Sun and Wind on an Open Ride
An open ride across North Dakota can turn uncomfortable faster than expected: prairie sun reflects off pale ground, and steady wind drains energy while kicking dust into your face. This guide explains how to prepare for sun and wind on an ATV or UTV ride, choose practical gear, plan safer routes, and recognize when conditions are telling you to slow down or turn back.
Why sun and wind feel different on North Dakota rides
The prairie offers little shade or shelter
On a wooded trail, trees can break the wind and provide patches of shade. On open prairie roads and exposed routes, you may have neither. The sun can feel intense even when the air is cool, while wind can make you underestimate how much heat your body is losing. That combination makes it easy to feel fine at the trailhead and worn down a few hours later.
The problem is not limited to hot summer days. A bright, breezy afternoon in spring or fall can still leave your face, neck, and hands exposed for hours. Riding near Medora, across the open country around the Little Missouri National Grassland, or along an exposed section road can mean long stretches with few natural places to pause. Even on a designated route, the next sheltered stopping place may be farther away than it looks.
Wind also changes how a ride feels inside a helmet or UTV cab. Air rushing past your face can dry your eyes and lips, and dust may blow across a road or trail when another machine passes. A UTV windshield can reduce some direct airflow, but it may not keep dust out completely. On an ATV, your body takes more of the wind directly, so clothing and eye protection matter especially.
Treat exposure as part of the route, not just a weather detail. Before heading out, consider how much of the ride is open, how long you expect to be away from the vehicle, and whether the group includes children or anyone who tires quickly. The same route can feel very different when the sun is high, the wind is persistent, or dust is hanging in the air.
Wind can affect control, visibility, and communication
A strong crosswind can push at a rider or the side of a UTV, particularly on an exposed road, a ridge, or a broad stretch with no windbreak. Gusts may be uneven: one moment feels manageable, then a sudden blast catches a vehicle as it emerges from behind a rise or trees. Keep both hands positioned for control, ease off the speed when needed, and leave extra room from other riders.
Dust creates a separate visibility hazard. If a group rides too close together, the last machines may end up in the dust cloud of the first. Increase spacing, ride at a pace that allows everyone to see the route, and use agreed signals or a simple regrouping plan. If visibility drops enough that you cannot reliably see the person or route ahead, stop somewhere safely out of the travel line and let the dust settle.
Wind can make conversation difficult, too. A rider may not hear a warning, a direction, or a question from someone nearby. Decide before leaving how the group will communicate: hand signals, brief stops, or a designated lead and sweep rider can help. For a larger outing, set clear regroup points rather than relying on everyone to hear shouted instructions over engines and wind.
Open terrain can make route finding more challenging when visibility is poor. Carry a paper map or another reliable navigation option, and know where the route is supposed to go before the group spreads out. A mapping tool such as onX Offroad may help you review a route and identify where you are, but do not make a phone your only navigation plan. A dead battery, weak signal, or dust-covered screen can turn an easy junction into a frustrating delay.
How to prepare for sun exposure
Dress for hours outside, not just the temperature at the trailhead
A comfortable morning can become a hot afternoon, and exposed skin can take a beating even when the air does not feel especially warm. Wear clothing that covers your arms and legs, fits securely, and works with your protective equipment. Lightweight, breathable layers can help you adjust as conditions change. Avoid loose fabric that can catch on controls or moving parts.
Use a helmet and eye protection suitable for the machine and the conditions. Dust and wind can make eyes water, which reduces visibility and makes it harder to notice ruts, loose gravel, or another rider’s signal. Keep a clean spare pair of goggles or glasses in a protected case if you have room. A neck covering can protect exposed skin, but make sure it does not interfere with helmet fit, breathing, or vision.
Sun protection is easy to overlook when you are focused on checking the machine. Apply sunscreen to exposed areas before riding, especially the face, ears, and back of the neck. Reapply during longer outings according to the product directions, particularly after sweating or wiping your face. Lip protection is useful as well; wind can leave lips uncomfortably dry even when you have not noticed yourself getting thirsty.
Choose clothing and protective gear with the entire ride in mind. A dark, heavy layer may feel stifling in direct sun, while very thin clothing may not protect you well from dust, brush, or a fall. If you are unsure what to wear, start with gear that protects your skin and allows you to manage warmth through layers, then test it on a shorter outing before committing to a long exposed ride.
Plan water, breaks, and a realistic pace
Bring more water than you expect to need, and make it easy to reach without creating a distraction while riding. In a UTV, keep water secured so it cannot roll under a pedal or interfere with controls. On an ATV, use a stable carrying system that does not shift your balance or snag. A bottle buried at the bottom of a pack is less useful than one you can reach safely during a planned stop.
Do not wait until you feel exhausted to take a break. Schedule stops where the group can pull completely clear of the route, check on one another, drink, and assess the weather. A short pause in shade, if available, is valuable; if there is no shade, stop only where it is safe and avoid leaving anyone exposed longer than necessary. Keep children and newer riders in mind when choosing the pace.
Watch for signs that someone needs to stop: unusual fatigue, headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, weakness, or a change in coordination. Those symptoms should not be brushed off as ordinary discomfort from a bumpy ride. Get the person out of the sun and wind as safely as possible, offer water if they are alert and able to drink, and seek appropriate medical help if symptoms are serious or do not improve.
Route length should match the group’s energy, machine range, and conditions. A loop that sounds short on a map can take longer when the trail is rough, the wind is strong, or riders need frequent breaks. Review the route in advance with a tool such as onX Offroad, but also set a turnaround time. That simple decision helps prevent the familiar trap of pushing onward because the destination seems close, then trying to ride back while everyone is already tired.
How to manage wind, dust, and changing conditions
Adjust the ride rather than trying to overpower the weather
When gusts become stronger, reduce speed and leave more room to react. Avoid abrupt steering or braking, especially on loose surfaces, and be extra cautious when crossing exposed stretches. A passenger should remain seated and use the machine’s intended handholds and restraints. In a UTV, keep doors or side restraints in place if the vehicle is equipped with them, and follow the manufacturer’s guidance for safe operation.
Dust can build gradually until it becomes difficult to distinguish the trail from the ground around it. Increase spacing between machines, avoid passing in a dust cloud, and stop if the group cannot see well enough to continue safely. Pull off only where the group is not blocking other riders or traffic. If you are on a narrow route, choose a visible, stable place to wait rather than stopping just over a crest or near a blind corner.
Wind also changes what you should carry. Secure loose items, close storage compartments, and keep maps, phones, and paperwork protected from grit. Before leaving, check that straps and cargo are tight enough not to flap or come loose. A small item bouncing around inside a UTV or blowing out of a cargo rack can become a distraction, a hazard for another rider, or simply a reason to retrace your route.
If conditions become unpleasant, shortening the ride is a sound decision, not a failure. Turn back when visibility, control, or the group’s comfort deteriorates. Use a planned route and return point so you are not improvising under pressure. If you are exploring a public riding area, check its current access information and posted rules before setting out; weather can affect surface conditions and access.
Build a weather-aware route plan
Before departure, check the forecast for the riding area, not only the town where you are staying. Conditions can differ between a sheltered campground and an exposed route. Look at wind direction and expected changes during the hours you plan to ride, as well as temperature, cloud cover, and the possibility of precipitation. A useful plan includes a shorter alternative if the day becomes more difficult than expected.
Know the basic shape of the route. Identify trailheads, road crossings, parking areas, and places where the group could turn around. In areas such as Pembina Gorge or the Roughrider OHV Trail, use the posted route information and local guidance rather than assuming that every visible track is an authorized trail. The articles North Dakota OHV Trail Map Downloads and North Dakota Trail Status by App and Phone can help you think through map access and checking trail conditions before leaving.
Do not assume that phone service will be available throughout an open ride. Save or download any map information you plan to rely on before leaving an area with dependable reception, and carry a backup navigation method. If using onX Offroad, take time before the ride to review the route and make sure the information you need is available when connectivity is limited. Keep the phone charged and protected from dust, vibration, and direct sun.
A route plan should also include a clear check-in arrangement. Tell someone who is not riding where the group expects to go and when you expect to return. Agree on what that person should do if the group has not checked in by the planned time. This does not replace good navigation or safe riding, but it gives others a starting point if a mechanical issue or weather change delays the group.
| Riding condition | What you may notice | Practical response |
|---|---|---|
| Strong sun with little shade | Hot gear, dry skin, tiredness | Cover exposed skin, use sunscreen, drink regularly, and shorten the route if needed |
| Crosswind or sudden gusts | A machine feels pushed sideways | Reduce speed, keep a steady grip, and increase space between riders |
| Dust behind another machine | Reduced visibility and irritated eyes | Increase following distance and stop safely if you cannot see the route |
| Dry, windy air | Dry lips, scratchy eyes, or thirst | Protect your eyes and lips and take planned hydration breaks |
| Changing weather or worsening exposure | Group fatigue or discomfort rising | Use the turnaround plan and return before conditions become harder to manage |
A practical pre-ride routine for exposed routes
Check people, machines, and route details
Before starting, ask each rider how they are feeling and whether they have the gear they need. Confirm that helmets fit, eye protection is clean, and everyone knows the planned route and regroup points. A rider who is already tired, underdressed, or unfamiliar with the terrain may need a shorter outing. It is easier to adjust the plan at the trailhead than after the group has spread out across an exposed route.
Inspect the machine and its cargo before riding. Make sure loads are secure, tires and controls are in usable condition, and the vehicle is appropriate for the route. Carry basic repair and recovery equipment suited to your machine and the group’s plans. For remote stretches, a charged phone, a backup power option, and a paper map can be more useful than extra gear that does not address the main risks.
Review the route’s access requirements and rules before setting out. A registration or permit does not automatically mean every road, trail, or parcel is open to riding. Confirm where you are allowed to travel and respect closures, signs, and landowner restrictions. If the ride includes a designated area, check the official information for that area and follow posted instructions at the trailhead.
Set expectations about pace and regrouping. The lead rider should not disappear over the horizon, and the last rider should not feel pressured to keep up beyond their comfort or skill. Agree on a stop signal and a way to respond if someone has a problem. This matters even more in wind, because riders may not hear one another clearly and visual signals can be obscured by dust.
Use a simple decision rule for turning back
Before the ride, agree on conditions that mean the group will pause, change the route, or return. For example, the group might stop if visibility becomes too poor to maintain safe spacing, if gusts interfere with control, or if a rider is showing signs of overheating or exhaustion. Choosing those limits in advance reduces the pressure to keep going just because the group has already traveled some distance.
When conditions change, make the decision based on the least comfortable rider and the least capable machine in the group, not the strongest rider’s preference. A confident driver may feel fine in the wind while a passenger is becoming chilled or overwhelmed. A newer rider may need more time to navigate a dusty junction. A sensible group plan gives everyone permission to speak up early.
For uncertain route choices, pause in a safe place and check the map rather than continuing on a guess. onX Offroad can be part of that check if you have prepared it for the ride, but compare what you see with signs, official route information, and your surroundings. A screen should support sound judgment, not override a closure sign or convince you to continue when the route is no longer safe.
The best open ride is not necessarily the longest one. It is the ride where everyone returns with enough energy to unload safely, clean dust from the machines, and look forward to going again. Prepare for sun and wind as real parts of North Dakota riding, stay flexible, and let changing conditions—not the original plan—decide how far you travel.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.
