Enduro Riding

Where do you live? Are there any local races? Bike wise it really depends on budget and the kind of trails you're going to be riding. Would you be buying new or used?

Hiya

I’m from north Yorkshire. Local races that I’ve had a look and the locals ones to me are ard rock and boltby bash. In terms of bike I’m not 100% sure might sway to a second hand one to start with.

Honestly, you might be worrying too much and over thinking this 😀

Enduro races aren't DH races, so they are more accessible to different kinds of bikes and riders. I'm assuming you aren't expecting to win first time out, so it's just an exercise in having a good event.

Practice would be to ride 'normal' trails as smoothly as you can, without having a mechanical, for a good few hours. Normal grass roots events are pretty relaxed, but some, like Southern Enduro, also run 'mash up' style events where what you ride and how many times etc is even more relaxed. Many events also have a 'fun' category, so you can start there (unless you secretly know you are smoking fast!).

Thing with Enduro events (it's a good thing) is that they often attract people who have never raced, or been to an organised mtb event at all, ever. It's then even more daunting to sign up and know what to do on the day, but it is super easy. Having mates who can go with you will help, but not at all necessary- you will meet people to chat to, not least on the climbs!

So I reckon just try an event or race and don't put pressure on yourself or worry about your bike. Put on some tough tyres and just go have fun.

Boltby is great for a first timer. It's Ard Moors soon, you might get lucky if somebody is selling a ticket (I just sold mine last week).

I would recommend having a go on the bike you have. See how much you enjoy it, then decide if you need something different. Plenty of harrdtails at the ardrock:

https://m.pinkbike.com/news/25-ardtails-of-ardrock.html

Pmba kirroughtree is another great entry level enduro, it's not a huge course and isn't mega exposed

Boltby is a great starter to enduro racing, I’ve done it a few times along with ardrock ardmoors and a few pmba’s.
My advice is get comfortable riding outside of your comfort zone, get the miles in, ride varied trail centre and off piste, be comfortable in jumps and drops and steep chutes.
Or if doing the Sunday intro at ardrock just turn up and walk down the stages.

Mtb coaching is a good way to develops skill and confidence .
I’ve ridden the majority of enduros on trail bikes; chameleon / 5010 / Orbea occam
A fox 36 150mm upfront makes riding far easier than riding with a smaller 34mm 120mm fork.

That said it seems many enduro riders are looking at bigger and bigger bikes with 38mm stanchion forks with 170mm travel.

Ardmoors is next month, how about being a Marshall for the weekend , you’ll get paid to do the job and you can ride the course for free , and possibly get priority access or a free ticket for the next event ..

Wharncliffe/grenoside/Gisburn/hamsterLey/glentress/Innerleithen/golfie are ideal training ground for riding

Have a go at the Northern Downhill trail bike TTs. Technically they are DH races, so you need a FF helmet, but they are very much grass roots, with trails designed to be ridden on a trail bike, by beginners. One of them is run at hamsterley, on a red trail centre trail for example, the others cut into farm fields. After that the PMBA enduros are good for beginners too.

Keep an eye out for whatever event Birdsall puts on next. Sientries is a good place to look for events too.

OP ... if you're in North Yorks, the trails at Kilburn and Yearsley would be good to get some practice in.

Age 54, I did my first Enduro this year, Boltby Bash. Right at the top of my comfort zone, but I rode everything. Slowly mind (bottom 10%!). But was a really enjoyable weekend.

I’ve dabbled in a few enduro races, great fun.
I’ve entered in the Fun category in the past and found the top 10 are usually on par with all the other categories! So first timers may feel a little demoralised if they read to much into the results at start just have fun and get feel for racing and enjoy the day.

Do we know when entries are for the Boltby Bash? Having done the Ard Rock 6 or 7 times, this thread has inspired me to try a bit more bofore I'm an OAP!

Pmba kirroughtree is another great entry level enduro,

Good suggestion. Or the series opener at Gisburn is perfect for dipping a toe in. But that'll be 2023 now obvs.

What’s a good starter bike. I currently have a cove stiffee which i cant see it been suitable.

Well, it'd do for most of the events being suggested here. But the great thing about UK enduro races is you just need the same bike you'd use for normal riding.

You might want something with around 140mm-150mm rear travel. Like a Canyon Spectral or a Vitus Escarpe, they're both good VFM.

What’s a good starter bike. I currently have a cove stiffee which i cant see it been suitable.

Just get entered and see how you enjoy it.

I just entered one for a laugh with my mates (except they are all in younger categories) and I'm going (planning) to ride the steel HT despite having a decent if older Enduro bike. Hopefully won't get forced to race in the HT category against fit 25-35yr olds... but if I do I'm not that fussed as I can still compare times to my mates. Assuming the various broken bones from Stage 2 of Ard rock are healed by then 😉

One of the reasons for me just taking the HT is I don't want dragging into the expense of trying to own a competitive bike.

@covestiff2016

OP … if you’re in North Yorks, the trails at Kilburn and Yearsley would be good to get some practice in.

There are plenty of trails to be going at at both of those, Stainburn too, some easy some not. They're shorter than most Enduro stages but if you can manage much of anything at those you'll be OK (assuming you're happy with get round, have a laugh) at the above races.

If you're stuck there's a few of us here are local ish and be happy to show you about.

Keep an eye out for whatever event Birdsall puts on next. Sientries is a good place to look for events too.

Birdsall stuff is definitely at the easier end and a good place to get your eye in for racing (it suits some, not others)

In terms of bike, most of us get thrashed by the folks on hardtails but don't like to admit it. If you're comfy on it thats really all that matters.

@tops5, sign up with boltby email list, tickets on SI entries in november, usually week before ardrock tickets. dont hang around, tickets are selling faster and faster, especially the enduro, as opposed the mass start XC race at boltby.

@dangeourbrain
thrashed by folks on hardtails :0) yeah right, we all ride them during winter, and then come summer realise how easier life is on a full sus, 3 of us were queuing up to get past a hardtail 'dales bike centre' shirted rider at ardmoors last year.. gave him a good minute head start, refused to budge.

thrashed by folks on hardtails :0) yeah right, we all ride them during winter,

but don’t like to admit it.

See, I told you 😉

@dangeourbrain i was thinking last week, it'd be a good craic riding an old bike down hecklers wood @ardrock. have i got the legs to ride 2 days over the weekend

I think there would be a good fund raiser for Mtn rescue or something by running a how far/quick can you go through hecklers (or similar) on a balance bike or the like on the Friday evening or after everyone is through on Saturday.

i'd be up for that, sometimes on a saturday i think riders just think 'fast and plough' on that section, i had a nice clear run on sunday 830am, nothing tricky. the few spectators were supportive.

a chopper or grifter would be well funny through that.

Thanks for the advice guys. I’m gonna do some practice at my local places I.e Kilburn & yearsley etc on my hard tail and see how I get on. In regards to ardrock I can’t go this time but next time it’s on I’m gonna try get booked in and just have ago. I kinda think if I come last never mind least I’ve taken part and had ago. In regards to bikes what’s good makes and models go for ? I’m thinking giant or trek maybe.

Thanks
Tom

makes and models go for ? I’m thinking giant or trek maybe.

Giant and Trek are Ford of the bike world. They work and work well for most people, they're easy bikes to jump on and ride.

Trek Remedy fits the 'enduro' boxes.

Most brands make a decent enduro bike, if buying new availability may be a bigger factor

S/H lots of options; stiffer longer & slacker than your stiffee

Yeah I’m looking at a giant or trek. I currently have a giant roam and for a lower end price bracket for a bike it’s a cracking thing really happy with it.

Another shout for Boltby Bash, its smaller and has a more casual vibe than Ard Rock that I personally love. Bike wise any decent trail bike (hardtails included) and capable enough. Fancy another pop at Ard Rock just dont like the fuss/faff/hype surrounding the riding.

as many have said, see what local events are around you and get involved.

Down south we have the Southern Enduro series and its a pretty relaxed vibe. Has the back bone of enduro racing (start times, fun tracks, a paddock full of enthusiastic riders etc) but is very chilled with regards to being able to ride in a train with your mates (if you want to), not having to be at the start at an exact time etc etc.

Plus the tracks are usually short enough that its rare to get someone come up behind you, so less pressure of trying to get out of the way.

Its a good way to dip a toe, then as and when you do the larger events its a lot less daunting as you have a good feel of how the day pans out.

As for a bike, defo give it a go on what you have. I personally see no reason to get swamped by the hype of needing a full enduro bike. Unless you are at the sharp end of the pack, a 170mm travel monstrous super-enduro bike will probably just slow you down. I rode the Megavalanche, Ard Rock and the Southern Enduro champs on my Norco Optic (140mm front, 125mm rear) without any issues. Yes i may have been a touch faster on something with more travel, or less fatigued, but ultimately i dont think it would make the difference between me being mid pack and upper mid pack!

Plus you still have to ride it up to the start of the next stage, so a trail bike with modern geo would be my choice.

But basically... get involved where you can. give it a go and enjoy! Its a good crack!

Hi there.

Anyone interested in buying 2 tickets for Ard Moors? Broke my collarbone 2 weeks ago 🙁 Really gutted but can't risk to ride enduro this early.

2 tickets available for 5 stage Sprint Enduro

10-11 Sept

Paid £148.40 for 2 entries.

It would be nice to recuperate as much as possible of that amount.

More details on Ard Rock UK website