It's early morning, you pick the day. You and your riding buddies have just finished breakfast at the Awful Waffle and a caravan of trucks, all with woods bikes, and a Van pulling a trailer with three dirt bikes, all head to your local riding area. You unload, gear up, and head out for a day of trail riding.

The trail may start out down a twisty double track road that lets you warm up the bike and yourself. You know, get settled in. Then the trail drops off on to the dreaded "single track" trail where life on a motorcycle becomes interesting. The single track snakes its way over, through, and around the worst of everything the local terrain has to offer. But that's why you are there. To ride the bad stuff.

After a long day on the trails, you gather up what your brought, trash and all, and head for the house. That's what it all about. A great day of riding the trails with friends.

But do you ever think about who laid out those trails you were riding all day. They didn't just happen you know. Mother Nature sure didn't cut down eye pokers and clear away wait-a-minute vines, and mark turns so people could ride motorcycles through the woods. No, someone got OFF his, or her, motorcycle and walked the trail with a big knife, a pocket full of ribbon, a pouch full of arrows, and staple guns (yes, more than one). Someone knew how the land changed, what was wooded, what was open. Where the streams and swamp areas were. Someone threaded a single track trail trough all that. Not only did the trail take you to all the interesting and challenging areas, it brought you back to your truck. How considerate! Who did all that?

When I started back in the 60's they were called pathfinders. Today, many call them Trailblazers. My desk dictionary defines "Pathfinder" as "One that finds a path or way, as though a wilderness or unexplored area. Guide, Trailblazer, Scout, Vanguard, Pioneer." A pretty good definition. It still holds true today. In every club, or group, there are a few, a very few, dedicated souls who devote hours, not to riding, but to laying out, cutting, and maintaining those trails we all take for granted. These pathfinders are out before everyone else is eating breakfast whacking their way through the forest trying to tie in yet another neat section of trail for everyone to ride.

I've cut my share of trails. Like riding itself, its enjoyable because its hard work and it gives a great amount of satisfaction. Its all part of the woods thing that trail riders are into. There's just something about being in the woods. Combine that with motorcycle riding and the ability to "create" a trail, and you have recipe for a "pathfinder."

Not everyone can be a pathfinder. It takes a sharp sense of direction, knowledge of the land, and a mystical awareness of how the tail will feel when ridden. Remember, trails aren't cut to get from point A to point B. They are cut to be fun (clearly, some might argue with the word "fun"- how about "challenging?"), and that means they twist and turn through the woods to take advantage of what's there. Pathfinders know how to cut a way through a swampy area to get to a great hill section, which then leads to a deep woods trails along a river. The trail just doesn't develop on it own. Someone thinks it through, and in most cases actually "cuts" a trail through the woods. It hard, challenging work, and I thank God someone is out there doing it.

So if you know who in your club or group "cuts" all the new trail, thank him, or them, for their efforts. Tell him how much you enjoyed riding "his" trail and point out the sections you really liked as well as the ones you hated. He will appreciate it. Now, here is the important part. Don't bitch about the trail. Anything you don't like about the trail, offer to help him fix it, or better yet, ask him if you could fix it. But don't bitch. That right is reserved for those who cut the trail. Of course, you can also opt not to ride the trail at all.

If you don't know who cuts and maintains the trails you ride, then find out. If you ride an area two or three time a month, then you should help with trail maintenance. Stop and clear out a fallen log. Carry some small cutters and cut away a "wait-a-minute" vine. Try going through a creek crossing without leaving a trench. It all helps.

We all like to go Trail Riding, so we all should devote at least some time to the first word in what all love so much. The Trail. If you can't seem to manage riding and helping, at least give your local pathfinders a pat on the back. They deserve it.

Victor Ostrowski
Ft Walton Beach Fl
vico@nuc.net
YZ250F/KDX220