The year twenty twelve can most definitely take the claim on the year of Mountain Bike Enduro. Although the concept of mtb-, or gravity- enduro exists already for a number of years, with spectacular events like Megavalanche or Superenduro. Never before you’ve seen as much coverage on this style of riding in magazines and on the web as just recently. Everyone seems to be getting into it and events with an enduro theme are sprouting like mayflowers. If you are -like many- excited about riding bikes downhill on technical terrain, but feel you are earning your blast when you are riding uphill. Or feel the standard downhill track or race is always making you wish the trail was longer? Then mountain bike enduro is for you.
Megavalanche - Probably the best known Gravity Enduro event
For many, there is just one question to get answered. Where do you start? Getting to select the right enduro even is not the easiest thing to go about. Google, can not decide whats best for you, and since most of us have a sense of realism, we are likely to raise some barriers before we really kick it off and sign in. Here I would like to break a few of these barriers (or excuses) that you might face mentally before you decide to enter an enduro event.
Not sure I’m up to it !
You are … Provided it is not your 1st day on a bike, you have a certain level of fitness and know the difference between using your front brake and the one in the rear, there is no need to hesitate. The terrain may be more technical than you are used to, but there is no need to feel embarrassed when you have to dab a foot or even have to walk a section that is outside your comfort zone. You will not be the only one doing it, and people will respect your level of skill regardless.
I’m not a naturally born racer !
So what … Most events are low key in the sense that the atmosphere is not like you would see in a road or xc race. Racers of all classes join and mingle before, after and during the race. And apart from some exceptions, are in it for the fun. In the events that are also visited by the pro’s and semi pro’s they may install different classes or sequence the starting times to ensure the heroes are shifted from the mortals.
My friends are not into the downhill and technical stuff !
That’s their problem – Seriously … The fact they don’t want to join does not mean you should not enter! Right? Okay, the first event may be a bit awkward, but be assured you will meet new people who are there for the same reason. Because guess what? They are all there to have a great time on a bike, have a laugh about the near misses and brag about how they cut that one steep rooty corner. As always, you need to put in a little effort if you want to make conversation and make new friends, but it is far from asking someone for a first date, so don’t shy away.
What if the adrenaline kicks in ?
It will, and you’ll like it … This is one of the great things about entering a race without any ambition. You will be totally relaxed and enjoying your day on a bike -until you hear- “GO”. All of a sudden you realize it is a race, you get a weird feeling in your stomach and you get a strange taste in your mouth. Yes, that’s adrenaline, a very addictive natural drug that you are going to love and it will get you over that rock, out of the corner and will help you to catch the guy/girl in front of you or keep you out of reach for the ones behind. For the timed stages in an enduro event, you will be a racer. Thereafter everyone gets their cool back and it’s just a big blast.
All Enduro events are multi day !
Not true … Enduro events like the Transprovance or The Blast concept are indeed multi day events, but check out the Easyphone Cup or the Erec series if you don’t want to spend a full week or weekend racing but still want to run multiple stages on different tracks and terrain.
Enduro in action by one of our friends at trailhunters.be
So what event do I enter ?
This is the tricky bit … Obviously, this portal enduro-mtb.nl is a great place to start and make a selection. Next to that you will find that most of the bike internet forums (mountainbike.nl – Dirty Pages – Dirt – BikeRadar) have several posts written by enduro enthusiasts. Even if your favorite forum does not have any enduro related posts, why not start one? If the forum is visited by bike enthusiasts, you are likely to get at least a few responses. And the great thing is, you might just have found yourself another biker that is offering you to join at the next race.
Now here it is, you’ve just found that there is no real reason for you to not enter in an enduro event. Get your gear sorted and go for it. You will not regret it. Be assured that the comments made above are tapped directly from experiences of a newby endure racer as well. Don’t fool yourself, you want to ride enduro and you should, because it is a lot of fun and you get to meet great people. This weekend you may enter your 1st race, and you will be hooked.
Don’t just sit there … Go Ride!
Add to Google
