2. Approach the race in your best
possible shape
Jarvis: “One week before a brutal multi-
day extreme enduro there’s nothing more
that you can do. Just make sure that
you’re ready to perform at your best level:
rest up, get hydrated, eat well and make
sure you’re full of enthusiasm for the
challenge. Try not to think about what’s
ahead and how hard it’s going to be!”
3. Be quick but don’t hurry
Jarvis: “I see many riders coming into the
sport giving too much gas, motocross
style. In general it’s better to take your
time on the difficult bits. Pick a line;
watch what other riders are doing.
Often it’s better to go slower so you can
be more precise. Think the obstacles
through before rather than going straight
in and making a mistake that will cost
you much longer.”
4. To finish is your own victory
Jarvis: “Believe it or not but even for the
established riders like myself making the
finish is still the good part about these
hard enduro races. When you cannot win
that’s the buzz really. Because reaching
the finish line is a great achievement
in itself. More than just a competition
it’s about that feeling of adventure and
achievement.”
5. Don’t be a jerk, you’ll need your
fellow competitors
Jarvis: “In the longer races you can end
up on your own of course. But you with
GPS stuff you’ll end up bunched up
together at some point. That’s when you
will have to help each other and navigate
together sometimes. So you want to stay
friendly with the other guys. Even when
the competition is bloody serious the
camaraderie makes it nicer to hang out
with the other guys and have a bit of a
laugh. In my case this is my job an the
competition is tough but it’s got to be
enjoyable too.”
6. The biggest secret of all
Jarvis: “I’ll have to disappoint you, there
are no real secrets! You just never, ever
give up. You always got to keep going.
That’s it and not to get overwhelmed by
the complete course or any particular
section. Just take it step by step and
work your way through the course. You
have to keep grinding and keep your
head in the game. Admittedly everyone
struggles during an extreme enduro but
also remember to enjoy the nice bits
when you’re riding on great terrain or
discover great flowing tracks.” t
£ Rule 1: Sometimes one
wheel can get through the
terrain easier than two.