take a minute to roll around and make sure your critical equipment is working before you need it on trail.

And lastly: double-check these things. It’s obvious, but you’d be surprised how easy it is to miss something on the first go around.

7. Respect Trail Rules and Use Trail Etiquette

Just as important as fitness and gear is knowing the local rules. Riding on unauthorized trails or closed areas can jeopardize access for everyone. Know whether your e-bike is allowed, pay attention to trail markers, and recognize when trails are multi-use.

Be prepared to encounter people who seem to not notice that you (or the rest of the world) exist(s). Always be prepared to stop for or navigate trail hazards like downed trees and other trail users. Riding is a lot like driving: obey the rules, ride defensively, and you’ll avoid a lot of unnecessarily sticky situations.

Good trail etiquette includes:

• paying attention and being respectful
• yielding appropriately (downhill yields to uphill in most places)
• not creating or using trail shortcuts
• minimizing impact on wildlife and vegetation
• picking up after yourself (and your dog)
• saying hello to other trail users and being generally friendly

Maybe even smile once in a while. It’s just riding your bike, and I promise it doesn’t have to be that serious.

By following trail rules and using basic etiquette, you’ll keep yourself and others safer; you’ll also help ensure these places stay open and continue to grow. Classic win-win.

Finally, it seems simple, but you’d be surprised how many people fail rule number one: Don’t be a jerk.

8. Check the Weather—Early and Often

Weather is always an uncontrollable factor. You can’t change it, but you can and should always be prepared for it.

Stay up to date on changing conditions. What was true a few days ago might not be true today. Taking a glance at the forecast—or stepping outside and looking at the sky—before you ride can save you a lot of soggy suffering.

Plan a few days ahead and confirm day-of:

Look for:

• heat waves, storms, or cold fronts
• wind (especially on exposed terrain)
• rapid temperature swings

Understand how conditions affect the trail:

• mud/rain can close trails and make sections unrideable
• heat increases dehydration risk
• high winds can turn your favorite jump line into a disaster waiting to happen

Pack layers and rain gear even if the forecast looks mostly promising. Especially on rides that take you far from other people and the luxuries of modern life, be prepared to spend extra time out there should anything go wrong. A mechanical, a crash, or a sudden weather shift can easily turn a quick strike mission into a multi-hour ordeal.

A weather-aware plan helps you avoid getting stuck on exposed ridgelines—or caught out on treacherous singletrack when things go sideways.

9. Build a Gear List That Matches the Trip

Gear is one of the best parts of being a cyclist. We all love to talk about it, and it’s an added element of fun for many of us.

While shiny gear like that new bike is probably the most fun to buy, it’s often the small things that will make or break your ride. A basic med kit, a hand pump that actually works, a simple multi-tool, or an extra snack will save your day far more often than your fancy electronic derailleur. You don’t need the best gear. You need gear that matches your needs—and a basic knowledge of how to use it.

Your gear should support the terrain and duration, but also cover a few worst-case scenarios:

Hydration:

Plan at least 1 liter per hour in hot conditions. Electrolytes are a nice bonus on long days. And I always like to have a cold or hot beverage stashed in my truck for after the ride for good measure.

Tools/repairs:

• spare tube or plug kit (probably both)
• hand pump or CO₂
• multi-tool
• quick link
• a few zip ties and a little duct tape

That small kit can be the difference between a 5-mile walk back to the car or being able to MacGyver your way out of a mechanical mess.

Safety:

• a basic first aid kit
• headlamp
• a rain jacket (that’s actually waterproof)
• emergency shelter for bigger days or more remote rides
• animal encounters: depending on where you live and ride, bears, moose, elk, mountain lions, snakes, etc., may be part of your consideration while riding

I usually ask myself: What is going to keep my insides on the inside and the outside out? Staying dry, stopping bleeding, and covering wounds are bare essentials, but there’s a lot to consider when it comes to riding safely.

Food:

Plan 200–300 calories per hour of riding. Calorie-dense snacks like Clif Bars or whatever mystery goo comes in those little packets are great (and expensive). But I’ve also had rides saved by gummy bears, Nerds Clusters, or a rogue packet of honey. Sugar is your friend on trail since it’s quick energy, but it alone won’t power your ride: carbs before and protein after are critical s things to consider. If you treat fueling like a game and get creative, you can bring almost anything—plus you might make a new riding buddy by sharing your candy bar at the top.

10. It’s Better To Have It and Not Need It…

When in doubt, I tend to follow a simple mantra: It’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

Sure, it can leave you a little overpacked at times, but you can almost always spare room for a bit more water, a few more snacks, or a couple of “just in case” items.

Small things make big differences in the quality of a ride. Especially when your perfectly planned ride turns out to be not so perfect. And even if you don’t personally need the extra gear, it’s always nice to be the person who can help a friend when they’re underprepared. Every group has that guy, and I can tell you from experience, it's much better to be the other guy: the helpful one.

In Short: Plan Smart, Ride Harder

Good route planning isn’t about eliminating adventure—it’s about enabling it.

With honest self-assessment, solid time budgeting, smart navigation prep, and respect for the environment and your group, you’ll turn ambitious ride ideas into better rides more often. You’ll waste less time dealing with problems, and spend more time doing what you came for: riding your bike and having a damn good time.