[Closed] EWS Tweed valley

Walk or Burn used to be quite a mellow trail by Golfie standards, but since non of these trails have been dry since last September, this (and Pumphouse) is one that has got way harder with them being ridden over the winter when they were soaking.
Jawbone has actually got easier! The boulder field has been tamed, the horrible left-hander near the end banked up plus the mental drop onto the road no longer has a lip to it!
Maybe with the current dry weather things will improve.

For someone who struggled with POC KOTH Cademuir S4 how does Jawburn compare? I'm not foolish enough to be riding EWS but have entered KOTH again and it may feature.

Jawburn is insane! Rode it this afternoon...

Hearing a lot of people moaning about the trails. Surely they didn't enter expecting groomed trail centre stuff? I was doing the climb up to caberston s1 today alongside Hannah Barnes. She met someone riding the opposite way that she knew. He had just ridden s1 and decided to drop out as he didn't want to race on that kind of trail. Heard another guy on the phone to his girlfriend saying he was pulling out and was going to ride the red trail. Poor show all round. I know a lot of people who didn't manage to get an entry and they would have loved these trails.

I was chatting to a couple who'd got to the top of splash and dash and were looking at the easier entry and going "that's too hard". I didn't have the heart.

I often figure with these things, I'm pretty much exactly the worst rider that should do them. Here I think I'm clearly not good enough to say that! But no doubt there'll be a bunch of people in even further over their heads.

It's a weird race series the EWS. Ordinary punters wouldn't try and get themselves into a WC DH or XC event, but they can and do get into the Enduro equivalent?

It's a weird race series the EWS. Ordinary punters wouldn't try and get themselves into a WC DH or XC event, but they can and do get into the Enduro equivalent?

Which makes it good in my book, but I don't know why people would enter it without expecting a high riding ability required. If I'd been able to have a chance to practice I might have liked to have taken one of the E2 places being dropped now the excitement has got to me, but the golfy is the upper limit of my comfort zone and i wouldn't do it blind.

How do the trails compare to the dudes of hazzard enduro last year?

Heading up tomorrow morning and I can't wait!

Hmm, I suppose there's similarities with the early bit of sooks pipe... But the rocky stuff over on the mamore lodge road is just totally different really. Man what I wouldn't give for a load of rocks!

It's a race in Scotland, weather is a big part of the challenge

Well I guess if riding through never ending slop is a challenge I guess so.

Some of the trails in the pics I've seen look about as much fun as washing dishes.

Yeah, trust me, you've formed a very wrong opinion based on some photos.

Well I guess if riding through never ending slop is a challenge I guess so.

Some of the trails in the pics I've seen look about as much fun as washing dishes.

I hear that the Glentress green trail is nice and dry

Latest shipment just in... Ideal for moaners and whiners..

[img] [/img]

Yeah, trust me, you've formed a very wrong opinion based on some photos.

I honestly hope that's the case. I know the area could put on a brilliant race, I just wouldn't want to see it turn into a gong show for the sake of being one month early.

It's actually not that sloppy or slippy. It's rough, rooty & steep. Some big ruts getting cut in but they help enormously in the corners.

I was too late to get an entry when they first came out (way too late!) Would find it a bit gutting if lots of people are dropping out due to low skill levels/lack of cojones leaving lots of spaces that others could have used.

I'm not wanting to willie wave but I accidentally rode some of the Caberston stages on Monday and regularly ride the trails in Caberston on a 130mm hardtail, while challenging they are nothing a competent mountain biker shouldn't be able to ride (fall)down.
People shouldn't be entering events like this if they don't have the skills or balls, just get on with it you woosies, on your 160mm mince tanks.

[i]I'm not wanting to willie wave but I accidentally rode some of the Caberston stages on Monday and regularly ride the trails in Caberston on a 130mm hardtail, while challenging they are nothing a competent mountain biker shouldn't be able to ride (fall)down.[/i]

Hmm, lets say VERY competent mountain biker.

I live and ride in the Tweed Valley and have ridden/walked down pretty much every thing the EWS is going down. A guys I ride with who've entered are very good and will have no problem getting down at a reasonable pace, but these guys ride these types of trails every week. Good weather and bad, daylight and darkness (yep :-))

Anyone that entered and expected groomed rocky singletrack only had to have ridden (or just read about) one of the many Enduro/DH events put on in the past few years in the Tweed Valley to know that it wouldn't be the case.

IMO It'll be hard, tough and way beyond most folks skills, even before you factor in that it is a race.

To be fair it was a similar situation at the UKGE last weekend. Stage 5 used a chunk of the IXS cup track, and there was a few steep bits, but nothing outrageous, the amount of moaning was pretty impressive. I guess people just don't expect it.

That said, riding something, and racing something are very different experiences.

BoardinBob> not sloppy or slippy? Have you been down stage 1 at glentress?

I honestly hope that's the case. I know the area could put on a brilliant race, I just wouldn't want to see it turn into a gong show for the sake of being one month early.

May can be one of the driest months of the year, pot luck as always though, if we hadn't had that heavy rain last weekend and midweek this week it would be pretty different even though it's not been a particularly dry month.

What's the chances of all the e2 entries coming available? I'd be in my van in a shot.

Hah, just saw the E1 seeding, I've been declared faster than Ben Cathro 😆 Think I'm well out of that!

@philfive, best thing to do would be to email Dawn at tweedlove, she's been handling the signup lists I think.

Re late entries, I had to pull out of the GT7s solo due to illness in the week leading up to the race. I contacted the guys at Tweedlove to see if my entry could be passed over to someone on the waiting list. However it was too late as all the race numbers etc had been sent off to the printers so there wasn't scope to register a new rider. And I am sure they don't approve of riding under someone else's entry.

Hob Nob - Member 
To be fair it was a similar situation at the UKGE last weekend. Stage 5 used a chunk of the IXS cup track, and there was a few steep bits, but nothing outrageous, [b]the amount of moaning was pretty impressive. I guess people just don't expect it.[/b]

That said, riding something, and racing something are very different experiences.

POSTED 1 HOUR AGO # REPORT-POST

What were they moaning at, the steepness?
It's a skill to ride technical steep sections and far too often these enduro events are based more so on fitness..
I did the gravity enduro last year and was disappointed but hearing this year was a lot better (not as pedally) I may enter the next one.
Be good to see the top boys flying down some of them steep technical sections on the ews.

[i]Re late entries, I had to pull out of the GT7s solo due to illness in the week leading up to the race. I contacted the guys at Tweedlove to see if my entry could be passed over to someone on the waiting list. However it was too late as all the race numbers etc had been sent off to the printers so there wasn't scope to register a new rider. And I am sure they don't approve of riding under someone else's entry.[/i]

It wasn't a problem at GT7, I took over someones' entry on race day and all they needed were my emergency details. Just had the wrong name on my number board.

Had a quick blast this morning rode G-Force and Jawburn ...(well slid/dabbed) some of it 😀 Wow they've not half chewed up !!!

There was a few folks scratching heads and not looking too keen on 1st entry into splash n dash ..

I'm more Xc-Jey than Dh-Gnar and I can ride it ... Lot of folks in for a treat ❓

Good luck to all those competing weather is looking sweet and trails have went from super sloppy to sticky sloppy 😀

Northwind/grey - thanks - squiggly line I've seen before. Will get hacksa out for bars later 😉 Bit steep eh, but then being a hanger on for this event can't really expect much else 🙂

Lol, apart from my oops moment and getting them mixed up.

Considering this is mean't to be a world class event, then having world class tech is a good thing imo!
There are already "easy" options for competing over some of the same stages doing less days/miles for those wanting to break themselves in gently to the sport! It's also pretty awesome that everyday jo-blogs (and his hot sister Hannah-blogs 😉 can ride the same course as the pros!
It's like turning up for the Monaco GP and getting a go after the race in your own car, and you'd be miffed if they had taken out the hairpin cause it was a bit tight............

Having a day off today after helping the team set up all week, but I'm looking forward to marshalling the next two days.
I'm on Pro-spacer on day one and Ho Chi Minh the next day so should see plenty action.
Weather looks like it's going to be good as well.
Good luck to all those riders from here, it's going to be awesome.

Over the last five or six years, with the exception of last year, running the event later probably wouldn't have made any difference to the conditions. It's Scotland not California etc, deal with it.

There is a reason there are so many good riders in the Tweed Valley. Caberston is a big reason! It's a world series event. What would be the point in seeing the elites take on a red route? Looking forward to this massively. If it's too hard then maybe you're not ready for it yet.

http://singletrackmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/is-the-tweedlove-world-enduro-series-too-hard/

the grown ups are watching

I've been quoted.
I cant respond to that as not a premier user, but as others may have said this is a world class event, expect world class descents.
I was expecting much more straight down hold on and hope, but the course has been well designed and built. The wet has obviously taken its toll, and thats the factor that has made it "difficult". If it were bone dry hardpack everywhere I dont think many people would be complaining.

Anyone hating, its not because the tracks too hard, its because your skill level is too low.

I note that neither full face nor body is a requirement for enduro. But it's held on some of the same courses as DH races which do have that requirement.

Did Steve Deas play a part in making up the stages for this event? If so, that'll be why some of them are a bit wild. 😀

I think the only other problem with trails like these is how much they can change in the course of the race day- it can be pretty different for rider 1 and rider 500. Probably just an inevitable part of this sort of racing though.

Knee pads are obligatory. Helmet choice is upto the rider. Depends on the stage. Wouldnt need a FF @ GT

Been riding over that way for a couple of years now regularly and can honestly say that it's rarely dry
So the dates wouldn't of mattered. A hard tail would cope easily with these trails but would obviously have you way off the pace.
Gutted not to have been able to get an entry or make it down to watch as it looks to be as complete a weekend ofbiking as you could ever hope for.
Good luck Bob/Gav hope you guys smashit!!!
I also hope the locals give the worlds pros a run for their money on the world class trails they have built!

Wtf do people expect? Its the enduro WORLD series. Its the premier event, it should be hard/technical.

Well practiced all the caberston stages and 1 at gt yesterday definitely technical but no more do than ukge last weekend I certainly won't be challenging peatys timed down them slopes but my 150 mm mince tank is up to the job and I'm sure I'll manage for reference I live in London get off road once a month my biggest regualr descent is going down nothing hill
So of o can manage it anyone can

However I've signed up to E1 and have serious concerns about making the transition times !

We also ran into 2 dog walkers yesterday who deliberately blocked the trail (by the golf course on way to caberston stages) think theyd bern removing way markers too then had a go at us for trashing their trails and ****ing off and they'd be complaining to the council as this was the only place they could walk their dog

We also ran into 2 dog walkers yesterday who deliberately blocked the trail (by the golf course on way to caberston stages) think theyd bern removing way markers too then had a go at us for trashing their trails and ****ing off and they'd be complaining to the council as this was the only place they could walk their dog

Make sure you report that to the race organisers.

i agree with useless hippy ! its world enduro series.
i was way out my depth on jawburn and had to push at a few bit but in comparision was not phased at all on the day 2 stages .so if enduro is about all round abilitys skill,fitness,speed,decending,endurance whats wrong with having a few ballbreaker stages .
p.s its jusy as likely to be slippy in july as it is in may imho
I ALSO THINK THE LOCALS AND COURESIGNERS HAVE PUT A GREAT COURSE TOGETHER TO TEST THE BEST RIDERS IN THE WORLD.a really varied selection of trails.the fact we are debating on here says they have done a good job . it would have been a crime holding the world enduro on the groomed glentress mincer trails IMHO

I was chatting to a couple who'd got to the top of splash and dash and were looking at the easier entry and going "that's too hard". I didn't have the heart.

I often figure with these things, I'm pretty much exactly the worst rider that should do them. Here I think I'm clearly not good enough to say that! But no doubt there'll be a bunch of people in even further over their heads.

I'd concur with the hard chute being easier than the left option due to the looseness of the left.

Is Enduro for failed DH racers the same as Sportives are for failed road racers?

Any go pro / photos of the tricky trails?

I searched YouTube for jawburn but nothing on there

Stage one, Caberston.

Looks fantastic, reminds of Aberdeenshire singletrack. Stick on a set of the new 2.4 Baron's and you are in business!

That^^ looks like it actually might get easier after another couple of hundred riders pass, as it will help to form some berms and a rut line through all the off camber stuff!

(wishing i were in Scotland riding that tbh.........)

ETA: It will be interesting to see the tyre choice the Pros are running too

Keep it hard and show what Scotland has to offer.

If you are entering a world event riding with the best enduro riders on the planet then you should have the skills. It's great that anyone can enter but that should not mean the stages should suffer. Take responsibility you should know if you are up to it or not.

^^ that, I've ridden/minced most of those trails on a normal day but didn't consider myself good enough to do it on a race day, so didn't enter.

I have entered the king of the hill enduro as I thought that would be more to my level . This is a competition for the world's best riders and the course should reflect that , I think it is brilliant that they have e2 that allows normal riders to get involved but you can't tailer the whole course for their needs
I do however think there is a balance to be struck for the races in the UK that aren't world series level , enduro is ment to be an accessible race format for all riders and if it just becomes downhill courses without uplifts you could scare people away and that would be a shame

BoardinBob - Member

Hearing a lot of people moaning about the trails. Surely they didn't enter expecting groomed trail centre stuff? I was doing the climb up to caberston s1 today alongside Hannah Barnes. She met someone riding the opposite way that she knew. He had just ridden s1 and decided to drop out as he didn't want to race on that kind of trail. Heard another guy on the phone to his girlfriend saying he was pulling out and was going to ride the red trail. Poor show all round. I know a lot of people who didn't manage to get an entry and they would have loved these trails.

WTF I ride the red and I'm almost 40, have a slightly rounded waist, not much skill and cough up a lung at the sight of a hill lol.

I can understand it if it was a mud bath and wasn't going to be that much fun riding it but if its a skill thing why did they enter in the first place.

In defence of Golfie (Caberston) it has to be said that the trails are normally dry between March and October; I have never met anyone who prefers them when they are muddy! Stage 1 trails are considered to be "easier introductions" (except that drop in!) whereas Jawbone is probably the hardest one on the hill. Other venues in the area have stuff even harder still!
I have to laugh at the notion of world wide exposure to he Art Installation as you crest the ridge on the way up the hill. What exactly did a well known local rider do to "Ur momma" back in 2002?? 🙂

I have to laugh at the notion of world wide exposure to he Art Installation as you crest the ridge on the way up the hill. What exactly did a well known local rider do to "Ur momma" back in 2002??

Translation for us stoopid people who have no idea what you are talking about?

Maybe check the graffiti on the old water reservoir perhaps?

Martin Maes of Atherton Racing:

Right, so the boulder field has been removed and the scary drop onto the fireroad on Jawbone has been avoided...I suppose they would be downright dangerous if you're riding at race speed!

Well now we know why Martin Maes is so quick - he's got a jet engine in his hydration pack. Bit tight through those trees 😯

If you take that three seconds of martin maes saying f*ck and hitting the tree and loop it for about 14 minutes, thats me riding at the golfie 🙂

and good luck and have fun to everyone on here racing tomorrow, can't wait to watch, very excited. see yous there

Right, so the boulder field has been removed and the scary drop onto the fireroad on Jawbone has been avoided...I suppose they would be downright dangerous if you're riding at race speed!

The boulder field is still there.. its a bit muddy and cut up though.. The new exit points up towards lower jawbone, which is the next part of the stage..

I see Sven Martin describing it on Pinkbike as "the most technical and difficult one yet", interesting

Just saw Cedric Gracia video on the weekend. He is a character. Looking forward to it!

Northwind>compared to the other rounds I guess it is.

Compared to an off piste run of Pleney in the wet. Not so much.

Joe Barnes is leading after day 1

Live timing says Nico Lau...

All stage 4 results have disappeared. There were a lot of DNF's on stage 4 when they were up. Timing issues?

Yeh, looks like it. Was showing loads of DNF before

Where can I find the live results?

http://www.siresults.co.uk/2014/Tweedlove/Stage4/e1_category.html

Thanks.

I hope they didn't mess up stage 4 timing as it was the only stage I didn't crash on

Rough day for me first 2 stages I was awful completely died on the firetoad climb on stage 1 followed by several spills further down had a couple of big offs on stage 2 as well
Stage 3 was going OK until the drop off after the fire road had a big tumble and bent my brake lever
The climb up to four killed me but I enjoyed th blast down inners and stayed upright ONLY overtaken once !

Think martin maes snapped his saddle on stage 1 and a lot of dnfs and a fair few DNS as well I'd guess 10% didn't show ? Including Al Stock I think

Anyway very good day out cracking weather and some testing trails and ytansitions

The stage in that video up there. Does that run off the top of Inners off to the right, directly from the trig point?

Anyway, can't be that hard as my mate finished Day 1 mid-table and he did it on his hardtail 😉

Lovely day for it though, good to watch the fast boys.

http://singletrackmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/tweedlove-enduro-world-series-day-one-race-report/

Was watching the elite riders come down the steep chute near the bottom of Jawbone; some of them not touching the brakes till the hard right-hander. T'was bloody impressive! Only a handful of the top girls looked happy on it though.
Great weather and a great advert for the local riding scene.

Hit me with race numbers, I have pics

They all came past my house today on transition to Stage 3 and seemed in pretty good spirits. One fella even stopped and gave me some chocolate. Can't help but think he will have needed it more than me.

Great viewing today, interesting mix of capabilities on Jawbone amongst the top men, some visibly uncomfortable and a couple with faces of absolute terror! Kept missing the ladies and didn't stay for most of the E2s. Amazing speeds through the trees on stage 4.

great stuff