ridecamp@endurance.net: [endurance] Trail Marking Ideas -Reply

[endurance] Trail Marking Ideas -Reply

Desiree Hanen (desiree.hanen@medtronic.com)
Wed, 12 Jun 1996 08:47:03 -0500

Our trails in the Netherlands are not permanently marked. Every
ridemanager has to put up markings before the ride (don't do it too much
in advance, as they may most likely disappear before the ride has even
started - collector's items???)

Markings are red, yellow and white. Red means: next turn/crossing turn
right. Always followed by yellow: you're on the right trail again.
Yellow also means: continue straight on. White means: next turn/crossing
turn left. Also always followed by yellow.

The markings may be red, white or yellow painted wooden sticks sticked
into the ground or red, white or yellow tape wrapped around trees,
fences, etc.
All markings are supposed to be on your right hand.

Mostly every 5 KM, but at least every 10 KM (obligatory) are indicated
with a sign. Sometimes more distances are indicated on one sign in
different letter colours, as trails of several distances might go
double. You know the colour of your distance indicator and only look for
that particular colour on the signs.

2 KM and also 1 KM before P/R-check, vetgate(s) and finish are indicated
with signs.

I am very confident with our system. If somebody marks trails
differently (for example a new ridemanagement not that much involved in
endurance rides as a rider themselves) than people start to get lost,
confused and upset. We all want to ride endurance, not act as a
"pathfinder" all the way.

Desiree Hanen - The Netherlands

(Still.... it takes Love over Gold & to finish is to win!)

(and to be able to finish good trailmarkings are essential)