Gravity Enduro 2019

Thought it might be useful to start a thread on the Irish Gravity Enduros this year. They're just one of the Enduro events in Ireland.

Link to their page is here - http://www.gravityenduro.ie/index.php/events

For anyone who doesn't know, these are events run by Biking.ie and have been going since Djouce in 2012, which I think was the first. The format is 5 or 6 stages usually. You are not timed on the transitions between stages. Timing is via wrist chip and timing starts when you go through the gate at the trail head and finishes - surprisingly - at the finish line. They do have a Challenger category which is only 3 of the 5 stages and aimed at newbies to Enduro racing. They also say on their site that these events are not for beginners which I'd agree with.

The trails are not full downhill - there is plenty of pedaling required and fitness is a key aspect. There are usually no big surprises - no gap jumps or anything really dangerous. While it might seem expensive, you get 2 days on the bike as you get to practice on the Saturday then race day is Sunday.

You can do these on an aggressive hardtail but most riders are on Enduro bikes - full suss, pretty tough bikes with plenty of travel, good tyres, dropper post etc. There is a hardtail category. I think they are adding something this year for e-bikes.

You don't need a full face lid - which can be a pain on transitions (have to wear lid at all times). Shades / goggles very useful too. Your bike would want to be in good shape - and they do do a basic bike check before you head out.

On the practice day - you can register and get your start time. Earlier the better usually. If you're fast, you'll want to get out first to avoid getting stuck behind anyone on the trails - and if you're slower, you might want to go out later so you have fewer people screaming at you to get out of the way. Pros go last and you probably don't want these lads behind you. Rule is to yield immediately when safe for faster riders - if you hear "RIDER" or "RIDER UP" - pull in when you can.

This year - they've added 3 new locations - Killaloe, Slade Valley and Cahir. I've never ridden in any of these and can't wait to as the Enduros are a great way to learn the trails of a new location.

The first one is Ballinastoe which is probably the most beginner friendly as there has historically been a fair bit of Coillte trails included. Carrick is the last one and is a great place to race - all natural trails and plenty of challenge.

They are great way to test yourself and you'll learn a lot about your abilities. For me anyway, the fastest I go on a bike is during an Enduro - you know the trail is marked and clear, there is no chance of walkers etc so you can let it rip.

There's a ton of vids on youtube that show the races and what they are like -none of the top guys seem to post videos but plenty there to give you a taste of what they are like. Good craic socially too as you'll invariably end up chatting to people on the transitions which makes the climbing so much easier.

So if you are competent on a bike, and curious about MTB racing - these might be worth a look. I've been doing them since the first one and absolutely love them.

You've also got the Grassroots Enduros too and the Vitus First Tracks Enduros- I've never done one of these so maybe someone here is knowledgeable and can give an overview. I'm going to try to do a few of them this year.

Calendar of some of the Irish events is here - and includes some of the international races - https://emerald-mtb.com/calendar/. Irish downhill races are here - http://irishdownhillseries.com/ - I've never done one but hoping to buy a full face and give one a go this year.