Enduro events for beginners to attract more riders

[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.

[Grease_Monkey]

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...

[Grease_Monkey]

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.

[V12man]

 

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...

Matt and Keira are also regular dudes...

 

I did my first Enduro last year and everybody was more than welcoming and helpful - (especially seeing as I really didn't have a clue about Enduro) can't say there was anybody that actually worried about the racing during the day..  It was a whole lot more fun and friendlier than any of the gazillion longer/flatter events I have done

 

I say just bring something to ride, have fun, chat to everyone, ask about anything you want to know, ride the B lines if you feel you need to, walk the sections you don't feel comfortable, and you will be welcomed by the crowd - nobody really cares enough to take anything but drinking beer too seriously - there is no prize money in it anyway.

[David Messem]

I really like the idea of a Wolwespruit mini enduro 

 

I can think of four stages already 

[Thermophage]

Guaranteed you could ride any enduro in Cape Town region on a BMX if you wanted to...You'd k@k more on the uphills than the actual stages (just get better brakes...).

It's people's perception and the word "enduro" that is the problem.

I was intimidated for my first one...Then when I rode it...man, like any other day riding trails!

 

Let's exclude Ezelfontein for now then shall we

[Jewbacca]

Matt and Keira are also regular dudes...

 

I did my first Enduro last year and everybody was more than welcoming and helpful - (especially seeing as I really didn't have a clue about Enduro) can't say there was anybody that actually worried about the racing during the day..  It was a whole lot more fun and friendlier than any of the gazillion longer/flatter events I have done

 

I say just bring something to ride, have fun, chat to everyone, ask about anything you want to know, ride the B lines if you feel you need to, walk the sections you don't feel comfortable, and you will be welcomed by the crowd - nobody really cares enough to take anything but drinking beer too seriously - there is no prize money in it anyway.

hahahaha maybe I should have mentioned that even Matt, Keira, Hayden, Darren etc are all also super rad guys who are there for the gees...

 

I think the scene needs to 'unbrand' itself as it has the potential to really be the melting pot of MTB. All shapes, sizes, ages, bikes, fitness levels all made VERY welcome.

 

Like you said, bring the gees. That is really all it is about

[Griffin]

What's the point then they might as well do a Classic and split it into 3 stages. And no drops,jumps or rock gardens in it,really why have everything easy in life. Us guys who do Enduro races have been practicing and building ourselves up to the point to take on these races,how is your riding going to progress if everything is easy and we don't challenge ourselfs. We had this discussion with some of the Howick trail guys about people who say they need to make their new Enduro stages with easier B-lines in and they said no there is lots of places for people to ride and these stages are there to challenge riders. They say the same thing,how do the guys progress to better riders if everything is easy.And as the guys said earlier Enduro racing is a Grafity event,don't we have enough stuff for the endurance and stage guys going on in SA?

 

True..that is the ideal that we following in Howick.

 

Having said that, for those not familiar with the Howick Trails, please don't think that the tough, technical Enduro segments are all that exist. If anything, the technical segments are by far in the minority. Out of the total 90-odd km's of trail i would estimate 15km is suited to the more experienced Enduro rider. The other 75km is graded from Easy to Intermediate and well suited to those riders still building up their experience. The fact that there is a lot of alternative is why we are not very keen on making the technical Enduro sections easier.

[Headshot]

I think people make too much of the differences instead of focusing on the similarities  between the disciplines. To be good at enduro racing you need to be fit and skilled although its weighted in the skill direction. Its the opposite  with XCM and to a lesser extent XCO. 

 

There are two series running every year in CT. The WP Gravity version tends towards the more technical while the Dirtopia races are less so. It all depends on the venue so its easy to judge whether you will handle the stages. For instance, Jonkers, Contermans and Helderberg are generally steeper and more technical while Welvanpas, Delheim and Uitkyk are less so. I have had my wife race an enduro at Delheim and she enjoyed it despite being on a marathon bike. 

 

 

People arrive on anything dressed anyhow and nobody really cares where you come. I wear a dik helmet and thick shorts and knee pads for a reason. Protection. Not to look cool. In fact you sweat more and feel uncomfortable some of the time but I've lost track of how many times these items have prevented more serious injuries, be it on races or JRA. 

 

I think Gautengers need to mobilize, push for trail access to create more riding areas and then start hosting events. 

[Bizkit031]

True..that is the ideal that we following in Howick.

 

Having said that, for those not familiar with the Howick Trails, please don't think that the tough, technical Enduro segments are all that exist. If anything, the technical segments are by far in the minority. Out of the total 90-odd km's of trail i would estimate 15km is suited to the more experienced Enduro rider. The other 75km is graded from Easy to Intermediate and well suited to those riders still building up their experience. The fact that there is a lot of alternative is why we are not very keen on making the technical Enduro sections easier.

You guys are doing some awesome stuff up there Griff, a big bunch of us are up there this weekend.

[Griffin]

You guys are doing some awesome stuff up there Griff, a big bunch of us are up there this weekend.

Awesomeness ! Please remember to check trail forks (https://www.trailforks.com/region/howick-mtb-trails/) for the latest updates on whats open/closed

 

I am also starting to cut an alternative route tomorrow.. I will post some details towards the end of the week. Concurrently, 2 mates are designing and cutting a new up route to Dead Cow Corner area but this will only be finalized towards mid/end of winter (Dead Cow Corner will link you through to WTF eventually)

[The Flying German]

This is a Really Chilled Watsapp Group and a lot of members on this forum are on this group aswell.  Thought i would post it here as we have been getting quite a couple of rides together and the field is always nicely mixed and everyone is always helping each other out and would be a nice way for anyone to get into enduro/DH style riding.

 

 

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/165494-hakahana-watsapp-group/?hl=hakahana+watsapp

[Reden]

This is a Really Chilled Watsapp Group and a lot of members on this forum are on this group aswell.  Thought i would post it here as we have been getting quite a couple of rides together and the field is always nicely mixed and everyone is always helping each other out and would be a nice way for anyone to get into enduro/DH style riding.

 

 

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/165494-hakahana-watsapp-group/?hl=hakahana+watsapp

A couple of us and maybe a newbie or two might be going to NF for a Reccie session. I will show the riders the sections I was speaking about. Nothing as thrilling or nice as at Haka but maybe we can convince new riders to join and start riding at Hakahana. Join at the link above and lets meet.

[mattrb01]

What's the point then they might as well do a Classic and split it into 3 stages. And no drops,jumps or rock gardens in it,really why have everything easy in life. Us guys who do Enduro races have been practicing and building ourselves up to the point to take on these races,how is your riding going to progress if everything is easy and we don't challenge ourselfs. We had this discussion with some of the Howick trail guys about people who say they need to make their new Enduro stages with easier B-lines in and they said no there is lots of places for people to ride and these stages are there to challenge riders. They say the same thing,how do the guys progress to better riders if everything is easy.And as the guys said earlier Enduro racing is a Grafity event,don't we have enough stuff for the endurance and stage guys going on in SA?

Agree completely.

Im a Howick rider and have had many a chat to the trail builders about 90 degree corners and no flow- they even pulled down the one decent jump we built on home jerome.

Danger to the rider that hits the trails once a month seems to be the concern but well marked B lines would fix that.