06/12/2024
Scottish Enduro - A Chance for Change?
There’s been a lot of talk about the future of enduro in Scotland recently – and TweedLove calling it a day seemed to bring things to the boil.
We may not have much skin in the game now, but we certainly do care about what happens next, and it seems like a good time for an update on what’s been happening, and some thoughts on the current situation:
We were pleased to see the guys at Doon Tha Brae events picking things up and inviting ourselves, some other established race organisers and (significantly) DMBinS/Scottish Cycling to discuss what would be the best way forward for enduro in Scotland.
Unfortunately this request received no response from DMBinS and Scottish Cycling, who, a few days after a follow-up reminder/request, launched their own vision for enduro – their idea being a volunteer-managed and staffed body called Scottish Enduro Association, with several unpaid positions open for applications.
Here’s some points around this, and though it’s great that SOMETHING is happening, there are a few ‘howevers’:
- It’s a shame none of the experienced or professional enduro organisers in Scotland were contacted about this before it was announced, nor were they consulted on its viability or for any kind of insight
- It’s worrying that the plan comes from people with limited realistic experience in running events
- The whole SEA launch seemed to disregard those who were already making an effort to sort something out. The people who had approached DMBinS and SC (as described above) were completely ignored while this new ‘saving enduro’ plan was announced.
- It was notable that DMBinS and SC didn’t even secure the social media accounts for their new organisation.
- A Scottish Enduro Association could be a very good thing – it could be a bit like BEMBA, but better - by learning from previous mistakes. It’s an opportunity to bring the experience and hard work of the existing event producers together with whoever else wants to contribute, and create a fantastic Scottish race series. It could easily be the best UK race series.
- Enduro’s open-ness and friendliness is a massive part of why it has attracted many thousand more riders than the British/Scottish Cycling-regulated XC and DH race scene, where you need a licence to take part among other not-very-welcoming faff. Must be said many of the SDA & SXC races are fantastic, but they're a different vibe and don't have the same wide appeal.
- That kind of restriction and regulation will do the opposite of getting more people on their bikes and into racing. While, assuming enough unpaid people are found to organise and manage the new races successfully, this set-up could work for the serious/aspiring competition athletes on a ladder to success, but for most riders it’s a big turn-off. Worth noting that in any case the best riders seem to get noticed and have done very well without enduro being part of British Cycling.
- A big question is if the currently proposed way forward will allow for more public funding – since that’s been a real problem for existing organisers.
- A volunteer-run enduro scene will probably mean less races.
- It may also mean less-well run races due to inexperience.
- We know how much time goes into doing race and event management well. Expecting people to do that in their spare time seems a big ask.
- Why does it matter? Because we know enduro encourages more people to ride and race, and it created a friendly and attractive scene for thousands of people – the majority of whom wouldn’t have dreamed of being part of a race community otherwise. And along with that upturn in participation come wider, very positive economic, health and community outcomes.
- TweedLove suggested several times to DMBinS that they look at how Scottish enduro’s potential could be realised better. We suggested they look into whether a part-time member of staff could be funded to co-ordinate a Scottish race series, working with existing organisers and potentially trail associations to create a new and robust Scottish Enduro Association. We never received any response to this suggestion, and it was the same story any time TweedLove had other points to raise. (This was always a disappointment, as our organisation was actively and successfully developing mountain biking for young and old riders, through racing and much else besides.)
So what’s next? The good news is a meeting is now scheduled with DMBinS, Scottish Cycling and quite a few of the existing Scottish event organisers. The latter have more or less formed an informal association of their own through a willingness to co-operate and desire to take the sport forward. We’ll be there too and will contribute however we can.
We hope this real-world commitment by the individuals and small organisations who have helped get enduro to where it is now will be supported by the publicly-funded organisations whose names state they represent cycling and MTB in our country.
The door is open to create a genuine association which aims to bring everyone who cares about Scottish enduro together. With an open attitude, good energy and willingness – and a bit of actual support from the public sector, it really could be possible. So who’s in?
Picture credits: Ian Linton
