The news that the UK’s ‘national’ British Enduro Series has been cancelled is a real blow to enduro racing in the UK.
It isn’t all doom and gloom though – there are still loads of great enduro events in the UK that are open for business.
Here’s where you can race enduro in 2017:
Mini Enduro Series (Forest of Dean)
The Mini Enduro Series put on excellent one day events that are aimed at pros and beginners alike. They run through the winter with most races at Pedalabikeaway at Forest of Dean and occasional visits elsewhere. Tracks are designed to be fun, just-challenging-enough but rideable for all but complete beginners. http://minienduro.com.
Welsh Gravity Enduro (South Wales)
Welsh Gravity Enduro has been running mash up enduro races for 3 years – and have a load of races for 2017, based in South Wales. Full venues are still to be announced on their website but there seems to be a winter/spring series announced and a summer/autumn series planned. http://welshgravityenduro.com.
the DMR Ex enduro (Exmoor)
A four day ‘mini-epic’ that recreates the Trans Provence vibe on Exmoor. The DMR Ex Enduro allows just 80 riders and puts on a full 4 days of food, camping, beer, entertainment and untouched, very special trails. Riders are treated to big, tough days out and rewarded with some of the best singletrack in the UK. Entries are due to open in Feb/March.
http://www.the-ex.co.uk/home.php
Welsh Enduro Series (North Wales)
Not to be confused with the Welsh Gravity Enduro – the Welsh Enduro Series offers 4 races, spread throughout 2017 at Foel Gasnach, Coed y Brenin, Llandegla and another TBC venue. Foel Gasnach should be a really fun race and a first chance to race the venue properly. http://borderline-events.co.uk/enduro/.
Hope PMBA Enduro Series (northern England)
One for the northerners! 3 years old, one-day format and aimed at fun, challenging racing. There are 5 races in the series throughout the north of England, with the full list available on the website. http://borderline-events.co.uk/enduro.
Pedalhounds Multi Stage Enduro (East Hampshire)
A classic series, revamped for 2017. Pedalhounds will run in the South of England with one event already taking entries at Bordon, East Hampshire. Their website seems to be down at the moment so Facebook is the best bet. https://www.facebook.com/PedalhoundsMTB
Scottish Enduro Series (Scotland)
Quite probably the best enduro series in the UK and one for the ‘proper’ racers that are lusting after big, tough, gnarly descents on proper tracks. A series we’ll be supporting as much as we can in 2017 – particularly now BES has moved aside. 2017 will see 6 races at classic Scottish venues with long and short course options available. http://www.nofussevents.co.uk/scottish-enduro-series.
Muckmedden Events (Scotland)
Muckmedden organise a series of one-off events in Scotland – most famously the Fair City enduro, known for wild racing and wild fancy dress! They’ve also got the Falkirk enduro, ForFar Funduro and the Cream O’ the Croft. All available on their website. http://www.muckmedden.co.uk.
Selkirk Raid Enduro (Tweed Valley)
Part of the Orbea Borders Bike Festival, the Selkirk Raid is described by organisers as “enduro lite” that takes in some of the less well explored areas of the Tweed Valley. “If you fancy sweet, rideable, flowing trails to test yourself on, step right up. Selkirk Raid – 50km is the sweet spot between old-skool Marathon and new/groovy Enduro”. http://www.bordersbikefestival.com/selkirk-raid-enduro
Southern Enduro (south east England)
Another one for the southerners and offering 4 Southern one-dayers and the Southern Enduro Championships. Venues include Okeford Bike Park, Queen Liz Country Park, Pippingford Park and Milland. Champs will be held at Minehead which is home to some of our favourite riding in the UK. http://southernenduro.co.uk.
South West Gravity Enduro (south west England)
No races announced from these guys yet but they’re promising that the BES cancellation has given them “the time and motivation to bring something fresh to the South West this year!”. Can’t argue with that. https://www.facebook.com/southwestgravityenduro.
Queen Elizabeth Country Park Enduro (Hampshire)
Organised by the QECP Trail Collective, the Queen Elizabeth Country Park Enduro events always make up for modest hills with fun, one day racing. Their 2017 races are still to be announced – we’re looking forward to seeing what they’ve got planned.
Swinley Forest Enduro (Berkshire)
A one-off event organised by Swinley Bike Hub that was premiered in 2016. Tristan and the crew put on a Hog Roast, bike demos from loads of brands and a fun course that was ideally suited to newbies. 2017 will see a bigger and better event with even more Swinduroing on 10th September 2017. http://swinleyforestenduro.co.uk.
Tweedlove (Tweed Valley, Scotland)
The big dog of Enduro festivals – based at Innerleithen and Peebles in the beautiful Scottish borders. For us, this is one of the very top enduro events in the UK. We’ll be giving this loads of coverage and racing to win with Team Wideopenmag.
Pitched as ‘Two weeks of riding bikes and good times’ Tweedlove offers 4 different enduro events throughout the summer – including the Vallelujah Enduro, Shimano TweedLove International Enduro and the King and Queen of the Hill: Scottish Open Champs Enduro. There’s also a triple crown ‘Tweed Valleys Enduro‘ combination of all of the events. http://tweedlove.com/events.
Ard Rock Enduro (north Yorkshire)
Completely sold out but worth mentioning as – for many people – it’s the number one enduro event in the UK. Ard Rock takes over a unique North Yorkshire venue for two days of racing big, tough, gnarly and very fun stages. They’ve nailed the ‘festival vibe’ that we’ve been crying out for, camping is great, stages are absolutely brilliant. If you do one race in 2018 – make sure it’s this one. Or, at the very least, the Ard Moors enduro. http://www.ardrockenduro.co.uk.
Irish Grass Roots Enduro Series (Ireland)
A series run by 5 different Irish clubs throughout the West and South of Ireland. The opening round will be held on the 5th of March at Bike Park Ireland, with four more rounds to be held in April, May, June and August. The clubs involved are Galway MTB, Limerick MTB Club (LMBC), Bree Mtb, Team Ballyhoura & Rebel MTB and aided by Emerald MTB.
You can learn more at https://www.facebook.com/grassrootsenduroseries
Basically, it’s a damn shame the British Enduro Series has closed … but there’s still way more enduro races in the UK than any of us will ever have time in our diary or fuel in our legs to race.
If you’ve got a race that you’d like us to add to this list – you can get in touch here.
Photos: Ian Lean and Roo Fowler.
