Enduro events for beginners to attract more riders

[Bizkit031]

I think one of the problems about getting more people into enduro events is the contrived gap between "gravity" and Marathon riders (particularly on internet forums where gravity riders are considered to be ultra-elite and marathon riders are considered to be slightly better than roadies)

 

if i had regular encounters with a bunch of guys that that outdid me completely in skills and dissed my incredibly hard won gazillion miles of riding fitness, lifestyle and expensive 1 gram bicycles I wouldn't support their events either.

 

I know a lot guys are completely intimidated by the idea of rocking up at events on their 29ers with cleats, doesnt matter if there are B-lines etc cos they dont want to be ridiculed by guys cos they dont have the right gear/look/ethos.

 

maybe the secret is to make a trail event which combines aspects of technical trail riding, thats not too intimidating but still hard on fitness and skills that will allow people to feel like they have accomplished something and give them the confidence to try enduro and DH?

It's no different when the Enduro guys rock up at endurance races with 29ers,27,5 and 26ers with cleats and flats and the the gram counters look at them like,WTF are you doing here in your baggies and loose fitting clothes. And then up the first hill they get ridiculed because they walk or ride to slow and they are messing with the gram counters Strava time. Gram counters are not so innocent as they look and I think that they take themselves so serious sometimes that they forget to have fun.My first experience with the Enduro scene was awesome and the guys are chilled and very supportive,can't say that with all my years being a gram counter myself and making the switch to Enduro has opened my eyes.But you never going to please everyone.

[Reden]

Just my opinion but why are we tying to make everything in life easier?

 

Would the average person not benefit more from the achievement of practicing and working towards being able to do an Enduro rather than rolling up to a mellow trail and coasting down to the finish.

In trying to accommodate everyone we loose track of what we are trying to accomplish within the sport.

One can coast down to the finish line at any Enduro event if you really want to.

 

A bigger interest should be created by what ever means that works.

The rider that is keen to push him or herself will go on to do more things and learn the skills.

Start at grass root level and work up from there.

 

Maybe a Enduro "Open Day" will work. Show people what can be done.

[Bizkit031]

It's not about the experienced riders. For this the routes can be made more difficult and longer. I agree 100%.

 

One can start with kids races and work from there.

We need more riders, more events (Gauteng) and more interest from sponsors.

Sorry to tell you Reden that in SA,that won't happen because the big sponsors and distributors don't see the Enduro scene as a cash cow for them so they don't even pay attention to it. They only give money to all the long and drawn out marathon and endurance events. The guys who have shown support for it has seen how it has grown and is still growing every year.

[Reden]

A dad and son event could also work.

Route is made for the skills of the kid. Maybe dad (or mom) will actually enjoy it and try new things.

 

Bring what you *&^% got and ride. Don't be a whoosie...

[Jurgens Smit]

I think this is actually an awesome Idea, real enduro events are still a bit outside my capability and something easier would allow for good progression.

 

That being said I am a roadie so my technical skills are limited to track stands and bunny hops over speed humps/potholes.

[BaGearA]

Whats all this k@k about easy ????

 

Reden simply wants a track that less capable people can do , he never said manicured single track with no rocks you coast down.

 

Hubbers can never read the title and give an insightfull opinion , "No you're wrong and I'm right because and because "

 

FFS !!

 

Reden wants to get people into the sport and you just want to keep them out of it. THATS NOT what the enduro scene is about , usually the slowest rider gets the most support and people screaming for him/her

 

 

That^ is how you hook someone

[Bizkit031]

Whats all this k@k about easy ????

Reden simply wants a track that less capable people can do , he never said manicured single track with no rocks you coast down.

Hubbers can never read the title and give an insightfull opinion , "No you're wrong and I'm right because and because "

FFS !!

Reden wants to get people into the sport and you just want to keep them out of it. THATS NOT what the enduro scene is about , usually the slowest rider gets the most support and people screaming for him/her

That^ is how you hook someone

Eish it's Monday not Friday yet.????

[BaGearA]

Eish it's Monday not Friday yet.

 

I was dead serious about everything I said , so many marathon riders would happy at enduros ...we just need to get them there

[NicoBoshoff]

Whats all this k@k about easy ????

 

Reden simply wants a track that less capable people can do , he never said manicured single track with no rocks you coast down.

 

Hubbers can never read the title and give an insightfull opinion , "No you're wrong and I'm right because and because "

 

FFS !!

 

Reden wants to get people into the sport and you just want to keep them out of it. THATS NOT what the enduro scene is about , usually the slowest rider gets the most support and people screaming for him/her

 

 

That^ is how you hook someone

Dude, if you're ever in Paarl look me up.  I have a Bells with your name on it.

[Bizkit031]

I was dead serious about everything I said , so many marathon riders would happy at enduros ...we just need to get them there

Yea I know what you mean,what we do down here at Giba is get the guys to come ride with us who want to get into it and show them how to ride the smaller and easier stuff and help them build up to the bigger things. That's the way a lot of us started off it's the only way to learn but I know some guys are not so accommodating and patient with the beginners but hey we all had to start somewhere so the more experienced guys need to remember that from when they started.

[GLuvsMtb]

I think this is actually an awesome Idea, real enduro events are still a bit outside my capability and something easier would allow for good progression.

 

That being said I am a roadie so my technical skills are limited to track stands and bunny hops over speed humps/potholes.

The answer is probably tracks that have proper B-lines (that are substantially slower than the A-lines). I often come across A-lines that are hardly ever ridden as the B-lines are quicker.

 

As mentioned by others, a bigger issue is the average Saffa's inferiority complex to anyone that enjoys something in a different way to what they do. I did some riding in Canada in 2013 and never encountered any haggling or teasing about my limited skills. Instead people shared knowledge and encouraged me to try new things. The trails elsewhere in the world is great, but the real eye-opener is how tolerant other nations are towards people that don't quite have the same skill set / experience.

 

 

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[BaGearA]

Yea I know what you mean,what we do down here at Giba is get the guys to come ride with us who want to get into it and show them how to ride the smaller and easier stuff and help them build up to the bigger things. That's the way a lot of us started off it's the only way to learn but I know some guys are not so accommodating and patient with the beginners but hey we all had to start somewhere so the more experienced guys need to remember that from when they started.

The answer is probably tracks that have proper B-lines (that are substantially slower than the A-lines). I often come across A-lines that are hardly ever ridden as the B-lines are quicker.

As mentioned by others, a bigger issue is the average Saffa's inferiority complex to anyone that enjoys something in a different way to what they do. I did some riding in Canada in 2013 and never encountered any haggling or teasing about my limited skills. Instead people shared knowledge and encouraged me to try new things. The trails elsewhere in the world is great, but the real eye-opener is how tolerant other nations are towards people that don't quite have the same skill set / experience.

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I think one great way is to get the person to improve is get them over the initial fear and then have them ride with someone fast , then the faster person makes sure they're only 15m infort the whole time and not riding away.

 

This way the newbie will constantly try and push to catch up

 

 

Just spitballing here

[porqui]

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Just SOMETIMES read the post title or heading before you comment.

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[Reden]

I think one great way is to get the person to improve is get them over the initial fear and then have them ride with someone fast , then the faster person makes sure they're only 15m infort the whole time and not riding away.

 

This way the newbie will constantly try and push to cath up

 

 

Just spitballing here

I did that...but wait. Still doing that. I have learned a lot from other riders.

If it wasn't for the motivation from other riders, I would have stopped about three weeks ago.

But that is another story...

At least I can sleep on my right side again.

[Jurgens Smit]

I think one great way is to get the person to improve is get them over the initial fear and then have them ride with someone fast , then the faster person makes sure they're only 15m infort the whole time and not riding away.

 

This way the newbie will constantly try and push to catch up

 

 

Just spitballing here

I know mine is a confidence thing, I see the obstacles ahead and get second thoughts, don't commit properly and end up going otb.

 

I think anything that draws more people, especially kids to the sport would be great. Whether it's "easier" rides or skills days

[BaGearA]

That initial fear is probably the biggest thing , like once someone knows they can do it they'll want to progress.