Enduro racing in Texas since 1973

No you don't! All you need to compete in your first enduro is your motorcycle, your riding gear and a desire to push yourself. The old days of time keeping and speed averages are long gone. No longer can you get penalized for riding too fast in a section.

The new form of enduro racing is known as "restart format". In a restart format enduro, there are designated sections of trail that vary in length (usually 3 to 15 miles) that riders are timed through, known as a test section. These are the sections you want to ride as fast as you can to set the best time. After each test section, riders are given a rest period (free time) and ride at a relaxed pace (a transfer section) to the next test section.

Think of it as a marathon where you are only timed on a 400 m dash, a 1200 m dash and a 100 m dash throughout the course of the marathon. The fun thing about this style of enduro racing is that it allows riders to rest and talk during free time sections. It is a great way to tell your riding buddies about the cliff you just climbed up!

All TSCEC events feature trail that the host club has spent hours and hours putting together. The trail is marked with various colored pieces of ribbon that make it easy to follow even at race pace. Trails also feature various signs along the way:

• W means you have blown a corner and are headed the wrong way. The best move is to make a quick 180 degree turn after checking that the trail is clear. Sometimes riders miss turns. It happens. One rider missing a turn and laying down tracks on the wrong trail usually makes it easy for riders to make the same mistake, so always look ahead and search for marking tape that tells you that you are on the correct trail.
• X means there is a dangerous obstacle ahead: a rutted out piece of trail from recent rain, a drop-off, ditch, road, jump, low hanging branch and so on. Sometimes a simple X does the trick and sometimes you will meet multiple danger markers in one location, which means you really should check your speed and surroundings so you do not ride off into a hole.
• Arrows of various colors and directions mark upcoming corners so riders are less likely to blow them. Sometimes the arrows are right on top of the turns and other times they are thirty yards in front of the turn. It is up to the club and course workers how the arrowing is done, so again, look ahead to minimize the chance of missing a turn.

No. If someone has caught you from a previous row, they have already made up an entire minute on you. At this point they are much faster, and the courteous and safest move is to let them pass as quickly as possible.

No. Although races can come down to seconds, the safest and quickest thing to do when you catch a slower rider is to let them know that you are behind them. A simple holler, rev or scream is usually enough. Usually they will move over as quickly as possible to let you continue blazing the trail ahead.

The second word in that question is racing, and that is exactly what happens at TSCEC events. Riders race as fast as they can in various special test sections. These test sections are sometimes linked together with single track trail that gives riders the chance to slow down, regroup and enjoy some of the terrain at a more relaxed pace.

It will cost you zero dollars, that is right, $0, to get in the gate at a TSCEC event.

We recommend bringing a positive attitude, because enduro racing will challenge you. You will have a blast, and over time you will find that enduro racing makes you a much more talented and diverse rider. Along with a positive mindset, here are a few things our more experienced riders like to bring:

• A motorcycle that has hand guards. You will race on single track that may feature tight trees, large bushes, cactus and other elements. Hand guards keep your hands safe for the whole race.
• Heavy duty tubes and/or bib mousses. The most frustrating thing on the trail is a flat tire. Heavy duty tubes with sealant are a great way to minimize the chance of a flat. To eliminate it completely, look into a set of bib mousses. These foam inserts give you the confidence to ride over anything you might encounter.
• A drink system. You never know when your bike could break down and leave you stranded miles away from camp, and you will get fatigued over the course of an event. What better way to fight fatigue than some water?
• A fanny pack. Not the one your grandmother wore at Disney Land in 1993! Various companies make tool packs that fit around the waist and carry essential tools. A pair of pliers, a few allen wrenches, a small T-handle and an axle bolt tool can get you out of many situations.
• Gas cans. There are usually two gas stops. If you are a short course rider in the C class, one gas can is plenty. For long course riders in the A and B classes, bring two cans just to be safe. Usually the gas stops are close to the camping area, but if they are further away the hosting club will haul your cans to the gas stop for you. Put together a ziploc bag with an energy bar and some Gatorade to attach to your can. You never know if your pit crew might get lost.

If it is your first enduro and you would consider yourself a beginner or novice, we recommend that you try out the C division and then work your way up. There are numerous classes within the C division depending on your age and the displacement of your motorcycle. A quick breakdown of each category:

• AA division. The elite riders of the series. Most of them have been racing for a long time and know a great deal about enduro racing. Ask them questions, they are all friendly and happy to help. If you ride the pro class in any local series, this is the class you belong in, even if it is your first enduro.
• A division. Expert level riders who ride the same course as the AA riders. In some cases an up and coming A rider may outrun some of the AA riders, but that is rare. If you ride expert in a local series or consider yourself a highly skilled intermediate rider, start here.
• B division. Still part of the long course (AA and A divisions), but sometimes a club may divert the B division around a section of trail designated "A only". A great place to start if you are an experienced novice or an intermediate rider. Many times someone new to enduro racing will try out the B division just to ride a longer course than the C division.
• C division. In most cases, riders new to the sport of enduro start here. The course is one loop shorter than the long course, which lets riders perfect their enduro skills before making the jump to the long course. It is safe to say that every past TSCEC overall champion started here, and it is a great place to start experiencing enduro racing for yourself.