Racing

Welcome to the future! The first Kiduro KICC’s off

21.05.2016
by Catherine Smith

Where can you see the most high octane racing in the enduro circuit? Is it the Enduro World Series? The new British Enduro Series? Nah, if you want proper edge of your seat excitement you need to get a trail-side spot at the KICC Kiduro in Scotland’s Tweed Valley.

These days there are a lot of opportunities for young rippers to impress us, if you’ve ever watched a mini-downhill race you will feel like you wasted your childhood, these tiny athletes can really shred. However, until now, future enduroists have had to wait it out until they’re 16 before they can start embarrassing the grownups.

Over 70 shredders descended on Glentress for the first ever kiduro race.
Over 70 shredders descended on Glentress for the first ever kiduro race.
To keep the elite athletes going, hi-tech race nutrition was in abundance.
To keep the elite athletes going, hi-tech race nutrition was in abundance.
Who doesn't love a free sticker? The spirit of enduro was strong with these kids.
Who doesn’t love a free sticker? The spirit of enduro was strong with these kids.
Fairy cake or Cornflake cake? those are the sort of decisions that keep us up at night.
Fairy cake or Cornflake cake? those are the sort of decisions that keep us up at night.
The Tweed Valley shred team was in attendance, always full gas.
The Tweed Valley shred team was in attendance, always full gas.

When enduro-mad-dad Jamie Birks decided it would be amazing to offer a race at Glentress for young racers, he knew it would be popular but he was blown away by the response. The TweedLove bike festival brings thousands of bike mad parents to the small town of Peebles which is already peopled by the maddest of bikers so there were a lot of wannabe mini Richie Rudes and Tracy Moseleys ready to lace up their enduro shoes. With only 75 places available, the organisers opted for a ballot system and received an astounding 150 applicants with kids as young as 7 wanting to take part.

A number of pros and World Champions had popped along to see if they could learn some skills from the pint sized rockets.
A number of pros and World Champions had popped along to see if they could learn some skills from the pint sized rockets.

The inaugural KICC Kiduro has taken a couple of years to put together, organiser Jamie says that there were perhaps some initial issues with managing perceptions “ I think some people believed we would be sending 5-year-old kids down the toughest EWS trails” – but at this year’s festival the time was right and with some parental reassurance – the race has gone crazy. Using the super flowy trails of Berm Baby Berm and Electric Blue the stage was set for an exciting race in an arena that would be suitable for all skill levels.

T-Mo, showing she can Danny Mac with the best of them.
T-Mo, showing she can Danny Mac with the best of them.
Greg Callaghan takes no prisoners, foul play!
Greg Callaghan takes no prisoners, foul play!
Spirits were high, and the athletes were fired up.
Spirits were high, and the athletes were fired up.
It was time to get down to serious racing business.
It was time to get down to serious racing business.

The aim of Kiduro was to be as inclusive as possible “If you’ve got a bike and love it enough to join a club, then we want you to feel able to take part”. It was approached, not as a race but as a fun learning experience. “We hope that every kid taking part will fall in love with the format and want more. The Kiduro should act as a stepping stone to bigger things for them”

"So, do you have any advice for the race tomorrow?" asks Tracy.
“So, do you have any advice for the race tomorrow?” asks Tracy.
Time for one last whip before going against the clock.
Time for one last whip before going against the clock.

The Kiduro isn’t just a race either, it’s also about development and if you’re a kid – being the actual coolest thing ever! Pushing the cool factor right up to 11 were the special guests, some of the world’s top enduro riders! Fresh from their wins in EWS Ireland Trek’s Tracy Moseley and Cube’s Greg Callaghan along with Trek rider Katy Winton, Hope’s Sam Flanagan, Canyon’s Joe Barnes, Kona’s Tom Mitchell, Whyte’s Pete Lloyd and Ibis Teammates Gary Forrest and Robin Wallner were there to help inspire, coach and perhaps pick up some tips from the junior shredders.

Pro timing kit was handed out to the athletes, full factory.
Pro timing kit was handed out to the athletes, full factory.
The pace was hot, wee pedaling machines.
The pace was hot, wee pedaling machines.
These athletes know how to rock and roll. Champions of the future for sure.
These athletes know how to rock and roll. Champions of the future for sure.
The trails of Glentress offered the perfect venue for the mini shredders.
The trails of Glentress offered the perfect venue for the mini shredders.
He's fast, he's faster than you!
He’s fast, he’s faster than you!
The elite end of the field was stacked, it won't be long before these kids start stealing podiums.
The elite end of the field was stacked, it won’t be long before these kids start stealing podiums.
Berm Baby Berm was a crowd favourite, smooth and fast.
Berm Baby Berm was a crowd favourite, smooth and fast.
Pedal pedal pedal... These athletes were not afraid to put the power down.
Pedal pedal pedal… small engines, big power.
Hecklers pebble, just before it became a bit too 'Lord of the flies' for us to hang around.
‘Hecklers Corner’, just before it became a bit too ‘Lord of the Flies’ for us to hang around.
They have armed themselves, time to go!
They have armed themselves, time to go!
Tomorrow, the grown ups get to race too.
Tomorrow, the grownups get to race too.

Well done to Jamie and the immense team that has been involved putting this excellent event together, from the many marshals to the volunteer pro coaches, also to Tweedlove for making the Valley so special, local guiding company RIDELINES, Forestry Commission Scotland and representatives from all of the incredible kids bike clubs in the Tweed Valley, PCC, KICC, Cranked and Tweed Valley Riders. The future is bright.

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Words: Catherine Smith Photos: Trev Worsey and Ross Bell

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