Get ready to get your gnar on in Swaledale…
‘Ard Rock Enduro 2015 presented by Santa Cruz. The UK’s premier Natural Enduro and All Mountain Challenge returns.
August 8th and 9th 2015, Swaledale, North Yorkshire. Entries go live on 12th December 2014.
The ‘Ard Rock Enduro is back, to put the mountain right back into mountain biking. The stunning and peaceful area of Swaledale, North Yorkshire, will be transformed into one of the most exciting weekends of biking, barbecues, bands and beer.
Don your kit, grab yer bike, and get thissen ready to experience Yorkshire at its ‘Ardest.
Santa Cruz are proud to announce their title sponsorship of the award winning ‘Ard Rock Enduro for 2015. The ‘Ard Rock Enduro really encapsulates why we do what we do and the reason we love riding bikes – it’s challenging, accessible, relaxed and most of all fun! The atmosphere is second to none, and the course enables riders of all abilities to test themselves in some incredibly unique terrain. Ride with your mates, or race the clock, it’s up to you. Combined with bbq, beers and music it’s really a unique event that sums up all the best bits about biking. We can’t wait to be involved in 2015 – and we look forward to seeing you there. – Dickon Hepworth of Santa Cruz Bicycles
For 2015 we’ve added a ‘Sport’ race to the itinerary, which will follow the same route but miss two of the most technical stages. It will be slightly less physical, so we hope that riders of all abilities can come and join in the fun. The key ingredients that make the ‘Ard Rock a great weekend of biking will remain the same; adventure, challenge and good times! In 2014 we managed to raise over £2000 for local charities and we hope to exceed this in 2015. – Joe Rafferty, organiser.
The ‘Ard Rock Enduro takes place on 100% natural, rough and rock-strewn private tracks that are only rideable in this event. There’s zero trail centre kitty litter or manmade berms in ‘Ard Rock, just ancient trails and paths with loose, steep and technical riding under your wheels in places. The entire route will be purpose marked for the event and offers a ‘once only’ opportunity to hit up some quirky, natural rocky zones.The ‘Ard Rock Enduro’s event village will be based at the beautiful Dales Mountain Bike Centre, with its onsite cafe and bike shop. Superb, level camping facilities and parking for competitors is right next door to the River Swale in Fremington.
The ‘Ard Rock Enduro is supported by the Mountain Bike industries’ leading brands and local breweries. Santa Cruz, SRAM and Mavic will all be onsite to support riders and showcase their products. Whether you want to go flat out for glory or enjoy an amazing chilled weekend riding with your mates in midsummer, it’s a chance for all entrants to ride amazing exclusive trails in great company and enjoy the atmosphere of the Yorkshire Dales.
In 2015 there will be three categories at the ‘Ard Rock Enduro:-‘
‘Ard Rock Enduro (40km lap, 5 timed stages) – Sunday 9 August 2015
The ‘Ard Rock Enduro will take place on Sunday with the opportunity to practice some of the stages on Saturday. 5 rally-style special segments will be incorporated into an amazing 40km (in country miles!) loop of the Scott Trial motor cycle territory around Reeth. You will be able to choose your start time so you can ride with your mates, and you can expect to be out on the course about 4-5 hours covering around 1000 metres of climbing and descending. A cut off time of 5 hours 15 minutes will be enforced for safety and timing reasons. The ‘Ard Rock stages contain a mixture of flat out fast gullies and off road tracks, steep rocky chutes and technical single tracks that demand a good level of skill and fitness.
‘Ard Rock Enduro Sport (35km, 3 timed stages) – Saturday 8 August 2015
Taking place on Saturday, the Sport class is a touch shorter and slightly less brutal version of the ‘Ard Rock Enduro. It will follow much of the same route but miss two of the most technical stages. The competition format is super relaxed and friendly, which means you can ride the whole course with your mates or partner, choosing as and when you tackle the timed stages at your leisure. You should expect to be out on the hill for several hours – 35km up Dale is no easy feat!
‘Ard Rock All-Mountain Challenge (35km single timed lap) – Saturday 8 August 2015
The ‘Ard Rock All-Mountain Challenge is a single timed lap that will follow the same 35km route as the Sport class on Saturday. Starting within a 30 minute window you can ride with your mates or go for gold against the rock strewn terrain and legendary Fremington Edge climb. You can expect rocky single track, swoopy grass gullies and flat out descending.
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Wonder which two they’re missing out on the ‘Sport’.
If there is a race on a lot of the same course on the saturday will it be possible to practice for the sunday?
New Enduro rules for 2015 – no practice allowed, time bonuses available for pints drunk the night before, and how many hours after midnight you go to bed.
Enduro is in danger of becoming the new XC.
Also bonus points for pints downed at the Lion half way round.
Steveh, enduro practice likely after the sportive which sets off around 9:30 if this year was anything to go by.