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Just entered all rounds of the Scottish enduro series (Grand Vets) with the Ski-An-Duro and Macavalanche thrown in for early season injury potential.
I’ve entered:
All Scottish Enduro Series
Ski an duro
Dunkeld Enduro
Macavalanche
Ballo Enduro
K&QOTH
Fair City Enduro
And will enter all the Aberdeenshire Enduro Series once entries open.
Plus all the mates races too.
Can’t wait till it all kicks off in 2 weeks time.
vallelujah , Dunkeld , Koth , PMBA kirro and fair city for me along with muckmedden 6 hour and glentress 7 .
might do the one day transcend depending on a few things .
Really looking forward to next weekend , got a new bike and the forecast is pretty good , what could be better 🙂
whats the betting that the forcast for next weekend changes. not so sure how i'll go for vallelujah, not feeling fit enough.
I am jealous of some of the Scottish and Northern events as they look like proper days out. They are just to far from the South West sadly. 🙁
Sw Enduro at Haldon today. My first enduro, painfully slow and dabbed so many times on all four stages. But a great laugh and really chilled atmosphere. Freezing cold in the wind and baking when that stopped. Top day. Hats off to the organisers, all 4 sections were varied and mixed it up really well.
First time are Haldon. Stages were great fun and good atmosphere. Weather was a nice surprise too.
Does anyone know if the BEMBA thing is still going ahead?
Since the press announcement in November there has been very little in way of publicity.
The BEMBA website also doesn't seem to list the 2019 races and it could be easy to miss that the six races throughout the season are linked when deciding which races to enter.
Yep the BEMBA National Enduro Series all going ahead. Myself and the rest of the Southern Enduro Team are signed up for Rd1 at Afan, we can wait Charlie always puts on a good show.
Our round at Mindhead/Exmoor on 25th & 26th May is sold out with 650 racers and 70 people on the reserve list, madness!
We still got 60 odd entries for the Champs Lite on the Saturday of the weekend.
Really pleased how round one of the SWKE went at Haldon. Stages held up great through the day and the marshals did a great job.
Yeah that was a fun day out and the SWKE. Cracking stages with a really nice mix of styles . Another mid pack finish (three guys all within a second!) and a solid performance so super happy, specially on the rooty drop/roller on Stage 3. Riding that blind in practice focused the mind! As other have said thanks to everyone involved especially the Marshall on the bridge between the woods who had to sit in a hail/snow storm with no shelter for our safety!
@scottfitz, it was odd to see you on a bike. So used to seeing you looking tense with a mic in your hand!
@Scottfitz Thanks.
I'm entered in all the races, and very much looking forward to them. Round 1 in Afan should be a great start!
It was/is a big commitment to enter the whole BEMBA series instead of a more local regional/national one, so hopefully it continues to gather momentum as the season progresses.
Aye, SWKE was fun, thanks again to you Scott and Ed etc for a fun day out!
22nd in Masters for me. Dropped my chain part way down Stage 2 so tried to do a poor man's Aaron Gwinn to salvage some lost time. I wasn't as successful as he was though!
SWKE Rd1 was great, a good mix of stages that all rode well, so well done to Scott/Ed and team. Can i move to hardtail again for that round @Scottfitz 😉
Pedalhounds round 2 this weekend. I'm looking forward to it.
Any other STW forumites attending?
I've got an entry to Dunkeld that I can't use and organiser said ok to sell on, cost me £45, does anyone want it for £25? Thanks
i'm doing the pedalhounds round 2 this weekend too. Did a couple las year and enjoyed them 🙂
Yeah I'm trying Pedalhounds this weekend - first time racing in that series, so I'm interested to see how it goes.
We're pretty spoiled in the south east now, with Southern Enduro, Pedalhounds and now Gorrick gravity enduro type events to choose from. Not that I have enough time to take advantage of that, though!
Hey @OwenP you around for Southern RD1 @ QECP? We should be down again this year. 🙂
Not this time unfortunately - we're away that weekend, AND I'm on a stag do over the day and night enduro!!! Ah well, plenty more opportunities to come - I'd really like to do pippingford again, that was a lot of fun 🙂
Aww that's a shame. Not sure what the plan for Pippingford is yet. I would love to do it but meed to work out the family plans first.
FYI Pippingford: We are doing a duel slalom (Not free, probably £15), free camping and a bar(Also not free) on Saturday night. Not announced that yet but feel free to tell people. Bit of a mini bike festival...
Also working hard to do a Ladies Do DH and Kids Do DH race on the Saturday. Working with Amanda from Ladies Do DH on that bit of it.
If anyone else want to team up on anything that weekend let me know.
Sounds good @ScottFitz.
Pippingford last year was my first ever Enduro, really enjoyed it, great stages, great fun. I just need to try and remember that last sharp left on stage 4, instead of crashing through the tape this year...
I'm entered in a few events this year:
Tweedlove Series
BEMBA series
Boltby Bash
Ard Rock
Ard Moors
Les Orres EWS
Seems like a lot of races when you list them out.
Had a bash at Foel Gasnach today - fantastic venue for the first WES. Really glad I rode it before the race next weekend it’s a gnarly, steep, rooty and rutted place! Full on DH tracks - definitely make time to practice if you haven’t been before....
Oh bu**er! 😳 will have to make sure I get there early then!!
@snapperdan how wet was it when you rode it? The other year it was incredibly greasy for the race which made it a touch more interesting than I was comfortable with!
It was fairly dry apart from track two, which was pretty wet. I think there’s a brook near the track, so a bit of rain affects it more than the other tracks.
Mud was a bit claggy added a air bit of weight to my DHRs for the climb up the fire road!
If it stays dry then the tracks will be running better for sure, but they’re not running badly at the moment.
Track one is hard enough in the dry, I imagine it’s pretty lethal in the wet...
Does anyone want an entry into the Graythwaite round of the PMBA Enduro series? I just don't think I'll enjoy as my fitness is so far off the mark.
@snapperdan - trying to decide between a Shorty and Minion DHF (both WT) on the front for Foel Gasnach next weekend. Any thoughts?
Hi qtip I would have liked a shorty up front at the weekend, just because it could've shredded some of the craggy mud/loam better, but if it stays dry I'll stick with my WT Minion DHRII's front and back.
Some of the tracks are extremely steep, particularly stage 3, and the DHR's are superb under braking they also shed enough mud to make things manageable if it does get wet.
Running 3C Maxx Terra compounds front and back and they were grippy enough - I'm just to good enough to find the grip on tracks like this!
Off to Farmer John's this afternoon need to practice more very steep rooty tracks....
Cheers @snapperdan. Forecast is looking good for the rest of the week so I think I'll leave the DHF on and sling the Shorty in the car just in case.
Right I’m running Magic Mary and Hans D for tomorrow. Tyre pressures are checked, kit is all sorted. Just need to sort out food, drink and some bravery in the morning!
Hoe dud everyone get on at foel today? I thoroughly enjoyed it, but the tracks dud feel very short compared to other races.
Not signed up for much so far, was misdiagnosed with liver problems at the end of the year followed by throat surgery. Healed now so celebrated with a new frame.
Fitness is slowly coming back although I might have to drop a chainring size.
Just the Southern Enduro Champs and Swinduro so far. I do have a Pedalhounds entry that they have kindly allowed me to move.
Had a poor race at Foel today, but a thoroughly enjoyable day nonetheless. Just wasn’t having a good day on the bike and to be honest was a bit out of my comfort zone.
Had a couple of big crashes, including a huge OTB when I was knackered on the final stage. But I survived, I finished the race and I didn't come last!!
Soberingly how slow I am compared to everyone else, but at least I'm out there pushing myself on hard tracks and trying to get better.
It was my first race and looking at the results has made me a bit down on my riding TBH, but I suppose just finishing that race is an achievement and I've only just started riding natural DH tracks like this.
Lots to work on for me, but I'm determined to improve and despite being one of slowest on the hill I had a fantastic day. Joined the club and will be going back soon.
Bring on Dyfi...
Ahem... was very slow with lots of crashes but was really pleased when I started the final stage - right up to the point where I went sideways off a steep corner 200m from the end! Gutted is an understatement, but medics were great and have diagnosed some kind of ligament damage. Just on way home now after missus drove all the way from Hudds to pick me up, and off to a&e in morning as couldn’t face it on sat night.
Also gutted I will prob miss round 2☹️
It turns out I got my best result yet at a Welsh enduro. 10th in masters and 29th overall so I'm pretty pleased with that.
Wow that’s a great result well done 👍 I was just happy to get down (til I didn’t!)
Very impressive result blackmountains rider!
Sorry to hear about your injury Timbog - hope you have a speedy recovery.
Congratulations @blackmountainsrider and hope you heal soon @timbog160 . @snapperdan - your thoughts pretty much echo mine. Not my first Enduro but definitely the one I’ve found hardest. Being down the bottom of the results table is somewhat disheartening but I’m trying to ignore that and take something from the fact that I didn’t quit and rode well (for me) in places even if I struggled to put in any solid runs. I think Dyfi is going to be another tough one for me as (like Foel) it’s completely different to the type of tracks that I normally ride. I’ve also signed up for FDHR membership, so if you ever fancy a practice there with a fellow bottom of the table dweller then give me a shout.
I missed your post timbog, hope you haven't done any serious damage. Thanks, it seems like the hard work is paying off for me. They are hard tracks to race on, at foel, no easy sections at all really today. Racing's all about taking part and doing your personal best I think.
@qtip I'd be up for that - planning to head down there one weekend before Dyfi for sure. I had a chat wit the organiser today and he said Dyfi is a lot less of a handful than Foel G!
@blackmountainsrider totally agree with you about racing - reckon I did as best as I could've under the circumstances and I'm pleased I finished it. To be honest it's great to have a whole new world of mtb riding opened up to me. It's pretty awe inspiring to see how people can ride tracks that hard at such speed - what's your secret??!! Apart from bloody hard work and practice!!
To be honest, I think it's what you said, lots of practice! I ride alot of steep trails, so that helps me when I then race on them. I've improved a lot in the last 3 years since being able to ride in South Wales regularly.
The very quick riders are just on another level though. The second fastest time of the day was a rider in the vets category, he was over a minute quicker than me, and about 50 seconds quicker than the masters category winner.
Photos are up on rootsandrain - quite pleased with a couple of them in spite of my dnf. Assuming knee has calmed down by then I might offer to do a bit of marshalling at the Dyfi round - as the day is already booked...!
Another weekend and another race! Down in Hampshire for the weekend which can only mean it’s Southern Enduro time. Always look forward to the QECP has it feels like the guys always out that little extra work in on there home spot. I guess a lack of 2 plus hour drive helps. Weather has been wet. It looks dry now for the weekend so should be plenty of grip. Bring it on!
Main park was alright yesterday, bit greasy here and there with a few puddles.
Breezy but sunny today so it will dry out more. Should be good for tomorrow which is nice as there have been a few very wet ones!
Oh thats good to hear. Last year was still good fun despite the weather but it will be noice to hit the course at full speed rather than sideways at minus miles an hour!
I'll be there at the Southern Enduro tomorrow, making up the numbers in the Vets category. Kit packed, bike prepped. Looking forward to it, never ridden there before, should be a cracker!
Well that was a good giggle! Round 1 of Southern Enduro @ QECP was a belter with some great stages and cracking weather. Bagged a provisional 15th in Masters which I am dead chuffed with (waiting on Roots and Rain to update).
Stage 1 and 2 where the longest I have ridden at nearly 4 mins with a lot of peddling. 3 and 4 where shorter with a mix of berms, drops, off camber sections and rooty twisty turny stuff.
Bring on the Southern Champs!
Cracking day at the Southern Enduro Series. Great weather, crowd and trails. Stage 4 was a belter, shame I had a little off on the top section. Solid mid-table performance but heading in the right direction!
First race of the year at the Southern Enduro for me. Not ideal prep in the fact that I was pretty ill on the Friday night & Saturday before, without 3 hours sleep before race day.
Managed to hang on to 3rd though, which was good, yet frustrating, because I could/should have won it.
Bit of a break to Southern Champs now.
Enjoyed Southern Enduro yesterday 9th in the fun category all stages were great fun and the weather held to be pretty good.
WGES + BNES first rounds are coming up this weekend at Afan.
Who's doing one one, the other or both?!
I'm booked on to the BNES at afan this weekend, then dyfi a couple of weeks later, looking forward to it.
Yes Andy, doing the BNES Afan , Im bricking it tbh, first race in ages and Im well out of shape!
WGES + BNES first rounds are coming up this weekend at Afan.
Who’s doing one one, the other or both?!
I will be doing both and can't wait 🙂 might even take the new bike for a spin!!
Ah good stuff @kimbers! Don't think it's a massive loop so you'll be alright I'm sure!
What's your strategy @scottfitz...hammer one race and go more relaxed on the other, or all out for both?!? Or, just cruise both?! 😁
I'm doing the two races...think my legs might regret it for BNES!
My plan is:
Saturday to Practice the mash up stages in the morning then race the mash up then practice the 2 remaining BNES stages.
Sunday: try and survive after riding to much on Saturday.
I'm there for fun (and market research) rather than the result.
Don’t think it’s a massive loop so you’ll be alright I’m sure!
According to Charlie one of the BNES stages is a long way from the others. I Might just race that blind.
Saturday to Practice the mash up stages in the morning then race the mash up then practice the 2 remaining BNES stages.
Sunday: try and survive after riding to much on Saturday.
Ha, no doubt I'll be similar!
If the stagevthats further away is the same one that was raced ar the ukge last year its a good one! Probably. Worth practising as there were a few tricky bits on it.
I'm mainly hoping the weather improves before saturday as its a bit wet atm in Bristol and S Wales
Andy & Kimbers are you there on your own? Feel free to join the Southern Enduro Team for a pedal about.
Cheers Scott. I'm there with a mate but will look out for you folks (and you Kimbers) and tag along if we see ya 👍🙂
Geting excited now, forecast looks OK too
bring it!
We have just arrived. It hot and sunny. 😎
Scottish Enduro at Laggan tomorrow!
Forecast looking decent, can't wait.
I'll be at afan tomorrow. Extremely early start (4:30 am!). Will meet up with you Scott and kimbers for practise.
Put my fav summer tyre on this eve- slaughter. Unfortunately it blew off rim and warped v.badly. pissed off as I love that tyre. High roller it is then on spare wheel (couldn't be arsed to change again).
Should get to bed.
What a weekend racing! Fantastic loop, great distance, and a very good mix of trails. Stage 2 and 4 were bloody brilliant! Conditions were spot on. No chain for me on S1 was a bummer 🙁 but rest were just awesome.
Yeah was a great weekend, stages 2& 4 were nice & steep, my legs were done by the end, need to get fitter.
Oh and Neath is a wild night out
We have just got back. Did a bit of riding and a bit of watching and cheering. Great weekend overall.
Gutted I missed it. Still recovering from throat surgery, not really up to racing speed. Should be good by the Southern champs though.
Firstly, I'm a local at Afan and it was great to see so many riders enjoying the area and thanks to Charlie (and the rest of his team) for bringing the event to the area. What with the downhill nationals just down-the-road at Rheola, it really is great to see the benefits that mountain biking can bring to an area. Well done to kimbers, surviving a night out in Neath, also.
I did the Gravity race on Saturday, the weather was perfect and dry trails, although I have never pedaled so much in my life, steep and technical trails are all good and well, but these really did test the fitness levels and were quite hard in that respect.
Well done to Leigh Johnson, proper nice lad but an absolute beast when it comes to racing.
Anyone know if there will be a one off enduro national champs this year? Or is there just the series instead? Ta
Was a great weekend, and I was happy with my result. Only negative was a lack of proper seeding etc, which I think a national level race should have. It definitely cost me a fair bit of time when catching slower riders etc, and I know I wasn't the only one.
moaning over the stages were great, I loved all of them, especially S1 S2 and 4.
Great weekend also! Raced Mash Up and practiced for Sunday's race on Saturday. Stormed 2 Mash Up stages but couldn't get Stage 2 right in my two only attempts.
Felt a little tired on Sunday for the 'big' race and rode all stages clean but my stages times were down on the previous day by a reasonable and surprising amount!
Enjoyed having two races for the price of one but kinda feel like they were both a little compromised in the end...or I didn't prioritise them effectively! Still massive fun though.
Congrats on the podiums @scottfitz and good to see you and @kimbers there 😀
Brilliant weekend at Afan and a great mix of tracks. 2 and 4 were my favourite. The hardtail crew were super friendly and it stayed dry!
Weather’s looking interesting for the WES round at Dyfi this weekend. I predict I’ll be spending half my time sliding down the hill off my bike!
A bit of a call to action, our numbers are a bit down on the QECP Day and Night Enduro from previous years.
Its the longest running Enduro that has a night element in the UK and I would hate to have to drop it next year. Personally its one of my favourite events.
It's practice in the Light and race in the Dark (Light hire available) Its over 4 stages and is part of the QE Cyclefest (Free parking, free camping and loads of demo bikes etc...)
Its on 11th May and in Queen Elizabeth country park in Hampshire.
We also need some more marshals if anyone would like to help out (and get £45).
Here is the link to sign up if interested:
http://southernenduro.co.uk/product/southernenduroqecpdaynightenduro/