Downhill mountain biking requires technical skills to navigate a steep course on very rough terrain, while cross-country cycling is based on applying athletic endurance to ride a singletrack path through a forest. What if you could take both of these abilities and test them in ONE race? That’s where the Enduro mtb race known as the Enduro World Series comes in.
What’s Enduro & How Does it Work?
Enduro is a combination of the downhill chaos plus the vigor of uphill/cross-country biking. To add another layer of complexity, the downhill section is timed while the uphill section is not. That doesn’t mean taking a leisure cruise to the summit though. The problem is you only have a certain amount of time to get to the top of the next downhill section. So, now that you’ve got the basics, the next challenge awaits… and that is choosing the right bike for the competition.
Choosing the Right Bike
To do this, each competitor must understand the topography of the course. If the route contains rougher terrain and you choose a cross-country mountain bike, you will most likely break down on the downhill segment. On the other hand, choosing a downhill bike when there is a lot of uphill sections means you will be cursing the heavens on how tough it is and may not even complete it within the allotted time. All of this translates to having a hybrid bike that makes it easy to climb, but at the same time can take the beating of the downhill sections.
The Origin of Enduro
The next question that comes up is where did this sport come from? The motorized version started way back in 1913 from the ISDT race in England. The International Six Day Trial covers over 700 miles and is an off road test of rider skill and motorcycle reliability. Based on this, the Enduro mountain biking concept was born in France in 2003. The popularity of this event has exploded in Europe and it’s just now gaining momentum across the pond in the US and Canada.
Enduro World Series 2022 Edition
In 2012, the Enduro Mountain Biking Association was created. Their goal was to develop the sustainable growth of Enduro racing alongside its membership, including riders, teams, industry, and organizers. In 2013, they joined together seven existing large events across four countries and two sides of the Atlantic Ocean, resulting in the flagship Enduro World Series. These major tour stops still exist today with the original one in North America (Round 4), and new for 2022, there are two more stops in the US for you to take in the excitement.
Round 4 – Canadian Open Enduro
When
Sunday, August 6th, 2022
Where
Whistler, Canada
About
The classic Crankworx round in Whistler barely needs an introduction, with its legendary status of the world’s largest mountain bike festival. This race always pushes riders to the limit, rightfully earning the nickname ‘Crankzilla’. Expect a long day in the saddle for this one day extravaganza, but it’ll all be worth it to hit those iconic Whistler trails.
Round 5 – Burke Enduro
When
August 13th, 2022
Where
Burke, Vermont
About
Burke makes its EWS debut in 2022, and it’s sure to make an impression. This east coast venue is already a well-known riding destination in the States, and it’s about to rack up more fans when international riders get to experience the fast and fun trails.
Round 6 – Sugarloaf Enduro
When
August 20th, 2022
Where
Sugarloaf, Maine
About
Sugarloaf in Maine is the second US stop of 2022, and it’s going to be a wild ride. Expect classic East Coast riding, including some brand new hand cut trails for the race. Legend of the sport, Adam Craig is the man with the plan, heading up the design and build of the trails, ensuring racers are in for a very special race indeed.
North American Continental Enduro Series
As you’d expect, to get into the “World Series” of Enduro you need to prove yourself. To help upcoming talent get into this prestigious event, they’ve created a continental series that feeds into the recent Global points structure. For North America, here are the main stops:
OneUp Squamish Enduro
When
Saturday, May 7th, 2022
Where
Squamish, BC
About
Squamish, BC is the place that everyone has heard about, talks about, and dreams about, but only a few have really been able to explore it. Set in the BC coast mountain rain forest, the Squamish Enduro showcases some of the best and most renowned enduro race trails on earth. For 2022, two course options have been strategically designed to test riders, from the up-and-coming challenger to the worlds most elite EWS athletes.
North American Enduro Cup
When
June 11th & 12th, 2022
Where
Kellogg, ID
About
After six years of building and growing, the NAEC is the pinnacle of enduro in North America. That’s a lofty claim, but we can back it up. It’s got a $12,000 pro purse and is an EWS qualifier. It’s a stand-alone, two day race that’s the highest-attended enduro race in North America.
They’ll have fresh, raw track sections, and a number of new trails that are open only for this event and are outside the normal bike park boundaries. That’s what enduro racing is all about, right? Oh, and with the 3,400′ (1040m) of vertical on tap at Silver Mountain Bike Park, it’s easy to see why the NAEC has become the highest-attended enduro in North America. It’s that intangible sense of “woah” that the NAEC delivers. They’ve got all that and more in store for 2022.
Eastern States Cup
When
June 26th 2022
Where
Sugarloaf, ME
About
The MAXXIS Eastern States Cup was created to ensure that gravity mountain bike racing on the East Coast has a future. Since its beginnings in 2010, the Eastern States Cup has grown leaps and bounds. As part of 2022, this stop of the ESC is now an Enduro World Series Qualifier.
USAC National Championships
When
July 23rd 2022
Where
Winterpark, CO
About
Mountain Bike Nationals returns for a third year to Winter Park Resort, July 18-26, continuing the expanded schedule including the High School Cycling Festival, High School Mountain Bike National Championship races, and even a Collegiate Fair. This is your chance to see the best up and comers in the sport of cycling in ALL divisions.
Marin Wildside Enduro
When
July 16th – 17th 2022
Where
Alma, QC
About
Back in 2018, the small mountain resort of Mont Lac-Vert took upon itself to create a world-class enduro destination. Despite its small size, the mountain’s trail building team created an extensive network of trails crossing its territory. Fast, technical and well-built trails will delight you in a festive atmosphere. This mountain, former host of the DH races of the Quebec Cup, will give you an experience you won’t forget.
California Enduro Series – Northstar
When
August 27th & 28th, 2022
Where
Truckee, California
About
If you’re anywhere near Lake Tahoe, don’t miss out on the California stop of the Enduro World Series. Nestled high in the Sierra Nevada range, it offers the best of the best a taste of what Northern California riding is all about. This stage is bound to be a hit with riders and fans alike.
If you want to learn more about races closer to home, get tips on gear, or explore adventures you can have from the shores of Tahoe to the mighty Grand Tetons of Wyoming, be sure to check out our comprehensive guide on everything two wheels:
