Doon Tha Brae Events

18/11/2024

Does Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland (DMBinS) need a serious review?

It continues to press ahead with setting up a new Scottish Enduro Association. This approach doesn’t build on what already exists in the Scottish enduro scene and seems to contradict the 2019 - 2025 MTB Strategy Scotland which advocates “a way to ensure that strategic support for mountain biking can continue in the longer term, reducing the risk of over-reliance on continuing public sector investment.”.

Amazingly DMBinS remains uninterested in your views, or those of a group of Scottish enduro organisers, who’ve been running events for years. So here’s what you’ve said and what we think.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/114p7d9tkIWOyChJQnH01-aQa54acJP6n/view

08/11/2024

Get involved! Might be included in future Enduro's at Tarland Trails 😉

07/11/2024

Scottish Cycling and Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland (DMBinS) today announced the set up of a new Scottish Enduro Association. This was a surprise to us and many other enduro event organisers across Scotland, given they hadn’t talked to us before deciding that this was the right response to the current uncertainty around the future of enduro in Scotland. That’s disappointing, as we have been asking for an event organisers meeting without any response, meaning our views and more than 800 of you who have completed the survey, haven’t been considered before deciding on a course of action. Given that, we feel that now is a good time to share publicly the survey results. Hopefully we and, through the survey, you will still have a say in how things develop.

Meantime our initial reaction is that whilst the return of a national Scottish enduro series would be a welcome step, there doesn’t seem to be much in the proposal to support grass roots local enduro racing, which is where most riders start their racing careers and compete for fun and to be part of the riding community.

Below are the results from the 'State of Enduro Racing in Scotland 2024', in the forms result where is says '### more responses are hidden' these haven't been hidden by us and is a limitation of Google Forms due to the amount of responses, you can find a full list of responses on the sheets link.

Forms Survey Results - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1AJAwEBfcnh_MzcWceYSQoH-Q3-lhNs8lvPv-gieZobQ/viewanalytics

Sheets Survey Results - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10DfGN_Cf6dxpNYejvmb3hDJ9xrvb0m82khcO4NwcXQw

06/11/2024

We’ve hit 800 responses to the State of Enduro in Scotland survey. We plan to start reviewing the data and feedback next week, before sharing the results and our thoughts. So you've a few more days to fill it in, if you haven't yet.

We’ve already had a brief look at what has been said so far. Something which has been mentioned by many of you is land access and availability of suitable trails. You may not know that since 2019, any cycling event on Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) land (which covers a lot of riding areas in Scotland) which involves using ‘unauthorised trails’ must complete an additional section in the application form. This requirement was introduced in collaboration with the National Access Forum, with input from Scottish Cycling and DMBinS. This states that: “FLS will only consider locations where there are known old/historical event trails or a recent, previous permission has already been granted on the trail. No new ‘wild trails’ will be approved for events.” In effect this means that any ‘unauthorised trail’ which hadn’t been previously raced before 2019 will no longer be allowed in an Enduro event course. Additionally, there’s a specific section for “ONLY for MTB/cycling events not run under a Scottish/British Cycling permit”, which includes Enduro events as they are not currently formally recognised by the governing bodies. This section mandates the need for a qualified "course designer", who must meet a further range of requirements, adding further complexity for those wanting to hold Enduro events on FLS land.

You can download and read the full application form under “Put on an event” at: https://forestryandland.gov.scot/business-and-services/permissions-and-permits

State of Enduro Survey Link: https://forms.gle/8JUfBmB64BwySnsP8

01/11/2024

Enduro – have your say.

2024 has been a difficult year for UK mountain biking event organisers to say the least, but our friends in Aberdeenshire - Doon Tha Brae - are keen to examine what’s going on and what needs to happen. They’ve made a comprehensive survey (link below) so make sure your voice is heard and help to secure the future of Scottish Enduro racing.

The guys are also organising an enduro event organisers meeting and have invited Scottish Cycling /Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland (DMBinS) & North East Adventure Tourism as well as other organisers (and us) to discuss the common issues and challenges. Rider feedback is critical to help to shape the way forward and this survey will be an important input for the meeting.

Well done Doon Tha Brae for taking the initiative – and we look forward to hearing how/if Scottish Cycling and DMBinS might be able to support enduro racing, and what can be done by all of us to take it forward. Enduro ain’t dead.

PS. And neither are we… TweedLove events may have come to an end, but we're still here... working on new projects for 2025 and the glorious return of Tour O The Borders (closed road sportive) on Sunday 7 September.

https://forms.gle/8JUfBmB64BwySnsP8

30/10/2024

Wow what a response, we've received an amazing 260 responses already, and your feedback is fantastic. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to respond to our survey!

If you haven't had a chance to share your thoughts yet, there's still time to help steer the future of Enduro racing in Scotland! We'd love to hear more opinions to help us make the best decisions moving forward. Thanks again for all your support!

Survey Link: https://forms.gle/8JUfBmB64BwySnsP8

26/10/2024

More Tarland Trails Enduro stats for the number crunchers out there!

We had 346 riders hit the trails at Tarland, racking up a total of 2,214 timed runs across the 6 stages! As you can see Fool's Gold was the trail which was hit the most from the full course riders with an average of 1.2 per full riders (helped by one rider riding it 4 times!), with Scalextric shortly behind for all courses riders. As you can see the eBike averages more stages than analogue bikes even with the shorter time window they were given. Special shout out to the maxed-out riders hitting 12 runs, 1 from each of the Full and eBike categories!

25/10/2024

It's always fantastic to see how far and wide people come to race at our events! From Shetlands, Orkney and Harris to the furthest South West of England. That was just this year alone.

Here are some 2024 Aberdeenshire Enduro Series participation stats - 652 individual participants totalling 918 entries, participants who entered 1 race - 460, 2 races - 118 and 3 races - 74. A huge thank you to everyone that attended one or more of our races this year, we hope to see you back again in 2025!

24/10/2024

Survey - https://forms.gle/8JUfBmB64BwySnsP8

2024 has been quite a difficult year for Scottish mountain biking events. We would really appreciate you taking 5-10mins to answer a short survey to share your views and ideas on Enduro racing in Scotland, including the current landscape & challenges, its impact, the role of government and governing bodies, and its future. It’s really important to understand views of participants, organisers, and other stakeholders to help take the right steps to secure the future of Scottish Enduro racing.

We are intending to organise a Enduro event organisers meeting with Scottish Cycling / Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland (DMBinS) and North East Adventure Tourism (NEAT) to discuss the common issues and challenges we are facing. Rider feedback is critical to help to shape the way forward and this will be an important input for the meeting. So if you care about Enduro racing, please take the time to complete this survey. Thank you!

23/10/2024

A huge thank you to the 103 participants that filled out our Tarland Enduro feedback survey, as always hugely valuable information for us to work on to make sure that we keen running events that you all enjoy. We’ve attached images of some of the general questions and below is ChatGPT summary of each of the text questions. Because everything is going AI, so why don’t we try it…

The mass start caused very mixed reactions. While many appreciated the atmosphere and novelty, several participants found it chaotic, especially due to the congestion at the start and bottlenecks on single-track climbs. A common suggestion was to stagger the start in waves. Some liked the visual of a mass of riders snaking up the hill, but others experienced frustration with the slow pace and crowded conditions. Despite these issues, most agreed it was a fun experience, though improvements in organisation and spacing are needed.

The event was highly praised for its friendly atmosphere, great organization, and enjoyable trails. Participants appreciated the flexible format, allowing them to do stages in any order and repeat them if needed, which reduced queues and pressure. The marshals were helpful, the event had a relaxed vibe, and it catered to different skill levels, making it accessible to beginners and experienced riders alike. The ability to race with friends and family added to the positive experience. Overall, it was a fun, well-organized event that many participants look forward to joining again.

The feedback for improvements focuses on the mass start. There were also calls for clearer trail markings, better queue management, and separating e-bike and non e-bike starts. Some riders suggested more catering options, earlier starts, and live timing for instant feedback. Others proposed narrower age categories, especially for younger riders, and more technical or natural trails. Overall, the event was well-received, but participants felt adjustments to timing, stage structure, and rider flow could enhance the experience.

Participants expressed overwhelming appreciation for the event, praising its organization, fun atmosphere, and friendly competition. Many highlighted the excellent work of the marshals, medics, and the DoonThaBrae team. Others enjoyed the flexibility of the mash-up format and short queue times. Riders felt the entry fee was reasonable, and many are eager to return in future seasons, requesting additional locations and events if possible. Overall, the event was a great success.

22/10/2024

A huge thanks to those who donated to Aberdeen Mountain Rescue Team during registering to the Tarland Enduro, you folk managed to raise £244! Luckily this year we haven't had to use any mountain rescue assistance at our events but we have in the past and we massively appreciated all they do, so it's nice to be able to give something back.

20/10/2024

This is a huge milestone for the recognition of "unofficial" trails on Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) land. A big congratulations to everyone involved in making this happen!

As mountain biking grows in popularity, more riders are venturing on to trails that aren't "officially" recognized. With the introduction of clear signage, riders can better understand the risks, ride responsibly, and make informed decisions. This also helps reduce conflicts between different trail users, fostering a better experience for everyone.

Since the start of DTB, we’ve often had broader discussions with landowners beyond just race logistics, particularly regarding mountain bikers on their land. The need for better signage has always been a central focus for us. We hope this progress is the beginning of improved signage across Scotland, ensuring safer and more sustainable riding for everyone.

19/10/2024

Tarland Enduro 2024 Race Video! Fun and chilly day of racing at Tarland Trails for the final round of the 2024 Aberdeenshire Enduro Series!

A huge thanks to Ben for joining us at the final round to capture all the race moments! I'm sure you will all agree with us that he's done a great job all year!

Ben Girdwood: https://www.bengirdwoodvideography.com/

18/10/2024

Fantastic news! Well done Muckmedden for securing this grant, with all the news about mountain biking events this year, hopefully we will see more of these in the future with government bodies and funds realising the importance of mountain biking and races for rural communities!

Team DoonThaBrae/Tarland Trails will be behind the bars for once and racing there!

Perthshire-based Muckmedden Events has secured £7500 in funding to stage Clans @ The Croft, the UK’s […]

18/10/2024

Sign Up: tarland-trails.com/event-details-registration/tarland-trail-x-doonthabrae-maintenance-day

Come join us for a day of trail maintenance at Tarland Trails on the 3rd of November 2024! Help us keep the trails in top-notch condition for an epic riding experience for all to enjoy! Whether you're a seasoned trail fairy or never picked up a tool before, everyone is welcome, and your support is invaluable.

📅 Date: 3rd November 2024 🕤 Time: 09:30 AM - 12:30 PM

🛠 What to Expect:
• General maintenance tasks
• Repairing trail feature
• Improving drainage
• Clearing drains

🧤 Don't forget to bring:
• Sturdy footwear
• Suitable clothing (Waterproof!)
• Lunch & water
• Your passion for mountain biking!

Spread the word, bring your friends, and let's make this trail maintenance day a success! See you there, ready to dig and make a difference! 🚴‍♂🌳

17/10/2024

🚵‍♂️ Calling all Enduro Racers! 🚵‍♀️

👉 Click the link below to complete the survey. It only takes a few minutes, and your voice matters! https://forms.gle/NGaScKfYd4r8Gh3EA

We need your input! 📝 Help us make the 2025 Enduro Racing season even better by filling out our short yearly survey. Your feedback will help shape next year's events! A huge thank you to those who filled out the Tarland Enduro survey some really good insight that we will use for next year. We will share the results next week once everyone has had the change to fill it in.

Whether you're a seasoned racer or just getting started, we want to hear from you. Your thoughts on race formats, trail difficulty, event locations, and more will help us create an epic season.

Let's make 2025 a season to remember! 🏆

Thank you for participating in the Aberdeenshire Enduro Series 2024. We hope you had as much fun attending as we did organizing them! We want to hear your feedback so we can keep improving our future events. Please fill this short survey and let us know your thoughts (your answers will be anonymous)...

16/10/2024

🚵‍♀️ Tarland Enduro 2024 Mash Up Survey 🚵‍♂️

We hope you had an amazing time at the Tarland Enduro Mash Up! Now, we want to hear from you and it's more important this time than ever, because this was the first time we tried this style of event! We’re gathering feedback to make next year’s event even better, and your experience matters, we’d love to know your thoughts.

👉 Please take a few minutes to fill out our short survey: https://forms.gle/5AP7LPbSos21LVP99

Your input will help shape future events and make them even more epic! Should we stick with mash up or go back to more regular style? Thanks so much for your time!

Thank you for participating in our event. We hope you had as much fun attending as we did organizing it. We want to hear your feedback so we can keep improving our logistics and content. Please fill this quick survey and let us know your thoughts (your answers are anonymous).

07/11/2023

It's that time of the year, Christmas is fast approaching and we will soon say goodbye to another year of fantastic Enduro racing in the North East of Scotland!

A massive part of the success of these events is having such fantastic and supportive Scottish businesses behind the series, many based in Aberdeenshire! Please consider supporting them this Christmas, are you looking for that perfect week away in a state of the art campervan, check out Clarkie's Campers, or do you still not have enough bikes (is there ever really enough) or looking to refresh your current one check out Cyclehighlands, Bike Remedy, Skyline Cycles, Rembikes, Banchory Cycles, 20TwentyStore, or is your MTB kit looking a bit outdated and needing a refresh, check out they stylish offerings from Fortan, or is your MTB skills needing a refresh after this years results, a coaching lesson might be for you from Ride in Peace Adventures, Shred It Coaching & Guiding, Macdui Bike Adventures, and for all your energy industry skills development needs check out OPITO!

Thank you!