Frequently asked questions.

WHAT IS ENDURO MOUNTAIN BIKE RACING?

Basically you pedal to the top of a hill and go back down as fast as you can. 5 times. Each race includes 5 timed race stages and untimed transfer stages between them. The transfers are more like a group ride than a race but in the race stages you go one at a time. Your times on the race stages will be added up to give an overall result. Although you’re not timed on the transfers, you still need to finish the overall race within the time limit for your results to count.

WHAT TRAILS WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE RACE?

That’s a secret. Part of the challenge of enduro racing is that participants do not know the course until the week prior to the race. This helps level the playing field a bit, and this is also a requirement of our insurance.

I’M A NEW RIDER AND I’M UNSURE ABOUT THE TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY OF THE COURSE. HOW CAN I DECIDE IF I SHOULD SIGN UP WITHOUT KNOWING THE TRAILS?

Riders should be familiar and comfortable with riding all the main trails in the Corner Brook and White Hills areas. Trailforks.com is the best resource to see maps of these trails and their difficulty. The downhill race stages will be established trails rated blue or black diamond. No double black diamond trails will be included, and jumps/drops will not be a concern. The courses will be selected so that your tires do not have to leave the ground, and any jump or drop features will have an alternate option. The Corner Brook and White Hills races will be of similar difficulty, so if you can ride one of these areas, you are definitely capable of riding the other. There’s also no shame in hopping off your bike and walking part of the trail if you need to. Unfortunately our Pippy Park race was cancelled due to COVID-19, since these trails are more beginner friendly. We hope to return to Pippy Park in 2021 for a more beginner-friendly race option.

WHERE CAN I FIND THE RULES AND SAFETY INFORMATION?

We have a detailed Rules & Safety document as well as COVID-19 guidelines. Both of these documents can be found here. These are in draft form and are subject to change. Notification will be given when final documents are issued prior to the race. All participants are also required to review and sign a waiver prior to the race. More information will be provided soon.

IS THERE A WOMEN’S DIVISION?

Yes! Women are encouraged to sign up and race. The Women, Men’s Sport, Men’s Expert, and U19 Sport, and U19 Expert categories will all have their own separate results and winners (but during the race, men and women will be riding together).

MY SON/DAUGHTER JUST TURNED 12 YEARS OLD. CAN THEY RACE?

Nope. The minimum age is 13 to participate.

I’M 18 BUT I’M TURNING 19 LATER THIS YEAR. WILL I BE RACING IN THE U19 OR 19+ CATEGORY?

19+. Anyone turning 19 this year belongs in the adult category. Only people born in 2002 or later are eligible for U19.

WHAT SUPPLIES SHOULD I BRING?

The bare minimum is your bike and your helmet. But you need to be self-sufficient throughout the race. That means you’re required to supply your own water, food, clothing, and tools. Food & water will be especially important since COVID-19 rules stipulate that we cannot feed you this year. A spare tube and pump are highly recommended. More details can be found in our rules and safety document.

ARE SPECTATORS PERMITTED?

Yes. But we have to be careful about course safety and the size of gatherings. Spectators will only be permitted in designated areas, which will be indicated on the course map released before the race. Organizers will also direct spectators to appropriate areas on race day.

I CAN’T RACE ANY MORE. CAN I GET A REFUND?

Due to some upfront costs and refund processing fees, we cannot issue full refunds. If you request a refund while registration is still open, we can return the full value you paid minus $10. No refunds will be issued after registration closes for the race. The reason behind the refund doesn’t affect the policy. It doesn’t matter if you get injured, go on vacation, break your bike in half, or simply change your mind. The refund policy will not change.

WHERE DOES MY REGISTRATION MONEY GO?

The St. John’s Enduro Series team is entirely made up of volunteers who do not profit from these events. Your registration money goes towards everything needed to pull off the races. That includes the timing system we use, First Aid providers, awards/prizes, marking tape and signs, sanitization/cleaning supplies, and hosting of our new website. There’s also a processing fee for CCN and a small kickback to Bicycle NL. If any money is leftover at the end of the year we will carry it forward to make next year even bigger and better.

WHICH BICYCLE NL MEMBERSHIP DO I NEED?

You need a provincial racing license from Bicycle NL to participate in the St. John’s Enduro Series. The General Membership is not enough! It only covers non-competitive events. Anyone who has a UCI Racing License is also eligible, but this membership covers more than what you need for the SJES. Details on the BNL memberships can be found here: BicycleNL Membership Registration

WHY DO I NEED A BICYCLE NL MEMBERSHIP?

A Bicycle NL membership will give you eligibility for all BNL-sanctioned bike races within Newfoundland and Labrador for the year. And more importantly, it provides insurance coverage while participating in these events. That means if you are ever found to be responsible for injury or property damage, you will be financially covered. Event organizers and property owners are covered too. Without this insurance, the races would not be able to happen.

In normal years, this membership gives you access to many other events like the Short Track Series, the Provincial Road Race, and the Windy City Cyclocross Series. COVID-19 has unfortunately caused many of these to be cancelled. There are also a few other discounts and benefits that come with the membership, and these are listed on the Bicycle NL website.

I ALREADY PURCHASED A GENERAL MEMBERSHIP FROM BICYCLE NL AND NOW I NEED A PROVINCIAL RACING LICENSE. CAN I UPGRADE INSTEAD OF BUYING AGAIN?

Yes, but the SJES team cannot process this transaction. Please contact Bicycle NL at admin@bicyclenl.com.

IS THIS EVENT PERMITTED UNDER THE PROVINCIAL COVID-19 RULES?

Yes. Please see our COVID-19 guidelines here: SJES COVID-19 Guidelines

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE PROVINCE GOES BACK TO ALERT LEVEL 3 OR HIGHER?

Our races are permitted under COVID-19 Alert Level 2 and Alert Level 1. If the province’s COVID-19 situation worsens and we return to Level 3 or higher, these races are no longer permitted and will be cancelled. The refund situation will be re-assessed should this situation occur, but most likely we will be able to refund the cost you paid minus $10. Bicycle NL memberships are non-refundable.

I’M NOT VERY COMPETITIVE BUT STILL WANT TO TRY THE RACE. CAN I SIGN UP EVEN IF I DON’T CARE ABOUT WINNING?

Absolutely! For many participants, the enjoyment of race day comes from getting the community together for a day on the trails instead of pushing for a spot on the podium. We encourage everyone to try it. If you want to participate but do not want your results to be posted, that is fine. Just let us know at least a week in advance (no changing your mind on race day).

CAN I HELP VOLUNTEER ON RACE DAY?

Yes! Lots of volunteers are needed to pull of a successful race. If you want to help out, please email stjohnsenduroseries@gmail.com and we will provide more information.

CAN I HELP SPONSOR THIS EVENT?

Please do! Get in touch with us at stjohnsenduroseries@gmail.com and we will provide more information.