The ever-growing Enduro discipline is attracting all types of riders looking for a great time on their mountain bike in a social “racing” environment and local teenager, Sabine “Beani” Thies, is excited about the Enduro taking place on Monday 2 May at the Pietermaritzburg MTB Festival and encourages others to take part in the exhilaration of the popular discipline.
For those who enjoy the combination of speed, competition and relaxation, Enduro is definitely the race not to miss out on. With slow and steady, at-your-own-pace, rides to the top of the hill and quick, timed downhill runs, the multiple trail race should have each participant filled with enthusiasm to do it all again.
Downhill, Cross-country and Enduro enthusiast, Sabine “Beani” Thies is heading to the Pietermaritzburg MTB Festival to take part in the Enduro event at Cascades MTB Park on Monday 2 May. Photo: Andrew McFadden/BOOGS Photography
The point of Enduro racing is to start at the bottom and pedal to the top of the mountain to the start; therefore there is no shuttle assistance on the day. For this reason, trail bikes are suitable for the uphill pedal as opposed to downhill bikes. Participants then tackle “stages” as would happen in a car rally, which are timed. More rally terminology is used when riders take an easy pedal in “untimed liaison” stages, which is where the camaraderie and social aspect kicks in.
“The PMB MTB fest is always such a cool event with such a wide variety of races to choose from but unfortunately I have to miss the XCO schools race as it clashes with the Enduro on that Monday. But I will be there to support everybody who is racing,” said Thies.
The mountain bike-keen teen excels on both the cross-country and downhill bikes, and is making a name for herself in the Enduro discipline as well. “At the local Enduro events, the vibe is always so great and its easy to see how much fun people are having from just getting on their bikes and going for a ride with their friends. Enduro is all about the fun factor, you need to have fun to enjoy yourself at these events,” she said.
Thies (riding for Greg Minnar Cycles/ Pizzology Craft Café/ Foxhead South Africa) encourages others to take part in Enduro racing, and said: “They should come and have fun with their friends. It’s a chance to experience something different from what they are used to. If riding a bike is your passion, then let’s get out there and do what we do best. #livinglifeontwowheels.”
Other mountain bike events that will be held over the course of the weekend at the PMB MTB Festival are:
Saturday 30 April
UCI Junior World Series XCO
UCI Elite XCO HC
Sunday 1 May
SA Marathon Championships Masters 30+
Development Races
Monday 2 May
Enduro Competition
KZN Inter-Schools MTB Series
The Pietermaritzburg MTB Festival takes place at Cascades MTB Park from 30 April to 2 May 2016 and forms part of the greater Africa Bike City project in Pietermaritzburg. The legacy project and continued development of the venue of Cascades MTB Park as well as staff, cyclists and officials strengthens the local resource pool as we build towards the 2022 Commonwealth Games. For more information on the 2016 PMB MTB Festival, click here: http://www.cyclingsa.com/2016-pmb-mtb-festival/.
