Clans at the Croft returns to Comrie Croft at the end of the month and we sat down for a chat with Em Greaves to see what the event is all about.
It’s currently the only team enduro in the UK in one of the best riding spots out there. Clans at the Croft kicks off at the end of the month and we wanted to find out more.
Photos by Pete Scullion.
How did this year’s Clans at the Croft come about?
Clans at the Croft was the brainchild of Aaron Gray at Muckmedden Events. It should have happened back in 2020 but Covid threw a massive spanner in the works. Working together, we launched it last year (2024). Aaron’s inspiration came from the EWS Trophy of Nations — teams, camaraderie, a bit of rivalry, and a lot of fun. It was so much fun that there was no way we couldn’t do it again, only bigger and better.
What’s your background in event organisation?
Well, I should probably admit straight up that I’m new to enduro race organising. It’s been a real baptism of fire but I’m loving the challenge. Aaron Gray (Muckmedden) has been an absolute hero on the end of the phone answering my 300 questions a day.
Before this? As well as lots of mini events, some of the bigger ones I’ve organised are the Scottish Schools Mountain Bike Champs (2023 & 2024) and the Isle of Jura Fell Race (2018–2022) think 7 summits, midges, boats and whisky. Way back in my Active Schools Coordinator days, I dreamt up the Crieff Commonwealth Games for 1500 P1 – S6 kids. That one nearly finished me off, but it was a superb day and was runner-up for Event of the Year at the P&K sports awards.
How did you choose the format for the event?
I haven’t changed the format from last year. It worked and people loved it.
How do you reconcile a course that’s easy for beginners but also suits experienced racers?
Comrie Croft has a bit of a rep for being on the more techy side of the grading. It has a very natural rocky feel, some people love that, others not so much. To balance it out, we’ve added a LITE course — basically you still get the race experience but without the black stages.
We also ran a free coaching weekend in partnership with Deviate Cycles. Saturday was with guest coach Chris Gibbs from Cycle Wild Scotland and the Comrie Croft Flow School crew — 14 riders getting pushed and encouraged all day. Sunday we focussed on the LITE stages with 8 riders. The vibes were high all weekend and I still get a stupid grin every time I think about it.
What makes Comrie Croft a unique race venue?
I sometimes forget how special it is because I work here, but honestly — where else do you get trails, a bike shop, a café, accommodation, and a giant barn for the afterparty all in one place? It might be a small trail centre, but it packs a punch and is absolutely feature-packed. And that view from the top of the Croft? Worth every climb… and you’ll get to see it a few times if you’re doing the full course!
What kind of red tape did you have to cut through to get the event off the ground?
None. Honestly, the perks of working at Comrie Croft — it’s private land, so if we want to put on an event, we just do it. The only hoops to jump through are making sure there isn’t a wedding booked and making sure our insurance covers it. Compared to most race organisers, I’ve had it pretty easy in that respect.
What advice would you give to anyone looking to organise a similar event?
Be organised. Do not, under any circumstances, leave things to the last minute. And however long you think something will take, times it by five. Oh, and get yourself a spreadsheet obsession — it’s the only thing keeping me vaguely sane.
How many people make up the team behind the event and what do they do?
The main organising has been me, but the Comrie Croft Bikes team are fully in the thick of it now. There are far too many jobs to list, but I have to mention Digby — our trail wizard — who makes sure the course is ready to ride. And of course the 45 volunteer marshals. The event would not happen without them. They’re the first out, last back, and still manage to cheer and smile all day. Absolute legends.
How did you learn what you needed to know to get the event off the ground to the point where you could open entries?
A big mix of trial and error, asking endless questions, and leaning on people who’ve done it before. Aaron has been a huge help — a real mentor through this — and the Comrie Croft team have been my sounding board. But honestly, a lot of it has just been rolling my sleeves up, figuring it out as I go, and learning fast.
Where next for you and Clans @ the Croft? How do you plan to go about getting extra helpers etc.?
The plan is to build on last year and keep it growing — make it even more fun, even more inclusive, and a proper community weekend. I want people to come for the racing, but also for the atmosphere, the food, the laughs, the party in the barn.
As for helpers… well, free cake bribery works wonders. That and making sure volunteers actually enjoy themselves so they come back for more. Shouting loudly and roping in friends is also part of the strategy.
Anybody to thank at this point in the journey? Long suffering spouses/parents/friends?
So many people. Aaron (Muckmedden), the Croft crew, every marshal who’s given up a Saturday to stand on the hill side with a clipboard and a cow bell. And Andy — my husband of 20+ years — who has put up with me stressing, muttering, and spreadsheeting at the dinner table. His job might actually be harder than mine.
