Seeking New Trails

Riding familier trails is good fun however before a trail becomes familier you first have to find it.

Autmn and winter are the best trail finding seasons for us as we ride predominatly in deciduous woodland (it is much easier to find trails in pine woods as there tends to be less foliage). Our approach is to set out with the objective of discovering new trails and ride slowly along established routes scanning the sides for signs of a trail. Animal tracks are a good bet, just follow them. Also it is much easier to see 'outs' than entrances, if you find something that looks like an animal 'in' or 'out' follow it. Many hours can be spent but at the end you will know the area very well and be able to link trail together. Wherever there is in 'out' look directly opposite for an 'in'.

Mark all 'ins' and 'outs' on a map or mark as a way-point if you have a GPS. After a couple of navigating runs you can return for ride linking trails that no-one else has used. There is something special and challanging about riding along a narrow trail (often over woodland detritus, fallen trees and under low hanging branches) that has no sign of human interference.