Race Report: The Highland Perthshire Dunkeld Enduro

On a sunny Saturday morning, 120 riders unloaded bikes from vans and cars, keen to get into the 2nd ever Dunkeld Enduro. Last year the organisers showed us that ‘Big Tree County’ offers so much more than just great DH, with miles of flowy forest singletrack, open moorland traverses and fast and loose enduro style trails, Dunkeld makes the perfect location for an enduro event! However last years event was a bit confused in its identity, mixing timed climbs with full on tech stages it caught a few by surprise. This year the brief was clear, this would be a gravity enduro, and racing would be blind. With 1243m of climbing over 36.9km it was going to be a big day!

Stage one ‘Rake and Ruin’ sponsored by Escape Route, started from the top of Birnam Hill and had been fresh cut for the event, that’s over 2 km of fresh trail, impressive stuff indeed. As riders queued to start the stage there was plenty of entertainment provided by the first corner , facing back at the queue and with an ego destroying rut at the bottom. Most Riders got focused, took a deep steely eyed breath, swiped the dibber and rolled in, only to get stuck in the wheel hole just 2m further down and have to start the dreaded dabbing. One guy even went OTB’s, which must be one of the fastest in history.

After a sweet chicane a long stretch of perfect hero loam began, smooth drifting was amazing through here, cresting an awkward ridge riders pedalled hard over a long straight, with a few wide eyed expressions as the hidden rocks booted the rear wheel skywards. Then there was a fast and furious collection of blind turns, benched trail and steep chutes, the team had done an amazing job! The taping was a bit vague in places, but who does not enjoy flat out straights into 90 degree hairpins with no warning, “oh lord who art in heaven, I’ll be there in a minute”. It has to be said, there are arguments for and against blind racing, but it sure is amazing fun, riding by the seat of your pants and hanging on. After one more slight detour I found the bottom of the stage, and 5 people sorting out punctures. It seemed that everyone with tubes had encountered the big square edged hits, but everyone was helping and we were all cheered on by a very excited French racer who had just ridden his first even enduro stage.

The organisers were obviously intent on showing the full extent of the riding in the area, so the next transfer was a big one. Passing over the old stone bridge in the centre of Dunkeld, the road soon turned cruelly upwards and a steep but ridable climb took us back over to the other side of the valley. The views were incredible, and with clear skies and sweeping views over the valley, it was a cool place to stop and soak it all up. While the top was peaceful and serene, we knew there was some rowdy riding to come. Stage 2 ‘The Mast’ was sponsored by Muckmedden Events, and shared the same lower section as last year, a riotous collection of blind turns, narrow bench cuts in steep scree slopes and a short gear smashing climb. But this time, the organisers had raised the bar and made full use of the hillside, taking the singletrack right to the top of the mast. It was time to get into it, so after a quick chat with the cheery marshal I dibbed in.

What a change from the slick mud of last year, this time it was dry, dusty and the grip was immense. After a cheeky narrow bench the stage wound into some fast and flowing turns, you could tell the stage had been built by someone who lives to ride, so much flow. I was having an awesome time, then I crested a fly off too far to the right, and the resultant ‘proper bobble’ brought me snapping back to reality. There was a short punchy climb that had everyone crashing through the gears, then a fast blast down to the bottom

There was a chance to head back to the paddock and refuel and repair bikes if needed before the next big pedal. Over the day we climbed over 1243m and the next climb was a big chunk of that! It was steady progress and we crossed over with a few folk who had finished stage 3. There was lots of talk about some infamous rock slabs, lots of stories of panicked ‘riding the top tube’ and whispers of a better high line, about as much use as a chocolate tea pot as the riding was all blind. So when we arrived at the top, we all had a wee look over the edge to see what was to come. This was the ‘Cairn To Cottage’ stage sponsored by local uplift operators Progression Bikes.

The tech talk had unnerved me so I was keen to get into it, after a few minutes soaking up the epic views I dibbed in! The first 150m of trail was just crazy to ride fast, super flowy but with big fixed rocks everywhere, the bike was kicking like a mule! There was a little step down rock which nearly punched my card, a sweet fly off, but with a hard left just 5m afterwards, I think I kissed the front tyre on that one! Then after a cheeky bog it was just beautiful forest single track, fast and flowy under the imposing trees, right the way until the end. It was a technical stage and scared the jeepers out of a few riders, but was a great demonstration of Perthshire trails!

Thankfully the last climb was a short one, back up to the top of the ‘Dunkeld DH’ course sponsored by Progression Bikes, and this stage would include the lower two thirds of the legendary DH track that has made Dunkeld both famous and feared in the riding community. A formidable jumble of rocks and roots that has been shaping Scotland’s best riders and hosting the Scottish Downhill Association races for years. The SDA was held a week prior and they had horrendous weather so a few folk were nervous that it would be cut to pieces. However, conditions were perfect, dry and dusty with loads of grip. Tired riders hammered out one last run and dibbed out at the bottom with massive smiles on their faces.

Again, Dunkeld had been the perfect host to an epic enduro, and the organisers had put together some amazing stages. It was also great to see all the families and kids enjoy the push bike and kids crit racing too! The biggest result was the smiles on display at the bottom of the final stage, with a great vibe and many excited conversations. With a course that had enough excitement to challenge riders of all levels, the enduro future of Dunkeld is bright. What will also be left behind is a lasting legacy, 3 great new stages that will benefit the riding community! From all who love biking, we say thank you, I will certainly be back!

Full results can be found at here. To find out more about next year’s event, or to see more photos, give Highland Perthshire Cycles a like on their Facebook page.

Words and Photos: Trev Worsey

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