In 2016 the Enduro World Series joined forces with Specialized to create a unique trail partnership.
It’s not rocket science to suggest that without trail builders, the Enduro World Series couldn’t exist, but they often remain the unsung heroes of the sport. Specialized shares this view, and so it was natural that the EWS partnered with Soil Searching, their international trail advocacy programme.
Over the last few years, Soil Searching has travelled the world telling the story of the people behind the scenes who are out there building the trails we all love to ride. So in conjunction with the EWS, Soil Searching launched the Specialized Trail of the Year Award.
Designed to recognise and celebrate the work of trail builders, the award is voted on by riders, team managers and the media who have been at every EWS round that season. All the nominated trails receive a customised Trail Boss tool, but as the builders of the winning trail, World Trail will also be gifted £2000 to donate to a trail association or charity of their choice.
Soil Searching also put together a number of Dig Days at various rounds of the EWS, where everyone is welcome to come along and help do some trail maintenance, alongside the Specialized pros. In 2019, Dig Days will be taking place after EWS races in Tasmania, Whistler and Zermatt.