Acceptance
By creating an account on the Disciples of Dirt member portal, you agree to these terms and to the Privacy Policy. If you don’t agree with either document, the right move is to not create an account.
Eligibility
The portal and club membership are for adults 18 and over. One account per person. Don’t share login credentials with anyone, including a partner or housemate — each household member who wants to participate needs their own membership.
Membership and dues
Membership is annual. Dues are set by the board and are published on the membership page before you check out. Because the club spends dues on trail-work supplies, insurance, and event costs as the year unfolds, dues are non-refundable except where Oregon law requires otherwise.
The annual waiver
All members must sign the annual liability waiver before participating in any club ride, trail-work day, or sanctioned event. The electronic signature you provide on the waiver page is legally binding under the federal ESIGN Act and Oregon’s Uniform Electronic Transactions Act. The waiver is the document that actually addresses ride risk; these terms only cover the portal itself.
Rules of the trail
When you ride as a Disciples of Dirt member — on a club ride, a trail-work day, or simply wearing the kit on your own time — you ride under the IMBA Rules of the Trail. These are the standard code of conduct for mountain bikers across North America, and the club expects every member to honor them. Local managers (Forest Service, BLM, county parks, private landowners) may layer additional rules on top; obey those too.
- Ride open trails.Respect trail and road closures — ask if uncertain. Don’t trespass on private land. Get permits or authorization where required. When a trail is signed closed for restoration, drying, or wildlife, it’s closed for everyone.
- Leave no trace.Be sensitive to the dirt beneath you. Wet, muddy trails are more vulnerable to damage than dry ones — if you’re leaving ruts, turn around. Don’t skid. Pack out at least as much as you pack in. Stay on the trail; cutting switchbacks or riding around obstacles widens the corridor and accelerates erosion.
- Control your bicycle. Inattention even for a moment can cause disaster. Obey posted speed limits. Anticipate other trail users around every corner. Ride within your skill level so you can stop or yield without crashing into anyone.
- Yield appropriately.Do your utmost to let your fellow trail users know you’re coming — a friendly greeting works better than a bell. Try to anticipate other trail users as you ride around corners. Bicyclists yield to hikers; everyone yields to horses. Uphill riders generally have right-of-way over downhill riders unless the trail is signed otherwise. When in doubt, dismount and step off-trail.
- Never scare animals. Animals are startled by an unannounced approach, a sudden movement, or a loud noise. Give them extra room and time to adjust. Running cattle or disturbing wildlife is a serious offense. Leash and control your dog if you bring one.
- Plan ahead.Know your equipment, your ability, and the area where you’re riding — prepare accordingly. Strive to be self-sufficient: keep your equipment in good repair and carry necessary supplies for changes in weather or other conditions. Always wear a helmet and appropriate safety gear.
Beyond the IMBA six, three house rules from the DoD board: don’t ride alone in remote terrain without telling someone your route, treat trail-work crews you encounter as you’d want to be treated when you’re digging, and represent the club well — we share these trails with hikers, equestrians, and other riders, and the next person they meet will remember how the last one acted.
Acceptable use
Don’t use the portal to harass or abuse other members. Don’t impersonate someone else or sign the waiver on behalf of a different person. Don’t try to access accounts, data, or admin features you weren’t granted. Don’t attempt to disrupt service for other members. We’re a small volunteer board; if you spot a security issue, email board@disciplesofdirt.organd we’ll respond, no hard feelings.
Trail-work hours
Trail-work hours are reported through TrailWerk, run by partner trail organizations. The portal mirrors your hour counts for your convenience but is not the system of record. If your TrailWerk hours and the portal’s display disagree, TrailWerk is correct. Disputes about hour totals should go to TrailWerk first, not the club board.
Bike shop verification
Authorized bike shop partners may verify your active membership and current waiver status at the point of service — that’s how the member discount works. Granting that access is implicit in your membership. The shop sees only that you’re an active, signed member; they don’t see your address, email, or any other personal data.
Termination
The board may suspend or terminate accounts for violations of these terms, the annual waiver, or the club’s bylaws. Termination of an account does not entitle you to a dues refund. You can close your own account at any time by emailing the board.
Disclaimer
The portal is provided “as is.” We’re a volunteer-run non-profit doing our best to ship reliable software, but we don’t make warranties about uptime, accuracy, or fitness for any particular purpose. If the portal is down when you need it, fall back to emailing the board directly.
Limitation of liability
To the maximum extent allowed by Oregon law, the club is not liable for incidental, consequential, or indirect damages arising from your use of the portal — lost time, missed events, or anything similar. This clause is separate from the annual liability waiver, which is the document that addresses physical risk from ride and event participation.
Governing law
These terms are governed by the laws of the State of Oregon. Any dispute that can’t be worked out by emailing the board will be handled in the state courts of Lane County, Oregon.
Contact
Questions about these terms? Email board@disciplesofdirt.org. We read every message and respond as fast as a volunteer board reasonably can.
Last updated
. This is the initial version of these terms; the board will publish a lawyer-reviewed revision before the next membership cycle opens.