Boston Road Club

When you realize that you’re lost in the woods, especially an unfamiliar woods far away from home, you learn something important about yourself. One of two particular personae emerge under these conditions: Bushwhacker or Backtracker.
Last autumn under cover of a mass carpet of red, gold, and orange, my friends and I lost our way on the trail. Still perched on the saddle of our bikes, we found ourselves scratching our heads, looking around for the lost blaze. The leaves covered most everything so completely, there was little to help us find our way. Instead of agonizing about the structure of staying on the trail, we decided to press forward and carve our own path. The reward was a ride filled with more challenging topography and a wilder sense of place.
Backtrackers are from more sensible, logical stock. They stop pedaling. Examine the landscape. Determine the position of the sun. Pinpoint where it was exactly they rolled off the predestined path, so they may rejoin the trail. These are all good qualities. Having a Backtracker in the pack is a great asset to any group ride. They are like a personal insurance policy in case you get lost. The Backtracker will get you back on the trail.
Then there are the Bushwhackers. Pushing forward, Bushwhackers are excited by the unknown that lies ahead. They go wherever their bike may take them. Challenged by obstacles like thick vegetation, random trees, unexpected terrain changes, bushwhacking via bicycle takes every bit of your focus and attention. Plus, that thrill of being a little lost places you smack into the middle of an adventure. Bushwhackers embody the spirit of mountain biking.
If you’re interested in doing a little bushwhacking during your next excursion, here are some tips to make that risky ride a bit more fun and worry free.
Be kind to the woods. Common trail courtesy still applies in the back country. Leave no trace and avoid delicate vegetation. Destroying the woods is not cool so if you get into a really dense area, choose to reroute. Many state forests and reservations allow mountain biking on designated trails, but prohibit off trail riding or hiking. Respect the rules of where you ride. Ride free and wild! You choose your own direction. Bushwhacking puts you in touch with your inner explorer. Bring a friend. If you’re going to get lost for a while, at least you won’t be lonely. A compass and a topographical map are not fun killers. Eventually, you’ll need to find your way out of the bush. Always pack a first aid kit. This should be standard operating procedure. First aid, tire tube repair kit, and hell, throw the cell phone in the pack in case you really get off trail and into a bind. Bushwhacking is great riding but getting stuck in the woods overnight is just not fun. Having a sense of adventure is one thing, but having no sense at all is quite another. Many mountain biking trail guides have “Rescue Indexes.” This tells you how far away, in miles, you are from assistance should you need help. This information can be useful when your tired of being lost and want to be found.
So the next time you hit the trail, consider falling off the map for a while. Your sense of adventure will thank you for it.
We remind you that you should always respect your environment. Do not ride in protected or sensitive areas.

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