Bell Super Enduro 4/14 - Race at Demo!

[shredchic]

"One Bike. Three Climbs. Three Descents. Be the first to race Euro style at the Bell Super Enduro at Demo – Soquel Demonstration Forest’s first legally sanctioned race! Climb fast. Descend faster on a closed course. Then do it all over again. Do you have what it takes?

When: Saturday, April 14. See schedule for timing."

Super Enduro | Santa Cruz Mountain Bike Festival

Athlete registration is on! See link above for the deets.

[jdubsl2]

Not to be a Debby Downer, but... $80 to ride Demo? Why? Does that money go somewhere useful or...?

[jeng]

Originally Posted by jdubsl2

Not to be a Debby Downer, but... $80 to ride Demo? Why? Does that money go somewhere useful or...?

I gotta think it was pretty expensive to rent Demo for the day. I'm assuming these are all closed courses...

[zorg]

Great idea.

[mrtoadsc]

Originally Posted by jdubsl2

Not to be a Debby Downer, but... $80 to ride Demo? Why? Does that money go somewhere useful or...?

Any profit from the festival will go towards Mountain Bikers of Santa Cruz (MBOSC) - a volunteer non-profit dedicated to promoting and enhancing mountain biking in Santa Cruz county. Proceeds will benefit projects and organizations that support mountain biking.

Despite the seemingly steep price, this is actually a great value.

Benefits: This is a 6 hour event. 25+ miles of riding, 3000+ feet of climbing. 45% of the entry fee go towards the cash purse, schwag bags (tentative), free post ride food and beer (strong tentative), free snacks during the event.

Liabilities: Will cost a lot to run this event alone (permits from CDF, State Parks, insurance, medical, timing). No one is paid but will require a lot of volunteers and we will be providing incentives for them. Want to help?

We have a ceiling of 50 entrants so the *most* we can make is $4000 from race entries for this event. Do the math. No one is getting rich running this event and the only ones who are getting exploited are the event organizers

Our event sponsor Bell Sports has helped with the financing of this event. Without them we probably would not have taken on this Super Enduro due to the costs and logistics. Thanks Bell!!!

Putting on this event (and the festival) is like a full time job for the core committee but we are driven by our passion for mountain biking. Hopefully the work we do working with the community will translate into more legal trails and bike parks in Santa Cruz county in the future.

[CHUM]

Originally Posted by jdubsl2

Not to be a Debby Downer, but... $80 to ride Demo? Why? Does that money go somewhere useful or...?

dude...you've paid $80 to race boggs and shelled out $$ for other events..

ya big goof



PS - this event will sell out rapido....closed course at Demo is sweet

PPS - put your strava stats on the line for a 'real' race...you're fast enough on the descents and have the stamina for the climbs..

[burpp]

u think its too much money ?? fine, dont enter !!! if you ever put on an event or race u wouldn't be asking where the money goes. all the time and effort and then u hear all the whining about the entry fee.

[etuck]

This sounds killer but I don't really know what super enduro means. Anyone mind explaining how this'll go down? Different than just doing 3 laps, yeah?

[jdubsl2]

Originally Posted by mrtoadsc

Despite the seemingly "steep" price, this is actually a great value.

Thanks for the information. The event website itself is pretty slim on details, which is the only reason I asked. At first glance, it's $80 to ride Demo and that's it. Now, knowing where the money is going, the relatively small rider cap and all the stuff that's being provided for the racers, I agree; an excellent value. I'm glad I brought it up so I and other potential racers can see everything being brought to the table. It'll make it a lot more enticing and you'll for sure sell out. I didn't mean to offend -- and you'll most likely see me there.

[shredchic]

The Enduro format is pretty unique & fun - it is basically an endurance-ish race where the only timed portions are the downhills. There are cutoff times to get to the tops of the hills, but they are not timed. The "Event map with stages" google maps link on the web page explains in more detail:

Bell Super Enduro at Demo - Google Maps

[grumblingcrustacean]

Originally Posted by CHUM

put your strava stats on the line for a 'real' race...you're fast enough on the descents and have the stamina for the climbs..

Strava needs a way to track crashes...then CHUM and I would have a chance at being in the top ten...

[shredchic]

Even though there is only one category called pro/expert, the organizers just wanted people to know it's really open to anyone, they just want to be sure people who enter are up for the stenuous climbs and technical descents. I think a lot of the regulars here are aware of what this route entails. If unsure, ask around. I'd expect there will be some pretty decent competition!

[mtb-ripper]

So are the trails really "closed" to everyone else that day?

[mrtoadsc]

Originally Posted by jdubsl2

Thanks for the information. The event website itself is pretty slim on details, which is the only reason I asked. At first glance, it's $80 to ride Demo and that's it. Now, knowing where the money is going, the relatively small rider cap and all the stuff that's being provided for the racers, I agree; an excellent value. I'm glad I brought it up so I and other potential racers can see everything being brought to the table. It'll make it a lot more enticing and you'll for sure sell out. I didn't mean to offend -- and you'll most likely see me there.

Thanks for asking and I apologize if I sounded defensive. The committee had too many late evenings this week getting this site and registration ready and we are all a bit punchy. I blame the frayed leather of our project dominatrix's whip.

Yea, details are minimal on the site - which was a deliberate attempt at clarity. The details are what forums are for

Good luck on the application!

[mrtoadsc]

Originally Posted by etuck

This sounds killer but I don't really know what super enduro means. Anyone mind explaining how this'll go down? Different than just doing 3 laps, yeah?

Funny you should ask. Someone had pointed me to this article on the WTB Blog today. Let Mark Weir answer that: WTB » Blog Archive Love Enduro Racing? Have no Idea what it is? Read this article...

"Enduro is about enjoying yourself, it’s racing the best parts of trails with gas still in the tank to ride the trail at maximum speed in technical situations. Not about relying only on fitness and coasting down the hill. The perfect Enduro is one that leaves you with the feeling of power left over but the trail was so technical it made it hard to lay down that power. If you are too hard on equipment and lack finesse Enduro makes you pay. Either a weight penalty, which in turn is a time penalty. By a running a heavy set-up to make up for straight line mashing you just lost a minute on the climb. Enduro racing is calculation and knowing the way you ride and building the bike to get the most you can from your strengths. You can’t hide your weaknesses but you can disguise."

This is mostly a European thing but we want to bring it to the Central Coast. It sounds like an exciting race format and one we (as an organization) can really embrace.

Some influences:

SUPERENDUROMTB X-MOUNTAIN E GRAVITY ENDURANCE
Trans-Provence

From the "Concept" page:

Superenduro is a new format for mountain biking competitions, based on the discipline commonly referred to as enduro or all-mountain riding. The main goal of the Superenduro philosophy is to create a universal racing format, accessible by every mountain biker without the need to purchase any special equipment other than the bike he/she uses every weekend, which at the same time is challenging enough even for professionals, which awards the most well-rounded riders who posses the skills to ride fast in the Special Stages and to cover the Transfer Stages efficiently and within the imposed time limits.

Superenduro racers ride along the course in a sorted group of friends, thus being able to replicate the friendly environment of an everyday ride while sharing the competitive spirit of the event. The sensations of a Superenduro race are not the stress and tension usually associated with competitions but more similar to the good feeling everyone enjoys after a day of riding on beautiful trails, in an amazing landscape, with his friends.

Sounds great, eh?

Some neat videos:

Trans-Provence 2011 Highlights on Vimeo
Superenduro Grand Finale - PRO6 race - Finale Ligure on Vimeo

Personally, I think this is the future of mountain bike racing. It reflects the way that we ride our bikes. It doesn't favor the specialists with XC lungs or DH balls. The best will have both. This is an event to develop the best all round all mountain biker.

[MIKE157]

^ that sounds cool, I want to try that..

[etuck]

Awesome. I'm in! Now for the big question......what bike to ride? Probably doest matter though, you demo locdogs are gonna crush this!

[mrtoadsc]

Originally Posted by mtb-ripper

So are the trails really "closed" to everyone else that day?

Soquel Demo State Forest (SDSF) and Nisene Marks will be open to the public while the event will be running. We would like to encourage you to come out and enjoy watching the Enduro. We are recruiting the top names in Enduro racing to compete in the event.

However, there will be limited closures of some trails for short periods of time while some special stages are run. Please refer to the following map for sequences:


View Bell Super Enduro at Demo in a larger map

Below is our working schedule for exclusive trail access. Generally, these sections will be closed for less than an hour and times are +/-15 minutes:

10:45 Ridge Trail closed to the public.
11:35 Ridge Trail open to public

11:30 Sawpit Trail closed to the public.
12:05 Sawpit open to public.

13:00 Braille Trail closed to the public.
13:25 Braille open to public.


If we do this correctly then we will will only have exclusive access to some (but not all) of the trails for about 2 hours over the entire day. With the exception of Ridge trail in the first stage there should be options to ride through the forest while the event is occurring.

BTW, we are recruiting volunteers (timers, logistics and course marshals) to help with this event. The marshals will be on bikes and will sweep and clear the trails before and after the special stage, place course tape and ensure the safety of the race. Timers will help with the start/stops of the stages, logistics will help to move food and materials around the forest. If interested in helping out then please PM me.

[shredchic]

Alright you guys/gals - if you haven't already, be sure to fill out an application soon! The application is pretty simple and you can do it online - but it's due by Feb 17, so 11 days! Just a friendly reminder. The link is on that home page I included already, but here it is again:

Application Form | Santa Cruz Mountain Bike Festival

Do it now...

This should prove to be the most fun race, like ever!

[squashyo]

What?!? No Corral? The bastard child gets dissed again! (If I was into racing, this would be *****in' by the way) Maybe us trail workers will make everything nice a clean before the event transpires.

werd

[shredchic]

Originally Posted by squashyo

What?!? No Corral? The bastard child gets dissed again! (If I was into racing, this would be *****in' by the way) Maybe us trail workers will make everything nice a clean before the event transpires.

werd

Oh man, I rode Corral a couple weekends ago, and wow! I must say, it does often get overlooked - everyone wants to ride Braille & Sawpit, but you guys did an awesome job with it. What a blast! Thank you!

[half_man_half_scab]

Originally Posted by shredchic

Oh man, I rode Corral a couple weekends ago, and wow! I must say, it does often get overlooked - everyone wants to ride Braille & Sawpit, but you guys did an awesome job with it. What a blast! Thank you!

Agreed, I'm hooked on Corral!

[Carl Hungus]

The only thing bad about Corral is that it is so short. It would be really nice to have a singletrack trail that connected the end of the Corral singletrack to higher up on Sulpher Springs.

[squashyo]

Originally Posted by Carl Hungus

The only thing bad about Corral is that it is so short. It would be really nice to have a singletrack trail that connected the end of the Corral singletrack to higher up on Sulpher Springs.

Sorry for the hijack. While I sort of agree, I dig the high speed flavor Corral administers (with the sweet side diversions for air time). Also, I appreciate that it drops half the hill so you can incorporate an additional DH run without suffering a longer climb back up to Ridge.

By the way, I've scouted that hillside many times over the years and building a mostly DH ST to Sulpher is pretty impossible (if I recall correctly...too many ridges to conquest). An ST that parallels FR however, much more feasible.

[Carl Hungus]

Originally Posted by squashyo

By the way, I've scouted that hillside many times over the years and building a mostly DH ST to Sulpher is pretty impossible (if I recall correctly...too many ridges to conquest). An ST that parallels FR however, much more feasible.

Yeah, something that would parallel Hihn's Mill is more what I was thinking about. I do enjoy the speed and waterbars of lower Corral but you lose a ton of elevation there and it would be nice to have a few more loop options out at Demo in general.

Bringing this back on topic...I'm excited about this event and what it may mean for the future. In my dream world I can picture Demo hosting a Downieville type "All Mountain" event with XC on Saturday/DH on Sunday with riders having to use the same bike for both events.