Trail Markings
Motocross tracks and riding parks are great places to be on your bike , but since most do not mark their terrain , you may not know how to follow trail markings . In an Enduro , you are following arrows . Even if the trail you are on goes left , if the arrow tells you to go right , you go right . The organizers might have you heading to a new trail , another trail system or you could be rerouted around an obstacle too gnarly for the event . Other markings to help you , the rider , know when to be on the lookout are large X ’ s and W ’ s . The X ’ s are used for caution points , the more X ’ s you see , the more potential danger . So if you ’ re blazing the trail , tapped out in 4th gear and see three X ’ s coming up , slow down and start to take your surroundings in .
W ’ s are used for Wrong Way markings . Referencing the right hand turn we talked about earlier , if you would have continued on the trail after taking a left , you probably would have seen a few W ’ s stapled to the trees . W ’ s aren ’ t fun to see , knowing you need to slam on the brakes and figure out where you missed the trail , but it ’ s way better than riding a few miles in the wrong direction and getting lost .
Keep it simple ; If it points straight , you go straight , if it points down , slow down , if it points left or right , you ’ re turning . Some organizers will use marking tape as well , but you ’ ll know this from the riders meeting . This is to help you see the route they want you to go and to help you see quick trail turns .
VOL . 7 ISSUE 6 - JUNE 2022 // PAGE 41