SES 2025 FAQ
What level are the courses at/how good a rider do i need to be?
he Scottish Enduro Series courses feature challenging high speed technical features intended to challenge advanced level riders. While we do not restrict entry, and most features will have easier b-line options, it’s recommended that entrants be able to confidently ride black graded trails.
SES stages are mostly on hand dug natural trails with characteristics which can vary according to weather conditions and traffic during the race. Entrants should ideally be familiar with riding this kind of natural trail outwith trail centres (“off piste”) in a variety of conditions.
What sort of bike do i need?
Our stages are designed around mid travel trail or enduro style mountain bikes, so roughly from 140-180mm of suspension travel.
Bikes must be in good working order and have bar end plugs in place. All bikes will be scrutinised prior to departing for the course, and race officials have the right to deny participation if they don't think a bike is in sufficient working order.
Do I need a full face helmet?
Full face helmets are not required, but due to the high speed and technical nature of SES race stages the use of one is strongly recommended.
Helmets must be worn and fastened at all times when riding your bike on course, not just on timed stages,.
What other equipment do i need?
An SES race is much like a “big day” epic on the bike, so plan and equip yourself much as you would for that. You’ll be fully exposed to the elements for several hours, and may at times be a considerable distance from the event village and parking, so take everything you’re likely to need.
Personal responsibility and self-sufficiency are a large part of the spirit of Enduro racing, and riders are encouraged to carry adequate equipment for operating in mountainous environments.
We would strongly recommend you take the following gear:
• Backpack or waist pack.
• Waterproof jacket.
• Emergency blanket.
• Inner tube, puncture repair kit.
• Multi tool.
• Basic first aid kit.
• Map.
• Food and drink.
• Eye protection (glasses or goggles).
• Mobile phone (fully charged).
Can 12 year olds race with a dispensation as per SDA?
For the 2025 Series, participants under 13 years of age will need to have in place an existing dispensation from British Cycling covering participation in SDA Downhill Races, along with a letter from a coach confirming their ability in the context of enduro racing specifically.
How long are the courses (full/short)?
The length of the courses will vary between rounds, but in general we aim for the full course to comprise 6 timed downhill stages, with 1200m+ of climbing elevation over the course, Short courses comprise 4 stages with around 900m of climbing elevation.
While the total number of stages may vary at each venue, the general principle is that the short course will be around 75% of the full course.
Are the short and long courses raced on the same day?
Practice and racing for Full and Short courses run concurrently on the same days.
Are events held over one or two days?
SES Events are over two days, with practice on Saturday and race day on Sunday. In accordance with British Cycling regulations, pre-race practice is mandatory.
Can I session features during practice?
Yes, however care must be taken to push up outside the roped course, and due to terrain it may not be possible to safely session every part of each stage.
Do juvenile racers need to be accompanied on the course?
For racers under 16 years of age, it is strongly recommended that they are accompanied on the course throughout the race, ideally by a parent/guardian racing concurrently. The trails and terrain on the stages include steep, technical climbs and descents, so accompanying riders should be capable of riding to a comparable standard.
For younger riders, whether accompanied or not, the use of real-time safety tracking GPS hardware or phone apps (such as Strava Beacons, Garmin Livetrack or similar) is also recommended.
For participants under 18, please also review the Event Safety and Welfare Plan
Can I choose a start time/wave?
We’ll be running a system with SiEntries where you can express a start time slot preference before racing. Please register for the event as normal, and shortly before the event you will receive an email with further details.
Are there any restrictions on E-MTBs?
The British Cycling technical regulations governing ETMB use are below, but can be found in section M2.1.5.
An E-Mountain Bike is a bike operated with two energy sources; human pedal power and an electric motor, which only provides assistance when the rider is pedalling. Only Pedelecs (pedal electric cycle) or EPACs (electronically power assisted cycle) are permitted in E-Mountain Bike specific Events and riders must be 14 or over.
2.1.6: E-Mountain Bike Events must be organised in accordance with the following bike and Pedelec standards:
2.1.6.1: Motor with a maximum continuous rated power of 250 watts, and only activated by pedalling. Walk function is permitted but only in factory settings.
2.1.6.2: Motor assistance up to 15.5mph / 25km/h.
2.1.6.3: E-Mountain Bikes must conform to EU law and not be chipped, modified, or derestricted. If a rider has access to the cycle’s settings on a mobile application, it must be shown to a Commissaire if requested.
2.1.6.4: E-Mountain bikes must be commercially available
All motors must comply with EN15194
Under Scottish Enduro Series rules, E-MTBs are subject to scrutineering checks at any point during the event. This can be done by Marshals, Commissaires or Event staff, and riders must allow it at the exact time of the request. Refusal to allow this process will result in instant disqualification.
The use of electric or other offroad motorcycles is not permitted on the course, in the event village or at camping and parking areas.
Can I take a spare battery for my E-MTB?
EMTB batteries can be changed in designated technical zones ONLY. Carrying a spare battery on the course is not permitted.
Factory/OEM Spec Range extenders can be used, but must be secured to the bike and connected throughout the duration of the race. Range extenders must not be carried in backpacks during racing.
Are there Feed stations on the course?
No. In the spirit of enduro events, riders must be self-sufficient on course for the duration of the race. Where possible water will be made available, however this should not be relied upon by riders.
What if I come across an injured rider / mechanical issue or similar?
While each rider is solely responsible for themselves during the race, looking after other participants where possible is part of the spirit of mountain biking in general, not just races.
If you stop to provide assistance to an injured rider, and this significantly impacts your time for that stage, the rules allow you to repeat that stage so please don't hesitate to provide assistance should it be necessary. Should this occur, contact the nearest marshall or race official to arrange a restart.
Similarly, if you have a crash or mechanical issue but do not require assistance, ensure you are clear of the course as soon as possible and try to make this clear to any other riders to avoid impacting their stage time.
Are there road sections?
Most courses will involve riding on roads to and from event villages and sometimes between trails. Riders must obey the highway code at all times on these sections and racing on public roads is strictly prohibited.
Marshalls will be present at some crossing and junctions, along with signage. Instructions from marshalls and other course officials must be followed.
Failure to follow instruction or riding irresponsible on road sections may result in disqualification.
Can I use my own camera during the race?
The Scottish Enduro Series is sanctioned by British Cycling so their technical regulations around cameras apply, this means to use a camera during the race you must be 17 or older, and hold a full BC race license. Rights to all footage are owned by British Cycling..
Cameras must be mounted on a breakaway part of the helmet only or on a helmet manufacturer's specifically designed mount on the helmet that breaks away. It cannot be an adhesive mount attached to the chin guard or onto the main structure of the helmet
If bike mounted, cameras must be fitted to the bicycle using a system designed for bicycles and must not affect the certification of any item of the bicycle.
Riders must ensure that the manufacturing guidelines are followed in respect of mounting all equipment and the camera does not cause any risk of danger or distraction to the rider or others.
Full details can be found in technical regulation M2.4.
Can I swap between racing categories?
You cannot swap between age categories, so if you begin the season in for example “Master 30” you must remain in that age category for the duration of the year.
You can swap between Full Course, Short Course and Full Course EMTB between different events, however in this case each of your entries will be treated as standalone and you will not receive an overall series ranking.
If you want to swap course categories after registering, please contact us for further information. Changes will not be possible after 7 days before the event entry closing date.
GENERAL EVENT FAQ
Is parking included?
All day parking for practice and race days is included in the entry cost. An information pack specific to each event will detail where parking is available.
Participants make use of the on-site parking at their own risk, and the Scottish Enduro Association accepts no responsibility for loss of or damage to vehicles or contents.
Will camping be available?
Camping for self contained vehicles is available at all events, subject to a £20 fee payable on registration. This will allow camping on Friday and Saturday nights.
When registering, ensure you provide a registration number for the vehicle you will be camping with (this can be changed later if needed). Camping is charged per pitch/vehicle, so if two entrants share a campervan, only one camping ticket is required.
Participants make use of the campsite at their own risk, and the Scottish Enduro Association accepts no responsibility for loss of or damage to vehicles or contents.
The use of electric or other offroad motorcycles is not permitted on the course, in the event village or at camping and parking areas.
How does SES support the local trails?
We care passionately about ensuring our series brings positive benefits to the areas in which we race. £5 from every entry fee goes directly to the local trail association to help ensure the impact of racing on the long term sustainability of the trails is minimised.
Additionally, riders attending pre- or post- race dig sessions with a partner trail association will be eligible for a discount on future entries. We’ll provide full details of this process soon, as well as announcing some dig days!
Do you pay marshalls?
Our volunteer marshalls can claim £50 per race to cover expenses. Unclaimed expenses will be donated to local charities for each event. These will be listed in the event documentation for each race.
If you woul dlike to volunteer at any of our races, please register here.
Is there filming/photography at SES events?
Yes, the Scottish Enduro Association, our event partners and accredited freelance photo/videographers will be present at all events, on course and in the event villages. If over 18 your entry into an SES race, constitutes your consent to be photographed, filmed and/or otherwise recorded at the event.
This media may be used for any subsequent purpose, commercial or non-commercial in any and all media.
Our full photography and filming policy can be viewed here
For participants under 18 and their parents/guardians, additional policies apply for filming and video consent, please fully review the policy here.
What are your safeguarding policies for participants?
Our full safeguarding policy can be viewed here
Photography Accreditation
Professional photographers or other attendees wishing to use telescopic of zoom lenses at SES events are requested to register for accreditation prior to the event.
Further detail of this process will be released prior to the events. Please contact us for more information should you wish to become accredited.
Drone Policy
The use of drones at SES events is restricted to official and specific accredited photographers and media partners. For further information please contact the Scottish Enduro Association prior to the event.