CROOM ENDURO RACE REPORT

from Florida Trail Rides - November 2021

CHAPLAIN’S CORNER

Once again the Croom Enduro was super gnarly. The 45th installment of this infamous race took place just outside of the Croom OHV area and the dry conditions made it one of, if not the toughest race of the year. With the event taking place on state land the club is limited on where they can route the trail. This causes some previous years trail to be used, making for a physically demanding race course.

Like any trail in Florida rain is your friend, getting some added moisture during the week is guaranteed to make the trail hold up better. Well unfortunately there wasn’t much, if any, rain leading up to the event and the deep Florida sugar sand was in fullforce. This caused for very loose soil, making the four-foot sand whoops even harder to navigate. Adding to the challenge was the massive amount of dust, there were parts of the trail where you did not see much of teh ground. You just had to sort of feel it out with your bike, again, this was one tough race.

Fernando Davila navigates one of the many steep, sandy hills that can be found out at Croom - Photo by Tyler Miller

The 50 mile loop consisted of 5 tests, all unique from one another. Test 1 was by far the roughest test right out of the gate. You started on the motocross track located in the OHV park before exiting into the “mountainbike/hunting” side of the Croom Wildlife Management Area.

Once you went through the great you were greeted by deep, sharp sand whoops that went on for 12 miles. Mixed in with these whoops were a few technical sections that incorporated old sinkholes that litter the property. It is safe to say everybody was hurting after Test 1.

Test 2 flowed awesome and featured some hidden black dirt that provided great traction, even in the dry conditions. This test was quite bit shorter than Test 1 which was a nice break. This test crossed the Croom mountainbike trail several times and utilized some of the more technical limerock sections the Test 1 started you off on a motocross track before entering the woods - Photo by Jamey Perdue

property has to offer.

Test 3 was another short one that weaved in and out of some palmetto scrub. The whoops were abundant in this test but it featured some big sweeping corners that allowed you to carry your speed and keep a good flow. The trail made its way back to the OHV park but not without featuring some of the largest sand whoops I have ever seen. The last half-mile of this test put years on my life and made me very happy to be headed back to the pits for a needed lunch break.

After about a 30-minute break riders were lining back up to take on the final two tests of the event.

Test 4, or known to some as “Nobleton”, is gnarly. It isn’t rough, it doesn’t have monster sand whoops or mud ruts. Nobleton is tight, and not just tight where you may clips your bars a few times, I am talking the only way to get through the trees is to clip them. Not only is it tight, but it features many offcamber corners, palmetto roots and vines. I’ve never witnessed more grown men cry then at the reset between tests 4 and 5. The 8 mile sections will wear you out more than ever before. Which sets you up nicely for the 5th and final test.

At this point everyone is toast and just ready to be done. Test 5 started out in an area that was just clear-cut so there were plenty of logs for racers to navigate before heading into some palmetto scrub that had, you guessed it, giant sand whoops. Test 5 was the second longest, but it felt twice as long as the first, and longest test. To sum it up the Croom Enduro is brutal but it is so rewarding at the same time. Those aches and pains that are felt until the next weekend are far more than worth it. If you have never raced this event it is a must try. Even if it is super gnarly.

Huge thanks to the Suncoast Trail Blazers for putting on another stellar event. I know all of us racer appreciate all the hard work that goes into it! Until next year Croom Enduro!

Photos by Tyler Miller