PMBA Enduro Round 3 Race Report - Video

Graythwaite Hall Estate was the setting for round 3 of the Hope PMBA Enduro. As a designated Enduro World Series qualifier, it was going to be technical and tough and was billed as 'The Epic'. Would it live up to the hype?


For the third successive year PMBA Enduro series hosted an event out of this stunning private estate in the Lake District, nestled by Windermere & Esthwaite Water and neighbouring Grizedale Forest; riders and spectators were blessed with stunning views of the beautiful Lake District. Last year's event was also the first BEMBA National Enduro Champs and attracted well over 500 riders, including a stacked elite field of both women and men. The Epic would prove to be the most technically challenging enduro course the 383 riders had ever tackled in the UK and those wanting Enduro World Series (EWS) qualifier points had to work hard for them.



No one could have predicted such a scorching weekend, with temperatures recorded nationwide in the mid to high 20's; Graythwaite was no exception. Throughout the weekend the camping fields dried out and the trails changed from Saturday's practice to the race runs on Sunday, catching more than a few riders unawares as they didn't adapt to the change in the conditions.




This weekend's race was across 7 stages throughout the Graythwaite estate. With a total vertical climb of over 3000ft. Lemon Squeezy, Scorpion, Gary the Polar Bear, Nick's Party Time, Sublime Ride, HDDN Gem and Sadists Surprise.

Stage 1

Stage 1 was called Lemon Squeezy, starting at a great viewing area overlooking Windermere, this short stage was there to warm the riders up. It started at warp speed start down a double track, into some fresh cut goodness over open terrain before dropping into classic pine woods and battling off camber roots to the finish.





Stage 2

Stage 2, Scorpion, had been stage 1 for the last 2 years, but Kev Duckworth had listened to feedback that it was a bit too technical for an opening stage and the decision was made to make it stage 2. Awesome views from the high point of the lap and the longest stage. Technical rock features, chutes and more roots featured heavily. Another new ending had been built on Scorpion after the one they had built for the national champs got really blown out. The riders then dropped onto “Happy Ending” in open woodland for the last third of the stage.







Stage 3

Stage 3, Gary the Polar bear, was a trail with amazing flow in the lower half and was well loved by many of the riders and not too technical. It was heading up to stage 3 that I bumped into PMBA regulars, and Gisburn Stage builders, Dale and Kate, but I cannot repeat what they were saying about the push-ups back to the top of the stages, Kev's ears were probably burning at that point.







Stage 4

Stage 4, Nick's Party Time, was a fresh cut new stage from everyone’s favourite trail team 'Sublime Rides', creators of many of the favourite Graythwaite and Grizedale stages from the past few years. There were awesome views of Windermere from the starting ridgeline before dropping into the trees. The top section proved quite tricky for many riders on the day, Mathew Woodall, normally a rider thrashing down the trails took an off and cut open his knee through his kneepads and ended his race early sadly.





Stage 5

Stage 5, Sublime Ride, more awesome views of Windermere from the start, this was the stage the riders voted their favourite in 2016 when we launched this venue. There was a great flowy start through (not yet sprouted) bracken, and dropping all the way to the Sawmill. Oh yeah, and “that” super steep tight S bend to master, or just take the longer B-line! The top half was super fast and flows well, but not for long as you enter the tight S bend. This was again a favourite stage for many of the riders over the weekend.





Stage 6

Stage 6, HDDN Gem, the toughest push-up transition of 2016 was back for 2018 with a new, but equally brutal transition. The rewards however, were immense. It really is a hidden gem with rock rolls and steep chutes on this flowy trail in dense woodland. The dense woodland gave some relief from the hot sun.





Stage 7

Stage 7, Sadist's Surprise, was the final stage of the day, finishing right down in the main arena. Although there was a surprise: A very nasty hill push up mid-stage. Yes Kev, you are a sadist! The final twist is a purpose built wood drop with an alternate line if you so wished. This is where the KSdrop is placed and riders have the option to "style it up" as the final say of the day. The PMBA provides a free photo album of this drop, and riders are encouraged to post their images on Instagram with the hashtag 'KSdrop' for the chance of a spot prize.







So after 7 stages and a total ascent of 3000ft, the fastest time of the day and the elite winner was Matty Stuttard in a thrilling battle with Ian Austermuhle both riding for Hope Factory Racing. Matty finished in 15:43.57 and Ian in 15:48.23, literally only 5 seconds separated these two across the 7 stages. Matty had been at Steel City DH on the Saturday and missed practice too, riding this most technical of enduros blind and still taking the win. What a fight! 3rd place was Ronan Taylor with a 16:05.23, 4th place was Tom Wilson, only his 2nd Elite race in the PMBA while still technically being U19 in a superb 16:41.50 and 5th place went to Phil Roberts in 17:00.39.


The overall fastest in the women's classes was Melissa Pearson in the Vet women's category clocking in at 25:35.39, with 2nd place going to Catherine Hart in 27:25.87 also in the Vet Class, 3rd was Rose Tempest, racing alone in the U16 womens class and her time of 27:34.00 who gave Catherine a great challenge. Fourth place was Lynette deacon, who was fastest in the open/senior women's class with a 28:32.89 and 5th place to Liz Waterhouse in 29:32.28 which was less than 1 second behind Lynette giving her 2nd in class. There was some tightly fought racing in the women's races on the day, and it came from every age category.

Under 16’s report

Young riders may not have the strength and stamina of the more mature, seasoned riders but they certainly don’t lack skills and confidence to ride the courses. Under 16’s need chaperones at PMBA Enduro events but we let them tackle the full course. There are still plenty of things to learn – such as the importance of knee pads, how much water to carry, how to fix mechanical mishaps, when to eat, when to conserve energy etc. There are plenty of adult riders still developing these skills! One great thing about these kids is the energy and enthusiasm they bring to the event – most of them took it for what it was – hard work – and did not complain – they were loving it! They still had enough energy after practice to be buzzing around the campsite, up and down the hills, doing wheelies etc. Most were sparked out by 9pm.


On race day, winning rider Gabe Seabridge sported an ‘I’m off to the beach’, surfer vibe – he didn’t have it all his own way though, second placed Matty Baptista used his multi-discipline skills and notched up some fastest stage times too in his first ever enduro. He’d been waiting to do an enduro for a long time – looks like it suited his skill set! Iago Garay may have something to answer for as for some, there was musical accompaniment – speakers in rucksacks and Abba songs to keep them upbeat on the transitions. It may have made some walk faster to get away! A solitary podium for under 14 rider Furness Flyer, Scott Fisher in a time of 23:19.74 still would have put him 8th in U16 boys.

Youngest Female Riders Inc. rider, Rose Tempest, said she slipped, slid and crashed everywhere but she still managed to put in a great time which she thought gave her 5th overall but she was looking at the Elite times – congratulations to her for the 3rd fastest time overall.


Well done to all this age group – pretty sure we’ll see these names appearing on more race reports!



For a full rundown of all the results, and over 13,000 event pictures; head over to either Roots and Rain here, or SPORTident here.

So that is it from the 3rd round of the PMBA Enduro series at the amazing Graythwaite location. It was a race that challenged both the novice rider but also pushed the Elite riders to their limits. A race that attracted riders not only from across the UK, but also from as far as Israel.


The next race in the calendar for the PMBA is after a break for the summer. Another superb race over at one of Scotland's 7 States MTB trail centres, Kirroughtree. Entries are available right now for Rounds 4 & 5 Kirroughtree 9th September and Lee Quarry 6/7th October.

To keep an eye out on developments, head over to the PMBA Facebook pages here, or If you want more information on the future races in 2018, head over to the official PMBA website here

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