Don’t give a Monkey a Soap Box (if you don’t want to hear him screech).

UK Gravity Enduro Finals 2014 – Grizedale

Those of you familiar enough with the culture of Hip Hop to know that Rap and Hip Hop are different things, will more than likely have heard the concept of ‘elevating the art form’. A phrase used by DJs, graffiti writers, break dancers and MCs alike to convey the intrinsic need to continually explore new styles and to innovate culture and skills.

As with all useful proverbs this can be applied to many if not all areas of life. Having had a couple of years away from racing, I was very happy to return to round 4 in Dyfi, North Wales to witness the blossoming of UK Enduro Racing. Not only has the quality and depth of racing increased significantly, the quality of the operations has moved on leaps and bounds. More developed tracks are appearing with a solid mix of technical and physical stages, stepping us away from trail centres, which are to racing what Sisqo is to Hip Hop. Mini Enduro serves as an enjoyable stepping stone to the recognised UK series and the symbiotic relationship displayed between the organizers of the two events aids the learning curve of those new to the format. Robust timing systems and a great feel to the buzzing race villages and continue the momentum and evolution. All evolution needs a little poke however in order to find the niche where it truly belongs: Maybe the next step would be to adopt (and consistently enforce) the EWS rulebook at UK national series level to develop the professionalism and consistency required to race at the top table. An elevation in art form for sure.

Elite Racer Andrew Walker, stage 5 practice. Photo Credit: Doc Ward @fookmephotos

Round 5 gave us an excellent new venue which lacked very little and like a well-executed bourgeon, the trails had a robust depth and variety of flavours. It’s good to see a mix of sites that can be thrown into the rotation of races from year to year, locals putting in the ground work with organizers stepping up to join the dots and turning riding into racing. I’m sure the vast majority of people would be very happy to return to Grizedale. It was great to see the stages evolve in a positive way over the weekend. Fresh sections of trail getting an improved groove with every set of tyres that rolled down them but most importantly; where sections were getting blown out, a reliable team were on hand to listen to comments and make good were groove had given way to fumble.

Photo Credit: Doc Ward @fookmephotos

The headline story of the weekend must and can only be the snatching of the series overall Elite Men’s title with one round to go by Neil Donoghue. Irony and luck seemed to converge on this, most talented of riders. Narrowly missing out on last year’s title, frankly only because of skipping a round to race the Trans Savoie and then this year, to miss the last round due to a separated shoulder picked up racing the very same multi day epic. Taking the series title with an unrivalled display of consistency (only once not being in the top 3, a 5^th!) seems like a just reward for battling away at the top surrounded by some deserved competition.

Did I say unrivalled consistency?! Not so, the male junior category has arguably greater cause for praise. Junior title winner Leigh Johnston only once dropped out of the top ten overall times for the year, showing the depth we have in this country and the exciting future with pace this high at such a young age. Devastating speed in a humble package is just what we want to see on the podium. Series title this year to Leigh with a clean sweep of victories at every round.

Top contender of the weekend in Elite Men was Mark Scott, looking noticeably quicker than his most of the guys around him and obviously benefiting from the increased experience that racing around the globe brings. That said; if it were a weekend of grassy turns then judging by the way Al Stock came into the finish area it could have been his weekend too.

Elite women’s racing was set to be dominated by Tracey Moseley and so it was. Taking a clean sweep of stages and bringing a buzz to the race village that only the top racers can deliver. It was great to see Salopian based pinner Emma Wareham back on an Elite Women’s podium after making the switch from racing downhill. Helen Gaskell took the overall series title a little less comfortably than she may have liked after a recurring back injury kept her away from racing in Grizedale.

Your defending World Enduro Champion and Rd 5 UK Gravity Enduro Winner – Tracey Moseley. Photo Credit: Doc Ward @fookmephotos

Andrew Titley looked assured of taking the overall Masters Category title coming into the weekend. However a tight battle was going on just behind for the final spots on the series podium. In the end only wee handful of points split the overall series positions and the final round deciding it all. What could have been for Ian Astermule, RD5 winner but 4^th overall after missing two rounds.

Overall Series Masters Podium – Bad Ass Bikes taking two spots with Andrew ‘Feathers’ Woodvine slotting in handsomely in second place. Photo Credit: Doc Ward @fookmephotos

A browse over the times for the weekend and the series as a whole would suggest that there is a cream of senior riders who are plenty ready for a promotion to elite; 2 seniors in the overall top ten at Grizedale; Ed Roberts and Charles Jones showing they are overdue a shot at the top category. Another point of note is the large pack of riders throughout a spread of ages and categories that would fit better into a newly formed expert rank. Something I believe is on the cards for next year: Evolution.

Looks like the boy can drink and ride – Props – Rd 5 Senior Winner and P8 overall on the day; Ed Roberts. Photo Credit: Doc Ward @fookmephotos

What will we see in 2015? More of the same? The stautus quo?? I hope not. New venues? Exciting tracks? Laminated route maps/stage timesheets and GPX files for each round? Yes please. Want this too? Then get out and contribute. Talk to local land owners, build tracks and develop relationships and infrastructure. DON’T – turn up at races and moan about all the things you don’t like and never do anything to contribute or elevate the format. UK National Champs stand-alone round anyone?

Andrew Devine probably thrilled about being on the last climb of the weekend. I resisted the opportunity for puns about divine scenery or similar. Photo Credit: Doc Ward @fookmephotos

So, over the winter, ride your road bike, get your kettle bells out and remember; when you go out riding your MOUNTAIN BIKE, please remember that unless you are racing it’s not enduro.

Like I say; don’t give a monkey a soap box if you don’t want him to stand on it and screech.

Happy Enduro-ing.PEAS.