All Things Bikes and Tacos! (...and every vehicle imaginable)

Whats the difference between an open category and amateur category for and enduro race?

Gonna register for my first one finally. I've never raced enduro so no idea what I'm getting in to. I'm feelin good on the bike, its feeling pretty dialed, and will be down in Santa Fe this weekend anyway.

Open sounds more chill, while amateur sounds sweaty.

Any recommendations?

 

Should be the opposite. Open means no restrictions AKA fastest guys

 

I actually have one riding buddy on XO transmission and he wasn't too happy with it. He was having issues with delayed shifts primarily. He's usually pretty good about gear, so I assume it was set up correctly but not positive. It made me question if all the media hype was just that. I'd personally wait things out a bit and see how it fares with the masses, just like any brand new model vehicle...

I'm personally pretty bummed that there's no mechanical option at all. I don't care how good electronic shifting is, I'd like to always keep at least one fully mechanical bike forever.

 

I heard on a video that BKXC had some issues too. I'm wondering if they will be making any subtle tweaks going into the 2024 season. I don't really like to buy anything first year, so it's kind of convenient I won't be getting a new bike for 23.

 

Thanks! Registered for amateur!

Anyone got any advice for a first enduro? Don't blow up on the climbs?

Watching a Syd and Macky vid the other day, they have like 30-45 min at the top of the stage before their runs. Is that normal? I normally chill for maybe 5-10 minutes before doing my downhills after a climb.

 

My biggest gripe with these enduro races is the total lack of emphasis on any fitness. In my experience the "deadline" to make a climb is so prolonged it's a non-factor. You'll probably see bros literally pushing their bikes up the climbs because the climb time is so inconsequential. Then hang out at the top forever before dropping in. Sometimes there will be starting lines as you give guys 1-2 minute gaps between releases

But overall local races are super relaxed so don't take it too serious and just enjoy the ride

 

Slow is smooth and smooth is fast.

 

Ka Chow!

 

I can see why you’d be chomping at the bit, sweet ride. Congrats!

 

How long are the climbs/stages? Bring plenty of water. Last race I brought 3 bottles and that was barely enough to get me to the fill up spot.

I did an enduro a few weeks ago and there were 179 registered, I think I waited at least 30 minutes at the top of the 2nd to last stage. I've got another one this weekend so we will see how long the wait is with only 56 registered right now.

 

The whole course is like 22 miles. stage 1 is 4 miles and stages 2-4 are only 1 mile, according to trail forks. so 7 miles down and 15 miles up?

I'm not sure how to see how many are registered. Must not be a ton if I was able to register today and the race is in less than a week.

I figured 2 bottles like I normally bring. Load a Nuun in one and keep the other all water. Have some energy gels and snacks with me. I think I'll wait for beers until the ride is over, lol.

Did you have to wait 30 minutes because there was a line for people to drop in?

 

yeah there were a ton of people at the top and the longest climb was up that leading up to that stage so I think everyone was getting in at the same time.

I should say the wait for the other stages was much shorter. the 1st stage was maybe 10 minutes, 2nd stage had like 1 or 2 other people so basically no wait and the last stage was another 10 minutes maybe. I didn't want to spend time waiting if I didn't have to since my legs would start to get tight.

 

I usually run 22 from 24 rear, haven't seen the "x's" before.

 

I have a Trek 6500 circa 2001, it's easily worth $2k
But I do love the Era frame, still made in USA and it rides great.

 

Who’s got the setup on a 2nd/3rd gen Taco 5’ bed that they’ve traveled with their dirt bike and mountain bike?

There will come a time where I might need to do this.

Setup 1-
Mountain bike possibly hung over tail gate on bike pad. Dirt bike on Hitch Hauler

Setup 2-
Dirt Bike in bed with tail gate down.
Mountain bike on hitch bike rack extended past tail gate

 

I've only done it once but I had the dirt bike in the bed and bikes went on the roof.

 

Ghetto but it worked!

 

Put your dirt bike in the bed with the tailgate down. Strap and lock your mountain bike to one side of it with a moving blanket or something between them so you don't rub the paint. I fit 2 dirt bikes in mine all the time.

 

Another enduro race question. Do you guys carry bags/hip packs? Or run super light with like a frame strap with a tool and tube? I guess I'm in the amateur group so it's not as competitive already.

 

I'd rock whatever you think you need. I'm also amateur/sport most of the time so this weekend I'll be rocking a water bottle with electrolytes and tools on the frame and a hip pack with water and food. I'd say it's also kind of dependent on whether water will be available on course or not. Weather will be nice this weekened

I would say amateur isn't always competitive but a race last weekend had 50 sport riders vs the 10-20 in the pro category. Not the the sport riders are fastest but it's harder to make it to the podium when there are that many racers in the category.