ENDURO • BEGINNERS • 2027
You have watched the videos. You have seen riders disappearing into the Scottish forests, fighting through mud, roots and hills, and perhaps thought: I want to try that.
The good news is that you do not need to arrive as an expert. Every rider on a Scottish Enduro start line had a first event.
Thinking about racing Enduro in 2027?
Start preparing now. Learn what you need, find somewhere legal to practise, understand how an event works and give yourself plenty of time before choosing your first race.
Watching Enduro is one thing. Riding it is very different.
BRAAP Scotland films show the racing, the terrain, the paddock and the people around the sport, but a camera can never fully show how physical and technical Enduro can be.
That should not put you off. It just means the best first step is not necessarily entering the hardest event you can find.
Spend time on the bike, build confidence standing up, practise braking and clutch control, learn to ride ruts and slippery ground, and gradually increase the difficulty.
Could a Hare & Hounds be your first Enduro event?
The start of a Hare & Hounds can look intimidating on film: engines running, riders lined up and everyone eager to get going. But it can also be a welcoming way to try competitive Enduro for the first time.
Rather than one enormous start with every rider in the event, organisers generally release riders in groups or waves, often based on class. The exact arrangements depend on the event, so check the supplementary regulations and riders' briefing.
Why the format can suit beginners
- No timecard to chase. Unlike timecard Enduro, a Hare & Hounds is normally about completing laps within the event's time window, not reaching checks at allocated minutes.
- Ride at your own pace. Let quicker riders pass safely and concentrate on enjoying your first lap.
- Stop in the pits. Take a breather, get a drink or decide whether to continue, following the event's pit rules.
- Know when to call it a day. You can retire if you've had enough, but always report this to the organisers and follow their instructions.
Your first goal could be simply to complete a lap, learn how an event works and enjoy the experience.
See what a Scottish Hare & Hounds actually looks like
Our Glendearg film takes you into a real Scottish Enduro event, showing the start, the riding and the atmosphere around the paddock. It's a useful look at what you could be part of in 2027.
Not every course is suitable for first-time competitors. Speak to the organising club about the course, class and entry requirements before booking.
So how do you actually get started?
1 — Find somewhere legal to ride
Do not practise on forestry tracks or land simply because it looks quiet. Use recognised venues, practice areas and clubs where off-road riding is permitted.
2 — Get the basics before buying everything
You need proper protective riding kit and a suitable bike, but you do not need to turn your garage into a race team before your first event.
3 — Learn what happens at your first event
Signing on, scrutineering, timing, refuelling and the format can feel more intimidating than the riding when you have never done it before. Understanding the process beforehand removes a lot of that uncertainty.
4 — Prepare the bike properly
An Enduro bike does not need to be covered in expensive extras, but it does need to be mechanically sound and prepared for off-road use. Tyres, tubes or mousse inserts, controls, protection and basic maintenance all matter.
Do you need to be fast?
No.
Your first event should be about getting around, learning how the day works and finding out whether you enjoy it. There will always be someone faster.
The riders who make the biggest mistake are often the ones who feel they need to prove something straight away. Ride at a pace you can maintain, let quicker riders past safely and concentrate on finishing.
Do you need to be super fit?
You do not need to be an athlete to start, but Enduro is physical. A little fitness before your first event will make the day far more enjoyable.
General cardiovascular fitness, leg strength, grip endurance and simply spending more time riding the bike all help. You will learn quickly where your weak points are.
What if you do not know anyone?
That is normal too.
Off-road sport can look difficult to enter from the outside because many riders already know each other. But clubs and events depend on new people coming into the sport.
Ask questions. Speak to the organising club. Talk to riders in the paddock. Tell people it is your first event rather than pretending you know everything.
Start preparing for 2027 now
The 2027 Scottish Enduro season may still feel a long way off, but winter is a useful time to get organised.
Find somewhere to ride. Sort your protective kit. Learn basic bike preparation. Build some fitness. Watch how events work. Then, as 2027 dates and regulations are confirmed, you can choose an event that suits your experience rather than rushing into the first one you see.
And if watching a BRAAP Scotland film is what made you think about having a go, that is exactly what the coverage is supposed to do.
YOUR FIRST ENDURO
Could 2027 be your first season?
You do not have to commit to a championship. Start by learning, practising and choosing one event. One start line is enough to find out whether Enduro is for you.
START WITH THE BEGINNER GUIDE → FIND SOMEWHERE TO RIDE →