New GRAVITY ENDURO race series in Ireland

The new Irish GRAVITYENDURO race series is about to kick off on the 7th and 8th of April 2012. It's the first of its kind in the country and is set to be a huge success.

Gravity Enduro combines the fitness of cross country riding and the technique of downhill racing. It's a two day event with optional practice on Saturday and race only on Sunday. The course is approximately 25km long and has 4 or 5 mainly downhill "special stages" running simultaneously. You can start the event in any order between 10am and 12.30am; you could ride together with a group of your pals for example.

The route to the start of each special stage is uphill, but there is no time limit to get there. On average, the event route takes 3 hours to complete and the special stages are each between 2 and 10 minutes long.

What makes this event so enjoyable is the flexible timing system. There are no start orders, no queuing, no waiting for results. You receive a timing chip on the morning of the event and must “clock in and out” yourself at the start and finish of each special stage. The best bit; you are handed your own printed times as soon as you finish, so you can compare with your buddies straight away.

There are four or five mainly downhill special stages in each event and the person with the lowest accumulative time is the winner. The perfect bike will be a mid travel trail bike; though you will probably find most opt for a slightly shorter 120mm. The descents will be technical in places to justify having to pedal a 150-160mm travel bike all day. You will be able to ride safely down the course without doing any major jumps or drops, but this event is not suitable for beginners.

Each venue will have its own unique terrain and challenges. There are trophies and prizes for the top 3 riders in each category for each event and the overall series and a Pot of Gold (cash prize) for the fastest rider on each special stage in each event. Riders are broken up by age categories (min age 16 years old) and one Pro Category. The winner of the Gravity Enduro Series shall be crowned the best all round rider in the country.

There is a host of top of international riders already signed up such as:

Jerome Clementz - Winner of the 2012 Trans Provence, Mega and French Enduro Champion
Tracy Moseley - DH World Champion
Rene Wildhabher - Six time winner of the Mega Avalanche
Harry Heath
Jess Stone

Plus many more confirming each day so get registered for this exciting new event at gravityenduro.ie