'Ard Rock Enduro - An Epic Adventure

The ‘Ard Rock Enduro took riders from all over the world on an old school mountain bike adventure through a once forgotten and remote landscape in the Yorkshire Dales, England. Stages on private land were made up of rocky gullies, loose scree slopes and steep grass banks formed by ancient lead mining that has scarred the steep valley sides for centuries. Ironically the heavily eroded landscape is now one of Britain’s most spectacular scenes and it was also featured in the Tour de France Grand Départ earlier this year. Whilst the changeable weather pushed riders to the limits, there were smiles all around and a real sense of achievement for those who completed the 40km rock strewn course. Sit back and soak up some of the scenery in the 'Ard Rock event video.




Reeth, North Yorkshire. A sleepy village way up in the Dales that's now home to one of the UK's biggest mountain bike events. Riders started from Dales Bike Centre, then headed up the valley and onto steep rocky hillsides far beyond what you can see here. Much of the course could only be accessed by foot so it was essential that riders took everything they needed with them.


Saturday was the day of the All Mountain Challenge, which was a continuous lap of the course and private trails. It was great to see first timers and non racers giving it a go as well as the guys looking to put a fast time in.


Rain is not an excuse to call a party off in the UK. On Saturday night the BBQ was lit and the beers were flowing. Despite being electrocuted by their own equipment, the band played on and the camping fields were full.


Sharp rocks, loose rocks, steep rocks, hidden rocks, wet rocks and muddy rocks... After a 40 minute climb the first stage 'Point and Chute' set the tone for the rest of the loop - it wasn't going to be easy.


The Swaledale landscape really is unique. Wide sections and multiple lines gave riders plenty of space to overtake.


High up with no tree cover meant riders were exposed to the elements, but rewarded with amazing views of the trails they had just ridden.


Rockshox’s Product Manager Jeremiah Boobar all the way from the United States. He hates riding in the rain, but said he loved the 'Ard Rock Enduro.


At times the single track was tight and left no room for error.


Other sections were wide open with multiple line choices meaning riders had to stay focused and read the trail.


Not much of a trail here... Some of the stages were so remote that there was no better route to get to them than the straightest line.


If Mercedes did feed stations... Riders were greeted by this pimp Mercedes Vito Sport X and handed water bottles.


Specialized's 2015 Enduro 650b making a debut appearance in the UK.


Specialized's Mountain Bike manager Brandon Sloan on the hunt.


Fortunately the off camber grass corners dried out for stage 5 making it a rider favourite.


Is this the world's heaviest podium step? 300kg of really ‘Ard Rock that every single finisher stood upon.


A couple of the Marshals having some well deserved beers and the number one plate in the back ground. This little guy was lapping the pits all day on his 12inch wheeled Specialized - he must have done just as many miles as the other riders!


In the end it was former World Cup Downhill rider Phil Shucksmith (Specialized Pro Ride Guides) who took the win over Lee Kermode (Scott Bikes) and Josh Lewis (Santa Cruz Stiff Cycles).


Big smiles, lots of prizes and money raised for the Air Ambulance Charity. A big thanks goes out to all that made the event possible.

www.ardrockenduro.co.uk