[Closed] No more British Enduro Series?

The principle of having a National series which is a stepping stone to the EWS is fine logic, but I do wonder whether the fact that one of the reasons the BES was cancelled was down to low (very low apparently) numbers is because there isn't the [i]actual[/i] rider demand for it?

It isn't like the UK is short of technical terrain to ride and train on and training to be able to do long, hard, sustained efforts in the saddle over multiple days is easy done outside of a race.

I can't help but think that it is the lack of UK Level endorsement by BC that is ultimately the cause; it's not like 'grassroots' enduro is suffering.

Maybe the answer lies within the existing series. Expert and Elite categories have to ride to timed transfers, or maybe do the course twice. Perhaps one round per year is "the big one" which, ok, may attract less numbers due to its intimidating nature, but that won't adversely affect the series overall as numbers are generally high enough to make it work.

Either that or people start signing up for the BDS and sack off the uplift and ride up instead!

Perhaps one round per year is "the big one" which, ok, may attract less numbers due to its intimidating nature,

big ones can still pull big numbers- before the great decline epic ukge races at dyfi etc pulled in 300+ riders

If the numbers just aren't there to built an elite series, Maybe the regional races could provide an elite class where the class would have to do each stage twice, doubling the transition mileage and stages ridden compared to novice riders?

Kimbers, absolutely, agreed. My point was more that each series could purposely include a 'big' round but not at the cost of overall participation in the series i.e. no doubt a lot of people were put off by the fact that the BES did include big, long, tough stages.

The market is there for big stage races - just look at Ard' Rock. I just don't think the market (volume) is there for a series of big stage races.

kiksy - Member

Not everyone who enters a national level race necessarily want to step up to world level, it's just about having a level above regional.

Yup- [i]I've [/i]ridden two EWS rounds and probably about 20 national rounds and I'm a total fanny.

the fact that one of the reasons the BES was cancelled was down to low (very low apparently) numbers is because there isn't the actual rider demand for it?

no it was brexit lol

snorkelsucker - Member

Kimbers, absolutely, agreed. My point was more that each series could purposely include a 'big' round but not at the cost of overall participation in the series

Highlevel: An organisers in each region putting on a race to make a nation series.

Not an EWS modelled, EWS model is more of a money making model.

Since when did big loops put people off? It never did at UKGE.

IMO having two uk series ****ed things up as riders would choose one or the other.

There was enough interest nationally pre 2015 and there is at regional level so who ever takes on a national series needs to consider what draws in the racers.

Since when did big loops put people off?

anecdotally, speaking to people at races, and reading comments online, quite a few people just seem to want to push up the climbs at a steady pace, and then race the downs. The Afan mashup in Feb - for instance - is not using the main Whites climb and instead using a road as transition (not sure the reasoning, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was that too many people complained about the main climb ) To me this seems like it's missing out on a huge part on what makes enduro interesting and different from DH, but if that's what people want then thats that.

If people want to push up climbs due to laziness/lacking fitness then best they move over to downhill. Which won't happen for many reasons.

I agree, it starts to defy the point of enduro - riding bikes that are capable of climbing with relative ease while riding as fast as possible downhill.

Not everyone who enters a national level race necessarily want to step up to world level, it's just about having a level above regional.

This is currently working fine in both DH and XC (and CX?) in the UK, so I don't think it's crazy to assume it can't work for enduro.

Kev from PMBA gives his perspective on the state of UK enduro in this interview...
http://unduro.co.uk/mtb/in-the-hot-seat-pmba-enduros-kev-duckworth/

A couple of things mentioned on here putting people off - expensive entry and trail centre stages, and mini enduro being noted as a series getting it right.
Just looked at their bpw event, £47.50 for 3 stages?
What is so good about their events they can get such good entries when it costs more than an uplift day?
I had planned on riding but think I'd be better going on a non race day and paying for uplift instead.

I appreciate the above sounds negative, but genuinely interested.

Fwiw I'm not the biggest fan of minienduro vfm wise and is hardly an epic loop or scenic loop at how!
That said they always sell out and it's very well run, I did last years race and it was good laugh with mates and still worth it!

If you want a bigger loop on good Welsh terrain I'd look at wges and Wes series, both very good

In particular wges are picking up the Dyfi round from the cancelled BES and it will be ****g amazeballs imho

anecdotally, speaking to people at races, and reading comments online, quite a few people just seem to want to push up the climbs at a steady pace, and then race the downs. The Afan mashup in Feb - for instance - is not using the main Whites climb and instead using a road as transition (not sure the reasoning, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was that too many people complained about the main climb ) To me this seems like it's missing out on a huge part on what makes enduro interesting and different from DH, but if that's what people want then thats that.

You can still ride up the climb if you want to. Main reason is minimising exposure to the elements in Feb and an awful lot of locals go up the concrete road anyway, keeps it fairer for all and its a lot shorter 🙂

 

yeah last years race was driving wind and rain, the climb was ****g horrible

kimbers - Member

yeah last years race was driving wind and rain, the climb was ****g horrible

You can still ride up the climb if you want to. Main reason is minimising exposure to the elements in Feb and an awful lot of locals go up the concrete road anyway, keeps it fairer for all and its a lot shorter

Thanks for the clarification!

mini enduro being noted as a series getting it right.
Just looked at their bpw event, £47.50 for 3 stages?
What is so good about their events they can get such good entries when it costs more than an uplift day?

At the Fod race, one thing I'd say they nailed was the taping. Taping off the trails in some interesting ways so you couldn't just use the obvious line, especially at the end of stage 1.

Just looked at their bpw event, £47.50 for 3 stages?
What is so good about their events they can get such good entries when it costs more than an uplift day?

Er, because its not just a case of turning up for a quick ride with your mates? It's like a proper competition n stuff.

Sheesh.