[Closed] British Enduro Series 2016 - Dates announced!

Loads. I am training to be one and ran many DH races. So not really a fair indicator. And I am certainly not going to start using real names and dragging the innocent into this !

What needs to happen is a properly drafted and agreed set of rules, Commissaires can then be trained on them, the risk is qualified and quantified and mitigation clear. There is a finite pool of how many races the market can take, DH and XC are both decreasing, well they are in Scotland anyway, as Enduro rises.

That may not solve the nervousness around liability what with some high-profile incidents in both DH and Enduro in the last couple of years. By the time BC gets back in the game with any luck the cowboys will have been run out of town.

Yeah lots more to it, as I understand BC wanted to bring enduro into line with DH as its viewed as a gravity sport, therefore, full faces 2 practice runs on every stage, double taping, line of site marshalling, very hard (and ecpensive)to do on a big enduro loop

I think taking a leaf out of ews book and avoiding the UCI/ BC etc is only way to keep the 'spirit of enduro' (tm) alive

BC didn't understand enduro. as kimbers said they where think along the line of dh.

Full face - practically achievable but massively unpopular with the mass market

2 practice runs - impractical on 80% of races.

double taped - impractical on 1km+ stages

line of site marshalling - some race would have more marshals than racers!

But BC dumping enduro has had some advantages, Its forced organisers to talk to each other, its also some race to flourish and push the boundaries of what am enduro is.

All the BC comms are on their website if you are a member.

If people are racing downhill on enduro bikes then what's the risk difference between that and downhill?

If you want BC onboard then most of those bullets are surmountable, however, line of site marshalling is the biggest stumbling block IMO.

If people are racing downhill on XC bikes then what's the risk difference between that and downhill?

XC, enduro & DH could all use same trails, doesn't mean they are the same.

The bc site does indeed list many comms. What it doesn't show is active comms. There is a huge shortage of active comms, and issues organising them. Look at the last couple of BDSs as examples. Both under comm'd.

al - Member

The bc site does indeed list many comms. What it doesn't show is active comms. There is a huge shortage of active comms, and issues organising them. Look at the last couple of BDSs as examples. Both under comm'd.

letting people sleep in their vans at the race and bring their dogs with them

What's wrong with that?!...sometimes I don't want to splash out on a B&B or hotel and my van and a tent is the best solution....and I also love having my dogs with me, the other half goes off walking them while I 'race'....it's a lovely way to spend a weekend together weather permitting and we've found some lovely places like Eastridge/Shrewsbury that we otherwise wouldn't have spent time in.

What do you think that is?

For me there are problems with how long mtb events are, if you comm a road race it doesn't require 2-3 days time standing in the rain in a field. If been a starter at a national TT and we were home by the afternoon, that's not going to happen at an Enduro.

Also lack of club structure and little willingness to put on and support events.

What do you think that is?
The way BC treats non-Olympic cycling disciplines?

Clearly that's why Cyclo Cross is in the doldrums too...... right?? 😯

The reality is that British Cycling is comprised of its members. All officials are volunteers and generally from the discipline they cover. A lack of officials therefore tends to correlate with apathy on the part of persons involved in that discipline. If you take a moment to think about it you will see the rational is obvious and self evident.

Someone asked about who would travel the length of the country for a race series? Look at the BDS - oversubscribed, and doing a full season is almost a pilgrimage for the racers. I suspect enduro racers will do the same, based on Si's reputation at laying on events.

xiphon - Member
Someone asked about who would travel the length of the country for a race series? Look at the BDS - oversubscribed, and doing a full season is almost a pilgrimage for the racers. I suspect enduro racers will do the same, based on Si's reputation at laying on events.

the question remains that based on si's reputation for pricing events can the very crowded enduro market sustain that?

The DH events market is pretty saturated too - loads of events going all round the country. I think for some, the transition from DH to Enduro will be 'natural', especially if the events will continue to be organised by Si.

Sounds like the Patton BES will have ukge style seeding run on the Saturday

British Enduro Series
UPDATE: Seeding:
-All pre-entered riders from every category will be seeded before the event weekend begins.
-All riders will then be seeded after Saturday evenings results are published for their Sunday start times.

Hope they keep two day practice then. Just not enough time on saturday with seeding to do as well.

PRACTICE: To ensure Safety and Fairness for all, the events will run on the Saturday and Sunday only. There will be no official or unofficial practice immediately before the event or after the scheduled practice times which are to be confirmed. i.e Saturday evening/night.

We ask all riders to respect the course closures and the rules, encouraging a level playing field for all with equal practice times.

This will enable us prioritise your safety during official practice with adequate marshals and medical cover.

Entered riders on course outside of official practice will be withdrawn from the event.

Krien Dawson - BES Team.

Just seen it on their facebook page

Will level thelaying field a bit (although locals always do!)

Just gotta see what the price will be !

that should be interesting!!, its the Neil rather than Si series

The British Enduro Series supported by Marin Bikes is being hosted by the Revolution guys for round 4 in July.
Awesome tracks, uplifts, event village, camping and pasta party.

http://www.pinkbike.com/news/revolution-bike-park-wales-2015.html

Great venue, sure will be interesting.

Triscombe, Aberdare and Kirroughtree in the mix as well now...plus reasonable prices at £54 for one day or £70 for 2 days

So Rev for multi-stage DH?

Kirroughtree seems lacking in elevation to work imo. Did anyone do they ENDURO someone held there before?

Since when did £70 for a non-uplifted event become reasonable?

So the BDS BES series has announced dates and more details now - [url]www.british-enduro-series.com[/url].

Not sure if a separate thread would add to the confusion! I'm distinguishing them as the 'Cannondale Series' and the 'Marin Series' now...which the sponsors will like no doubt 🙂

Looks like there's two races on back-to-back weekends which could be an issue for riders...

BES Rd1 12/13th March –
BES Rd2 30/31st April –
BES Rd3 7/8th May –
BES Rd4 11/12th June –
BES Rd5 13/14th August – Final and National Championships
Venues to be confirmed on Saturday the 31st of October:

Quite like the idea of Saturday = practice and race stages 1-3 and Sunday = practice and race stages 4-6 in some ways.

saturday will be unseeded but seeded off those results on sunday and following rounds seeded off that

The CES plan is then to require points from 2016 (and possibly from other series) to race in 2017

I think the 3 stages a day format sounds good

£75, while not a cheap price, is 25% less than a BDS, so competition is a good thing!

Not sure if a separate thread would add to the confusion! I'm distinguishing them as the 'Cannondale Series' and the 'Marin Series' now...which the sponsors will like no doubt

Interesting logos. I think these must be the mountains that Enduro was born of 8)

[img] ?oh=643a6d1bde4f736a4bd823d8ab597021&oe=56C66A9F&__gda__=1452576600_0eba7cb856a2a519f0c12249e39c0fac[/img]

[img] ?oh=a0c8015fd5aa0c6498434045b3d134e9&oe=56CE208A[/img]

Believe it or not Legend. Triscome has less.

Looks like there's two races on back-to-back weekends which could be an issue for riders...

!Round 1 12/13th March
*Round 1 19/20 March
*Round 2 23/24 April
!Round 2 30/31st April
!Round 3 7/8th May
*Round 3 28/29 May
!Round 4 11/12th June
*Round 4 25/26 June
*Round 5 23/24 July and National Championships
!Round 5 13/14th August and National Championships
*Round 6 24/25 September
*Round 7 22/23 October

* - 'Marin Series'
! - 'Cannondale Series'

To be fair though, if you're going to do a series then you'll only do one.

(Unless you're loaded with all the time in the world!)

Interesting logos. I think these must be the mountains that Enduro was born of

#enduroclipart

To be fair though, if you're going to do a series then you'll only do one.

So Marin haves pulled out of Neil's BES sponsorship
http://wideopenmag.co.uk/2015/10/why-are-there-two-british-enduro-series

Also 3 of the Scottish enduro Series rounds clash with Si's CBES

PS, love the duplicated mountains on the logo, well spotted !

I like that one of the series has used tons of EWS photos for their publicity shots. "Here is a great race. No it's not us, go and do some Tweedlove races"

kimbers - Member
So Marin haves pulled out of Neil's BES sponsorship
http://wideopenmag.co.uk/2015/10/why-are-there-two-british-enduro-series

Also 3 of the Scottish enduro Series rounds clash with Si's CBES

PS, love the duplicated mountains on the logo, well spotted !

Are the dates/venues confirmed for the Scottish series?

http://enduro-mtb.com/en/scottish-enduro-series-ses-2016-dates-and-venues-confirmed

Are the dates/venues confirmed for the Scottish series?

Yes

http://enduro-mtb.com/en/scottish-enduro-series-ses-2016-dates-and-venues-confirmed/

Its just silly that 2 large series are clashing with so many rounds (Including the champs), did the Cannondale BES contact anyone before working out their dates? On top of the name clash this is not looking good!

People always talk about how professionally run the BDS is, so far the BES is not living up to the same standard!

http://enduro-mtb.com/en/scottish-enduro-series-ses-2016-dates-and-venues-confirmed/

Glenlivet is still in there 😯 but the new ones are Dunkeld and Dunoon.

I love Dunkeld and the trails are fantastic. Most of the trails used have been built by Progression bikes and friends so i am not sure if they will be running their own race as usual in May.

Glenlivet and no Inners. **** off 😆

Thanks Kimbers! Missed that!

Didn't do any of these last year - what was wrong with Glenlivet?

Certainly seems like the Tweed Valley is getting something of a rest next year, not in the (Marin) British Series nor SES. A little disappointed that Dunkeld is in the SES, assuming this means they won't run the standalone event they have done for the last couple of years that I always thought was a great, chilled out local single day event on cracking trails. Not so much if it is now part of the series.

The 2016 SNAFU British Enduro Series's.....both presented by Faulty Towers.

Didn't do any of these last year - what was wrong with Glenlivet?

Nothing. It was a bit different so some people who think anything outside of the tweed valley* isn't enduro got upset.

* I live nearby to tweed, ride it all the time and love it. Variety is key to these series in my opinion.

If Marin have pulled out, I'm not sure who that reflects worst on - MBES (& CBES) for not sorting their stuff out, or Marin themselves for jumping at the first sign of trouble. Either way, it just adds to the confusion/mess!

tenacious_doug - Member
A little disappointed that Dunkeld is in the SES, assuming this means they won't run the standalone event they have done for the last couple of years that I always thought was a great, chilled out local single day event on cracking trails. Not so much if it is now part of the series.

I am with you Doug on this point for now, i sent the guys a message on their FB page if they would still be running their own Enduro on the 1st weekend of May. Its been a firm favourite of mine since it started and knowing how much work has been put in previously i would like to support those guys again. Saying that though as the trails were build by locals mainly for the Progression Bikes Enduro does that mean there has to be discussion regarding trail usage by another race provider.

I am just being nosey by the way 🙂

groundskeeperwilly - Member

Didn't do any of these last year - what was wrong with Glenlivet?

Unsuitable venue basically, not everywhere can host a decent enduro- they gave it a shot but they don't have anything like the trails for it so it ended up mostly on sheep track and crap trail centre. (and some very, very nice offpiste- just not enough). You could barely tell transition from stage.

And no, it's not a tweed valley snobbery thing, the best SES rounds I've done were at Laggan and Ae! I'd be well up for giving the valley a miss if I thought it was going somewhere good instead.

they gave it a shot but they don't have anything like the trails for it so it ended up mostly on sheep track and crap trail centre. (and some very, very nice offpiste- just not enough).

Northwind Sounds like a good base to improve on for year 2?

This. Heard some stuff, it could be very awesome.

We are aware of the confusion that having two series called British Enduro Series has caused and have been keen to get this sorted for you. We have approached the organisers of the other BES series on a couple of occasions to try and seek a simple solution for you. However, this appeared to fall on deaf ears and so we have taken the decision to change the name of our series and put an end to the confusion. We WILL still be running all of the events at the venues shown on our website in 2016 and beyond. We WILL be giving you the chance to give us your ideas and feedback as the season approaches and develops and we WILL leave it to you the riders to decide which series you would like to race. We believe that our series will speak for itself in the quality and enjoyment of the brand new trails we will be creating for you in some of the best riding destinations across the country. So…what about the name? This is your series. What would you like to call it? UK Enduro Series perhaps? Something else? Let us know what you think and we'll pick seven people at random who suggest sensible names and give those people a free entry to any single round for 2016 (7 entries to be shared by 7 people).

Get creative. This is your series so please give us your suggestions.

Replying to the post about Kirroughtree. The 'wild' trails are so good in Kirroughtree. Forget about anything you have heard in the past from other events. Kirrouightree as a riding destination is a must.

However, this appeared to fall on deaf ears and so we have taken the decision to change the name of our series and put an end to the confusion

The first one who blinks in a staring contest looses...... looks like Si + co have won! To be fair, having the BDS to their name does go hand-in-hand with BES...

Think I'll have to head down to kirroughtree, I noticed on our last visit that there's trails basically everywhere.

Make a stage McMoab, I dare ya

This is all going a bit mental....

2 BES 1 is clearly trying to be super slick and professional the other is pretending to be your mate

SES + Tweedlove triple crown crankworks rip off

PMBA enduro + Mini Enduro + both Welsh Enduro series? + Southern enduro series + Enduro1?

Then a bunch of other one off races like Hard Rock...

This is all going a bit mental....

2 BES 1 is clearly trying to be super slick and professional the other is pretending to be your mate

SES + Tweedlove triple crown crankworks rip off

PMBA enduro + Mini Enduro + both Welsh Enduro series? + Southern enduro series + Enduro1?

Then a bunch of other one off races like Hard Rock...

All good in my book - plenty of choice across the country so you can race wherever you are and whatever level you are at. Choice and competition between organisers should be good for us as the consumer ultimately 🙂

Come back Steve Parr all is fogiven (not that I had any beef with how the UKGE was run)

The (Marin?) British Enduro Series is dead.

Long live the UK Enduro Series. ❗

Not sure if it's just me who's missed this but the rest of the BES venues are up on the site:

Rnd 1 - Ae Forest
Rnd 2 - Afan
Rnd 3 - Dyfi
Rnd 4 - Eastridge
Rnd 5 - Innerleithen

Afan and eastridge are on my list.

good spot. I'll update my 2016 enduro spread sheet.

[url= http://singletrackmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/rocky-mountain-is-the-uk-enduro-main-series-sponsor/ ]So the Rocky Mountain UK Enduro Series it is![/url]

Would rather Pinnacle or Polygon have gotten on board - RMUKES doesn't work as well as PUKES 😆
Not a good advert for Marin IMHO though - pulling out during the confusion, but maybe there was more to it ❓

I'm definitely doing the Southwest Enduro Series and Ard Rock so the least conflicting series for me is RMUKES, reckon I could possibly do 4 or 5 rounds and maybe squeeze in the BES Dyfi round if I can as I love the venue!

Not a good advert for Marin IMHO though

planning to enter Triscombe as my first Enduro, WOW this thread is more difficult to understnad than actual politics 😯 😆 😆

The Notorious ;-). Steve Parr is also putting on a special enduro weekender on on the 7th/8th May, the week after the Dyfi Enduro (that's the other kind of enduro tho), although that clashes with BES at Afan on May 1st.

With Rnd 3 of BES also there in June, Dyfi is going be 'enduroed' out by summer!

The Afan round of BES is to be relocated, same date but some other mystical location TBC.

I'm signed up for Rnd 1 of the Welsh Gravity Enduro Series next month, can't wait! The Southwest series has gone very quiet in recent months so not sure if that's going to happen now, which would be a shame...but then I've heard rumours that the Enduro1 series is being renamed and will be running with some southwest rounds so that would soften the blow.

'Special' enduro, that's a bit harsh Kimbers

I'm also signed up for the WGE at Afan should be good. Not been to afan since the 2014 UKGE there.

Banged in my entry in for UKES Rnd 1 last night. Only doing the 1 day/Sunday race due to family commitments. Looking forward to riding somewhere new, even if it is a bit of a splash and dash for me!

Anyone else doing Rnd 1?

So did anyone here race at the weekend?

I loved the stages and had a damn good time - [url= http://endurorena.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/race-report-uk-enduro-series-round-1.html ]my race report here[/url]

Hoping to make round 2 at Triscombe...hopefully the weather will stay dry for it!

Brilliant weekend, amazing tracks, loved it

Didn't go, but have heard mixed reports from friends who did.

It's also interesting that the 2 other regional races the same weekend were both considerably better subscribed than a 'National'.

I guess we will see how the other national series goes this weekend.

Picked a good year not to bother with them & just do regionals 🙂

Was a great event and a nice place to go. Credit to them for making trails for races. The other welsh event is pretty much using trail centres and I think I'd rather put pins in my eyes. Not sure of the attraction other than it was close to the M4?

Stages had a lot of steep stuff and loam. Was lucky weather held out tbh. Maybe that put people off.

Was a weird experience not having transitions times and doing the stages in any order. Made it relaxed but kept the pressure off maybe.

But **** racing trail centres.

For anyone wanting a totally biased but honest take on the first UK Enduro round, my race report is [url= http://29gears.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/uk-enduro-round-1-humbled.html ]here[/url].

Any questions about the format or stages, do fire away.

I couldn't make the first British Enduro round in the end to draw a comparison, but I know which one had the better weather...

Next UKE round is Triscombe in Somerset on 23-24 April. Next BES round is in Dyfi Forest in Wales on 7-8 May. I hope to do both.

Did anyone do both?

I hear of a few teething problems at both with timing and Ae had terrible weather

Numbers wise UKE win if you count both days, but BES really had more over the weekend. Both were way down on other races on the same dates PMBA, WGES (UKE) and Vallelujah (BES) - seems very foolish to clash dates with established popular races that are geographically very close.

Forthcoming babies mean I'm not sure if I'll be able to do any races this year, tho at least entries shouldn't still out, if like to do both, as well as Tweedlove international if the deities of childbirth pay nicely

Nice report crispo, cheers!

TBH scheduling events is always going to be a bollocks, because people start planning ages in advance, getting permissions etc, by the time you've got a serious date to talk about you're probably already fairly committed. But this last weekend did seem mad, BES and Tweedlove and an EWS to boot.

Just had a look at the BES results and their Middle Aged Weekend Warriors classes were gutted. But the field looks pretty strong other'n that. Probably not the turnout they wanted but being realistic tweedlove was always going to be a bigger draw for that demographic so hopefully it's not a wider issue. Whereas Tweedlove's top end was hit just as hard, but they're probably not that bothered because it's the elites that make headlines but the santa-cruzes-on-audis demographic that pay the bills.

(I think vallelujah considered itself to be targeting the casual racer rather than the top end but tbf it's hard to tell. That's the spirit of enduro- no earthly idea what sort of race you've entered til you're either pedalling a blue route or falling off a cliff.)