Enduro events for beginners to attract more riders

[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.

[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.????

[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.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[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

[Reden]

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

Been there.

My first Enduro was at Haka this year.

New (old Isimu) bike and I have never been to Haka SP sections. Did not know what to expect.

First was SP5. A nice OTB that was caught on camera.

From there it was a little bit easier.

Then 3,4 & 8.

Loved 3 to bits and it is still my favourite route. I did take all the B lines but the rock gardens was done manly style. Only on start of SP8 did I have a slight hiccup but all the others was ridden.

After that was DRI...

[GLuvsMtb]

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 am fortunate to have a group of riding friends that are all highly skilled and I have picked up quite a bit from them. I still think that the lack of skills clinics (or people being too "ashamed" to attend these) also plays a role. If you go to any of the big bike parks in Europe or North America, there are skills coaches to assist you and they are quite popular, even with experienced riders who needs to shake a bad habit or 2.

Anyway, ask yourself whether you are the fastest guy in your riding group. If you are, you are probably in the wrong group.

[Rigardt@Scott]

I think this would be an awesome idea. I went riding at Haka this weekend with a few friends who want to get into the Enduro scene, and although they loved the experience there were a few sections on Bunny Chow and Rinkhals which are quite hair raising to experienced riders, not to mention to marathon guys on their XC bikes trying to get into enduro. Now, I am not saying we should dumb down these trails at all so that beginners can ride them, but it would be cool to have some events where the marathon and XC guys can use their XC bikes and at least get a taste for what enduro is before committing to it 100% and buying a trail or enduro bike. 

 

This would only be favourable to the enduro community, as more people = more and better enduro trails for all. I think enduro, along with trail riding is a niche in mtb that is not understood by most cyclists in SA, and therefore never given attention. I have not taken one person to Haka that has not come out smiling from ear to ear and saying something along the lines of "that was F&**ing scary, but awesome!!" - the point is, when people try those trails, they love it, and always want to come back. 

 

Like Reden has mentioned, we need events to draw more people into the sport, and it would be great if these events were slightly less scary than the current ones - simply for the reason that we do not want to scare the crap out of people by having them break bones and bikes, and never coming back. Just like marathon races, you cannot start with a 7 day stage race, you start with 30km and build up from there. Let's start the broader cycling community on small jumps and drops, and before you know it there will be more interest in Enduro as a whole, and as a result more and better trails for all of us. 

 

Of course, the biggest obstacle is money - as many have mentioned, money is made from the gram counting marathon racers in SA, so the focus of events stay there. If we look at the worldwide trend though, trail and enduro bikes are by far the biggest segment of growth in sales worldwide, and there is no reason the same cannot happen in SA. The cycling industry along with influential individuals in the cycling community will have to lead the charge and push for better parts, and bikes that suit this style of riding. And the good thing is - there are more and more shops focusing on this segment, and as a result, events will follow... but, just like all good things, it will take time.

[Jewbacca]

SA enduro's are not really very scary... Most of them can be ridden on pretty much any bike.

 

I have been 1 of 2 guys at an SA enduro on a fully rigid SS and not come last by any stretch.

 

Danie du Toit has placed pretty handily at many on a 29er plus hardtail with 100mm of travel and Nils Hansen has podium'd on his hardtail.

 

Guys are just intimidated by the big bikes and flannel. Being slow, falling off etc really doesn't matter as long as you bring the gees, a rad attitude and the willingness to be a part of the day.

 

There are always going to be your 'hardcore' dudes like Matt and Julien, Dobbo and 15 year old Keira Duncan but the majority of guys are regular dudes who just want to have fun.

 

Emphasis on fun and less on 'racing' would go a long way to growing the discipline...

[Rigardt@Scott]

SA enduro's are not really very scary... Most of them can be ridden on pretty much any bike.

 

I have been 1 of 2 guys at an SA enduro on a fully rigid SS and not come last by any stretch.

 

Danie du Toit has placed pretty handily at many on a 29er plus hardtail with 100mm of travel and Nils Hansen has podium'd on his hardtail.

 

Guys are just intimidated by the big bikes and flannel. Being slow, falling off etc really doesn't matter as long as you bring the gees, a rad attitude and the willingness to be a part of the day.

 

There are always going to be your 'hardcore' dudes like Matt and Julien, Dobbo and 15 year old Keira Duncan but the majority of guys are regular dudes who just want to have fun.

 

Emphasis on fun and less on 'racing' would go a long way to growing the discipline...

 

Well said.