Cutting corners and enduro go hand in hand, right?
Barely a ride goes by down our way without someone being jokingly accused of taking “the enduro line” as a tribute to the creative lines taken by some riders in some events.
Well – it looks like the organisers of the Enduro World Series have decided to take action and crack down on course cutting at their Whistler event.
Reports are that riders have been altering the course on Stage 2 of the Whistler EWS, creating short cut lines and – in one case – cutting down a tree. Chris Ball, EWS main man, describes this as “against the ethos of the sport, disrespectful to the trail builders and ultimately endangering future enduro events from even being allowed to take place.”
Chris and team have said that all lines that aren’t on the clearly built course are off limits and have appealed for riders to give up the names of anyone that has built unofficial lines.
The team are clearly taking the issue seriously and have said that riders changing the course “have risked all future enduro events in the Whistler Valley” and promised the riders concerned that “If you do not come forwards and we later find out it was you, we will ban you from participation in the next EWS event.
You can read the full message from Chris Ball here:
“We’ve had a number of reports of trail damage to stage 2, with rider choosing to cut new lines off the obvious trail. Although we understand that racers obey only the tape, we have always urged riders to come forwards about a cut and allow it to be closed BEFORE taking it. We’ve had feedback and help from a number of riders already this week.
Sadly some of you have chosen instead to cut completely new lines, against the ethos of the sport, disrespectful to the trail builders and ultimately endangering future enduro events from even being allowed to take place.
ALL lines off the clearly built Stage 2 trail have been closed. If you were preparing for them, then we’re sorry, but you should not have taken them in the first place and we will NOT allow this damage to continue.
We have also unfortunately found that someone has cut a small tree down on Stage 2. This is unacceptable. If you have information on the person responsible please come forwards. If it was YOU please have the honour to come forwards and apologise to the trail builder and trail association in person. If you do not, you and your cowardice alone have risked all future enduro events in the Whistler Valley. If you do not come forwards and we later find out it was you, we will ban you from participation in the next EWS event.
For all of you who have worked with us on course tape we thank you greatly.”
