After a long, cold winter in northwest Wyoming, there’s no time to waste getting to the plethora of local places to play in the Big Horn Basin. It doesn’t matter if your plans include enjoying a docile reservoir in a kayak, a 100-mile bike trip or mountain trails by foot; if you’re not prepared for the season, your adventures likely won’t play out like you dreamed.

No matter the pursuit, it’s important to plan ahead, make sure your equipment is ready and your body is primed for an active summer, said Wes Allen, co-owner of Sunlight Sports. The most important tool for fun in the sun is your body.

“There are some really rewarding spots in the area, if you have a little bit of endurance,” he said. “Get ready for what’s coming this summer by getting a little cardio going.”

Allen said you don’t have to be a gym member to get the cardiovascular system working. Stairmasters aren’t for everyone. All it takes is a little time to build up a nice base. 

If you’re into hiking, take some short hikes before attempting the marathons, Allen suggests. If you love to bike, don’t head down the road for your first century-ride until you’ve been out testing your legs and lungs on shorter rides.

Allen suggests working on flexibility as well as endurance. “Making sure that you’re doing a stretching regimen — or maybe yoga — it really keeps you from getting hurt when you’re out on the trail. It’s not necessarily all about forward motion, it’s being flexible and being able to deal with off-balance situations.”

For those on horseback, flexibility and core strength are important. That first ride always seems to make it harder to sit up or walk without a bit of a hitch. Not to mention saddle sores. Starting slow and working up to those longer days is important if you want to avoid discomfort down the road.

One way to prepare your body for fun is to gear up and work out with the weight you’ll be carrying on those long weekends or vacations. Wear your backpack with some added weight in the compartments if you plan to hike. Or fill your paniers to train for the longer rides to come. 

Equipment must fit well. If you’re going to carry a backpack, make sure the weight is on your hips instead of your shoulders, Allen advises. If you get new boots, wear them around for a few days to make sure they won’t rub you the wrong way 10 miles in on a bucket list trail.

If you are into biking, safety is of utmost importance, according to Christopher Guyer, owner of Joyvagen Cycles in Cody. Safety issues are fresh after former U.S. Sen. Mike Enzi of Wyoming died after a bike accident last July. It is unknown if there was an issue with his bike, but the seriousness of hitting the pavement at any speed is evident after Ezi broke his neck and ribs in the fatal accident. 

Helmets, safety eyewear and pads can help, but the most important issue to start the season is riding a safe bike. The most troublesome issue is a mechanical malfunction that shows up mid-ride.

“We see a lot of loose axles, like someone might have put it in their car and pulled it out, slapped on the front wheel and didn’t check to make sure it was tight the next time they rode it,” Guyer said. “It’s shocking how often we see that.”

First of all, if you’re going to bring in a bike for repairs or a yearly tune-up, don’t bring it in a day or two before your trip. Give the technicians some time to schedule repairs; a lot of riders are bringing in their bikes at the first sign of 70 degrees, and Powell no longer has a shop.

If you purchase a new bike, a safety check for cable stretch is extremely important, Guyer said. “Not to say the average person can’t handle it. But I think those are definitely best taken care of by a shop. A crisp shifting and braking bike is a safe bike.”

If you’re up to doing your own basic maintenance, Guyer suggests checking your tires to make sure they’re not cracking and don’t have dry rot. Make sure the tubes hold air and the chain is lubed. Do a quick bolt check, he said — “especially on the axles, stem and handlebars.”

Guyer agrees with Allen about the importance of starting slow and working up to the big trips. “I think a good way to start this season is never to max out on your efforts when you’re riding a bike. You see this frequently — even in the gym. People go in, they’re excited, they’re enthusiastic, and they go too hard. It’s OK to ease into things.”

One of the most important pieces of safety equipment for fun in the wilderness is a handheld GPS satellite communicator, like a Garmin inReach, Allen said. When a trip turns tragic and you need help outside of cellphone signal coverage (which is often the case in the hills), the GPS allows those in need to get help to their location.

“I’ve talked to enough people who have had them and [the device] kept situations from turning really bad. Now I’m a big believer in them,” Allen said. “If you do get hurt, they’re great for you and they make Search and Rescue’s job easier.”