After a solid season learning fundamentals, crashing in the mud, slipping on roots, lapping dusty, rutted parks, long pedaling adventures in many of this island’s great trail networks and generally getting comfortable on my mountain bike, I thought it was time to take it a step further and try some RACING. I love a good climb and getting that solid cardio workout. But boy, oh boy, I am here for that fast, blood pumping, heart racing descent. Enduro racing was the choice for me.
In spring and summer 2022, I competed in 9 different enduros, ranging from The Island Cup Series, Women’s only enduros, to the National Norco Canadian Enduro Series, and I even raced in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Over the last six months I have learned so much from these events – from a racer’s perspective as well as from a community mountain biker’s standpoint.
The Island Cup’s Enduro Series at Hammerfest. (Mountain Made Digital, Sean Power)
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Goal setting can change the way you ride and train
After signing up for my first race (Island Cup Enduro at Mt. Tzouhalem) my old varsity athlete brain kicked into high gear, and I jumped headfirst into training. Mt. Tzouhalem was the place I fell in love with mountain biking and is still one of my favorite trail networks – which meant I wanted to absolutely CRUSH this race. To do so I had to set some goals. What did I want to take away from this racing season? Podiums and Medals? Well obviously, who doesn’t! But more importantly, I wanted to see how I could improve my riding on different terrain and how much I could push myself on my bike to be stronger, faster, and more agile.
I found that this goal setting changed the way I rode on a daily basis, whether it was hitting a new drop, climbing a techy trail with no dabs or getting that beloved QOM/KOM on everyone’s favorite trail. These goals pushed me to pedal harder, even when my legs wanted to stop and trying trails that were outside of my wheelhouse and comfort zone.
My goals made me want to ride more, at a harder pace and drop into gnarlier and gnarlier trails to push to see how much more I could handle. It changed my goals in the gym as well with a focus on my power output and my body’s resilience to mountain biking’s unforgiving and spectacular crashes. Racing has helped me define goals to improve my overall riding so I could compete at different races on all types of terrain and difficulties.
Coal Town Throwdown Women’s Enduro in Cumberland, BC.
2. The Racing Community ROCKS!
A spring and summer of racing has left me with a tired body, happy heart, and a whole lot of new friends. The enduro racing community has enhanced my riding experience tenfold as I have met so many rad people who not only want to see each other succeed while competing against one another, but also genuinely help and care for everyone.
My 1st racing season has shown me what the mountain biking community is all about– shredding sick trails, pushing yourself to the limit, hyping each other up and having a whole lot of fun. I finished this season with A LOT of new riding buddies all over the province, and so much appreciation for the support and stoke that has been shown by everyone. I cannot wait for next season to see what more it has to offer.
3. It is a MENTAL game just as much a PHYSICAL one
Yes, mountain biking and racing can be extremely exhausting and hard on the body (especially when you hit the ground a few times), but it is just as hard on your mental capacity. Racing is a mental game, as you must be in a mindset ready to push yourself to your limits. Even on the days you are tired and sore, or days you feel stressed, fatigued, anxious or just plain nervous for the trails you’re about to send it down you have to push those thoughts back, believe in your capabilities, and trust your bike, then put your head down and drop in. The races that I was overthinking or was in my own head were the ones where I rode the worst and felt the most drained after.
Mental mindset and battling thoughts is exhausting and is something that needs practice. It doesn’t always come naturally–it improves over time and with deliberate effort. Racing has taught me that I need to be kinder to myself, have more trust in my own abilities, and also remember I am there to have FUN on my bike.
4. There are more than just your 4 favorite trails
Let’s face it, we all have those trails we ride repeatedly with our friends every time we hit the mountain. Every berm, rock, roll and root is ingrained in our brains, and we can ride it in our sleep. Well, I hate to break it to you, but there are so many more fun trails than just the four local favorites. Racing has sent me down many new trails that I would probably not have explored if I was out on my own or even with pals. Race routes have you trying something new, testing new lines and challenging your skills and fitness with different terrain, stage length and varying difficulty. Racing opens trail networks as you push to pedal further, navigate different zones and veer away from what you’re comfortable on.
Norco Canadian Enduro Series Championship weekend in Whistler, BC. (OisinMchughPhoto, Oisin McHugh)
5. If you’re not having fun… you’re doing it WRONG.
Bikes are supposed to be fun. That’s why we ride them right? Well, racing is supposed to be fun too. Yes, competition adds another level of adrenaline and stress to the mix, but if you’re racing and not having fun, you’re doing it wrong. I like winning and proving that my handwork has paid off. But if that’s the only reason you’re showing up on race day, there is something missing. You could be racing in a small local event or for a national title, either way you’ve got to have some fun along the way or else why are you doing it? Racing is just another day on the bike, but with timed efforts, and maybe a little bit of added stress–so why not make it FUN.
This past racing season has made me a better and more confident rider. It made me part of a new community that I don’t think I will ever want to leave. Racing, and competing may not be for everyone, but the community and the support that comes with it should be experienced and shared by everyone.
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Montana Enduro Series. (Fletcher Ouren)
