Haibike have taken over sponsorship of the ever-popular Mini Enduro series for 2017, and the event will again feature an e-MTB category so that you can come and have a go on your electric bike too. The series starts in March, with two Spring events and two in the Autumn. The series will include an eMTB category at every race and each race has an additional special stage designed just for e-MTBs. Haibike's range of bikes will be on display at every event including their high performance Xduro and Sduro range.
"The Mini Enduro and Mini DH series have always been popular amongst our mountain biking staff, as the events have always been seen as low pressure, fun races", Haibike's Richard Dobney told us. "So when they mentioned they’d added an ebike class last year I jumped at the chance to have a blast around the Forest of Dean. It was great. The camaraderie amongst the riders is brilliant, everybody supports everybody!"
"It struck me straight away; we’ve known for some time that the vast majority of ebikers are cyclists returning to the sport after a lengthy time away from the saddle, this is a fantastic way of creating community, not only amongst the ebikers but the regular mountainbikers too."
The Mini Enduro events attract a wide range of riders thanks to their relaxed vibe and the fact that it's done and dusted in a day, rather than taking up your whole weekend. The courses are also very accessible for inexperienced riders, with enough technical terrain to test the faster riders whilst keeping everything rollable for beginners. Organisers Chris and Charlie have used Haibike's e-MTBs extensively for scoping and taping the Mini Enduro courses, and they quickly realised the potential for a pedal assist category within the racing. The motor doesn't add much on the timed downhill sections as you're spending most of your time going faster than the assistance limit anyway. The 4th stage for electric bikes only is specifically designed to test an e-MTB and its rider, with technical singletrack and climbing that requires not only rider skill but intelligent use of assistance levels to balance speed and grip.
"It all comes back to one thing: fun", Said Dobney of the series. "That’s what e-mountainbikes are all about, and it’s what the Mini Enduros are all about."
Mini Enduro dates 2017
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4th March 17: Bike Park Wales
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30th April 17: Forest of Dean
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22th October 17: Forest of Dean
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18th November 17: Coed Llandegla
