We’re back from the mega enduro and it was a bit of an epic, more XC than DH and if you entered Expert was more or less two laps of the black route at Glentress, not something I enjoy much anyway. I did enter expert, in the days when it was 3 courses – Glentress, Innerleithen and Trailquair over 2 days. On inspection of half the course I rapidly back tracked and down graded to novice. I later discovered I only actually seen the better half of the course. The second lap of the expect turned into a fiasco anyway with timings out, and some people racing a stage or two that were later discounted. The link stages were a little harsh on some – the novice stages, being the same time as expert with people missing their starts and I only made them with a minute or two to go most of the time and was expecting a bit more of a leisurely pace.
I’m still undecided on whether it was a good weekend, most people enjoyed themselves anyway and thought that the format has some potential. I can only think the French were blissfully unaware of UK trail politics and mindset, I’m sure in France they would have been welcomed with opened arms and helped at every turn in the UK they got 2 portaloos, a half closed course and a cafe a mile down the road.
C’est la vie. //bec
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Inspired event format, a shambles, too hard, rewarding experience? We’re not too sure yet… the timing was a bit messed up, the event wasn’t the format it was supposed to be and yet it was strangely satisfying bursting through yet another pain barrier, hauling supertacky tyres and a 35lb bike up a massive mountain wearing a full-face helmet (that was a big mistake by the way). Dan’s GPS reckons 50km and 2800m climbing which sounds like a slight over-estimate on the climbing but it sure felt like that. Pics up below. //jon
the master 