New IMBA National Enduro Series Announced and Schedule Released

Dec 29, 2016
by nationalenduroseries  
IMBA National Enduro Series 2017 Schedule Announcement

by nationalenduroseries
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We are pleased to announce the formation of the IMBA National Enduro Series, a domestic points series that will compile results from six rounds across the U.S. and allow riders to compete for a national title. Enduro has grown dramatically over the last five years, with more and more local and regional series appearing every year. While North America offers a solid continental series, the NAET, U.S. riders have been lacking a national points series.

The goal of the IMBA National Enduro Series is to fill that void and give riders an opportunity to compete against the best racers in the country. This schedule, motivated by feedback from a coalition of pro racers, highlights the best trails and highest paying races from premier series in six different U.S. regions. With all six races recognized as Enduro World Series Qualifiers, this new series provides a stepping stone for athletes hoping to race at the international level.

Racers at the start of stage 3 were treated to the sight of incoming wet weather thankfully no lightning though--nothing like having to hide out on a mountain top during a ligthning storm . About half the field of 243 racers got alternatively rained on and hailed on as they waited to drop in off the summit. A plus note on the precipitaion though was velcor dirt conditions for day two.
  North American Enduro Cup in Silver Mountain, ID - Photo compliments of NAEC

We are excited to welcome IMBA as a title sponsor, and with this partnership hope to emphasize the importance of trail stewardship and community building within enduro. "IMBA has been the backbone to trail stewardship for almost thirty years. As we embark on a new era of IMBA, partnerships like these will show how IMBA is broadening its audience and seeking to continue building the future of mountain biking," said Aimee Ross, Director of Business Development at IMBA.

The 2017 IMBA National Enduro Series will include the following six rounds:

May 20-21 - Ellsworth O-Rock Epic Enduro in Big Cedar, OK
May 27 - Big Mountain Enduro Santa Fe in Santa Fe, NM
June 24-25 - North American Enduro Cup in Kellogg, ID
July 1-2 - CLIF Enduro East Killington by Vittoria ESC in Killington, VT
July 23 - USA Cycling Enduro National Championships in Snowshoe, WV
August 26-27 - California Enduro Series - Northstar Enduro in Truckee, CA

2017 IMBA National Enduro Series map

Individual promoters will determine courses and rules for each race, while the IMBA National Enduro Series will compile results and award overall titles to EWS categories – Pro Men, Pro Women, Junior Men, Junior Women, and Master Men. Riders will be awarded points for their best five (out of six) finishes.

Images for the Big Mountain Enduro Santa Fe New M xico - Race Recap
  Big Mountain Enduro in Santa Fe, NM - Photo compliments of Big Mountain Enduro

The series includes some of the highest paying races in the U.S. with the Northstar Enduro offering a $8,000 payout and the Enduro East and North American Enduro Cup races both offering $10,000 payouts. The series overall payout will be $12,000, with equal payout for Pro Men and Pro Women.

For more information:
www.nationalenduroseries.com
info@nationalenduroseries.com

MENTIONS: @BigMtnEnduro / @Eastern-States-Cup / @calienduro / @KodiakTough


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122 Comments
  • 69 12
 When I saw IMBA and enduro I immediately thought a ton of courses not steeper than 6% or whatever lame IMBA requirement they put on their signature trails
  • 28 7
 haha same! This way you can travel around to ride the same trail in different places!
  • 14 4
 +1
flag mmfreak (0 mins ago)

"Individual promoters will determine courses and rules for each race"

I can't speak for everyone else, but I can assure you that the CLIF Enduro East Killington race will have killer trails for racing.
  • 47 8
 "IMBA Enduro? I just call it cross country."
-Aaron Gwin
  • 2 2
 @dtimms savage lol.
  • 4 4
 I'm not super educated about all of these courses but to me it doesn't look terrible. I wasn't expecting EWS tracks anyway. I think there should be some distinction between the two.
  • 9 8
 IMBA flattening and smoothing Trails since day one. One Mtb organization I could care less about.
  • 6 5
 IMBA. Enduro. National Series.

What could possibly go wrong?
  • 7 0
 Despite it being IMBA sponsored, I can assure you the trails in Kelogg are steep and rough. It's actually one of the only places where a DH bike is needed in our area
  • 3 0
 @schilly: funny you say that because the enduro course utilized the flattest trails on the mountain. Stage 2 was a joke. I hope the course next year uses frankenbeans and other trails on that side of the mountain rather than a fire road sprint.
  • 2 1
 @konarider112: damn, that is a bummer. I'm sure they will use the other trails for this
  • 9 4
 @properp: IMBA we come to your town and all your trails we'll close down except for our crap IMBA trails. That organization can suck a bag of dicks
  • 4 1
 @properp: The trails in my area are built according to the IMBA model and there are no berms or gradient to be found, in fact I've even come across people pushing baby strollers on them.
  • 10 2
 Seriously? IMBA has been helping the MTN Bike industry for years and dissing a major money giving sponsor is rude. I am seeing a bunch of negative quotes so here are some thoughts...

*without sponsors there are no races
*no IMBA in the last 20 years would mean less trail access (years of lobbying congress to keep many trail areas open)
*less trail access = fewer riders = fewer bike manufacturers = less bike shops (jobs) & slower tech improvement
*don't even get me started on grants and how much less mountain bike funding would be available were there no IMBA

Yes, many (most) new IMBA are too "flowey" but not ALL. Getting people exposed to riding a bike in the woods should be considered a positive thing. Again, more people riding and buying bikes (even the "grizwalds") means more jobs in the bike industry, people wanting more trail assess, cooler tech being developed since there is more money for R&D and... happier people in the world enjoying the outdoors, the same as we all do.

IMBA might not be the perfect organization but they have done (and I believe will continue to do) many positive thing for all the disciplines of our sport. (RANT OVER... let the red arrows begin I guess, but hope not)
  • 1 0
 @konarider112: I take it this means that you and your fish-eatin friends will be over here June 23- it was fun to see all the Brozeman crew last time. Stage 2 was uninspiring fer sher. However, I always enjoy bitchin about my race runs. In seriousness, I would imagine Willy and Drew would like some real feedback. This year it won't be our first time and, with more marketing and funds, the guys can do a bit more course prep. @schilly may already have his hands full of dirt but I will be asking for volunteers to help the dig crew build the new trail, name t.b.d. but "Joey's Mom" has a nice ring to it : )
  • 1 0
 @blondeMT: I'll definitely be at hub-a-palooza and maybe silver. Also, if i was paid I would gladly help build a trail. Are you in charge of mountain operations?
  • 40 3
 The CLIF Enduro East Killington by Vittoria ESC will feature 8-10 very technical race specials and tough transfers over 2 days and will offer a $10,000 Purse and is inscribed as an EWS Qualifier.

Nothing easy here, we want racers to work for the cash !!
  • 3 0
 This is awesome news and I can't wait. Team Brimmer Boys is looking forward to another ESC series in 2017
  • 9 5
 Equal payout for men and women, why that's unheard of.
  • 7 5
 @DJ-24: if you people truly want equal rights let everyone race together for one payout. That is equal treatment.
  • 3 0
 @properp: I'm not saying men and women are always equal, in fact if you hammer like a girl I'll be the first to let you know. What I am saying is that if a man and a woman perform an identical task and the outcome is the same, they should receive the same reward.
  • 1 0
 @DJ-24: I don't know what you're talking about here more like a girl. I ride with girls that are faster than 95% of the men I ride with.
  • 27 0
 The map looks nice, but you're missing out on the southeast! Get the Pisgah enduro, or an event in NC, SC, GA, TN on the calendar next year for sure.
  • 14 0
 Wind rock enduro would make a great one.
  • 10 0
 Hoping to include a round in that area next year as we know the trails are rad. Waiting to see how those races go this year as we heard mixed reviews about the organization last year. Didn't attend them personally, so that's based off feedback from local pros.
  • 4 0
 For some reason, race promoters on the national level like to pretend MTB doesn't exist in the South East USA... This isn't just a problem with one series, its been a problem with all series' for many years. You would think in their desire to attract sponsors, race promoters would go after one of the largest MTB markets in the country (thanks to mild winters), but I guess they don't like business sense...
  • 4 0
 @nationalenduroseries: Come and see for yourself! Brent puts on pretty sweet races for the 3rd Coast series.
  • 4 0
 @Jamminator: Will you please send us an email at info@nationalenduroseries.com? We'd love to hear your ideas on what races in that area would be a good fit for the IMBA National Enduro Series. Would also appreciate if you could put us in touch with the promoters. We've ridden in both Pisgah and Windrock (TN) and know how rad the trails are, but we heard from a number of riders this year that the enduro races in that region lacked the organization necessary to be included in a national series. If that isn't the case, let us know!!!
  • 3 0
 @Shredthenoob: Send us an email (info@nationalenduroseries.com) with your ideas. We've heard mixed reviews from people, some of whom said the enduro races in that region lacked the organization necessary to be included in a national series. If that isn't the case, let us know!
  • 1 0
 @Shredthenoob: Thanks man!!! We do our best to put on the best races in the southeast. And we get better every year. 2017 Is going to be sweet!!!!
  • 4 0
 @nationalenduroseries: If you want to discuss offline about the events in the southeast let me know be more than willing to work with you guys to bring the southeast into play

3rdCoast
  • 3 0
 Thanks @road-n-dirt. Shoot me an email when you get a second (info@nationalenduroseries.com). Would love to chat!
  • 2 2
 Personally, I think that's completely off base. I think Brent has done an exceptional job, especially given the lack of support the southeast consistently gets from the rest of the country. The Pisgah and Windrock courses would put the rest of the country to shame. The truth is the Colorado and Cali guys are shaking in their boots at the real man trails in the South.
  • 2 0
 3rd Coast Enduro Series and the south East Riding scene is unreal. If this region isn't on the map for next year it would be shame. Southeast enduro is where it's at.
  • 4 0
 @nationalenduroseries: I've raced a little at Kodiak and 3rd Coast series. Brent and Bryan both hard working, organized dudes putting on great races. Gotta say that 3rd Coast is working with better better trails and talent. You should get out in 2017 and see for yourself.
  • 4 0
 This series really slept on the southeast. I raced the entire 3rd Coast series last year. TTC turned me into a new rider, Rockcrusher introduced me to tons of amazing new lifelong friends, Brevard pushed the envelope on racing really technical stages in a long day. Can't say enough good things about my development as a rider and the friends I've made through that series. I could go in for hours. Feel free to send me a PM.
  • 3 0
 Also, just got done introducing five more riders to the format by repeating one of the races. The whole format: competition, comraderie, fun.
  • 1 0
 @deez-nucks @epicprone - shoot us an email (info@nationalenduroseries.com). We'd love to hear your thoughts!
  • 1 0
 @nationalenduroseries: I traveled from TX to do one of these races last year and it was worth the travel, very well organized and long fast runs.
  • 19 3
 Ellsworth sponsoring a race in Oklahoma...this seems about right.
  • 3 0
 The O-Rock Epic Enduro is probably the most awesome event I've ever ridden. I can't speak to the Ellsworth sponsorship part of it, but the promoter definitely knows how to put on a first class event.
  • 2 1
 @E-Rawk: Yessir, no disrespect to OK, don't mean to throw shade on yall.
God bless.
  • 4 0
 O-rock is legit, organizers have been building that zone up for a couple years now. Huge transfers and 5-15 min runs.
  • 1 0
 O Rock is no joke. Backcountry riding with lots of elevation and big transfers.
  • 11 0
 Great to see a true national series linked together and most of them constituting EWS qualifiers. Makes it much easier for those people trying to qualify for next year's EWS series. Well done IMBA (never thought I would say that)
  • 14 1
 Thank you everyone who worked so hard on this behind the scenes especially Macky !
  • 4 0
 When is the 2017 Schedule being released?
  • 2 0
 @moutnbiker: second that! Need dates to write the race proposal for sponsors!
  • 2 0
 @samnation @moutnbiker

Trying so damn hard to confirm a couple dates and switch a few others. The Ski Resorts have so many events in the summer these days it makes it hard to put a "racer friendly" schedule in place, but we are trying like heck to get it done very soon !
  • 17 8
 The IMBA bashers herr certainly must be 3rd generation riders?!? Increasing trail stewardship certainly is the only attainable means of increasing trail access. Either the US mtb industry has to start spending million$ to help IMBA and STC lobby for new access laws, or the current meek trail access and the economic foundation of the industry itself is going to continue to be founded on legal and illegal trail building,
great move by IMBA,
help legalize it instead of bashing those doing a real effort!
  • 38 5
 1st generation rider here. I've been riding since before IMBA existed.

No we don't have to approve of every bike related organization. Just being an organization and/or being bike related does not mean that they automatically deserve our support.

Why am I not a fan of IMBA? Why should I be? The choice is not IMBA or nothing. Personally, i've found IMBA to be a sometimes necessary but unsatisfactory ally. Just about every trail advocacy or volunteer group i've dealt with is preferable to IMBA.
  • 6 3
 @dfiler: agreed.
  • 3 1
 thank you
  • 3 6
 @dfiler: I've been riding mountain bikes since the eighties. F*** IMBA.
  • 2 1
 @dfiler: IMBA's efforts north of the border have always created more conflict than solutions.
  • 6 0
 This is great, but we're going to need some kind of flow chart to figure out all the enduro series running in North America right now.

North American Enduro Cup that includes some World Series qualifiers; BC enduro cup that has some association with the NA enduro cup; IMBA National Enduro Series which includes stops from the NA Enduro cup; Big Mountain; California Series; etc, etc

Is there a hierarchy here, or is it all just an interconnected mishmash at the moment?
  • 10 0
 I believe the NAEC (North American Enduro Cup) is a single race, not a series. It's a joint effort by a number of promoters but is a single event (that is also an EWS Qualifier). CES and BME are regional US series (California and the Western US, respectively).

And IMBA NES is the overarching national series.

That's my understanding.
  • 1 0
 @mackyfranklin: Ah, okay. I had this thought that the NAEC was a series.
  • 2 0
 @jayacheess: Yeah, I was confused too but at some point found this article and the 3rd paragraph speaks to that. www.pinkbike.com/news/north-american-enduro-cup-recap-2016.html
  • 2 0
 I believe you are confusing the NAEC and NAET

www.facebook.com/naetmtb
  • 2 0
 @jayacheess @salespunk: Except NAET is a continental series since it includes races in Canada and Mexico.
  • 1 0
 @mackyfranklin: so for pro's they will have to pick and choose which races to do depending on goals. EWS qualifier, series overall's or just cash? Some of these races are not very well attended. Seems kinda loose!
  • 2 0
 @MX298: The NES has 5 EWS qualifiers (of the 12 in the US) and the best series payout of any series that I've seen. So I'd say that covers most of the bases...
  • 2 0
 @MX298: Just found out that all 6 are qualifiers actually...
  • 1 0
 @mackyfranklin: yea I see that, CES and BME also have some EWS qualifiers too. Just have to have a good day at 3 of them. Maybe you and Syd can make B'ham's this year.
  • 2 0
 @MX298: Hope so!
  • 1 0
 @mackyfranklin: Is this race series viable for expert level riders too, or this a pro series?
  • 2 0
 @nicolai12: Nope, open to everyone (and will be fun for all categories). For this first year, the series is only doing overall rankings for the following categories: Pro Men, Pro Women, U21 Men, U21 Women and Masters 40+ Men. So, if you're racing expert (over 21 and under 40) you won't get an overall ranking from the series but you can still race each of the events.
  • 1 0
 @mackyfranklin: Why are they not doing an Expert Open ranking? Seems very strange to me and simple to solve.
  • 3 0
 @salespunk: i think the assumption is that, like NAET or EWS (where these categories came from), not that many amateurs have the time/money/interest in following a series of this scale, and if they do, they probably could be racing pro (assuming they aren't a junior or a master!) Think PRO XCT or Pro GRT... Nobody's opposed to having an expert category necessarily but it's also worth keeping in mind that, while every one of these race promoters offers a pro category, some do only one amateur cat while others do expert AND sport, so it adds an extra layer of challenge to sorting it out. But it's something I'm sure they'll keep in mind for future years, especially if there is a contingent of experts interested.
  • 6 0
 Sweet! Looks like an awesome schedule for a first year national series. Nice spread for 6 events. Looking forward to racing the series and seeing how it develops over the years. Thanks Macky and IMBA for making the National Enduro Series a reality!!!
  • 4 0
 www.facebook.com/events/1762556050627722/  We had over 300 riders last year and we've added a Sunday Hoot N' Holler Ozark Enduro!!! The Party kicks off Friday goes till Sunday!!!   Bring your Tents and Campers and make a weekend of it!!
  • 6 0
 I was already planning on racing Killington and Nationals. Glad to see they made it onto this IBMA Enduro Championship schedule.
  • 8 1
 Wish Copper Harbor was on the schedule
  • 4 0
 We've heard good things about that area and will certainly consider it for 2018.
  • 2 0
 Copper Harbor or Marquette!
  • 3 0
 @nationalenduroseries: the U.P. will not disappoint.
  • 6 1
 The O Rock terrain in Oklahoma is no joke! That place is wicked fun and filled with rock! Kodiak Tough runs some amazing races. Gonna have to make it for this one!
  • 3 1
 "Individual promoters will determine courses and rules for each race"

I can't speak for everyone else, but I can assure you that the CLIF Enduro East Killington race will have killer trails for racing.
  • 7 2
 Can't wait until USA Cycling gets involved and F's it all up.
  • 2 0
 They are trying!
  • 2 0
 If the EWS and the UCI get together, then yes USAC will be involved in enduro by default.
  • 2 0
 @Eastern-States-Cup: along with all their roadie rules!
  • 2 0
 @Eastern-States-Cup: Let's hope this doesn't happen. Even if it does independent promoters will still put on great events without all the USAC over head - rules - officials.
  • 1 0
 @Papa-Jim: yes, agreed !
  • 5 0
 Looks like it really is a national enduro! That's pretty sweet
  • 4 2
 Its sad that IMBA has the time and resources to put on an enduro series but had to drop their rep to Montana, Wyoming, and Idho because of budget issues. Stick to protecting trails and trail access, not putting on races.
  • 3 0
 Yeah, I was wondering the same...how does trail access rights which is the imba mission link to sponsoring , aka giving cash for name recognition, a race series ? Maybe they should have used the money to give out extra trail grants...

I am all fir racing and know it won't happened without sponsors but isn't imba a non profit that largely lives off donations ? Does your membership now pays for Imba to sponsor races instead of supporting trail networks...guess I am happy I years ago dropped my imba memberhip and now we simply buy a club membership with every local trail builder group where we ride
  • 2 1
 Call me crazy, but does the schedule seems WAY too uneconomical? Lets start in the Central US ish area, then go far west, back over far east, just to go clear back to Cali? Lol okay...
  • 3 0
 Basically it's designed to be 4 trips (o-rock and santa fe together, and killington and WV together) for pro racers, which is not unreasonable for anyone hoping to race at the EWS level (think 4 trips to Europe in 1 year). Yeah, it's not cheap, but one of the goals here was to make it equally uncheap for everyone. Past years of the NAET have been like 6 rounds in the PNW which is economical for everyone who lives there and a disaster for everyone who doesn't. NES had the goal of evening the playing field. There's also a drop so you can make it a 3 trip summer. I know this isn't feasible for most amateur racers but ultimately this is a pro series and should tax most pros a similar amount.
  • 2 1
 First, if it's got the Eastern States Cup seal of approval, it's going to be good. Second, is there any shot that this would encourage IMBA to cater to riders other than "dirt roadies"?
  • 2 0
 USA Cycling National Enduro Champs + Points series, does this mean a USA Cycling license is now required to race Enduro??
  • 1 0
 Only for National Champs: www.nationalenduroseries.com/rules-and-faq
  • 2 0
 @mackyfranklin: So on top of the EMBA license, an international UCI license is required for pro athletes to race National Champs? Is it still against the UCI rules for licensed athletes to compete in unsanctioned events?
  • 2 0
 @tcmartin: The EMBA license is only required if you want EWS Qualifier points but you don't need it to get an overall ranking. For Nat'l Champs, an annual license is required but it doesn't have to be a UCI one. There's the domestic Pro license option now ($70 I believe). Also, USAC is offering a discount on the entry fee to Nat'l Champs for people following the series to help offset the cost of purchasing an annual license (check the FAQ: www.nationalenduroseries.com/rules-and-faq). And they took away that rule about not being able to compete in unsanctioned events. That was the previous USAC crew and there are quite a few new people at the organization now that realize that was a stupid rule. There's also one drop, so people who don't want to get a USAC license can always use that as their drop...
  • 1 0
 @mackyfranklin: Very helpful, thank you!
  • 4 1
 Hey im in this video! Hi mom!!
  • 1 0
 Who is the series promoter? New organization entirely or a new project of an existing group? @mackyfranklin ?
  • 6 0
 Yeah, I put it together. Felt like it needed to happen so I made it happen. As a side note, I'm not making any money doing it, just wanted to be able to race a good national series and there wasn't one...
  • 3 0
 @mackyfranklin: Very cool. Keep up the great work. This was definitely needed! The schedule looks really great. Good geographic spread and variety of different terrain etc. I'll be rooting for you.
  • 1 0
 How do I got about registering for a race? Would love to do the killington race.
  • 1 0
 Registration hasn't opened for any of the rounds yet, but as it does, it'll be updated here: www.nationalenduroseries.com/schedule
  • 2 1
 IMBA Enduro hmm... guess I should build 36'er and apply heavy coat of taint paint
  • 4 0
 go figure...perhaps that might just make you cooler than you appear::
  • 1 3
 What about the PNW California, Utah, NC ectopic get more races IMBA is in need of more radical change and revamped trail building skills. Work toward progression and land rights and I'll be more inclined to support it. Until then go take a dirt nap.
  • 1 2
 Individual rules for each race.....sounds a bit weird.

Nice to adhere to a standard rule book for the season.

Great move forward for US enduro racing ????????
  • 2 1
 my impression is that the rules will be more or less standard enduro rules for each round -- wear a helmet, don't cut the course, don't be a dick. But some races may require full faces, or have different penalties if you miss a start. Sure, it would be great if they were standardized across the board but at the moment, it's what we're working with, and nothing is going to wildly different.
  • 4 0
 Thank for the feedback. We didn't want to put too many constraints on promoters the first year as they were taking a leap of faith by becoming part of the series. It's also worth noting that 5 of the 6 are EWS Qualifiers and as such will adhere to a basic set of EWS guidelines. And the other one is BME and they've got a solid set of rules.
  • 2 1
 Can anyone sign up for the race at Snowshoe WV? Or do you have to qualify?
  • 2 1
 www.nationalenduroseries.com/rules-and-faq
  • 1 2
 So if you compete in the whole series for a national title, and also win the national championship at Snowshoe do you win a free truck or something?
  • 2 1
 I clicked just for the comments.
  • 1 0
 @Trekin We should go to Snowshoe for that weekend
  • 2 2
 Which Copper Harbor was on the schedule
  • 1 0
 Silver Mountain has 3400ft descent. What's it there 800ft?
  • 2 1
 Snowshoe!
  • 1 1
 No Utah or Colorado stops? Really?
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