Empire PMBA Enduro Series (Grizedale Gill Cycles) Report And Results.

The Empire PMBA Enduro Series took place over the weekend, Grizedale Forest hosting the 2nd of five rounds. The sun was shining and the course was set, with another mixture of trail centre gold and fresh cut trail, the 13 mile loop including three varied timed stages, would be physically challenging for all riders.

Photo Credit Nick Moor

Stage one started at the top of the well known North Face Trail, however to add a bit of a twist the route was down the first climb. This included some techy traverses and some awkward steps to negotiate, with the longest pedal of all three stages; it was all or nothing on Stage One.

Photo Credit Nick Moor

After Stage One’s pedal fest, it was up to stage two, the transition between stages one and two caused a fair bit of controversy, with most of the field not riding the designated route. The long designated route took riders around the forest, however most riders took a much shorter route which crossed live race stages. With all transition routes well sign posted, the riders in question had ignored the signs, and cut the course. Even though the climbs aren’t timed they almost halved the designated climb. If riders had read the rules for the race they would know that this course cutting is not permitted and technically cheating.

Is this the spirit of enduro?

“The loop will be signposted for you to follow – it’s important you follow the loop rather than to make your own way (which could be quicker) but we will have stages using fireroads and we need to keep everyone safe – these points will be marshalled and no one will be permitted to short cut on the Sunday.”

So onto stage two, ‘The Lungbuster’ starting off on a short natural shoot, the stage followed down the existing flowy trails again including the North Face trail, a short uphill sprint in the middle then led the riders back down more flowy trails to the finish. Even though it was the shortest stage of the day that uphill sprint had most riders hanging.

Photo Credit Nick Moor

Stage three, starting at the highest point of the forest at Caron Cragg, descending down newly cut trails, the rutted and greasy top section was challenging a lot of riders. Finishing the natural section riders were spat out at the top of the black trail, jumping and dropping your way down the “Singletrack” stage, another short uphill sprint lead to the bottom section, another freshy cut trail took you down to the stage finish.

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