Photo Story - The First Madeira Enduro

At the start of this year I got an invitation I couldn't refuse. Head over to the Island of Madeira with a rider of my choosing to ride and shoot their first Enduro race on the island. If you don't know already the Island is mountain bike heaven. Some of the best riding in Europe all year round, varied beyond belief and every conceivable season in one day. I gave Pat CJ from Banshee a call, got him on board and got out there to see the guys at Freeride Madeira. Take a look through the images below for an idea of the race and how it went, when they organize another one I will be there in a heart beat.

Pat and local guide and race organizer, John. Just look at that back drop, way above the clouds and surrounded by huge mountains and lush forests

Like all good trips they start in an airport. You can fly to Madeira from all over Europe for a few hundred quid. 3 hours direct flight from London

Way up above the clouds at the top of the island where most rides start, as you drop down you get to see every season and trail type

The local riding scene is really strong, with this race being all island locals apart from the handful of racers from overseas

Fast open top sections with flowy singletrack

Dropping down to the tree line and the dusty forests

Pat making light work of some sketchy boulder gaps

Guide and Freeride Madeira owner John showing us how it's done

John talking over line choices while practising the trails days before the race

"We went out to race the Entrudo Enduro, the first race of the year, organised by John at Freeride Madeira and his crew of dedicated, hard working friends. The week prior to the race had been plagued with high winds and unpredictable weather at the end of the island that the race was being held but the level of commitment these guys had put in to make sure that every racer had a good time was outstanding. With a night time street prologue on the Friday and a full six stage race on Saturday with a shuttle to the top for stage one with a short road ride to the start, and another shuttle up for stage five, again with another lengthy transition on some of the hardest and most exposed trails along a cliff edge. Add high winds and some interesting rain, and it was testing to say the least! Unfortunately, three corners into stage one is where it ended for me after a sliced tyre ruined my chances of any result. This is where John's devotion to making the trip enjoyable really showed, and he helped me fit a new tyre so that I could continue riding, as he didn't want me miss the enjoyment of the day. Outside assistance is banned, and I'd just like to add that because of this, and because I ran out of time and had to skip stage two, take a detour and head straight to three, I was disqualified, but I had a great time riding around with local, Pombo and friends as well as German rider, Maxi Dickerhoff. Frustratingly, I had podium achieving times on stages three to six, which is great to know as we approach the start of the UK national series. Madeira is a place that has to be seen to be believed. It's been described to me as Jurassic Park without the dinosaurs, but that still doesn't do any justice to how idyllic and beautiful it is.." - Pat CJ

With a proper uplift trailer and vans you get a fair few runs in in a day

Pat was given a friendly reminder not to leave his climb switch up at the start of Stage two

There was a short urban stage finishing down in the town one evening as a prologue to decide race days starting order. Quite the backdrop

Later that evening getting ready for the prologue

From this one evening...

To this as you climbed to the top of stage one the next morning

Steffi Marth made the trip over to race but found practice a little hard

Lucky to get away so lightly

Pat making the most of the Hero dirt

Island local and WC DH racer, Pombo checking in at the start of the day

Steffi in the forests near the top where the sun was still out

As you drop down the mountain though you start to hit some rain

And more rain...

Pat battling his way down stage three in the rainforest

The stages where long, tough and taking their toll on bikes and riders

Pat CJ and Maxi Dickerhof. Maxi had a great race and got second while Pat had some mechanical issues leaving him down and out.

In the end it is local, Pombo who takes the win going up against some fast local and foreign racers

On the mic as he crossed the line

Men's and Women's podiums

Thanks a lot for having us Madeira, we will be back in a heartbeat

Mad Productions where there filming, please find their video of the whole event below...

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MENTIONS: @aspectmediauk @BansheeBike @trekgravitygirl @freeridemadeira

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