Enduros?

[sam]

I have become a little curious about Enduros, What is the objective?

I have heard that you simply go as hard as you can and face many sections with nearly unpassable lines. But honestly I have now Idea of the rules of this sport.

sam

[charliechitlins]

You're describing a 'hare scramble' or 'hare and hound'.

Flat out in the woods careening off trees.

Great fun!

An enduro has a time given to each "section" and the objective is to arrive neither late nor early.

[jtlaw1]

Charlie is talking about american enduros . the world enduro stuff all the checks are known controls (you can get to the check ahead of time and rest then go in on your minute the special test's you are timed from point A to point B .

http://www.fim.ch/en/default.asp?item=29# fim rules

[sam]

So, what are you trying to focus on? being able to calculate your time on the fly. I'm still confused, you start out one at a time following a marked course over 50/100 miles while there is check stations on the way? Most accurate time wins.

I've looked on the web for how Enduros are run and have had no luck.

confused sam

Edited November 22, 2005 by Sam

[sam]

Ooops! I just was reading the FIM site, thanks!

May have to pick up a enduro bike!

[rabie]

Ok for the UK (I assume you're in the UK)

depending upon where you are, there are different local events but there are in the main 3 types

Hare and Hound (H&H) - basically a large mx, do as many laps as possible in a timeframe (say 3hours). typically this is less taxing on the brain, favoured by mx'ers. it can be by class, it can be timed by electronics.

proper big time card enduros - this is the real McCoy. a huge course (say 10 miles plus) with different parts that you have time to complete it in. the idea being is you pace yourself - some parts you don't need to go balls out, others are balls out (and you incur penalty points). you have to stop in checks at exactly the right time (not too early or late). you also have various special tests of speed - which a top level can include a grass/cross country test, a mx test and an extreme test (where trials skills can come into play). you find these in proper places like Wales, Scotland, tut north, etc

short course enduros - us poor deprived southern fairies invented these to give us practice of time cards enduros. its more complex as you have to do several laps within each session (laps can be as a short as 3.5 miles).

with reference to trials, the mx rider can be a sheep and follow the line already made by the trials riders can make up time by being able to go round bottlenecks/are able to tackle the harder obstacles better

personally i really like enduros, a real challenging event. don't go straight out and buy a new bike without doing your research first. mx bikes aren't best suited and will need adapting to comply (but sometimes they are allowed). down south where we ride a lot of nagery forestry commission/mod forest we all ride sub 300cc two strokes (as exemplified by the Breckland and John Banks nationals) while if your in proper open enduro country big fourstroke (KTMs mainly) are best suited

also check out

http://www.enduronews.com/

http://www.endurouk.com/

http://www.biker.force9.co.uk/

http://www.adrenalintrip.net/ (and go to the enduro forum)

rabie

Edited November 22, 2005 by rabie

[ikb]

I have done some UK enduros about 8 years ago, they can bee a good day out and if you choose the easiest level clubman B you end up with about 2 laps of 20 miles in a forest at a reasonable speed (can be really hard work if its boggy!!!)

But, no entry on the day, expensive entry fee, you use loads of petrol, and its normally an early start and a late finnish!!

Trials is much more sociable and laid back.

[paul w]

and don't forget about high speed excursions into trees, bogs, other riders ect. plenty of body armour is an absolute must.

Edited November 23, 2005 by paul w

[trials lad]

and brush guards!!!!(hand guards)