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10/21/2021
Location
Divide, CO, USA
Interesting Conversation:
Enduro in America is in trouble. The average rider is getting older, clubs are struggling to find volunteers, and the National Enduro Series is going through big changes for 2026 and beyond. In this Seat Time Podcast episode, Steward Baylor Jr. breaks down what is happening to the series and why he decided to buy it.
I have always thought racing should have air cooled four stroke classes so people could race relatively lower cost TTRs, CRFs/F, DRs, and KLXs competitively. I worked with my state's DCNR on land use issues, and to make a long story short, attempting to organize riders, manufacturers, media, and organizations involved with dirt bikes is like herding cats. As far as kids not participating in dirt bikes, I think something is in our food?
Great discussion. The fact that the average age rider is 50 blew my mind at first. But when you go to one of these events it makes sense.
As a 55y/o myself, I would prefer to race/ ride on a Saturday enjoying safe trail and not getting in the way of riders fighting for points. On Sunday I could watch the pros, sip a cold one and treat it like a moto National.
If I could make one change it would be a later check in at sign up if I’m on a later row. Wouldn’t have to get up so early and haul ass just to wait 1.5 hr for my row to take off.
Bro seeing how Mx sports is making bank with Gncc”s….smart guy…no much of a future for a pro off road racer in the long term….
What he’s saying makes sense. One of my local series will get 300-400+ adult bike riders every race. 15-20 years ago when I was racing a lot I was winning the overall/a podium guy every race. After I stopped riding and racing a lot I’d ride once or twice per month and race 2-3 times per year. Even to this day I’m still running inside the top 10 overall while racing vet A. Half the top 15 overall are vet A riders. We always beat the open A guys and most of the XC2 pro guys. Why are “ older” guys like me who ride a few times per month and race a couple times per year still beating the younger fast guys? I’m nowhere near as fast as I used to be and I damn sure ain’t anywhere even close to as good of shape as I was. I feel like I shouldn’t be finishing anywhere near the top 10 overall for how much time and effort I put into it (next to none).
Why are a lot of the top 20 guys in GNCC near or past “vet” age? Stew Baylor, Ben Kelley, Ricky Russell, Grant Baylor, Josh Strang, Craig Delong, Jordan Ashburn, Kaliub Russell, Liam Draper, Thad Duvall. I don’t know why, but outside of a few, the younger generation doesn’t seem to be advancing much. Guys who were at the top 15 years ago are still there.
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The "average age of 50" issue could and should be seen as an asset. Offer this type of moto sport as a lifelong opportunity.
It'll be interesting to see just how many clubs will be able & willing to staff an event for an entire weekend.
There's a reason Stew added several new clubs & even formed a couple to host events, established clubs often struggle to get sufficient numbers of bodies to run an event.
He's does state that he's open to seeing "what works & what doesn't" , which will be valuable when you're asking folks to run checks, flag road crossings & convince landowners to allow the racing both days on a given weekend.
It's the free labor on the part of the clubs & the generosity of landowners that make the whole thing work.
Cliff notes? Ain't nobody got an hour and a half to watch an interview
Enduro in America is in trouble. Steward Baylor Jr. breaks down what is happening to the series and why he decided to buy it.
They talk through the new American National Enduro Championship name, what it means for riders, how the 2026 schedule came together, drop rounds, two-day events, and what needs to change if Enduro in America is going to grow instead of fade away. Stew also shares how he thinks about fairness while owning the series and still racing, and what he’s doing to make the experience better for racers and clubs.
If you race enduro, ride singletrack, or just care about the future of off-road racing in the U.S., this one is worth a full listen.
Chapters
0:00 Intro - Seat Time Podcast
0:40 Why Steward Baylor Jr bought the National Enduro Series
6:20 American National Enduro Championship – Why The Name Change
15:40 2026 National Enduro Schedule & New Locations
26:10 Drop rounds for the 10 round series
32:40 Two-day events and class splits
42:30 Average age 50 and saving the sport of enduro
50:20 Enduro passing and how to get out of the way
Thanks a bunch
Enduros (including the nationals) have relied on local clubs for decades. Not much changing in that regard.
Stew is a great guy and has been a big help shooting our new GNCC film to come out 2026-2027.
Post a reply to: The future of American Enduro with Steward Baylor Jr. / Seat Time Podcast