Do such things exist?
I'm a pretty solid rider, I've even been known to display 'steeze' very occasionally when the mood is right, but I'm also a nervy / anxious type known to throw wobblers when asked to perform in front of crowds or taken out of my comfort zone.
I used to enjoy the Kona Mash-Up Enduros they had at Afan, probably 10 years ago now, the races they hold now are a bit more serious and they run them on the off-piste sections I haven't fancied riding yet.
Welsh Enduro Series is pretty laid back. There's a fair range of abilities there and everyone seems to get on just fine. You select a start time at sign on at the beginning of the day (first come first served), so can ride with your mates if you wish. Marshalls are good about allowing suitable time gaps - if you think you'll be slow then warn the rider behind to leave a big gap, if you think you'll catch the rider in front then leave a big gap yourself. No transition time limits, so if you find yourself caught up in a group of riders that you think you'll get in the way of then you can just hang back between stages. Venues are mixed - I found Foel Gasnach very challenging and Dyfi almost as bad (partially due to trail conditions), but there are trail centre based rounds which have little/no off-piste (Llandegla and Gwydir Mawr this year).
I’ve even been known to display ‘steeze’
I think your audience deserves more details of this "steeze", videos or pictures would help tremendously.
Tweedlove do the Enjoyro - which is mostly trail centre and some off-piste and the Vallejuah which is billed as not-as-hardcore as some.
pmba i reckon
Tweedlove Enjoyro is definitely a good one as it's deliberately less gnar (as long as you don't mind being overtaken by the occasional 14 year old...)
I found that it can depend on the tracks, rather than the event though. However friendly an event can be, sometimes there's literally no room to let a faster rider past if you're on a steep, narrow track (Innerleithen etc...) and no matter how much you say 'Leave me a big gap' it never seems to be enough. Even some tactical set-off times didn't seem to matter either. If you go off first, then you get all the keen riders and then if you elect to go off last, you get the tactical keen riders hoping for some worn-in lines.
I really enjoyed the Boltby Bash this year - very laid back feel and there was enough room on most of the tracks to let people past.
I’ve even been known to display ‘steeze’
I think your audience deserves more details of this “steeze”, videos or pictures would help tremendously.
I'm not sure it's visible to the human eye.
Thanks for the info everyone. Welsh Enduro series is my local one, but I guess unless I want/can ride the stuff they race at Afan I'd be out of my depth.
Tweedlove is a bit far, but Swinduro looks about right, I'll give it a look.
Welsh Enduro series is my local one, but I guess unless I want/can ride the stuff they race at Afan I’d be out of my depth.
Are you confusing the Welsh Gravity Enduro series with the Welsh Enduro series? Welsh Enduro series is based in North Wales. Two rounds left this year. The next one is in a few weeks at a new venue, but the September round is at Gwydir Mawr (formerly known as the Marin trail centre), and is very much your standard trail centre riding with nothing particularly gnar.
Another vote for Boltby Bash, great laidback feel to the event and everybody seems friendly enough.
Only done the Gisburn round of the PMBA but it was a steady enough ride and again lots of friendly folk.
The opening page image summarises the attitude... I took about 10 teens and pre-teens round as a chaperone on HT and rode it all. The atmosphere was welcoming, there's easy lines on all drops and it's better run than the Scottish National series IMO...ahem.
https://www.muckmedden.co.uk/our-events/fair-city-enduro/
(And just because)
Are you confusing the Welsh Gravity Enduro series with the Welsh Enduro series? Welsh Enduro series is based in North Wales. Two rounds left this year. The next one is in a few weeks at a new venue, but the September round is at Gwydir Mawr (formerly known as the Marin trail centre), and is very much your standard trail centre riding with nothing particularly gnar.
Yeah I think so. Thanks for the confirmation.
As qtip says welsh enduro is very accessible and friendly, but maybe give Foel a miss until you’re a bit more confident!