Observations »
Defining the ‘endurance race’
Recently I received the latest print edition of a trade magazine called “Bicycle Retailer and Industry News”. The front page article was about endurance racing and endurance bikes and I was drawn particularly to a quote made by Mark Eller, communications manager for the International Mountain Biking Association: “Any race of more than about three to four hours enters into the world of endurance racing,” is what he said. Now that’s an interesting definition of endurance racing.
I remember when I thought finishing a sport class cross country race was “enduring”. I suppose the term can be different things to different people, but the question remains: Just what is an endurance race?
Addition by subtraction: what an endurance race isn’t
I think it might be prudent to start out with what an endurance race isn’t.
It is not a cross country race that just about everybody can finish in a relatively short period of time. First of all, the term ‘endurance’ suggests that there is something difficult to overcome that must be conquered by the mountain biker. A challenge, if you will. If just about everybody can complete the course, then it’s not much of a challenge, and you are left with competing for a placing amongst your peers. This is what makes an endurance race different, for me. You must not only compete against your peers, but more importantly, you must overcome the challenge.
That challenge could be very different from event to event. The common thread to all of them must be that the course, time allotted, or a combination of both of these things be difficult enough that many of the competitors will not roll across the finish line by the end of the race. The ones that do can be said to have endured. The additional facet of competition amongst their peers makes it a race, and therefore you have the ingredients to make an “endurance race”.
The allure of endurance racing: pushing your limits
The endurance race is appealing on many different levels, but I believe that one of the single most important motivators for anyone that signs on to compete in one of these events is to see just how far a person can push themselves. What can I accomplish with my mind, body, and bike that seem almost impossible for me? How far can I go? How fast can I do it? What can my mind and body overcome? It’s these questions and more like them that make many endurance racers take the start line.
So what is an endurance race?
What is an endurance race? Well, it isn’t necessarily defined by how long a time the competitors ride, as the quote that started this entry would suggest. If that was the case, almost every pro road race would be an endurance event! No, an endurance race must also by necessity involve a difficult and challenging set of circumstances, of which time is only a single part.
1. Posted by Cory | 10:54 am, 19 July 2006
As time goes on and we get more and more differentiation within the mountain biking industry, I’m become more and more skeptical about this whole ‘definition’ thing.
I understand that these names are useful tools for manufacturers to let consumers know about the intended use for their product but how many people out there really know the difference between ‘trail’, ‘all mountain’, ‘freeride’, ‘xc’, ‘epic’?
My regular riding encompasses terrain and challenges from each of these categories, making discussion particularly trying. Personally, I have my own idea about these terms and I’m sure that someone in Iowa ;) has their thoughts on them too. Even better, I’m betting our definitions would be totally different.
GT, I totally understand where you’re coming but I’m not sure if there’s a decent solution to your problem. Maybe calling these long distance things ‘challenges’ instead of ‘races’ would help clear it up and provide some space between ‘marathon’ series or ‘enduro’ races?