The sentence we hear most before a tour: “I’ve never done this — will I manage?” The answer is almost always yes. Still, knowing a few things in advance makes the first ten minutes far more comfortable.
1. Do not think of it as a car
On an ATV your body is part of the steering. In a car you sink into the seat; here you actively use your weight. It feels odd at first and settles within a few corners.
2. Sit up, keep your arms loose
Gripping the bars hard is everyone’s first reflex — and the most tiring one. Arms slightly bent, shoulders relaxed. Let your body absorb the ground, not your elbows.
3. The throttle is not a switch
Do not treat the throttle as on or off. Rolling it on and off smoothly is both safer and more effective in mud. A sharp handful just spins the wheels.
4. Slow down before the corner, not in it
Braking belongs before the turn, not inside it. Enter under control, roll on as you exit. This single habit changes how smoothly you ride more than anything else.
5. Do not stall on a climb
Stopping and restarting on an incline is harder than climbing without a break. The guide lines the group up before a climb — keep your spacing and keep your momentum.
6. In mud, look where you want to go
Look at your exit point, not at the front wheel. The machine largely goes where you look — a cliché everywhere else, literally true off-road.
Getting wet on the mud section is normal. Accepting that works better than trying to avoid it.
7. Keep your distance in the group
Do not tailgate. There is mud and stone spray, and the rider ahead may stop suddenly. The guide sets the pace; your only job is spacing.
8. If something feels wrong, stop and wait
If the machine feels off, you lose the line, or you are simply uncomfortable — stop and wait. The sweep vehicle is behind you and will see you. The group already plans to wait.
You do not have to memorise any of this. We cover all of it on site before departure; this list is just so you know what to expect.
If you are still hesitant, a first tour in a roofed UTV is a good option. It has a steering wheel and pedals, so anyone who drives a car adapts within minutes.