CORNERMAN BASICS
You have a lead rider (in front all day) and a sweep rider (at the back all day)! They usually both wear bright vests or white and red poka dot tops so you know who they are. You ride between them all day!
If you are behind the lead rider coming up to a corner, he will point at the corner. This means you stop your bike, face it in the direction he went. Once everyone has passed the sweep rider will wave you on, to go in front of him.
Often down main roads with tracks running off them the lead rider may not drop cornermen there, as it is obvious that they are not turning!
RIDERS RESPONSIBILITIES
– NEVER LEAVE YOUR CORNER. Somethimes you can be there 1 hour if someone has broken down. Stay at your corner . The system depends on everyone!
– Nod at the lead rider so he knows you recognise you have to stop when he is pointing.
– If you are behind the lead rider and you pass a corner that the lead rider does not see, that you think people may get confused on, stop anyway.
Be careful when passing people. Enduro’s are for racing, not trail rides.
If someone is behind you wanting to get passed, point a leg out to let them pass at a suitable point – unless they are KTM riders and you think you can roost them.
OTHER TIPS
– To help keep the group moving count the riders going through, and be ready to ride off when the sweep rider gets there.
– If the sweep rider is behind you and you are coming up to the next corner, tap your helmet so that cornerman knows he should be ready to take off.
– Slower riders (especially in Winter) should take off at the front of the group after eeyone has stopped. The ground will be less cut up and it will be easier to get up the hills, before all the good riders carve it up.
– Do not stop around blind corners. Give each rider an oppotunity to see you and which way to go.
– The lead rider may stop you before a hazard, such a s a log or bog hole, not just a corner!
– Look before you cross a road, even if there is a cornerman there! It is your life, keep it!
ON COMING VEHICLES
Try to remember how many riders are behind you and if you pass someone. Put your fingers up to indicate how many are left. The lead rider may drop a cornerman there if the track does not leave opportunity for passing.
BIG GROUPSWhen you have say 16 or more riders it is recommended that you drop two cornermen of at every corner. This means the group can only get 8 corners away in this example. Also you have someone to talk to at each corner.
If you are coming up to a corner and there is one rider on there. Stop. He should have his hand up so you know!
