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Don't let go! Before you start, we will talk through and demonstrate all of the points that you need to know for a safe start, secure turns, speed control and stopping, as well as 'counterbalancing' the sleigh, ascending and descending. Those joining us for longer safaris can also learn how (and why) to supervise the teams during breaks.
- Keep both hands firmly on the handlebar at all times
- Maintain a 10m safety distance from the team in front
- A trailing cord behind the sleigh ahead is your visual distance cue
- Stay relaxed – absorb bumps and turns with your knees, like skiing
- Lean your body-weight into the direction of each turn
- Longer safaris also teach untying, ascents, descents and team supervision
Starting-point
Starts are high-adrenaline moments for huskies and mushers alike, and the atmosphere can be electric. At rest, the sleds are tied to an immovable object such as a holding post on the starting line or a tree. We will help passengers settle comfortably on their reindeer skins with blankets tucked around their feet, and take pictures of you primed and ready to go if you like.
Wait with both feet on the brake and both hands firmly on the handlebars until all the teams are ready - and keep them there at all times once you set off. The only time you should ever consider letting go with one hand is to signal a guide for help. Nearly every day we see a client relax half-way round, reach for a camera or lose grip - and suddenly the passenger is enjoying a free ride with the dogs while the driver is left behind!
Learning to relax
The most common difficulty for novice mushers is learning to relax. Adrenaline and the fear of falling off usually make you tense up and grip too tightly, which exhausts you quickly. It also makes a fall more likely, since you need to hold your stomach firm while absorbing bumps, turns and sudden twists with your knees, much as you do when skiing. Luckily, it doesn't normally take long to realise you are managing fine and to start enjoying the experience.
How close should I be to the team in front?
As soon as you leave the start line, keep a 10m safety distance between the sleighs. This gives you time to react if there are problems in your own team, or if the team ahead stops unexpectedly. Always watch the speed of the team in front and brake when they do, so the gap stays constant and there is a domino effect through all the teams if the one ahead slows or stops.
A cord trails behind the team in front as a visual cue for this distance. If your lead dogs approach the cord, you are too close to react in case of problems.
Turning
As with biking or skiing, balance your body-weight in the direction of the turn; lean your body towards the left when the bend turns left, to the right when the bend turns right.