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Are you ready to start exploring the great outdoors? The offroad trails in Virginia are the perfect place to start! And if you are new to the world of ATV-ing, then don’t worry! Here at Valley Cycle Center, we are here to help you out. 

A great way to start is to decide where you will go, who you will be going with, and the plan, and buy all the right gear, clothing, and safety equipment before you hit the trail, like helmets, and goggles, and so forth. One of the best ways to stay safe and have fun is to plan. You need to be fully prepared, whether that be by taking an ATV course or ensuring you have the proper safety gear.

Start by ensuring you have all the communication devices you need before heading out. Let others know where you will be going and what time you expect to return, and stay in touch with them while on your adventure.

Also, make sure any mechanical issues are solved ahead of time. If you don't know how to check the mechanical problems, bring your Yamaha Powersports over to Valley Cycle Center! Our experienced service technicians will make sure your ATV is in perfect shape for your outdoor adventure.

Make sure to dress in layers so that as the temperature changes when it gets hotter or colder throughout your day, you can adjust accordingly. Just bring along water bottles for hydration. You'll want a pair of sunglasses or goggles to keep the sun from getting in your eyes or even bugs if they are bad that day. Also, don't forget about mid-day snacks for energy.

Here are some tips for planning your Off-Roading trip in Virginia.

Safety First

Riding an ATV off-road is fun, but it's also important to be safe every single time you head out. Even if you've ridden dozens of times before and never had a problem, the law puts your safety second in every situation (after other people's safety).

Read on if you're ready to ride legally, stay safe, and have fun.

You need a few things to get started:

• A valid driver's license.
• An ATV model meets or exceeds Virginia's size, age, and usage guidelines.
• You must not carry passengers under 18 years of age unless they wear an approved helmet and a safety vest or jacket; passengers 12 years of age or younger must wear a helmet.
• Get your helmet first – buckle up! It stops serious brain injuries in the event of a crash. Ensure it has the government-mandated sticker on the back that shows it meets U.S DOT standards (or other local standards). Safety first! Protect your head!
• Get dressed for off-road riding - don't forget to wear brightly colored clothing to help keep you visible! 

Check the weather before heading out. You don't want to drive through rough terrain during a thunderstorm, which can be dangerous for you and your vehicle. The conditions of Virginia's backroads can change quickly with rainfall, so it is best to plan accordingly.

Make sure you are wearing proper attire. You don't want to end up on one of these rides without appropriate clothing or footwear that will protect your skin from getting scraped or scratched by trees or rocks along the way.

Bring plenty of water to stay hydrated during your trip and snacks such as an energy bar or fruit snack if you get hungry while exploring these trails!

Buy a Trail Permit If Necessary

Before you go off-road ATV riding in Virginia, it's essential to know whether you need a permit or not. Not all state forests require these permits. For example, the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests do not require permits for off-road ATV riding. Searching for a Yamaha dealership near me will help you determine if and when you need permits.

Where To Ride

One of the most fun ATV destinations is in the Clear Branch area in West Virginia. It has miles of trails to explore, from winding mountain paths to flat valleys. There are also some gorgeous views of the mountains and nearby towns. Yamaha ATV dealer near me can provide information on local trails.

If you're looking for a more challenging off-road adventure, try out the Shenandoah Mountains. The trails in this area are more complicated than those in Clear Branch because they're on steeper terrain.

The trails aren't too long or complicated, so they're perfect for beginners or someone who wants to get into riding without investing too much time and money.

In addition to these two popular destinations, there are many other places where you can go off-roading in Virginia. Some areas have primitive campgrounds with water spigots and picnic tables that make it easy to plan an overnight trip or take your family on an adventure.

Off-Roading Etiquette

The first thing to know about off-roading is that it means something different to everyone. For some people, it's about getting muddy and tearing up the trails with a pickup truck or an SUV. For others, it's about having a fast car and testing its limits on a track. And for some, it's about exploring the wilderness on dirt bikes and ATVs.

Off-roading is fun and can take you to some incredible places. But it's important to remember that we share the outdoors with everyone else, including hikers, mountain bikers, bird-watchers, and hunters. We need to respect other users when you're out there on your ATVs.

Here are a few off-roading etiquette guidelines:

Stay on designated trails as much as possible — not just because it's the law in most places, but because it protects the environment. Most people will agree that off-roaders get a bad reputation for tearing up land that isn't ours and harming wildlife habitats. There are plenty of areas where this kind of recreational activity is welcome — we need to make sure we stay on those trails.

Don't drive your ATV through streams or creeks unless you have to — not just because it's usually against the law, but because it disrupts natural fish habitats and makes it harder for other people to enjoy them. If you drive through water, make sure you wash your vehicle off afterward to avoid spreading invasive species like zebra mussels or other destructive pests around the rest of the country.

If you are new to off-roading, you should also plan on taking some lessons. At most off-road parks and public land areas, there are no requirements for experience or licensing. While ATVs are relatively easy to learn how to ride, they're not quite as simple as cars — especially if you're going to be riding in rough terrain. There are safety precautions and techniques that you should know before hitting the trail to avoid injury and damage to your machine or the environment.

Valley Cycle Center is a Yamaha dealer in Winchester VA and can help you get started with a new ATV!