What’s this all about?
FAQs
Where are you located? Our athletes live and race in the Mid-Atlantic. PA, NJ, MD.
Who can join? We started the team to support anyone under 19 who identifies as female or non-binary. As our teammates age out of Juniors, we decided to now welcome girls and women of all ages.
What does it cost to join? Dues: For 2024 we’re collecting $125 and we provide one short sleeve race jersey at no extra charge. We require all rostered athletes to register for the Mid-Atlantic Super Series Season Registration. The series was $25 in 2023. You will get your F1RE jersey and your sponsorship discount codes/benefits after you complete your MASS series registration. Dues and series registration is not the same as Race Registration. Those costs are extra and not paid for by the team. Each race is put on by a separate organizer and promoter so those fees range from $40 (for most MASS junior enduro races) to $80 (for some pro categories.) First time teammates should commit to race at least one or two races, some newbies dive in and hit them all. There are 7 races in the MASS series.
What are some benefits of being on the team? Girls only gravity rides! Race day support! Insurance coverage! In addition to having your own girl gang, rostered riders get 25% discount on gravity bikes and parts at Trek in West Chester and 25% off site-wide at WorldWide Cyclery . We plan rides every weekend from April to November.
How is enduro different from XC mountain biking? More technical terrain, less flow and more rocks and steeps. Enduro races are usually comprised of four to five downhill stages (or segments) that are timed individually. You ride, walk or take a lift up with your teammates to the start of the stage, wait your turn to chip in and race down at your pace. Some stages might have drops or jumps, which is why it’s important to pre-ride a course so that if you want to avoid them, you are not caught off guard. Rarely (if ever) are any of the technical features mandatory: you can always take the “go around” or hop off your bike and walk a section if necessary; just like in XC.
What experience is required? Riders do not need any race experience to join F1RE, but they do need mountain bike experience. Typically, our riders enjoy cross country mountain biking for at least a season or two before racing enduro. This is a developmental club and we aim to introduce more girls and women to grassroots enduro racing so if that sounds fun, contact us. We can talk about where and what you currently ride as we consider if F1RE is a good fit.
How do you prepare for a race? We aim to pre-ride all enduro race areas as often as possible so that every rider can decide for themselves if it’s something she wants to try. We ride regularly at Brandywine, Birdsboro and Mount Penn and we source the best clinics and camps to give our team an opportunity to learn from the pros without wasting time and money on clinics that are too crowded or poorly matched to skills.
Where do you race? Our primary focus is Mid-Atlantic Super Series and Sheduro in Frederick, MD.
What are races like ? If you’ve tried any type of XC racing, you may have seen a “mass start” where everyone gathers at a starting line and takes off all at once. Enduro is not that. You will gather with the girls in your category (usually at the base of the area) and make your way up to the first stage together. Sometimes this involves walking up, riding up at your own pace, taking a chairlift or some combination. Once at the top, riders line up at the start of the stage and wait their turn; one rider chips in at a time. From the time you chip in to the time you chip out at the bottom, you might be riding for approximately three to ten minutes: the stages are relatively short and very exciting. You’ll regroup with your friends at the bottom and make your way to the next stage to do it again. Once you finish all three or all five stages, you turn in your timing chip and the results are calculated.
Do I have to race? We’re a developmental race team and if racing is not your goal we can direct you to some other options. We do require rostered riders to register for MASS and to race at least one race.
What kind of bike do I need? Because there are plenty of rock gardens and technical terrain, a full suspension bike is highly recommended. You do not need an enduro specific bike, although they may provide an advantage.
What other gear do I need? We require juniors to wear full-face helmets and strongly recommend knee pads, elbow pads and long pants. If you don’t have some of this gear, please don’t let that stop you. We will try to help.
What’s with the big helmets? We wear a full-face helmet because the areas we ride often have features or drops that add risk. DO NOT BE INTIMIDATED. We encourage everyone to ride within their limits and some riders prefer to keep their wheels on the ground and find the ride around.
Who are your ride leaders? Currently, our ride leaders and sweeps are parents and friends of the riders. We all have level 3 NICA certification and some have IMBA certifications which include First Aid, CPR and concussion awareness training.
Can I try it before joining the team? Yes, please send an email to info@f1REMTB.com