Nice job ! Keep up the reports if you do more.

I’m definitely excited about the next round now. Only 2 weeks away and the trails are apparently a bit more steep tech. Lots of confidence in the organisers after how well the first round went. So good to have some enduros in south wales now!

22nd march entered if anyone else fancies a bpw day.

Events

Entry in for the Dunkeld Enduro

Got my entry in for Dunkeld as well, wasn’t expecting 2 days (maybe I wasn’t paying attention?) but it should be ace. Blind racing is the best, or maybe I just say that because I can never remember the trails anyway with practice.

Shame about the Tweedlove King and Queen, it’d have been great to get back to Kinlochleven, always had a hilarious/painful time racing there. Hope not too many people are stuck with accomodation costs, luckily ours is cancellable.

Shame about the Tweedlove King and Queen

What’s happened to it? Was considering an entry, but would be riding blind as I can’t manage practice as well

Presume a communication has gone out to those that have entered? I’ve not heard anything.

Interestingly I got a text out of the blue from someone involved in racing in Scotland on Saturday. If something has happened it would make sense that she was fishing for info, not the first time that’s happened.

It’s not going to be at kinlochleven any more- they’re promising a new but just-as-good venue but no news yet on what it’ll be. I’m not convinced that there’s such a thing as a just-as-good-as-kinlochleven venue tbf but, we shall see!

It’s a bit cheeky imo, they’re saying everyone has to wait for refunds until after the new venue’s announced. I guess they want to keep everyone’s money for a bit longer and try and get people to transfer to the new location. Considering that people will be out of pocket for accomodation etc, I think they should be making this as easy and as smooth for punters as they can, not working their own angle… but to be fair it’s only been the weekend so far, it might all come together quickly

Thanks Northwind, good to know!

Got my entry in for Dunkeld as well, wasn’t expecting 2 days (maybe I wasn’t paying attention?) but it should be ace. Blind racing is the best, or maybe I just say that because I can never remember the trails anyway with practice.

I’ve never been to Dunkeld, so it’ll be completely blind to me. Need to pull my finger out because I’m nowhere near fit enough for a 2 day race at present!

I did my first race of the year, and the first one in about 9 months & made a solid hash of it.

Actually thats slightly harsh on myself, the first 3 stages I was 2nd, 3rd & 4th on, which I was pretty happy about, as I (very) rarely ever go to Bike Park Wales & really don’t know where I am going.

Where I cocked up, was I didn’t ride the ugly, long 6 minute stage first. I saved it to last & by then the middle of it was smashed to bits, which wasn’t ideal, but the problem came when I dropped my chain, about 1 minute in. I had to run & scoot my way through the middle, and the climb & then basically try not to brake, to lose any speed, which resulted in some near massive accidents & I lost about 40 seconds against the guys I was battling with. Ended up doing a 6min 40 stage. 😆

From a podium to just scraping a top 10. Oh well. 🤦‍♂️

Good going even so!

has anyone seen or heard anything on ardmoors, it seems ardrock have gone very quiet.

21st June then, back to BPW for some Enduro fun on a Weds… Anyone else fancy a bit of that ?

That a no then? Seems my lad can’t get sign off for it so I’ll be flying solo

has anyone seen or heard anything on ardmoors, it seems ardrock have gone very quiet.

On sale this weekend for racing 10/11 June

Unfortunately it falls after Dunkeld, Boltby, Graythwaite and Dyfi, so I’ve got no interest in adding another race weekend to that period. Shame, as I’ve never got round to doing Ard Moors.

Unfortunately it falls after Dunkeld, Boltby, Graythwaite and Dyfi,

What is on at Dyfi? Are they hosting an event?

National enduro champs. Dyfi forest, not the bike park

@mark88, yeah i’m struggling on ardmoors too, love the event ridden it 3 maybe 4 times, its a tough weekend if you practise fully and then race day. prefer the riding over ardrock, and i missed it last year

I’m cycling leeds to hull the monday afternoon for ferry and then riding 3 days in holland, then back friday and hoping to meet my mates in spain for a few days sun/drinking. doing boltby and pmba in the run up too.
pmba ae 2 weeks later ,

shame it not after ardrock as my calendar is free for 8 weeks then

whilst keeping my s.o. happy

looks impossible.

@whatyadoinsucka sods law isn’t it. I’ve got that crazy busy few weeks which comes too early for me to be race fit! Then nothing until end of August.

The only other race I fancy is the Manx 2 day which clashes with a mate’s wedding.

Dunkeld this weekend for me, anyone else riding?

I’ve had things on every weekend recently and have struggled for bike time. Just checked Strava all I’ve done in the last two months is a couple of after work rides totalling 3 hours.

This weekend is going to be purely survival. I’ve never ridden Dunkeld so just looking forward to getting some saddle time on new trails.

Dunkeld was next level. Two massive days (32km 1,160m and 38km 1430m), and some of the most technically demanding stages I’ve ever raced. Riding them blind was interesting and definitely put me beyond my comfort zone at times but I really enjoyed it. Hopefully someone is willing to take it on so the event continues going forwards.

Graythwaite stage 6 – New stage at Graythwaite looks good.

Hopefully someone is willing to take it on so the event continues going forwards.

I saw this mentioned on a youtube video from the race at the weekend. What’s the story?

10 and done, don’t believe there’s any sort of drama behind it. There’s a worrying lack of races in Scotland now though, although I did notice that there was also a race at Glenlivet at the weekend (good work avoiding the clash organisers). Mind you, also noticed that Tweedlove seem desperate for entries for their race next weekend – all a bit odd at the moment.

I just did the Saturday at Dunkeld as the 1 day format worked best for me. Was good fun, although only doing half went it wasn’t as big a day out as last year. That did free up some beer garden time afterwards mind you

There’s a worrying lack of races in Scotland

Yes. Extremely disappointing that ESO took over the SES and haven’t bothered with it this year

The race at Glenlivet was the first round of the local Doon tha Brae events. I think there’s another 3 this year with Aboyne, Pitfichie and maybe Tarland.

By all accounts really good events.

TweedLove this weekend is an odd one. It was originally meant to be in Kinlochleven (anyone remember the Dudes’ November enduros there? I’m still traumatised from taking my StumpJumper with all of 120mm travel down that the first year!).

They had to move it back to Tweed valley a couple of months ago (I think it was talked about somewhere I this thread). I suspect some people have dropped out with the move and many will have not entered the original as Kinlochleven is a long way to travel for many folks.

It should be a good event though – Golfie is always fun!

Had to drop out of dunkeld- broke my wrist last year and tweaked it in stage 2 doing basically nothing! Pretty annoyed tbh, I was riding like shit but even so the event seemed ace and it’s such a gorgeous area. On the plus side I went and looked at some big trees, watched mad people jumping into the river at the hermitage, and had a lovely snooze in the sun in the woods. Hope the person who went in the helicopter is OK?

Quite funny how “blind racing” works out in a location like dunkeld though, I think I literally only spoke to a single person all day that hadn’t ridden the stages or raced the race before… Actually heard someone complaining about people who didn’t know the trails holding him up, apparently that’s unfair 😉

euain
Full Member

They had to move it back to Tweed valley a couple of months ago (I think it was talked about somewhere I this thread). I suspect some people have dropped out with the move and many will have not entered the original as Kinlochleven is a long way to travel for many folks.

Yeah, I was entered but only because I wanted to race kinlochleven again, it’s a real shame it couldn’t work. (I can’t be the only person thinking No Fuss overcame landowner issues by just not asking?) I hear a lot of people complaining about “another golfy race” but it’s a totally sensible move, they basically had to conjure up a new race in a short time so it couldn’t make more sense.

Am I right that this is the first time they’ve had the full face rule? That’ll definitely put people off, whe

The impression I got is that the Dunkeld organisers have done it for 10 years now and decided that is enough. There is talk of it continuing if someone else is willing to run it.

Shame about no SES – I tried contacting them to see if they were doing anything this year and they didn’t respond. Would have been nice of them to communicate so people can factor that into their plans. Hopefully they come back with a full series next year.

Tweedlove potentially just struggling with timing. Lots of other races on at the moment, so yet another Golfie race with their full face rule means it’s low down the order for me.

What are the Aberdeenshire series events like? I haven’t heard anything about them but some of their dates could work for me.

Quite funny how “blind racing” works out in a location like dunkeld though, I think I literally only spoke to a single person all day that hadn’t ridden the stages or raced the race before 🙂

I’d never even been to Dunkeld before. So I’m the true winner.

Day two did have a few fresh sections, but yes, there is significant local advantage on blind rocky trails.

I’d have happily raced day two as a one day event, with a day of practice. Trails were unreal.

Am I right that this is the first time they’ve had the full face rule? That’ll definitely put people off

Yes, new rule this year. and one I completely disagree with. I bought an enduro lid for EWS and would be very surprised if I ever wear it again.

Knowing several Scottish enduro organisers, there does seem to be a few who have simply decided to give it up for various reasons, with nobody willing to step in.

Increased bureaucracy with land owners is a growing issue.
FLS have moved the goalposts yet again, meaning getting permissions for future races is looking quite problematic, unless you have a very good relationship with local managers.
Private landowners vary from very helpful, to ensuring they get their pound of flesh (or simply moving the goalposts after agreements are in place).

Insurance/Liability is pushing organisers to go against their own views/risk assessments.

Costs are continually going up with organisers stuck between that eating into their profits, and passing on the full costs.
FLS have put their levies up for events, but not as much as Forestry England who have moved to a percentage of entry fee charge.

In short, organising enduros is currently a very stressful job, with questionable returns for the effort/stress involved.

I personally have a couple ideas for Scottish races, but I know I just currently don’t have the time to implement them, and I personally wouldn’t want to take on all the risk. I have had a couple informal chats with people though, and there are plans to have further chats when things are a bit quieter to see if they could be workable.

Was just looking at the next Haibike minienduro at BPW on Wild Wednesdays.

A few different trails thrown in for this one with Dai-hard and Snakebite being the main 2 new ones, rim dinger is in there too i think as well as Pandoras Rocks… I’ve not ridden Dai Hard before (unless i did it many many years ago maybe) and not sure i have the qualifier in me lol. We’re there a week or so before, so i may need to get the teen to tow me in if i’m going to enter.

Mind you, also noticed that Tweedlove seem desperate for entries for their race next weekend

Already been mentioned above but no chance I’d be doing a full day at the Golfie whilst wearing a full face lid, and I personally know several lads who’ve said they won’t enter any more tweedlove events while they’re mandatory

AHH the old full face shenanigans

TBH it’s something you just get used to easily enough, and I say that as a sweaty bloke with big hair

600 of people at the last tweedlove managed it fine

Yeah I’ve no issue doing a big day at the Golfie in my full facer. On the other hand I wonder if we’re also back into the “well I ride here for free all the time anyway, why would I want to pay to ride here this time” argument that you used to hear

Not an enduro, but to fill some of the gap, along with some others who help at our club, we’re putting on a Mini-DH for U10 to U16 kids at the Lecht Ski Centre in just over a month.  Chairlift, cafe, toilets, tons of parking and a fun track which will be aimed as an entry-level event for kids looking to maybe race an SDA in a few years.

https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/281465/Lecht-Mini-DH—Race-the-Worlds-North-East-Qualifier

I’ve just signed up to race the Welsh Enduro series at Llandegla. Was supposed to be doing the Mini enduro night race thee last November but damaged the tendons in my left ankle a couple of weeks before the race.

I fancy the Llangollen round too, want to wait and see how the ankle holds up to the easier tracks first though.

my calendar has changed so doing ardmoors, race only, no practise, a friend wants to join me, so any spare tickets for full event, give us a shout ,

pmba lakes this weeekend.. not sure ,survive is my only thought

Has anyone raced Llandegla before? What’s it like? I’ve done the trail centre once, about 10 years ago and can’t remember there being much elevation or trails that would be worth racing.

I’ll be at Graythwaite too. 8 stages sounds like a big day out!