None of these are truly fool proof but they are better than just
guesstamation, which I have ridden rides where this was the primary method
used.
I think the best way to measure is to use more than one of the methods
above to measure the trail. Mark milage in 10 to 15 mile sections - then
go out and ride these sections with a horse you know. If it seems long or
short then remeasure.
An interesting point is that the Gothe state forest in FL is a new forest
and is being currently surveyed from space using the GPS system. The
forest service has this survey database and a software package that will
measure the distance on a route specified by the user. This should be a
great help in my ride. At least I can say in confidence that a given
stretch of trail is really 15 miles. Hell this year I may be so confident
in the distance I will be bold enough to post a sign "No Whining".
Truman
Original Post
I am interested to know how it is that ride managers determine the
distance travelled down the trail (I'm not talking about Camp
Pendleton...they drive it in a jeep).
We took the Park Service at their word...and they had specified distances
of trails on their park maps.
But what about those places where the ride is the only ones to pass that
way? Do you do it like the FEI requires for cross country courses and
measure it with a wheel??
Just curious.
kat
Orange County, Calif.
Truman Prevatt
Sarasota, FL