LEARN MORE ABOUT THE GIANT LEGENDS ENDURO SERIES

IF YOU RACE ALL 3 EVENTS IN THE GIANT LEGENDS ENDURO RACE SERIES YOU COULD WIN YOURSELF A $10,000 GIANT BIKES NZ SHOPPING SPREE!!!

At the end of the season we'll be giving one lucky rider $10,000 to spend with Giant Bikes NZ! Just think, that's enough to buy a carbon 2025 Giant Reign along with a bunch of brand new bike tools, a riding jacket and still have enough to buy some extra gear. How good is that?!?

Enter and ride all 3 races, come to the last prize giving and you have a chance of winning. Simple as that.

EVENT INFORMATION

The Giant Legends Enduro Series races are events for everyone young to old, who love riding their Mountain bikes, cruising up the hills and racing down. They draw in the riders who seek to have fun and hone their skills on flowing downhill trails.

The beauty of these events is that the podium places are a battleground that can see a cross-country machine, passionate Enduro rider, mad downhill rider, or even social weekend warrior push to the front. Skills, fitness and tactics play an equal role in the execution of each ‘Race Stage’ timed run over the course of the event to decide who will be crowned gravity champions.

Encouraging riders to develop their fitness and skills through the season, each event will get progressively a little harder (fitness and skill wise), gradually challenging riders so by the end of the season they are in the best riding form of their lives.

PHOTO CREDIT: Clint Trahan, Giant Toa Enduro, Crankworx Rotorua

PHOTO CREDIT: Mountain Bike Rotorua

HOW THE RACE WORKS

In short:

We do a course release announcing the race stages about a week prior to the race
You make plans for what order you want to race those stages in, which you can change on the day if you want to
You and your mates show up either the day before or the day of, collect your race plate and timing chip, line up on the start line, make your way to to your race stages
Complete these within the allocated timeframe, return back to the race hq, grab a drink, tell war stories and see who wins what at prize giving.

Simple right?

The stages are electronically timed runs. The transitions between race stages are un-timed so there is generally no rush to get to the next stage, so long as you're within the course opening times. You can pedal, push your bike or catch dedicated event shuttle bus transport to the top of hills where the Race Stage starts are located (if you're entered in the shuttle category of course).

There will be an Aid Station in a convenient location in the heart of the forest for riders to refuel, plus get assistance with any mechanical repairs required.

You do have to keep an eye on your watch because you will be given a set time (for example it may be 6hrs, depending on the event category entered) to complete the Race Stages and return back to the finish before you begin to accumulate a time penalty (6 seconds per minute you are late).

PLACE GETTERS AND PRIZE GIVING

Division podium place-getters will be those riders with the lowest accumulative special Race Stage times, plus any time penalty for late return to the finish.

Age division place getters will be noted in the official results with podium presentation of certificates/ribbons and we will award medals for the overall top 3 place getters from the Long and Short Course Shuttled and Non-Shuttled categories.

SPOT PRIZES

Spot Prizes will also be given out at prize giving, selected randomly and only available to participants present at the prize giving.

SERIES WINNERS

Overall Series Winners for the Long and Short Course, Shuttled and Non-Shuttled categories could take home $500 cash + next years entry free!

WIN A $10,000 SHOPPING SPREE!!!
We are also giving away a sick prize of a $10,000 voucher to spend with Giant Bikes NZ! This could be your next Enduro race bike, this could be gear, this could be a road bike (if that's what you're in to), this could be a mix of all that, it's $10k of wicked Giant Bikes NZ stuff and you get to choose. Race all three events and you can in the draw to win the $10k Shopping Spree with Giant Bikes NZ at the final race of the season. You must be present to receive the voucher.

We'll stoke the vibe with great drinks and food while the MC's and the music will greet riders at the finish. There will also be a prize giving to giveaway spot prizes and crown the overall winners for short and long course events.

PHOTO CREDIT: Giant 2W Gravity Enduro, RMTBC

WHAT DO I NEED TO RACE ENDURO?

You actually don't need a lot. Here are the essentials:

Skill - To ride the Giant Legends Enduro Series you need to be able to at least ride Grade 4 trails in Rotorua competently. The Short Course category is there to help foster those new to racing in to the sport of Enduro. Long Course features Rotorua Grade 5 and 6 trails. For more about the trail ratings click the link below and see what the trust works towards when maintaining the trails:

WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO RACE ENDURO?

A good bike because honestly, this isn't made for every bike. However, you don't need some $20k beast either.

While much of our own team is riding the amazing Giant Reign Advanced Pro 2 (the advanced means it's carbon fibre), all you really need is a good, entry level trail bike if you're thinking about entering the Short Course. A bike with 140mm of travel at the front, 125mm at the back is enough to help you get through the Short Course events.

However if you were to talk to our crew they prefer the longer travel (160-170mm at the front) bikes as this gives you a bit more umph to soak up the bumps and roots as well as being forgiving if you don't quite hit a jump or drop properly.

Check out the Giant Bikes website by clicking the link below and you can filter bike types including Enduro specific bikes and trail (all mountain) options.

Giant Reign Advanced 2. RRP $7,699. Order online, click the link here

PHOTO CREDIT: Wide Open, Sweet Protection MIPS equipped helmet

ARE HELMETS COMPULSORY?

Helmets - You want a good quality helmet and ideally it has MIPS.

What is MIPS? It's a technology that many helmets are now equipped with to help minimise brain injury for impact crashes. Most people at the Rotorua enduro races wear Half Lids but obviously a Full Face offers more protection.

WHAT OTHER GEAR DO I NEED?

Riding Gear - From your helmet to your grips, your shorts to your shocks, you can go all out buying cooling bling to flash up your ride and your outfit but at the end of the day, it's up to you to decide where you want to put the money.

Most riders wear mountain bike specific shoes, shorts or pants, gloves and either a t-shirt or a riding shirt. Light rain jackets and a thermal layer such as merino or polypros are a good call, particularly in the colder months as it can get cold transitioning between stages.

For the most part, you'll find our crew riding in flat mtb shoes, socks, mips helmet, gloves, bike pants, safety/riding glasses, a t-shirt along with a long sleeve merino top and light rain jacket in the winter. However, Knee pads, shin pads, elbow pads, chest protection, neck braces, goggles... the list of safety equipment you can wear is extensive and can help make any ride safer. Your best option is to head in to your local bike shop and chat to someone who has ridden an Enduro event in Rotorua before. There are literally tens of thousands of peeps who have raced in Rotorua and they'll be able to give you the low down on what you should be wearing.

PHOTO CREDIT: Giant 2W Gravity Enduro, RMTBC

PHOTO CREDIT: Giant Toa Enduro, Crankworx Rotorua

SO DO I NEED THE LATEST AND FLASHEST GEAR TO RACE?

In a word.... No. You absolutely do not need the latest and greatest bike or gear to have fun at our enduro series.

You may look at some bling on bikes and think that it is all just for show... those bright pink grips... the electronic derailleur... the carbon fibre brake levers... the list of things you can modify on a bike is extensive.

While some of those mods do make the bike look cooler, they often have a performance enhancing purpose to them.

We do have to say that it isn't necessary to go through and upgrade every single item on your bike with the latest and greatest, but we can also say that the more you ride, the more you notice how those little tweaks can make your bike feel so much better.

A good starting point for aftermarket mods if you already have a solid bike with solid running gear is with your pedals and your grips. Changing these two items may seem insignificant but they can both make your bike look cool and have a solid impact on how your bike feels. We are quite the fans of Deity components and while most of our crew ride on the alloy pedals, the nylon series of flats have proven to be both super solid and have a sick array of colours

Once you get obsessed with mountain bikes you will likely start to look at other improvements you can make. The next is dropper posts... if you don't have one then this is one of the first bigger spends for mods you should make. Most modern full suspension trail bikes come with them these days but if not then go to your LBS and have a chat as they are worth the investment.

A few of us in our office have starting rolling with the latest SRAM AXS gear for the drivetrain and have been looking in to the Rock Shox AXS dropper posts too. This really is the next level of bling when you start to look at the electronic gear.

Whatever the case, just rest assured that if you have a solid trail bike, a good helmet and comfortable riding clothes then you have pretty much everything you need to get out and ride.

EVENT DATES

We're going back to Sunday race days which means you can enjoy un-marshalled, un-supported practice on the Saturday!

Soooo good right?!?

Here are the key dates to keep in mind:

3rd MAY 2025 | ENTRIES OPEN
5th OCTOBER 2025 | RACE 1
7th DECEMBER 2025 | RACE 2
1st FEBRUARY 2026 | RACE 3 (FINAL)

PHOTO CREDIT: Mountain Bike Rotorua

PHOTO CREDIT: Giant 2W Gravity Enduro, RMTBC

ENTRY DETAILS

Entry Details:

Male and Female Category Options:
Riders have the choice of entering one of five event categories at each of the three races over the season.

These are:

Short Stage Shuttled
Short Stage Non-shuttled
Short Stage Non-shuttled e-bike

Long Stage Shuttled
Long Stage Non-shuttled
Long Stage Non-shuttled e-bike

Entry Fees:

Full event entry fee information can be found on the rego page.

FAQ's

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What's the general timing of the event?

Generally the Long Course will start at 9am, the Short Course at 10am and both the finish times are likely to be 3pm-ish. Prize giving will be around 30 minutes after the finish time.

When and where is rego pick up?

There will be two option days to pick up your race plate and timing chip:

1) Saturday between 12pm-5pm at a specified location.

2) Sunday Race Day up until 30 minutes before your race start.

What's the distance I have to pedal?

As a general idea the pedal distance of the entire event could be around 30 - 45km, but that will depend on the category you enter, our start location and which hill or hills we are hitting.

What sort of trails will we race?

The Short Course will generally be Grade 3 & 4 trails. Where a Grade 5 trail is used in the shorter race "ride arounds" will be put in place for that trails Grade 5 features.
The Long Course generally consist of some of the Short Course trails but will also include Grade 5 and/or 6 trail options for an extra challenge.

Are there any age restrictions?

Yes! 10 years old is the youngest rider permitted in the shorter event and 15 years old in the longer event.

All riders 10-13 year of age MUST be accompanied by a paid 'accompanying adult' rider. We allow up to 6 kids per accompanying adult so long as the groups are riding in the same category and staying together for the entire race.

What's the difference between Shuttled & Non-Shuttled?

HEAPS!

SHUTTLED means you get the option of having most of your race runs lifted to the top in a shuttle bus while NON-SHUTTLED riders must pedal the entire course... no exceptions.

Is there a time limit for completing any race?
Yes, but this may vary depending on the race option you've entered. These will be announced at the same time as the course release.

Are there limited entries?
Yes so it is best to enter early to avoid disappointment.

How do I know I/we are entered?
You will be sent a confirmation of entry email provided you have given a valid email address. If you do not see this in your Inbox, please have a look in your intercepted spam folder to see if for some reason it found its way there. Any issues, contact our friendly team.

How do I wear my race number plate & timing mechanism?
Race plates must be attached to the front of competitor’s mountain bikes so the race number is clearly visible from the front. The race timing mechanism should be secured around the fork lower right stanchion of your bike for the duration of the event.

Is the Aid Station and Tech Zone free?
The Aid Stations food and drink is absolutely free to competitors.

The mechanic may cost depending on the issue and we advise you to carry a method of payment just in case your bike repair incurs a cost. The mechanic operates independently of the event organisers.

What items of equipment are compulsory?
An approved cycle helmet is the only item of compulsory gear.

What items are riders recommended to carry with them?

It is highly recommended riders carry a minimum of –

• a payment method (eg paywave, eftpos, cash)

• 1.5 litres of water in bottles or hydration pack

• nutrition

• an inner tube

• pump

• multi-tool

Do I have to hand back my race number and timing mechanism?
Race plate – No, they are yours to keep as a memento of the event.

Timing mechanisms – Yes, once you have completed the event, the race timing officials will remove these. If you did not start the event and took your timing mechanism home by accident please contact us immediately to organise its return. If you pull pin mid race, please return your timing mech to officials at RACE HQ before departing too.

What if I lose my timing mechanism?
If you lose your timing mechanism you will be liable for its replacement cost as stated in the event Rules (timing mechanism are up to $100 each).

When and how can I see the results?
A complete set of preliminary results will be available following the event. It may take a few days to authenticate results so keep an eye on our social media & check this website under results for a link to view.

Will photos be available and can I purchase them?
Yes. Check out the event Facebook page post event for an album of photo’s you can download. If you would like a photo in high resolution, please contact the event photographer directly thru their Facebook page.

What happens if it rains?
We will be working closely with the Rotorua Trails Trust to make calls about the weather. If it rains you’ll no doubt get a bit wet, muddy and have even more fun battling the elements to conquer the course. This may see a change of course depending on the conditions and trails used. In extreme weather events the event MAY be cancelled.

What happens in an incidence of extreme high winds or fire?
In the unlikely incidence of extreme high winds or a neighbouring forest fire the Event Director will make a decision on race morning in the interest of everyone’s safety. This decision will be final. Updates will be given to all competitors at the race briefing ahead of the first riders scheduled event start on the morning of the race.

What should I do if I come across an injured rider?
In the event you come across an injured rider, you must stop and assess if they are o.k. If they are seriously injured ensure oncoming riders can see you and send an on-coming rider down the track to get help from a course marshals and the event medical crew. Any time lost helping out a fellow rider will be rewarded with an average place and time from the competitors other results.

Where do I find info on Event Safety, Race Rules and Fair Play?

Race Rules can be found on the Race Rules page.

Where can I read the Event Waiver?
The Event Waiver is the Terms and Conditions and be found on that page.

Where can I learn more about Enduro racing?

Check out this article from the team at