Mountain Bikers flock to Perthshire for the UK’s first Team Mountain Bike Enduro

Clans @ The Croft, the UK’s first Team Mountain Bike Enduro, staged at Comrie Croft one of Scotland’s leading mountain biking destinations (Strathearn, near Crieff, Perthshire) on Sunday 27 October 2024, has been hailed as an ‘overwhelming success’ by organisers.

Copyright Graeme Berry

The inaugural Clans @ The Croft attracted almost three hundred riders from all corners of the UK, including a raft of high-profile professional mountain bike racers and race teams.  Competing alongside the pros were dozens of amateur teams and clubs, all looking to defend the honour of their Clan Chief.

Clans @ The Croft was originally scheduled for April 2020 but was cancelled due to the COVID19 lockdown.  After a three-year hiatus, Perthshire based Muckmedden Events, were awarded a £7500 grant from Rural Perth & Kinross Community-Led Local Development Local Action Group.  This enabled the Perthshire event specialists to finally bring the event to Strathearn in October, much to the delight of all the mountain bike community.

Copyright Graeme Berry

Aaron Gray, from mountain bike event specialists Muckmedden Events, organisers of Clans @ The Croft said: “I’m delighted at the feedback we’ve received from the riders.  We designed a super tough course that challenged everyone, and they all loved the Team Enduro format.  Although I had full belief that it would be popular, it’s great to get validation from the riders.  The event ran like clockwork and our volunteers were superb. We honestly couldn’t have asked for more.  Even the weather played ball!”

After several weeks of course preparation, when race day finally arrived, Comrie Croft, a venue renowned for its focus on sustainability, excellent facilities and eco-credentials, was bathed in autumnal sunshine.  The car park was full, and the event village buzzed with excited Clans (race teams of three) discussing race strategies over a coffee, before being called to the start line.  

Copyright Graeme Berry

Following a short safety briefing, a solo bagpiper led the Clans out onto the copper-toned Strathearn hillside towards the battleground of five timed downhill stages.  Muckmedden’s forty-strong team of happy Marshals, dressed in bright orange vests and wearing tartan bunnets lined the challenging 15km course ringing cowbells, blasting out tunes and keeping the riders safe and motivated on the relentlessly slippery rocks and roots of Comrie Croft.  

As the light faded, after six hours of action-packed racing, the results came in.  Only one Clan could be victorious, and only one rider could take the title of fastest rider.

Upholding the honour of their Clan was the ‘40% Club’ claiming the coveted trophy for Fastest Clan.  Fastest Female went to Juvenile rider Lily Cant of West Highland Wheelers who annihilated the opposition.  Fastest male, and the overall fastest rider on the day, was David Houston of ‘40% Club’ who only just pipped local legend Tom Simpson by a mere 0.24 seconds over five stages.

Nino Battersby, Business Manager at Comrie Croft, praised the event; “Clans at the Croft was a fantastic event for Comrie Croft.  We got to see lots of familiar faces who come and ride here regularly, but it was also such a good opportunity to showcase our trails to visitors from further afield and foster community spirit.  We were able to highlight our commitment to well-being through outdoor activities.  The staff absolutely loved the fun and respectful vibe. It was the perfect closure of a busy summer season: Thanks team Muck and everyone involved.”

Aaron Gray added; “Clans @ The Croft attracted hundreds of new visitors to Strathearn and boosted the local economy significantly in the shoulder months, but I believe this is just the start.  I think the event will continue to grow over the coming years, boosting the mental health and general wellbeing of the local community through activity, nature and volunteering opportunities, and attracting visitors in the quieter months. That can only be a good thing for everyone.”  

“I’d like to thank our amazing volunteers, sponsors and Rural Perth & Kinross Community-Led Local Development Local Action Group for supporting the event.  We haven’t fixed a date for next year yet, after we’ve all caught up on our sleep, we’ll start planning!”  

Copyright Graeme Berry

Clans at The Croft is the first Enduro in the UK where riding buddies can join forces as a Clan, a team of three, or just forget the whole team thing and race solo.  Every rider is timed on five blind stages packed with jumps, berms, roots, rock slabs, and race-only off-piste sections.  Ebikers also get the bonus of riding a Power Stage, which is a technical climb designed specifically for ebikes.  Clans combine race times with teammates to compete against other Clans (and still get a solo result for their individual efforts).

Mountain biking has been proven to offer many health benefits, including improvements to mental health, physical fitness and nurturing a passion for the outdoors.  Muckmedden Events are currently working with Tayside Trail Association to improve the standard of trails for the local community with a view to hosting more events in Perthshire, which will also prove to be a draw for mountain bike riders of all abilities.