Enduro Racing Additional Information

An Enduro race is a gravity-based event consisting of one or more timed downhill stages and untimed uphill transfers. Stages feature predominantly long downhills with technical and steep sections, however, they can include punchy climbs to challenge a rider’s skill and fitness. The number and the difficulty of stages is determined by the category the athlete registers for. In the CDC, riders have many category options ranging from Enduro Lite (course is typically one stage with 1,000ft of climbing), to Pro/Expert (course is typically five or six stages with over 4,000ft of climbing).

Enduro racing is a challenge, because it require a very solid level of fitness in combination with descending skills. Most races last several hours, and racers must be able to ride technical downhill trails safely at speed even when they are tired after climbing.

Remember that crashing is a normal part of mountain biking and mountain bike progression, but it is slow and therefore not advised. The idea is to ride as fast as possible during the race stages, while maintaining control and avoiding risking a crash. 

The Cascadia Dirt Cup is a local Enduro Series that features 6 races at the premier trail systems across WA and OR. Most of the CDC races have a full day of youth racing with multiple categories for each age group. If a racer competes in at least 4 of the 6 races, they will earn points towards in the overall series and could be crowned a CDC Champion! 

Mt Si MTB will have Coaches providing race day support at ever CDC Race in 2022 and is highly encouraging our athletes to try at least one of the races during the season.

To register for a race, visit the CDC Events Page and select the Register link for the race of your choice. Also be sure to peruse the entire website for a lot of good information and for the 2022 CDC Season Rules. 

There are 5 Categories for Youth Enduro Racing in the CDC

1. YOUTH ENDURO LITE: Shortest and least technical course, suitable for first time racers. course typically under 10 miles and approximately 1,000 ft of climbing. (Mt Si MTB Riding Group: Green)
2. YOUTH NOVICE: Racers are new(er) to racing, but have the skills to enjoy blue and some easier black trails and more mtn bike fitness than is required by the Lite category. Course typically 10-15 miles and approximately 2,000 ft of climbing. (Mt Si MTB Riding Group: Blue)
3. JUNIOR SPORT: Racers either have previous race experience or very solid mountain bike experience and skills. These racers are ready to challenge themselves and go fast, but are not ready to go full send on Double Black Trails. Course typically under 15 miles and approximately 3,000 ft of climbing. (Mt Si MTB Riding Group: Blue or Orange)
4. JUNIOR EXPERT: Racers are ready to take on the full Pro/Expert Course. Expect Black and Double Black Diamond Stages and 15-20 mile with up to 5,000 ft of climbing. (Mt Si MTB Riding Group: Black or Orange)
5. JUNIOR EXPERT OPEN: This category is for elite junior racers who have already proven their racing skills and speed in previous seasons. There is no age brackets in this category. (Mt Si MTB Riding Group: Black)

Week of Race Day:

The courses will be released on the Racecascadia website and social media accounts, review the course map so you know what stages you are racing. If possible, preride the trails or at minimum review the trail descriptions so you have an idea what to expect. As you get closer to race day, focus on hydration and nutrition and making sure your bike is in good working order and ready to ride.

Morning of Race Day:

When you arrive at the venue on race day, pick up your racer packet and check in and then look for the Mt Si MTB Tent. Your racer packet will contain your number plate to be attached to the front of your bike and a timing chip to be worn on your wrist. As soon as you get your timing chip, put it on your wrist. The Mandatory Rider Briefing will go over the rules for the day and any new information you should be aware of. After the rider meeting, they will start sending off racers by category. Enduro races are very social, so it is allowed and expected that some racers will roll out with their friends in a different category. So feel free to do this, just make sure they are riding the same course as you! You should know what category you are racing in and what stages you are riding.

The Race:

When the race director sends you off, you will easy climb to the start of the first stage and then prepare to drop in to your first timed section. At the start of each stage (race segment) there will be a timer who will each racer know when they can drop in. At many stages there will be a line of racers waiting for the timer to signal they can start. The chip sensor will be a couple of feet past the start line, and when you pass the sensor, you are racing all the way to the finish line sensor at the bottom of the stage. After you finish your stage, you will climb to your next stage and repeat the process until you are done with all the stages on your course and have returned to venue area.

It is more fun to ride the race with a group. This means doing the climbs together and then waiting at the bottom of the stages for everyone in your group to finish before starting the climb together for the next stage. There will be volunteer sweeps at the back of the race to make sure everyone makes it off the mountain, but riders will generally be expected to know where they are going and how to get there. Parents are allowed to ride with their racer if they would like, but we have found that many of our racers are confident and prefer to ride the race with their friends. Riders should expect to be out on the course for multiple hours and should bring everything necessary with them. I highly suggest bringing a warm jacket because there are usually lines at the start of race stages and the waits can be long and cold. Have fun! Meet new people and make new friends!

• Helmet (Full face not required but recommended) 
• Personal Protection (gloves and knee pads at minimum, elbow pads, chest protector etc as desired)
• Eye protection (glasses or goggles)
• Weather appropriate layers (ie. waterproof jacket)
• Water bottle or hydration pack
• Spare tube, puncture repair kit and hand pump
• Multi-tool, tire levers and small parts
• Trailforks map
• Extra food and fluids
• Emergency contact information
• First aid kit
• Sunscreen, bug spray