"What should I wear?" is the most common question before a first ATV tour, and with good reason: in Lyulin mountain the ground is muddy for much of the year, and 90 minutes outdoors with the wind in your face feel very different from a walk in the park. The good news is that the list is short. Below you will find what we provide, what you bring, and how to dress for each season.
What you get from us
We provide the gear that matters for safety and comfort: a helmet, a neck gaiter, knee pads, a balaclava (a thin cap worn under the helmet) and a rain jacket. None of this needs to be bought or brought. If you have your own helmet or protectors you are used to, you are welcome to come with them.
What you bring
- Closed shoes. Mandatory. Trainers are fine in dry weather; hiking shoes or boots with a thicker sole are more comfortable on mud and rocks.
- Clothes that can get muddy. Long trousers and a long-sleeved top, even in summer. They protect you from branches, sun and mud spray.
- Gloves. Not compulsory, but they give a firmer grip on the handlebars and keep you warm in the colder months. Ordinary cycling gloves work well.
- Spare clothes and socks. Leave them in the car. After a muddy route you will be glad they are there.
- Water. Especially in summer.
Leave at home anything you do not want dirty or lost: expensive watches, earrings, scarves that could catch on something. Your phone is best kept in a zipped pocket or in the car. We capture the memories on a GoPro.
Spring: mud and changeable weather
Spring in Lyulin mountain is mud season. The snow melts, the trails are soft and deep, and the temperature can change within an hour. Dress in layers: a thin thermal T-shirt, a fleece or sweatshirt, and a windproof jacket on top. Trousers should be a heavier fabric. Jeans work but dry slowly, so if you own hiking or softshell trousers, they are the better choice. Shoes should be waterproof, or at least ones you will not regret.
Summer: light, but covered
The temptation is to turn up in shorts and a T-shirt. Do not. Low branches, long grass and mud spray on the forest trails are the reason to ride in long sleeves and long trousers even at 30 degrees. Choose light, breathable fabrics. Sunscreen on your face and neck is a good idea, as the helmet does not cover everything. And bring water to drink before and after the tour.
Autumn: the best season, with one condition
Autumn is the instructors' favourite season. The colours in the forest are stunning, the air is fresh, and the ground is just wet enough to be interesting. The condition is that you dress in layers and wear gloves. Mornings are chilly, midday is pleasant, and after the tour, once you stop moving, you feel the cold. Your jacket should be windproof; the rain jacket we give you goes on top when it rains.
Winter: yes, if you are prepared
Riding an ATV in winter is possible and has its own charm: snow, frozen mud, silence in the forest. But the wind while riding brings the felt temperature down a lot. You need thermal underwear, a warm mid layer, a winter jacket, thick socks and winter boots. Warm gloves are essential, as fingers are the first thing to freeze. The balaclava under the helmet and the neck gaiter come from us. If the weather looks uncertain, call before booking so we can tell you what the terrain is like.
Checklist for the night before
The easiest approach is to get everything ready the evening before so you do not have to think in the morning. Here is what goes by the door:
- Closed shoes you have walked in at least once. New shoes and mud are not a good combination.
- Long trousers and a long-sleeved top for the season.
- Gloves, even thin ones.
- A bag with spare clothes, socks and shoes for the journey home, plus a plastic bag for the wet things.
- A bottle of water and a small snack for after the tour.
- Your phone with the booking confirmation. A member of our team calls in advance to confirm, so your time slot is clear.
What you do not need: a helmet, protectors, a rain jacket. That is our job. You do not need experience either, just a sense of balance and the ability to ride a bicycle. The briefing and the practice on flat ground before setting off are part of every tour, and the instructor rides with the group the whole time.
The most common mistakes
- White canvas trainers. They will not stay white.
- A sleeveless jacket or a short-sleeved T-shirt "because it is warm".
- No spare clothes, and then the whole drive back to Sofia in wet socks.
- A scarf that flaps around. The neck gaiter does the same job without catching on anything.
If anything is still unclear, ask when we call to confirm your booking and our team will give you specific advice for the day. Browse the ATV routes, check the answers in our FAQ and book at /booking or on +359 882 69 3073.