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Endura Stramash Freeride Festival

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That's Danny MacAskill backflipping that is.
That's Danny MacAskill backflipping that is.

A brand new event will be hitting the Scottish Borders this year on 19th and 20th September. The event is set up in a spectator-friendly format and involves a sensational day of Slopestyle competition, culminating in a floodlit grand finale followed by a day of Enduro riding on the famous trails of Glentress.

A Stramash is a Scottish word for a disturbance, racket, or clash and spectators and participants can expect a loud and lively event.

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The organisers have confirmed Endura have taken headline sponsorship of this year’s inaugural event. They are followed onboard by Monster Energy Drink, taking on title ownership of the Slopestyle.

The event has also confirmed attendance in the Slopestyle of local hero and YouTube sensation Danny Macaskill, who will be pitting his wits on the specially built features. Also lining up to ride is Lance McDermott, who was recently injured but is confident of a return to form for Stramash.

With classes for youth, women, amateurs and elite riders, the Monster Slopestyle is as much about nurturing Freeride talent as it is about providing an exhibition event for this stunning visual sport. Alongside Macaskill and other top riders who will attend the event to compete in the floodlit finale, the field will also include riders who will have trained in Stramash’s “Lessons in Flight,” with specially arranged Slopestyle courses taking place in July, August and September 2009.

It’s not just about Slopestyle though. The Enduro will give a large cross section of bikers the opportunity get involved too, with the ability to ride the famous Glentress trails in a format that rewards the all-round rider. The idea is to reach the top of Glentress’ famous singletrack descents within your time limit and then race the clock back down in timed special stages. All participants will have all day to set their fastest times and battle for immortality as the fastest rider on the best trails in the country.

The event is being organised by ‘The Clan’, Scotland’s cycle stunt team and Detail Events, the guys behind the famous Rat Race urban adventures and a company renowned for innovating cult classic event formats.

Manager of Scotland’s Clan stunt team, Iain Withers is one of the organisers: “The Tweed Valley is the UK’s premier destination for mountain biking and the 7stanes trails centres are now world famous. Endura Stramash is all about celebrating that rich diversity of biking in the region and we are aiming to create a real signature event that the community can get behind. Stramash will be visually stunning and we are really investing in the course build and riding talent to ensure the competition is top flight. Throughout the build up to the event The Clan will also be on hand to mentor amateur riders towards their first freeride comp.”

With support from Forestry Commission Scotland, Scottish Enterprise and sponsorship confirmed from Scotland’s very own biking apparel aficionados Endura plus the Monster crew, the event is shaping up to become an annual fixture within the national biking calendar. Working on a development plan over 5 years, it is envisaged that Stramash will become the signature event for the Tweed Valley and grow into a major festival of Freeride taking inspiration from Whistler’s beloved Crankworx event.

Entry is now open for both the Monster Slopestyle and Enduro and the first “Lessons in Flight” courses begin in August. To enter or to get the full information on this innovative new event, go to www.stramash.com.

Orange Switch 6er. Stif Squatcher. Schwalbe Magic Mary Purple Addix front. Maxxis DHR II 3C MaxxTerra rear. Coil fan. Ebikes are not evil. I have been a writer for nigh on 20 years, a photographer for 25 years and a mountain biker for 30 years. I have written countless magazine and website features and route guides for the UK mountain bike press, most notably for the esteemed and highly regarded Singletrackworld. Although I am a Lancastrian, I freely admit that West Yorkshire is my favourite place to ride. Rarely a week goes by without me riding and exploring the South Pennines.

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