Here's where the rules of the road become the rules of the off road. ATVs have their own set of principles. Read on and learn these basic rules of thumb.

• MUD- Here's how to ride through mud: Just do it. Don't try to avoid it. And if you try to go around it, you'll just end up making the mud hole bigger. A little bit of speed helps, too. Be ready to respond to what's happening under the wheels, even though you can't see it. Oh, and have fun.
• STEEPS- When you're faced with riding up a big hill, your most important technique is judgment. If you're not comfortable, don't do it. The most important part of your ATV vacation is having fun, not scaring the bejeebus out of yourself. If you go up the steeps, remember to keep your momentum up and lean forward. The ATV does the rest.
• GOING DOWN- Slow down! That's the first part. Make sure you have the ATV in low gear when heading down a steep trail. Using the motor to help keep your speed in control can help save your braking power.
• SLOPING TRAILS- Lean into the hill. Lean into the hill. Lean into the hill. Do you think leaning into the hill is important? It is. You need your weight on the high side of the vehicle, and that doesn't mean you should put your 10 pound head over there. Lean into it.