I’m doing the back country enduro week (7th- 14th of September) and was wondering what to expect.
To be honest I am getting a little anxious as I am not the fastest (up or down), fittest or the most technically competent rider so I’m hoping I am not in over my head (or over the bars). I’ll be riding my 2015 Yeti SB5 and hope this will suffice.
I’d really appreciate feedback from anyone who has been before.
Thanks,
Donncha.
Not been yet, but booked on the Back Country Enduro WC 21st Sept.
Be good to hear/read about your trip and how you found it. I've done a few trips to Spain, Morzine and Morrocco, so expecting a lot of fun and dry trails.
You'll be fine - I've been several times and there's been a pretty wide range of riding abilities present.
If you can ride UK reds with confidence you'll probably get more out of it but there is so much variety there is something for everyone. They have a great set-up with several guides which normally gives them the option to split groups up by ability (or if you just want a chilled day).
Enjoy! It will be awesome!
Edit: here's a few photos from my trip last year - link
Trying to work out of I can squeeze in / afford another trip before the Brexit storm comes..
You will find the trails just fine with Whiteroom, as there’s unlikely to be much you can’t ride down. You might need to go slower than others in your group, but Steve and Co will accommodate your level just fine.
The backcountry week is a full week of riding, including plenty of ups... but I did a chunk of walking up the steeper climbs when I was there last, but didn’t feel like anyone was in such a hurry that I was getting in the way of them enjoying the day.
@Carlos, I’m there for the same week at end of September. So I’ll say hi when we’re there.
What Lardman said.
I went earlier in September last year and it was brilliant. The weather wasn't quite as good as it looks in frogstomp's photos, but still good. There was very little in terms of compulsory tech (and the guides were good at pointing out anything that was potentially difficult) so at the very worst you'd just be at the back of a group.
For most of the trip we started and finished as one big group, with a few splits into 2 groups looking for "smooth and flowy" vs "tech" options before coming back together.
My tip: Take the rest day easy! I managed to fracture my wrist on the rest day (on trails we'd already ridden) and missed the last 2 days of riding. I still haven't fully recovered, but it feels like the end is in sight now and I'd definitely go back again in future.
You’ll be great. Been on a few trips with them and they are well run, good food and fun.
White room are a great operation. They know their stuff and are very professional. I would wholeheartedly recommend it if you're the sort of person who rides hard reds all day.
But don't let the macho contest here fool you. Whiteroom is hard; the days are long, the uphills are long, the descents steep and technical and the risk of injury high. Yes they will try to split the group by ability but there's only so much that can be done when you're riding in the Alps.
When we did Whiteroom there were trails with parts that Steve and Rhona couldn't ride down. There were also bits that more than 50% of the group fell off on. And there was a broken arm and a broken finger (we weren't in Ally's group).
Guys thanks so much for the responses. They are reassuring.
Hard reds are fine but my fitness may let me down on some of the climbs.
I may invest in a troy lee stage or fox proframe based on Ally's and AJAJ's comments.
There is nothing worse in constantly being at the back all day and feeling that you are holding everyone back; sucks all the joy out of the trip!
OP, it's your holiday too. You're entitled to enjoy it, irrespective of where you are in the line. Anyone who had a problem with a slower rider being in the group needs to have a look at themselves, and if they really have a problem with it, they should be riding by their bloody selves.
I was there a few years ago, and although they are full days of riding, I didn't find the climbing onerous. Their website says between 300-800m climbing a day. It won't be a complete walk in the park because you're in the mountains, but it'll be ok. As far as the tech goes, they want everyone off the mountain safely, so they'll keep an eye on you if they think you might be struggling.
Carlos, lardman, a couple of mates and I are on the same week. See you there! 😀
Cheers Del! I'm really glad I posted and have found everyone really supportive.
I'm actually there the on the 7th and I think (from the above posts) you guys are a couple of weeks later.
There is nothing worse in constantly being at the back all day and feeling that you are holding everyone back; sucks all the joy out of the trip!
Ohhh yes there is... and that's someone who thinks they are entitled to ride down first down every trail whether they have the ability or not !!!
I've ridden abroad a few times in some very diverse groups of riders. Some people are more than happy to ride at the back and a good guide will easily accommodate them, equally a good group of riders will give everyone an opportunity to ride up front, enjoy mixing it up a bit and simply adjust their riding accordingly.
I've never been upset by the latter but fork me the former is annoying !!!
BTW... guess where I'm going on the 21st of September ?
Been out with them a few times, although on the uplifted weeks. If you’re getting tired and starting to make mistakes, you can normally cut your day short and meet up with them later
looks like there will be a few from here on that week then.
It sounds like booked to go two weeks too early!
You'll be fine, they'll not take you anywhere they don't think you'll manage & they don't leave anyone behind!
Del - I was looking at going WC 21st but there's no lunchtime flights from BRS
I went to White Room back in June 2009 when bikes were still short, high and steep and I didn't die. It was most excellent, in fact.
Edit - I think Anchorman was kinda the theme of the week for some reason...
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/2422/3665671829_219877a354_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/2422/3665671829_219877a354_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/6zVwwr ]Alps 2009[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/stevemilne/ ]Steve Milne[/url], on Flickr
I haven't done a full backcountry week but they usually do a backcountry day in the uplifted weeks, and both times it's been fantastic and I've survived. Big days but well thought out, accompanied with big lunches 🙂 I'm a reasonably good rider but never as fit as I should be, so it was hard work at times but totally worth it.
I'll see you there! I'm there that week too 🙂 I've been on the backcountry week a few years ago, PM me if you wanna chat and get more info.
There is nothing worse in constantly being at the back all day and feeling that you are holding everyone back; sucks all the joy out of the trip!
I actually quite like riding at the back, especially if there’s a guide back there. Can ride at my own pace, if I feel like pushing it I can follow the wheel in front of me (i.e. another guest) or I can just ease off a bit without feeling the pressure of someone on your wheel behind. So long as you’re not hours behind the riders at the front I’m sure no one minds. Spent a week doing exactly this on a BasqueMTB trip this year and loved it.
Hey Snapademous! Long time no see. I'm well aware of what time the flights are...
