Have fun. That’s it. Does it sound too simple?
Josh Barnes, Youtuber and Grand Enduro junkie, swears by this philosophy as the foundation of racing the Grand Enduro.
Have fun is bike racer Josh Barnes’ best strategy for winning the Grand Enduro.
Have fun is the answer to seemingly daunting questions like Can I do this? How will I navigate the terrain? What if everyone else is better than I am? What if my bike isn’t up to this? What if I’m not in shape? What if I get tired or hurt?
Seen through the lens of having fun, answers shift into place. “I do better when I’m not stressed or worried about the outcome. If I lose I’m having the best time in the world. If I win, I’m having the best time in the world. Of course I want to win and be the best I can be, but at the end of the day, I got to ride really fast down the hill. I’m faster when I take that attitude.”
Josh GoPro-ed all three stages of last year’s Enduro, and you can ride right along with him in his series on YouTube. I laughed, gritted my teeth, caught my breath, and put my hands over my eyes (my coworker asked me to shut my office door), and at the foundation of all the terrain navigation, facing of his weaknesses, strategic gear changes, course corrections and even prayers, Josh was having the time of his life.
Fun isn’t just the best strategy during the race, but well before it. Familiarity is key in reaching top speeds, so Josh recommends pre-riding the race course as much as you can. Even better? Take a more experienced rider with you.
Fun isn’t just the best strategy during the race, but well before it. Pre-ride the course as much as you can with an experienced rider at your side.
“You can’t go into the Ribbon blind. Some parts you can fly off the cliff. You got to know what turns to take.” If you’re brand new to the bike community, no worries. Just show up to the Ribbon trail and introduce yourself to people riding it. “Ninety percent of people who ride mountain bikes are pretty nice. They’re out there to have fun and just ride.” If cold meeting isn’t your thang, strike up a conversation on COPMOBA or Pursuit Riders on Facebook, or direct message local YouTubers and ask to meet for a ride.
Josh had hopes of winning last year’s Enduro–or at least placing in the top five. He took 10th, and this year his goal is to be in the top three. I asked him why he races when the win seems elusive. “[The Grand Enduro] ties in all the best trails in the Grand Valley to one race. My fee supports all the local sponsors– MRP, the Handlebar–and gets everyone together to see how fast they are down their local trails. It’s a little more expensive than most races, but what we get out of it is pretty cool; it brings a whole bunch of people together. I love walking around and hearing what everyone’s talking about.”
Friendships built at the Grand Enduro last well beyond race day.
And that circles back to the fun of it all: Community. Family. “My dad, mom and wife all came out to watch [last year]. I warned them, ‘You’re going to have to hike up the hill!’ My dad brought his camera, and it was a family thing. They met me at the bottom of the trailhead, giving me high fives and water. It was fun to have the support. They said they had a great time seeing me fly by. It’s fun to bring family and friends to support.”
Josh rides a Pivot Firebird, and although it’s not technically an enduro bike, it takes downhill riding to crazy speeds. His father is a mechanic and keeps the bike tuned, but if dad isn’t available, Josh takes his bike to Bicycle Outfitters (where he bought it) or to Tim Dacosta at Grassroots Cycles. “Tim is a really good mechanic and one of my good friends,” says Josh, so even getting his bike tuned is all part of the fun.
Fun drives him to strategize and train. It’s fun when smiling spectators rattle cowbells from the sidelines. On his video you can hear him talking to himself. “Here’s the part I’m not good at,” he says as he reaches an uphill leg. “Almost there! Push…! Push…! Here we go. Come on, Josh! The end! Woooooo!” The Grand Enduro is tough, sweaty, edgy fun, and it’s the fun that will keep Josh pedaling until 5th, 3rd–even 1st–belong to him.
Learn More
When he’s not enduro racing, Josh Barnes is a YouTuber and a flight instructor at the Colorado Mesa University flight degree program he helped create. You can find palm-sweating, stomach-dropping GoPro Grand Enduro 2018 footage of Josh on his Rado Life YouTube channel. Follow him on Facebook and Instagram or hit him up for a ride at the Ribbon.
Click the link for deets about the June 1 & 2 3rd Annual Grand Enduro, including course descriptions, lodging info, and registration. Register now for the lowest fee. Follow @GrandEnduro on Instagram and Facebook.
Bicycle Outfitters, the 3rd Annual Grand Enduro Stage 3 Sponsor, is one of Grand Junction’s oldest bike shops. Race packets are available for pickup at Bicycle Outfitters Friday evening May 31 and Saturday morning June 1.
The Handlebar Taphouse is the Stage 2 Sponsor and official hangout for the 3rd Annual Grand Enduro, featuring live music, the racer meeting, and shuttle service to the race course.
Mountain Racing Products, the 3rd Annual Grand Enduro Stage 1 Sponsor, is the Grand Junction-based manufacturer of high-end forks, shocks, drive trains, and components. Every product is designed, tested, and handcrafted by Colorado trail riders just like you.
Follow @MADRacingColorado on Instagram and Facebook. #PUSHTHEEDGE
