Riding Hard Enduro has become an important part of the development work we do at KNOX. It’s an environment where we can really push ourselves, the bikes and our gear to the maximum. So, it seemed fitting to share some of the experiences from my first Hard Enduro race. Check out the video above for that and then read on for 5 things that I took away from the experience.

1. Best and hardest thing I’ve ever done on a bike.

Fair play to everyone who did the event, from the winners to the guys at the back and everyone in between. It takes balls to go and do what we did, hats off to everyone who did it.

It was some of the hardest terrain I’ve ever ridden and there was no choice to back out. No chicken run, either do it, or retire. Getting up that huge hill climb was an incredible feeling and finishing the race was unreal!

2. It really was hard.

It’s probably no surprise, but the clue is in the name, it was really hard and took everything I had. I probably underestimated this, but riding for 3 hours with no stops took its toll. Afterwards, I realised I hadn’t ridden in 3 weeks and I made the mistake of doing a big weight session in the gym the day before; bad idea.

For the next event, I will change my training, ride closer to the event, going harder for longer and stop avoiding the really hard bits in training, as in a race you have no choice. I also need to add in log hopping practice because there was loads of them there and it is definitely not my strong point.

3. I should have done the 2 day event.

For me, much of this enduro game is about getting your eye in. You have to recalibrate your brain to what is normal and possible on these bikes. Foe example, I spent far too long talking myself in and out of that monster hill climb and the same applied to other sections. The race the day before would have enabled me to get my eye back in and get comfortable on the bike again, especially after a few weeks of not riding.

4. Everything else was perfect.

My gear was perfect. While some enduro riders seem to opt for almost no protection, the sharp rocks on route were more than enough encouragement for me to get geared up!

Armed with products from the Action Pro Collection, I was confident to tackle everything in my way, comfortable enough to ride hard for 3 hours and protected enough to get back up unscathed after the many crashes I had.

The bike set up was also great. The revised suspension set up I have gave me a new level of confidence and the Plews Tough One tyres I used were excellent; I was amazed at the gip levels I had!

5. Sign me up again!

Despite being absolutely exhausting and something that pushed me beyond my limits, it seems to be strangely addictive. In fact, I’ve just signed on for the next on in July!