Ticking off your Hard Enduro checklist.

Some time ago, in a lil' story called "Checklist" I suggested that to ride Hard Enduro there were a couple of critical things you needed. These were:

• a little bit of courage;

• a lot of tenacity; and

• lashings of humility.

I did also allude to the notion that some training and support wouldn't go astray!

In the absence of courage, tenacity and humility Silver Class rider Ben Wyper (who has plenty of the above) demonstrates how Hard Enduro can make you feel.

Though there is always going to be more than one way to skin the hard enduro cat (e.g. the 'send it' strategy), more and more people are realising that Hard Enduro isn’t just about mindlessly throwing a bike at obstacles.

Hard Enduro is as much a race to finish as it is a race to the finish and, that being the case, training is not a bad way to learn how to preserve both your body and your bike so you CAN and WILL go the distance.

It's an uphill battle this sport, but what a sport this is!

Stepping into the fray to sort that one out for the punters is the new WHES committee and Enduro Bikes W.A who may just have put together the perfect training package for new riders looking to enlist in the Bronze ranks of the W.A. Hard Enduro Series 2024.

With more log hops, hill climbs, creek lines, rock step ups and drop-offs than you can poke a conrod at, the single objective of the training day will be to familiarise riders with the types of obstacles Bronze class will face almost immediately after their front axle crosses the start line.

Individual sections set up! Each one representing examples of the core obstcles riders will face at a WHES round. With expert tutilidge form Gold Class riders.

There will be multiple sections set up and each section will have tuition provided by a Gold Class rider.

With the session being designed, managed and lead by EBWA's Jason Bale, others likely to be throwing their weight around the training ground include 2022 WHES champion Darren Rudling and third on the podium for 2023, Jakob Petrig.

The prodigy: Young Jakob "J Bob" Petrig. The cheeky grin belies the ability this boy has!

Silver racer and committee member Grant McCarthy will be there to help pull you through and the Lab Rat, Luke Abbott, will likely also make an appearance.

Here Grant McCarthy looks concerned! He is not. That is just how he looks when he takes his helmet off.

We are not sure what experimental conditions the Lab Rat was exposed to, but whatever they were they have done wonders for his ability to ride!

Rest assured; these lads will put themselves in harm's way to make sure neither you nor your bike hit the deck hard enough to hurt yourself.

Nothing to fear from this mob. They all know what it is like to face your first rock face under race conditions.

In addition to rider training, the Development Group within WHES will be on hand this year to support you in all of the 'off the bike' aspects of riding: the 'what to dos' when getting ready for your first race day.

And who better to take up the role of Development Coordinator than the man that bleeds orange blood and whose body parts were likely manufactured in a factory somewhere in Austria.

Yes, the masterful Mr Joshua Petrig has been tasked with the role of future proofing WHES by making sure first Hard Enduro riders have the best possible racing experience; one that will keep them coming back for more.

Often referred to as the Maintenance Manual with a pulse, this is a photo of Joshua Petrig doing a bottom end rebuild in the bush with nothing more than a fork and supreme focus.

So, don't miss this training opportunity because once racing starts opportunities like this will quickly get lost in the dust and noise that is W.A. Hard Enduro Series.

Jump onto the EBWA website to book yourself a spot!

The man behind EBWA, Jason Bale, will keep you on pointe!