A brand new event hits the Scottish Borders on the 19/20 September in the shape of the Endura Stramash, a spectator-friendly format with a slopestyle competition, a floodlit grand finale followed with an enduro around the Glentress trails on Sunday.
It's a rider-built and run event aimed to showcase the trails of Glentress Forest. Stramash is actually a Scottish word for a disturbance, racket, or clash and spectators and participants can expect a loud and lively event that will test every sinew and present a real challenge to competitors. Sounds good to us!
Along with title sponsors, local clothing company Endura, and Monster Energy Drink, spectators will be treated to the awesome bike handling skills of Danny Macaskill and freeride ace Lance McDermott has confirmed his attendance.
There are categories for all abilities including youth, women, amateurs and elite riders. The Monster Slopestyle “is as much about nurturing Freeride talent as it is about providing an exhibition event for this stunning visual sport,” say the organisers.
Alongside Macaskill and other top riders who will attend the event o compete in the floodlit finale, the field will also include riders who will have trained in Stramash's “Lessons in Flight,” with specially arranged Slopestyle courses taking place in July, August and September 2009.
It's not just about Slopestyle though. The Enduro will give a large cross section of bikers the opportunity get involved too, with the ability to ride the famous Glentress trails in a format that rewards the all-round rider. The idea is to reach the top of Glentress' famous singletrack descents within your time limit and then race the clock back down in timed special stages. All participants will have all day to set their fastest times and battle for immortality as the fastest rider on the best trails in the country.
The event is being organised by 'The Clan', Scotland's cycle stunt team and Detail Events, the guys behind the famous Rat Race urban adventures and a company renowned for innovating cult classic event formats.
Manager of Scotland's Clan stunt team, Iain Withers is one of the organisers, says: “The Tweed Valley is the UK's premier destination for mountain biking and the 7stanes trails centres are now world famous. Endura Stramash is all about celebrating that rich diversity of biking in the region and we are aiming to create a real signature event that the community can get behind. Stramash will be visually stunning and we are really investing in the course build and riding talent to ensure the competition is top flight. Throughout the build up to the event The Clan will also be on hand to mentor amateur riders towards their first freeride comp.”
With support from Forestry Commission Scotland, Scottish Enterprise and sponsorship confirmed from Scotland's very own biking apparel aficionados Endura plus the Monster crew, the event is shaping up to become an annual fixture within the national biking calendar. Working on a development plan over 5 years, it is envisaged that Stramash will become the signature event for the Tweed Valley and grow into a major festival of Freeride taking inspiration from Whistler's beloved Crankworx event.
Entry is now open for both the Monster Slopestyle and Enduro and the first “Lessons in Flight” courses begin in August. To enter or to get the full information go to www.stramash.com.
