Yesterday, I had the pleasure of being a guest blogger over on the mtobikes.com blog.  MTOBikes (Made-To-Order Bikes) "combines the wisdom of the trials behind us with the vision of the trails ahead. With this guiding passion we have sought out a group of knowledgeable professionals and the best vendors with the most durable parts in the business.  Not only do we make bikes at Made-to-Order Bikes, we are riders as well."

My post focuses on the precautions necessary to enjoy a safe mountain biking experience, while balancing it with the joys of the adrenalin rush from the risks involved in a ride.

With the recent story of a missing mountain biker in Missoula, MT,  I was reminded that the concept of safety goes beyond the equipment that I spoke about in my MTOBikes post.  Fortunately, after a long search, the mountain biker in Montana was found safe.  However, a basic ride plan would have helped in the search and rescue process.  Anytime your doing something outdoors, someone that's staying behind needs to have your plan of action.  Whether a float plan for boating, a hike plan for hiking, or a trail plan for a ride, let someone know where you plan to go, what trailhead or ramp you plan to use, how long you plan to stay out, when and where you plan to return, and what stops you plan to make along the way.  This takes just a few minutes and could be the difference between a search & rescue mission or a search & recovery mission.