SloEnduro Days are a new feature under the SloEnduro roof for the 2024 season. No, they’re not races. For some it will be a stepping stone to their first SloEnduro appearance, for many it will just be a day on the bike with friends, old and new, with the official SloEnduro timing service timing their rides on the less scary courses.
The times will be published, but there will be no official results or award presentations. There will be prizes, but not for the fastest. There might even be a draw.
You will, of course, be able to compare your times with the fastest, but more importantly, you will be able to compete against friends or family, and compare your own times over several runs on the same course. One time “full on”, another time trying to get “the flow” … The findings can be very interesting!
Clubs can also use the SloEnduro Day to measure the times of their riders, especially the young ones. They might try different tactics, different lines, suspension settings… and immediately get answers on how the experiments are affecting the times.
Socialising will also be an important part of the schedule, more on that below.
SloEnduro Days 2024
23 March – Nova Gorica (SLO), hosted by the TCS
11 May – Klagenfurt (AUT), hosted by MTB9020
18 May – Cilenca trails, Zagorje ob Savi (SLO), hosted by KK Zagorska dolina
SloEnduro Day in detail
SloEnduro Day is always held on a Saturday – so that it can drag on a bit into the evening and so that as many participants as possible can stay. The hosts will also organise Sunday rides, so you can have a whole weekend of riding.
As a rule, there will be two timed runs on Saturday. Two hours each, or depending on access, with enough time to give everyone a chance to complete at least two timed runs.
The courses will be easier, with limited speed and not too long. The climb to the start will be by bicycle only, but can also be by e-bike. As in the races, an ambulance will be on standby.
Participation is of course also open to riders without a racing licence. The minimum age is 11 years of age in the current year, so this year the youngest participants will be thos born in 2013. From year of birth 2007 onwards, riders can also use open helmets on the track, knee pads are compulsory. For younger riders, the same rules apply as in the SloEnduro series, including back protection.
As mentioned, socialising is an important part of the day. The organiser will provide food and drinks. After the timed rides there will be other activities and games, depending on the imagination of the organiser. And some music possibly. No one should be bored.
There will be camper, caravan parking and camping provided, so everyone is welcome to make time for the whole weekend. Sunday is riding day too, this time without timing.
I’m sure you haven’t all ridden in Solkan, Klagenfurt or Zagorje ob Savi. Not all of you have tried timekeeping like we have in the races either. The SloEnduro days will be a great chance to do all that. Your old and new friends will be there.
Photos by Anže Petkovšek, Gašper Rožanc and Nejc Bodlaj
