Words from the organisers…
In 2012 we had a great cross section of riders from complete newbies to racing, old DH/XC sweats coming out of retirement along with some of the countries current top riders. The main emphasis is, and always will be, to get those weekend warriors into racing for the first time and for it to be an informal and friendly series that allows you to be competitive if you wish or just have laugh and a good day out riding with your mates, the choice is yours!
So we will be having four races with three to count towards the series titles.
Race 1: 17th March. Great Wood, Quantock Hills.
An awesome start to the series as this is a stunning area with a great network of trails.
Race 2: 16th June. Forest Of Dean.
We return to the Dean for 2013 as it offers the rider everything in terms of trails and stages and hopefully it will be a bit drier!
Race 3: 15th September. ‘Sprint’ Enduro, Aston Hill.
A bit of a showcase race for Enduro but sorry guys and girls this is a competitive class race only as it will be technical and physically demanding with tight timings. We want to promote this as a race for spectators to come view, cheer and mingle with the racers and see what all the fuss is about. One completion of the course then in for a short break for maintenance and fuel up and then out for another shorter loop. Hopefully we will have some great demo bikes available to try and we are working with the CTC to hopefully bring some fun elements to the day.
Race 4 : 13th October. Swinley Forest (TBC)
Back to Swinley for the grand final. Everyone had a real blast this year and it proved a great area to ride and race and a fitting venue for the final.
We have some great sponsors again this year and more fantastic prizes for the series winners so get the dates in your diary and we look forward to seeing our Enduro regulars along with hopefully, lots of new faces.
Full details can be found on our website – www.enduro1.co.uk
What is Enduro1?
The format of our Enduro1/X-Fusion series follows similar lines to the motorcycle type enduro but I have made a few changes to make for a better mountain bike format. The idea is for the competitor to tackle the course as if they are undertaking a new trail ride for the first time. The event takes the form of riding a route typically between 25-30km interspersed by timed or marked special stages. We normaly have a 10am start with each competitor setting off in one minute intervals. Your timings will be made available one week before the race and this will give you the time you need to reach the next stage by and the distance. Timed special stages have a downhill bias incorporating climbs and undulating terrain so good all around ability is required. Special stages may not be pre-ridden the same as motorcycle enduro rules but may be walked. This will show your skill as a rider at reading and negotiating new terrain at speed and unlike many of the gravity type enduro events we have included skill stages similar to motorcycle trials to add variety and elements of mountain marathons regarding the need to carry the correct equipment and be self sufficient.
The routes connecting the special stages are also timed but are ridden at an easier pace. The advantages of this new form of racing is it favours the all round rider rather than the XC whippet or the downhill demon and if you are already an XC, Trail or All Mountain rider you do not require a new type of bike as yours is already suited perfectly to this form of event. We had a fantastic turn out for teams in our first year and are keen to get more teams entered for the next series so, if for example, you are a local bike store, group of friends or MTB club then put a team together and lets see who will be the team to beat in 2013! The format is a bit more relaxed than normal X country type events and hopefully will allow you to socialise with fellow competitors or team mates in-between special stages. Beware though, this is called ‘enduro’ because you need to put the miles in and for every downhill Special Stage you will have to climb up again which, mixed with the adrenaline pump from racing the special stages, will ensure you have a good workout and no doubt feel it come Monday morning…. just like for real!
How the series works
The series is spread over four races held across the Southern UK with your top three results to count towards the series championship which will be awarded at the last race of the series. If this is tied then it will be decided on the fastest times from the team chase stages. Entries will be open 60 days before each event.
Prizes will be awarded at the last race of the series so you must be present to receive your prize.
How to enter
Entries will be open in the Enduro1 Shop 60 days prior to each race. When entering please use the comments section at the end of the ordering process to tell me if you wish to race alongside a friend who has entered the same class. If entering a team or you have entered for more than one then give your team mates/friends names and in which order you wish to set off. If anyone is sponsored please give your sponsors name as well. For the senior and veteran classes you will need to indicate that you wish to compete in these classes and give your date of birth. Read the team rules for further information regarding ride order. Please ensure you have read all the race info and bring the right equipment with you as stated in the rules as there will be scrutineering.
Results
Results will be posted at the latest on the website by the following Wednesday after each race. The winners results will be worked out at the last race in order for the prize giving to be carried out although the full results will still only be posted at the latest by the following Wednesday. Sorry it has to be done this way but we cannot afford expensive electronic timing without putting the entry cost up which we are not willing to do.
Volunteers
We need volunteers for marshals so if you are local to the venues and would like to help then please contact me. I am offering a free ride for anyone that can provide a marshal but you will need to be local to the venue as it will require a couple of hours training on a day/evening before the race. Any other offers of help are always greatly appreciated.
enduro info 