Can You Race Enduro On A Hardtail? | Hardtail MTB VS The EWS
VloĆŸit
- Äas pĆidĂĄn 9. 10. 2021
- This is Blake Samson's most ambitious challenge yet, he's decided to race the EWS 100 on a hardtail! We're at Tweed Valley in Scotland for the last stop of the 2021 EWS season. Blake will be taking on 5 stages of gnarly technical downhill sections linked together by gruelling climbs on the liaison stages. - Is it possible to race on a hardtail?
In association with Spank: gmbn.eu/Spank
Subscribe to Global Mountain Bike Network: gmbn.eu/subscribe
Explore our new GMBN T-shirts and more! gmbn.eu/2u5
Follow us on Instagram or Facebook! @globalmountainbikenetwork & sign up to the GMBN newsletter: gmbn.eu/newsletter
Submit your content to our uploader: upload.gmbn.com/ we love to check out what you have been up to and may feature it on the show!
Do you ride a hardtail? If so what kind of riding do you do on it?
Watch more on GMBN...
đč Can XC Bikes Shred? - gmbn.eu/xccantshred
đč Watch our weekly show, The Dirt Shed Show - gmbn.eu/dirtshedplaylist
đ” Music - licensed by Epidemic Sound
Tiger Beat - Tigerblood Jewel
The Star Slowly Fades - Of Water
The Other Woman - The Flax
No One Is Safe - Pearce Roswell
Nervous Rabbit - Hampus Naeselius
Levitate Cumulonimbus - Out Linear (1)
Issue - AGST.mp3 ES_Fairy's Fear - Deskant
Burnin Out - Under Earth (1)
Bitterness - Max Anson
Battle of Aonach Mor - Deskant (1)
Adrenaline Junkie - T-Shirts & Sweats
A New Beginning (Theta Drone L216Hz R220Hz) - Bruce Brus
A Morning in Hindsight - Nebulae
#GMBN #MountainBiking #MountainBike #MTB #BikeLife #Cycling
Click here to buy GMBN T-shirts, hoodies and more: gmbn.eu/GMBNShop
The Global Mountain Bike Network (GMBN) is the worldâs largest and fastest-growing online mountain bike channel and community - and your destination for the best mountain bike content in the world.
GMBN is dedicated to inspiring and unlocking your riding potential. Our videos cater to fans of every mountain bike discipline: from mile-munching cross-country (XC) riders, through adrenaline-fuelled dirt jumpers, gravity-hungry downhillers or aspiring enduro racers, and beyond.
Every day of every month, our ex-pro presenting team are on hand to entertain and inspire you while also providing a uniquely qualified insight into the world of mountain biking. Every week we deliver original daily video that include:
Adventurous and entertaining features
Mountain bike skills coaching
Technical advice and guidance
Mechanical know-how to keep you rolling
A place for the riding community with our weekly Dirt Shed Show
Thanks to our sponsors:
Canyon Bikes: gmbn.eu/Canyon
Nukeproof Bikes: gmbn.eu/nukeproof
Orbea Bikes: gmbn.eu/Orbea
Park Tool: gmbn.eu/ParkTool
POC helmets and eyewear: gmbn.eu/POCsports
Crankbrothers Pedals: gmbn.eu/crankbros
Shimano Footwear: gmbn.eu/ShimanoShoes
Dainese Protection: gmbn.eu/Dainese
Ergon: gmbn.eu/ergon
Vittoria Tires: gmbn.eu/Vittoria
FSA: gmbn.eu/fsa
e*thirteen: gmbn.eu/EThirteen
Spank: gmbn.eu/Spank
Topeak: gmbn.eu/topeak
Garmin: gmbn.eu/Garmin
Muc-Off - gmbn.eu/Muc-Off
Komoot: gmbn.eu/Komoot
Worx Power Tools: gmbn.eu/Worx
CZcams Channel - gmbn.eu/GMBNsubs
Instagram - gmbn.eu/GMBNIG
Facebook - gmbn.eu/GMBNFB
Twitter - gmbn.eu/GMBNTW
GMBN Shop - gmbn.eu/gmbnshop
GMBN Tech - gmbn.tech/subscribe
EMBN - embn.me/subscribe
Leave us a comment below! - Sport
man that's tough, this is so inspiring, especially for us that only have a hardtail. You are indeed our hero Blake! thank you so much for this..
i have a bike with china fork that remains capped everytime, and i doing xc and many jumps
In the same boat! Only have a hardtail but do my best to send it!
Got my first enduro race in a couple of weeks. Should be an interesting comparison with Blake. Iâve only got 130mm of travel though đŹ
Yes, Blake is the man. He's admirable. Go Blake, Mr. Hardtaile. đđ
Tought fucking the same ! Im doing very good on my HT thanx to this man i think ! 3 months, 3200 km, any kind of trail, er are schratched but alive and this video just pushes me even more đ
When the course designer just laughs when you say your doing it on a hardtail, it says it all. Blake you are a top man.
LoL what's the timer in the clip of that? Cheers!
4:27 Ric McLaughlin and Ruaridh Cunningham with Blake.
That was so funny, genuine laugh at Blake's craziness, amazing.
Man, that was inspiring!
Am exhausted just watching...
"Hardtail Hero" the guy said...you should make a shirt with that!
UP! GMBN merch.
This!!!
I would buy that shirt
Yes man! This MUST get on a shirt!
I would buy đ€đ»
Hardtail. Locked in. Wet Scottish EWS. Thatâs a terrifying combination! Fair play Blake đđŒđ„
14th on stage 5?! What?! Blake you do crazy stuff and this was very impressive.
Think that 14th was before everyone else had finished, that's why it's in red.
Shame there isn't a hard tail catagory.. Was there no other hard tails?!
@@najaneda It was not! He finished 32nd overall, 14th on stage five, in the Masters 35+ category. His overall time would've landed him 90th in the Men's category.
@@PoategProductions My apologies to Blake, 14th just seemed a big jump from his results in the other stages.
@@najaneda Haha he was ready for a hot shower I guess lol
Hardtail is love, Hardtail is life.
Hardtail is harsh
Hardtail is hard
You got Sus on the front. đ
Blake is definitely a celebrity in our community, but considering this man's affability, positivity and mad skills his personality transcends mtb IMHO. This man is a ambassador that is only exploited for a fraction of his capability. Maybe that is His choice IDK. I am always curious what he has next. This video was fantastic.
Absolute legend.. 14th of the final stage very impressive. We need more Hardtail love.
14th out of how many riders?
14th in the Masters (35+) category, in the EWS-100, not the EWS Pro. Still impressive though
Gotta love more hardtail content!! Loving my enduro hardtail, IMHO way more fun than an xc/trail full sus.
UP !!
Agreed, if you take a look at my channel I'm doing the same but on a modded Voodoo in Fort William. Soo much fun!
Hardtail made me better, not just as a rider. I'll never ride one again unless it's a rail trail. When you hit a certain age you want all the toys.
@@somguy728 yeah agreed. I've got a couple of races left this year on the hardtail then it's full Suss time!
Iâve had a trail full sus since I started mtb and now I have an enduro ht as well. The ht has been my bike of choice on most rides since I got it.
Grinning the entire way through this. Probably my most favourite GMBN vid yet. Blake, you are an utter legend and the dude who called you a "Hardtail Hero", couldn't have been more right!
Hear, hear!
Thanks for keeping the Dream alive in all us hardcore hardtailers. Blake the Beast!!
what is the dream exactly? be slow, not have any fun, and get half the workout I would have got on a real bike because my ass and wrists are fatigued. cool BRO!!!!!! ur so core man....
How do you know slow and not fun? Why do peoples dreams need to be as yours? Maybe your dream is to be an arrogant asshole, Congratsđ!! sounds, sounds like you've fulfilled by tenfold..@@oliverdurgen5953
@@oliverdurgen5953 I mean if you wanna spend 3000$ on a bike to get smoked by a 500$ GT on a climb be my guest lol
I picked up my first hardtail this morning. My dually was stolen whilst I was in hospital, army infantry veteran with multiple injuries. Just getting back into it as a 40 year old with my kids. Would love to try to compete but have a while to go with my ex-physio and training. Surgery in November. I could only afford a Merida Big Nine, so nothing bulletproof but I love it. Great Vid, thank you for the inspiration.
I hate bike thieves, been there and lost a bike it took two years to build from scratch...... Keep it up bro, good to see you're not letting anything hold you back
@@stujm8376 Thanks mate, looking forward to using it every day I can.
Hey man merida big nine is a bombđ
I've got a 2019 Big Nine 200. I think it's a pretty solid bike for it's price! it's light and easy to handle. Great for the flowy XC trails down here in the Netherlands.
Blake either:
Has the biggest balls amount all those contestants.
or:
Is willing to make the most interesting MTB contents at all costs.
or:
Does not care about result but to have fun.
or ALL of above.
All of the above!
Blake is the guy to do it all đ€đ»
06:34 "Im sorry but the the weather is SCOTTISH" đ€Łđ€Ł
"Hardtail hero" for sure. Great job and keep the hardtail content coming. I love riding my hardtail too.
Plus Blake knows how to properly ride between all the slalom flags :D
Haha
Oh I see what you did there. That's rude. đ
What works quite well to prevent cramping is having small amount of regular coke or pepsi (not the diet version) throughout the ride. They contain Quinine which is generally used for treatment of cramps. You can dilute it with a bit of water or let it sit overnight in a cup to get rid of the fiz. Does the trick for me when doing 100km+ road rides or longer trail rides. A few triathlete friends of mine will use this little trick during their events. Tonic water is also the other option, but coke and pepsi have the extra sugars(liquid carbs) that will aid the muscles. Not healthy drinks for everyday consumption but for long rides or big events, it has good benefits.
Regular pepsi and coke are quite common in pro pelotons as well. As you said, they have the right combo of caffeine, sugar and hydration to make it a decent option on a bike. However, they don't contain quinine any more (tonic water does though - it's the bitter flavour you associate with tonic water)
Thanks for that comment, gotta remember that
Coke is also great for settling/protecting the stomach. I used to drink it during Tees Barrage kayak sessions. The water quality is a bit sketchy there.
Regular Coke is the best digestive drink I found. After a heavy meal I drink one regular Coke and it works like magic. Thank you for this comment. I will probably start diluting half a 330ml can of Coke in my water bottle on my bike rides now, although I rarely experience cramps. I just love regular Coke. I buy mine from LIDL supermarket, the 330ml red cans.
I cannot even ride that on a full-sus! Thanks for showing my hardtail is not the limit for progress at this point! You're awesome Blake!!!
Blake, you're my hero. With your previous videos you've swayed me towards the hardtail when I was almost completely sure that I wanna go with the full sus. After this one... I wanna be a HARDTAIL HERO!
Blake's the only true Hardtail Hero!
Awesome! đđ» That performance deserves not only a gold medal in the hard tail division, it is certainly also deserving of a bottle of one of Scotlandâs best whiskey. Congratulations also on p14, on that final run.
This is by far the best gmbn video! Blakeâs love for hardtails spreads. I love them as well and Iâm really happy that thereâs people like him pushing the limits and showing that yes you wonât go as fast but regardless very capable rigs. What a legend đ
Congrats man. Was stoked for ya the whole time. Youâre nuts.
And my dream of seeing hardtail race EWS came true!! You're my hero Blake! Hardtail represented!
GMBN videos getting more and more cinematic. Epicness to the Maxxx! Redbull Studios better watch out haha! Oh yeah and obviously Blake showing all the softies how its done.
Blake, you are an absolute legend! Love the hardtail stuff, keep shredding bro.
This kind of content is peak GMBN and why I am subscribed.
Man, you just did it again!!! Also well done â great performance in all sections!!! That's why I love GMBN content: besides good quality information, always inspirational.
Loving it, a most entertaining video, especially as it's Blake. Well done! But....did you ever find out if there was ANY other hardtails?
Awesome work! P14 on the final stage after 2 massive days out in horrific weather - what a legend! And how pimp does the Scout look with all that new kit on it? đ€©
Another brilliant one - great to see so much love for the hardtail - cheers !
Well done,Blake! Keeping the hardtail life alive!
Blake, "Hardtail Hero" brings it to the point. That was amazing. Now I'm even more excited about my new Nukeproof Scout, when it is built.
Awesome job Blake for doing this on a hard tail. It looked brutal the entire time I really felt bad for you when you bit into the rotten apple. I used to race a hard tail in XC all the time weâll that was over 30 years ago. Great video thanks for sharing keep up the good work and stay safe out there.
Super dope! Thanks for sharing your experience, Blake! You're a beast!
Speechless. I salute you, Blake. More hardtail action please!!!
Go Blake! Our hardtail hero!đ„đ„đ„
đ€great work. Enduro races done best on a hardtale! Iâve done two of theme in Sweden this summer. Ă re and Falun, Ă re had one stage that took about 15 min to get down and one other that was around 10min long. My hands and arms hurt so bad, but man it was fun! đ
Omg, Blake, you're crazy!
I am delighted and applauded.
Blake you legend, that was amazing stuff on a hardtail, great perseverance and spirit!! Well done đ and great content from GMBN once again!
Everyone loves a good hardtail video!
My hardtail is my only bike for now, and Iâve done a couple enduros on them. Iâve found clipless pedals and Cushcore to be essential, and I feel like the rollover you get from 29â wheels is really really helpful and more confidence inspiring. Like you said you definitely wonât be the fastest but it sure is fun⊠to a point.
Not only did he finish, 32nd overall is really impressive! Seems like Blake didn't dial back the speed all that much on the hardtail.
Blake, Totally awesome weekend. Thank you for bringing us all along.
I'm frigging tired from being tensed up riding with you from your go-Pro.
Too funny. Thank you!
My wife saw this. Now she won't let me get a spesh enduro. Said I've gotta make the stumpy work. Thanks Blake. Seriously, top notch. Well done
This was such an epic challenge, I love the ews I can't wait to get involved in the southern enduro.
Been riding for nearly 30 years and these videos just keep the hunger for it fuelled. Well done Blake such a great vid.
Cramps? One of the most effective things to do is to make sure you are taking Magnesium supplements. You have to do this BEFORE you go out on big rides, not during. Tonic and salt tablets do work on the trail, but I think prevention is preferable.
Careful with the Magnesium capsules though - too many, and they act as a laxative đ
Eat a banana every day, they have a high magnesium content. They also pump up your positivity due to this mag content.
1000 percent - in Aus you can get dissolvable magnesium tablets and they work brilliantly!
Iâve been taking magnesium supplements for a good while now and Iâll never go without it now.
Bananas man, lots of bananas!
Man, I love these kinds of videos from GMBN and GCN. Really shows you the abilities of their presenters.
Watched till the end, you are our HARDTAIL HERO Blake! :)
Keep riding, Blake. youâre awesome! I passed my full susp to my son for a hardtail.. Not many can afford a full susp, the maintenance cost, etc but you proved time and again a hardtail has something to show for.. itâs ok and possible to own a hardtail for such terrain. End of the day, itâs about enjoying the ride!
Totally agree, Iâm as much a gear head as the next mtn biker but, my experience is the only thing that has increased my enjoyment of mtn biking since I started in late 90s are hydraulic discs of all things. (It was a revolution to me to have similar braking at the bottom of the hill as the top)
If there's one person on this planet that can ride a hardtail in the EWS than it's Blake Samson. He's a Jedi Master with a hardtail
That was amazing! I am a NEWbie to MTB and just got a hardtail 29er. I have so much to learn but this is inspiring!!
Legend! Definitely some more 29er HT challenges!
Blake well done! Awesome performance!
You need to stretch those muscles after and during your warm down. Older riders like us, recovery is important.
Legend. Those tracks on a hardtail in those weather conditions, truly incredible. If anyone asks if hardtails are capable, they only need to watch this. I sold my full suss and run two hardtails now & switched to clipless (something I never thought Iâd do!) Love the HT content â€ïž
Hard tails are well capable.
Might seem a bit old school.
But definitely will help you in bike handling and learning.
I watch this over and over again. So inspirational.
Congrats Blake, for you to go through with all of that is amazing and inspiring.
Congrats Blake. That was awesome. Love the hardtail content. Hardtail is life. To help prevent cramps, you are partially correct with potassium. Electrolyte powders to mix in with your water will help(at a minimum they should contain potassium, magnesium, and salt). I usually drink one the day before any strenuous activity, and one to two during. When you drink lots of water it dilutes your electrolyte levels, so you need to replenish them.
Pickle juice and a shot of whiskey will tame the lactic acid in your legs. Haha
Imagine training hard for the EWS 100, then blake just beats you on a hardtail.
Some of the best marked trails I've seen on a race. Great job to the workers. Cool idea little crazy. Thanks for sharing this with us.
This is so inspiring and awesome to watch! Blake is the king of hardtail! đȘđŒđ€đŒ
Very impressive and very inspiring for me, as a beginner on a hardtail!!! That shows: There is no need to buy a expensive Fully for the next years! đ
#hardtailforever â
Most ambitious challenge yet? hmmm. tough one.....Blake does the Megavalanche on a Hardtail from a few years back! Nukeproof Scouts are Hardcore Badass Hardtails! đ
Hardtail masterclass! Thank you for this!
Congrats on the race! That was amazing! I would like more video's on hardtails. I love my hardtail!
Blake takes us back to the beginnings of MTB when skill mattered. Well done.
Sick effort, Blake! đ€đ Unreal levels of commitment to the hard tail cause⊠đ
Iâve always suffered with cramp as well. Flat tonic water (quinine) and salted peanuts work for me. đđ
And gin.
@@Cous1nJack & a squeeze of lime
Yes, so good! Watching after having just done practice at the southern enduro on the hardtail and about to head out for race time!
That's the best from GMBN. So inspiring!
I believe Blake is the Brett Favre of the mountain biking community. He just loves doing it and even when it's hard, he's smiling and enjoying it. I know it makes me want to get out and try different trails and push myself.
Well, this aged like milk.
Next challenge: racing gravel bike in ews
This man is an absolute legend for giving this a go. Love it.
Great to watch. Love your enthusiasm and willingness to have a go.
Technically, Blake beat out Richie Rude.
Way to go Blake!
Joking aside, massive effort and result!
Amazing effort Blake, I have such confidence in you dude, would love one day to see you on a FS Fatty mowing down Avalanche :)
Blake you are definitely the hardtail hero and this is one awesome video and congratulations to everyone that went through all the stages
And for anyone that has dropped out because of accidents or injuries or bike breakage congratulations to them as well for a job well done you'll get them next time
Blake representing the hardtail masses - Love your videos mate!
Stay safe, keep riding!
for the cramps, pickle juice is your bestfriend.
That does it. The ânextâ bike is another hardtail. A 27.5â aggressive hardtail.
I am blown away! Cheers. Hardtail content will keep me coming back ::)
Blake is the man! He inspires me to use my hardtail more. Thak you so much for these videos. You killed it.
I was thinking about getting a fullsus... Now I might just consider going clipless.
4:27 - "He's dong this on a hardtail", they laugh...............Then Blake laughs and seems unsure.
What a LEGEND! Congrats Blake!
Always enjoy Blake's adventures. Good job!
Absolutely brilliant. Love your attitude mate. Inspiring đ
Well done mate. Love watching the hard tail videos you do!
That is epic !!
Looks so rough though, major props for completing it
Blake hardtail vids are the reason I follow this channel!!
awesome work!
thanks blake for the hardwork!!!
Loved this video ! I don't even know how many times I've watched it ! Blake Samson is Legend !
Videos from Scotland are an inspiration to just get out and ride your damn bike, no matter the weather.
Congrats Blake!
Blakeâs unending love for hardtails đđŒâ€ïž
The Hardtail Legend! Thanks for your service đ
Blake, that was incredible. Well done, man! Hardtail hero indeed.
Blake, you'll be TRUE HERO, when you go through this type of terrain on fully rigid bike!
Mate you're my Hero for all us Hardtail rider's and yes more Hardtail content we love it. From down under.
best GMBN clip to date. you da man!
As a fellow hardtail rider from Scotland, all I can do is salute your ability to take an entirely unsuitable bike for the task, and make it do what you did; I can utterly relate to your struggle. No only did you do it on a hardtail, but an ALUMINIUM hardtail, at least mine's Carbon, so it beats me up less than an Aluminium does. Good on you Jimmy...
Fair play that is absolutely epic!!!! Blake Samson is a legend!
Blake is THE MAN!!! Completely insane! You are my hero!