A new event is to hit the UK next year, in the form of a three day, multi-stage enduro race in the stunning countryside of Exmoor, near Minehead. Our UK Editor Jim Buchanan headed down to the private (media only) unofficial timed ride to see what it was all about. He went there with no expectations, as he had never even considered riding around the South West coast of Britain; what he found was a real gem of a place, with incredible trails and scenery, leaving him talking about a Scene Visit during the winter and very excited for next season’s ‘DMR The EX’ event.

The event is held within a stones throw from the coast.
The event is held within a stones throw from the coast.
John Owen, Olly Wilkens and myself set the pace of the weekend.
John Owen, Olly Wilkens and myself set the pace of the weekend.
Fantastic rural English countryside.
Fantastic rural English countryside.

The UK has a few enduro-style one-off events, Tweedlove, Ard Rock and Trans Wales, but none have ever been held near the South West, so it was with an open mind that I headed down there to this press race ‘that wasn’t a race’ event! It was held as a bit of a sweetener for the press, but also so the organisers could get back valuable criticism off journos, bike testers and seasoned racers, the likes of myself and top UKGE racer John Owen.

This is the logo to look out for next year.
This is the logo to look out for next year.
Some of the stages were mental, this was flat out for about 1 kilometre, pure loose rocks!
Some of the stages were mental, this was flat out for about 1 kilometre, pure loose rocks!
Another Trans UK event.
Another Trans UK event.

We were treated to two days of riding, where we stayed in a campsite in the very picturesque rural countryside, a real chilled affair. The event itself is set to be three days of racing, where everything is provided by the organisers. Included in your entry fee will be food and plenty of drink plus your camping, also every morning the first stage will be uplifted; this will cost around £250 (€345) per rider.

Trails were so much fun in the woods.
Trails were so much fun in the woods.
Rory Hitchens, one of the organisers, he is extremely reliable and one of the old skool of UK MTB.
Rory Hitchens, one of the organisers, he is extremely reliable and one of the old skool of UK MTB.
The Scenery up the tops was magnificent.
The Scenery up the tops was magnificent.

It will be more of an intimate Trans-Savoi or Provence affair, with a maximum of eighty riders competing, with a vintage tea stop (laid on for us too and it was fantastic!) There will be four to six timed stages daily with a course length of 35-45k per day. Also there will be evening entertainment laid on, where they will play a daily video diary, which will then become a nice edit for competitors after the event.

A great fun day.
A great fun day.
All riders were impressed.
All riders were impressed.
Some climbs were tough but rewarding.
Some climbs were tough but rewarding.

We rode the local trails and many of the planned stages for the race and I have to say I was shocked at the quality and varying terrain Exmoor has to offer. Some stages were full-on rocky rutted open scary stuff, some wooded single track cut into deep red sand, others dark peat root stricken and with excellent flow. All riders were buzzing, not only with the quality of the trails but also with the length, some stages reaching the five minute mark. So make a space in your diary for the September area of 2016 (proper date to be confirmed) as this will be one hell of an event, which I for one can’t wait to re-visit!

John enjoyed the vintage tea stop, as did we all.
John enjoyed the vintage tea stop, as did we all.
We even had a podium!
We even had a podium!
Three happy chap pies, Jamie Edwards, John and myself.
Three happy chappies, Jamie Edwards, John and myself.

Words: Jim Buchanan

Photos: Rob Barker, Paul Box


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