Ive just entered the dyfi forest round of uk gravity enduro and as its my first of this event am not sure what bike to use.
I have a yeti asr5 140mm fork and reverb (26lb) or an orange alpine 160 with ccdb coil also with reverb.(33lb)
Did mega last year on the alpine but use my yeti for trail riding duties.
Anyone done this event before? Which bike would you use?
cut n shut them?
Before I was told I couldn't ride for 5 months I was going to do this round on my 06 enduro with lyriks and an air shock. It is mainly DH orientated so I would take the big bike if I were you, the big climbs arnt timed so don't take a bike that will excel at that.
What with the gravity bit in the name, the Alpine is the obvious choice... it's all in the descents
Yeti if you're brave but slower uphill, Alpine if you're quick uphill but want a bike that lets you ride blind fast. I'd ride the Alpine but I'm not brave and ok at pedalling. Actually, just ride the Alpine, if you're quick downhill you'll appreciate the bigger bike on unseen trails.
Thanks guys, some good points.
The alpine is a beast on the downs, but lacks zip along the trails when I use it on say the Afan trails. I'm thinking that some of these stages have climbs on them and might loose allot of time? That's what makes me think the yeti might be quickest overall all as is no slouch on the downs.
Would like to take both as have a practice day on the Saturday but am limited on space.
Anyone else ridden these events?
Are you in the hunt for a win? Or are you racing a mate who is about the same speed as you? Have you been training to get fitter?
If your answer is yes to two or more of those questions then take the bike that will be faster on the flat and ups.
if you have been training for more technical stuff or just want to have fun then take the bike that is more suited for tech and fun.
I'd be tempted to take both, with wet/mud tyres on the Yeti and dry(er) tyres on the Orange. On the Enduro1 series the typical bikes have somewhere between the two but I understand the Fetish Gravity courses are gnarlier. It's a shame the CCDB doesn't have a lock-out for any extended climbs.
If this was the coed y brenin round then I'd absolutely definitely say the yeti, if it was the innerleithen round I'd absolutely definitely say the alpine.
But i've never ridden the dyfi area apart from the climach-x trail so I honestly have no idea.
If pushed I'd say the alpine?
there are several vids on youtube if you search for "eastridge gravity enduro" may help you to decide.
Either will be fine. You're there to have fun so take the one you have the most fun with.
Depends on your fitness? At the last round some of the link stages were tight for some people. I span along and made it ok and tend to favour lighter over burlier for this reason. I'm probably loosing a bit on the the actual timed descents but not a lot I reckon? I ride an Ibis Mojo HD 140 for these events which I guess is nearer the Yeti than the 160?.
Thanks for the input guys.
I'm probably gonna go with the yeti ASR5. I was informed by the organiser the loop was 32km, so not so short. Think I'll appreciate the extra energy for the timed sections.
Can’t wait to get on the trails now 😉
dirtbiker's spot on, it'll depend on the actual course more than anything else, "gravity enduro" can mean ride down a dh trail or a handcut Steve D plummet, or just pedal like mad along a trail centre red, no right answer.
But, if you're knackered at the start of the stages you'll not go fast regardless of what you ride.
I've raced most of this series on my ASR5 with 140mm forks, upgraded to a sb66 (150mm forks) for the Eastridge round.
Got to say the extra travel on the 66 was definitely worth it, although everything is rideable on the ASR5. My fitness is my strong point so transitional timings aren't a problem for me, the extra weight and travel on the 66 didn't cause me a problem but helped on the downs.
On a big hilly loop the ASR5 may be the better option, bit comprimised going down but overall a better all day bike.....plus it's a YETI 🙂
I may not have a choice of bike now!!
Took the Yeti to Cwmcarn last night for some DH runs, all was going well, strava running so not using much brakes...then all of a sudden puncture in the rear, on checking I now have a massive dent in my rear wheel and the shock linkage/bushes have lots of play.... grrr
If my LBS can't work their magic this by thursday I will be on the Alpine 160 this weekend. Not such a bad thing, but I will probably be the one blowing through my ass on the climbs 😳
cheers all
The route for this weekend is up: [url= http://www.ukgravityenduro.com/rd5-dyfi-forest-wales-8th-9th-sep-map/ ]http://www.ukgravityenduro.com/rd5-dyfi-forest-wales-8th-9th-sep-map/[/url]
See you on it!
Anyone with experience of Dyfi care to cast an eye upon the map and share some secrets?
I'll be on my hardtail either way 🙄
andeh - you keeping up on facebook? one top tip apparently - take wet weather stuff, it stays muddy for quite a while in places over there.
I was at Coed Y and at Hamsterly this year. For Coed Y I would have preferred a smaller bike as some of the sections were quite pedally. For Hamsterly my spesh Enduro was perfect.
I saw lots of people on Alpines, looks like fun. Take that. See you there!
What's the Facebook group called?
Stage 2 looks similar to the first descent used in the "Dyfi Enduro" while Stage 3 I think is "World Cup Descent" that has also been used in the event recently.
Expect very fast, loose descents. The odd drop, some wide tracks with multiple lines.
Big balls will help.
I read somewhere (on the Facebook page maybe?) Mr Parr saying that this round is gonna be different to all the others and that the best technique would be to leave your brain in the car park and grow a pair!
Guess I'll find out tomorrow on my first practice lap?
I read somewhere (on the Facebook page maybe?) Mr Parr saying that this round is gonna be different to all the others and that the best technique would be to leave your brain in the car park and grow a pair!Guess I'll find out tomorrow on my first practice lap?
That seems like a very reasonable statement to assess the riding in the Dyfi. Lots of fun, lots of room for error and the stones there are not very nice to land on!
Well protected tyres are a must too!
I've ridden some of the off-piste stuff there years ago. Is this one of the stages? [url] http://mountainbikerides.co.uk/video/15-wales/165-dyfi-forest-moel-heulen-1.html [/url]
hmm might bring the full face helmet along then as my balls are tiny
Was thinking that Kimbers but I don't fancy a 35km/1000m+ loop with a full face. Will be taking both though!
Strap it to your pack for the climbing? They don't have a euro-style "helmet all the time" rule as far as I know.
If you can afford a bike after the ludicrous entry fee, good luck to you.
well that was fun but damn hard going glad I made the drop in at the start of stage 4 the audience was a bit intimidating 1 not so glad I missed my start at stage 5 as my legs were done for
well that was fun but damn hard going glad I made the drop in at the start of stage 4 the audience was a bit intimidating 1 not so glad I missed my start at stage 5 as my legs were done for
I bonked like a swine on the transition to stage 5, resorted to eating blackberries from the side of the trail.
Great fun though, despite the crazy amount of fire road climbing. Stage 2 was my favorite, closely followed by 5 (even though I didn't get a chance to ride it when I want shattered)
what a great event ! I enjoyed it right up to the point a minor slip on stage 4 resulted in a snapped brake lever and a long walk. Well done to the organisers, I had a brilliant weekend and I particularly appreciated seeing some trails that would have been hard to find otherwise
Well it was certainly a long way round. I'm very, very sick of riding up fire roads!
The stages I liked however. They were pretty wild at race pace. Sadly my bike broke half way round so I had a long walk back. Stage 5 was great though, it was like an old school DH track 🙂
Yup, another great weekend. Stage 3 gets a bit rowdy at race pace! I'm glad I didn't ride the full loop on saturday, instead opting to skip 2 and 3, otherwise I wouldn't have made it round the full loop on race day.
pics are appearing, no results yet
anyone have a pic of the drop in at the start of 4?
hers some pics from saturday night
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anyone have a pic of the drop in at the start of 4?
Yeah already put some on [url=
Sorry can't do FB at work to provide exact link
well.. what bike?? I ended up taking my yeti ASR5 in the end as got it patched up (prob one of the smallest bikes there). And yes that was me at the start of stage 4 going over the bars to an audience!!
TBH - stage 4 was the only time I felt under biked. I was very pleased to be on the ASR5 on the endless fireroad climbs.
Had a coupe of punctures so higher volume tyres next time I think. Was also struggling to clip in to spds on the starts which wasn't helping. so maybe flats?
If I had taken the alpine 160 those climbs would have wore me down. Not sure how some of them guys were doing it, saw one guy on a giant faith climbing to stage 5 late in the day(respect).
cost no object - Perfect bike IMO carbon spicy/nomad/enduro would by spot on.
I had a great time and cant wait to get on it next year.
results are up
nah loads of 140mm bikes were on it (me included). Ibis, Orange 5, Zesty etc etc....(prob one of the smallest bikes there)
There was a real mix of everything, some very quick guys even on HT's.
What a weekend to forget for me. 15 seconds back on the seeding & riding like a nob on Sunday until I broke my bike. Still, I know what to expect for next year at least.
I need to get a lot fitter!
nah loads of 140mm bikes were on it (me included). Ibis, Orange 5, Zesty etc etc....
ASR5 is smaller than 140mm though isn't it?
Box still doing his stuff on the 29er I see...... 😀
ASR5 is smaller than 140mm though isn't it?
ah yeah it's 127mm. thought it was 140. sorry
Anyone got any idea if they publish the hardtail results? I want to attempt to console myself after a generally poor show overall 🙄
Put my few snaps here too: [url= http://www.mountainbikerides.co.uk/photos/races-events/uk-gravity-enduro-2012-dyfi.html ]http://www.mountainbikerides.co.uk/photos/races-events/uk-gravity-enduro-2012-dyfi.html[/url]
Off to the Docs later... smashed my foot off a stump (or something?) near start of stage 4 and it hurt like hell! Finished the race tho. Now all swollen and purple and that... 🙁
Anyone know how the vet is that stacked it big time on the second drop in seeding? Looked nasty and proper put me off as I waited on the start line!
It was another awesome weekend. I know it has been said a lot but it is an awesome bike race. I was on a 120mm '06 Stumpy but a guy on an NRS took the Oldest/Smallest bike crown, he was flying as well. All the stages where great IMO, although stage 5 takes the biscuit. I haven't ridden 20 ft wide grass tracks since I was ten. Stage 4 drop in was greatly improved by someone about three places before me blowing through the tiny little catch berm at the bottom. Such fun riding overall. The injured guy was camped next to us, he did his collarbone and a rib, not too bad considering how bad the crash looked
I crashed at the top of stage 5 on Friday and fractured two ribs, went out Saturday morning rode stage one but in to much pain, gutted, my riding buddies did well Joe Buck 1st in under 18's Chris Keeble-Smith 2nd in seniors and Matt Snelling 7th in seniors. Looking forward to next year
looks like there may be some timing issues- i think they forgot to add on the seeding run to the overall, which sucks as my already poor showing is about to get worse!
balls! just when i was getting into it!
"It is with much thought and sadness that I have to inform you, I will not be organising UK Gravity Enduro in 2013.
There are several reasons, issues with title sponsor not paying their bill, horrendous timing at all but one round and my own personal situation.
I would like to thank all the sponsors and helpers from the past two fantastic years, but most of all the riders for believing in the series and putting it right up there with the best.
The format of proper "Enduro" in the UK is now moving nicely, with quite a few races and mini series in the pipeline, plus BC involvement, I look forward to seeing it grow even bigger than XC and DH in years to come.
I apologise to anyone effected by the issues with the series"]
The BDS organisers are doing a series next year Kimbers.
Surprising news about Parr pulling out though. Overheard the gossip about the sponsor while at one of the races - sad to hear it has contributed to the demise of the series.
well wont be using fetish bikes then!
That's very poor- was a wee bit surprised that they were a big enough hitter to be main sponsors, perhaps they weren't.
Timing issues though, that's not a shock to anyone, and it's something Steve made a lot of noise about right from day one- it was going to be state of the art, flawless, and expensive, and was one of the justifications for the event cost. They staked a lot on it... But it went wrong more than right it seems 🙁 Sometimes simple is better.
A damn shame though, it's been a huge boost for the sport and Steve's one of the few people that could make it work. Hope someone can fill his very large shoes.
In the meantime- innerleithen winter enduro series just announced for the start of next year...
That's a shame, was thinking about it for next year. It strikes me that running a gravity enduro format race is an organisational nightmare as the Enduro1 series has been pretty messy too (though I greatly enjoyed both rounds).
It turned out that I was meant to be on the podium in the end (3rd overall in the U18s) but it wasn't Steve's fault I'm really sorry that it came to this for him. Everything was great about the series other than Race Timings. 🙁
Never touch Race Timing Systems or Fetish Bike Company with a very long, especially pointy stick. Fetish have also screwed around one of the MTB holiday operators in the Alp too. Companies that screw people around like that should be avoided.
Fetish also screwed around a number of Elite DH racers on 'deals' this year. Seems like they are rapidly gaining a poor reputation.
It's a shame this has happened though. There really needs to be a more robust system in place, rather than people with phones, stopwatches & timers. I don't believe timing should be the issue it is, there are never issues with the Super Enduro series in Europe, and they are a third of the entry fee.
It would be great if someone could grasp this format of racing and make it into a series that works, as it attracts such a diverse spectrum of riders it has the potential to be a very big series.
FWIW, the simpler contact tag-in timing systems are proved reliable... I know some folks (Steve included I think) don't consider them to be professional or smooth enough for top-end competition but, well, they work.
I've never done an event using noncontact timing that didn't also have a manual backup.
Really do hope someone starts up a series next year, i did coed-y-brenin which I hated-and not because of the weather, Eastridge which was amazing fun, and Dyfi which was perfect - a good length, stages that made you grin from ear to ear, even the pedally bits you could understand as they linked up cracking sections.
Came 26th in seniors but after somehow sneaking 4th in seniors on stage 3 and a 17th on stage 5 I've realised how much my fitness is holding me back on the other stages. Winter training time...
Real shame Steve's had to sack it off. Best races I've ever done.
[i]Anyone got any idea if they publish the hardtail results? I want to attempt to console myself after a generally poor show overall [/i]
I think the quickest hardtail was a bit under 19.30 (although 2nd place on 19.40 would have been way quicker if it wasn't for a warp speed crash on the whoops in stage 4!).They don't tend to publish hardtail results, although Dan from Stanton did at Eastridge.
Really do hope someone starts up a series next year
As I said, the BDS people have already announced one.
And yeah, despite all the timing problems and the sometimes loose organisation the few that I've done have all been great fun.
My blog of the weekend: [url= http://www.mountainbikerides.co.uk/news/53-race-reports-a-results/429-2012-fetish-bike-gravity-enduro-series-round-5-dyfi-forest.html ]http://www.mountainbikerides.co.uk/news/53-race-reports-a-results/429-2012-fetish-bike-gravity-enduro-series-round-5-dyfi-forest.html[/url]
Any info (web site?) on the whats and wheres of the proposed BDS one next year?
Actually their FB now suggests it might not be a full series...
"As some of you may have seen 2months ago that i'll be running selective Enduro races early next year. Expect all the bellls and whistles you see at the Halo BDS, Tag Heuer Timing, big sponsors, prize money and media coverage. Hold fire for the full announcement soon.."
Good news!
I'm a bit shocked at peoples response didn't realise you all loved it that much. After reading the comments have sent a couple of messages out, good news may follow. I will not be the organiser though, but may advise so i get to race and develop my companies brands
That was Steve Parr on the UK Gravity Enduro FB page.
It's a shame the series had the timing problems, Steve has put so much work into it, and built a good solid interest among riders in the discipline. Seems sad that he won't directly reap the benefit, but other organisers will.
I have confess was a bit disappointed when BDS announced an Enduro series, there isn't room for two national series, seemed a bit unsporting and inevitable that one would fail, so in some ways better this way.
We are running a winter series of Enduros at Innerleithen (have been running them since before the Gravity series - before anyone calls me a vulture) in 2013.
I am sure there will be others !!
And well done Steve, if you do give it up, and it sounds like your arm is being twisted, you leave behind a good legacy for Enduro in the UK.
P.S and frack - Fetish owe me £66 for race entries. Guess that's gone...
Hels, you now have the UK's premier Enduro Series - don't let Steve make them all day/night 😉
Whaddaya mean ? The day/night looked awesome fun. But I think they will all be standard ones in our unique Innerleithen style. I like to think of it as simple but effective.
The day/night was maybe the best event I've ever done... Absolutely ridiculous and therefore brilliant. You know it's been a good night when you break your hand and you're not that fussed.
Don't get me wrong, happy to have one or two day/nights but would like at least one in daylight and I know Mr Deas is very keen on his night racing endeavours!
There's a night downhill race coming up. That sounds like an even [s]better[/s] stupider idea 
Yep, Full Beam Day Night Downhill 3 November. Entries open soon, just waiting on BC wheels to turn.
Northwind,did you break it at the first Inners day/night?
Aye, on stage 3 (on the wee muddy climb!) Still beat my mate though, with added injury bragging rights
I should probably start shopping for some extra lights around now...
We're in luck again! 😀
I have been completely overwhelmed by the responses of support and good will, I'm humbled by it to be honest.
The UK Gravity Enduro series, the 1st and only that has the right to the name, will be back in 2013, bigger better and stronger.
Get training you have been warned 😉