GNARLY ENDURO LAB

What is it?

Gnarly Enduro Lab is a 10-week mountain bike program focused specifically on preparing riders for the Bentonville Bike Fest Kids Enduro on June 13, 2026.

Sessions are 2 hours long and will be offered once a week April 1 – June 13.

Monday Homeschool – Mini Blue Enduro Lab – 10am-12pm
Wednesday Homeschool – Big Bold Blue Enduro Lab – 9am-11am
Wednesday After School – Blooming Blue Enduro Lab – 4pm-6pm
Friday After School – Bold Blue Enduro Lab – 4pm-6pm

This is a structured instructional program designed to develop intermediate-advanced mountain bike riders’ technical skills, applied decision-making, and performance awareness within an enduro-style format.

Who is it for?

Gnarly Enduro Lab is designed for kids ages 6-14 who are registered for the Bentonville Bike Fest Kids Enduro and want to learn about enduro racing, improve their skills, and feel excited and prepared on race day.

New racers will get comfortable with the idea of racing and experienced racers will get dialed in. Everyone will build skills and confidence. Participants should be able to ride the listed trails with control, demonstrate foundational braking and cornering skills, and be prepared for structured, skills-based coaching sessions.

What Your Rider Gains:

Character First

This program emphasizes preparation, responsibility, and steady effort in a no-added-pressure environment. Riders are coached to train intentionally, support their peers, and approach race day with composure and perspective. Success is defined by growth and integrity, not by podium placement.

Understanding of Enduro

Enduro racing can be confusing and intimidating, so throughout this program, we will learn about the whole process from practice to podiums, how enduro works, what it does (and doesn’t) mean, and why it’s SO MUCH FUN! Racers will also learn enduro rules and etiquette, with a strong emphasis on sportsmanship.

Race Course Familiarity*

We will spend the majority of our time sessioning and repeating the trails used in the 2025 and 2024 Kids Enduro Races – Esther’s, Family Flow, Thunder Rolls, Thunder Dome, and Hors D’Oeuvres.

*There is no guarantee that these will be the same trails used in the 2026 race (that information is not released until just prior to race day) but it is very likey that there will be at least some overlap.

Riders should expect to spend the majority of our 10 weeks on the trails listed above. This program is about repetition with purpose. We may occasionally mix in some of the other awesome trails at Coler just for fun and variety but riders should not expect it.

Skill Refinement and Speed Control

Racing well means staying in control and choosing when to push faster and when to slow down. Speed is a choice supported by skills and confidence. Enduro Lab will help your rider build those technical skills, and fine-tune that edge where they can confidently go faster without losing control.

Educational Focus

This program emphasizes:

• Applied technical skill development (cornering, braking, body position, terrain management)
• Speed control and risk assessment
• Trail feature analysis and line selection
• Goal setting, performance reflection, and confidence building
• Understanding enduro race structure (stages, starts, timing procedures, passing etiquette)

Instruction is delivered through demonstration, guided repetition, individualized feedback, and progressive skill refinement.

The fine print

Riders must be registered for Bentonville Bike Fest Kids Enduro in order to participate in Gnarly Enduro Lab. Space is limited and participation is subject to class availability and coach approval.

This program uses the enduro race for a practical learning structure, this is an independent instructional program. We are not affiliated with Bentonville Bike Fest in any way, though we have received permission to facilitate this program at Coler MTB Preserve and accompany our team riders for race day support.

No rain-dates will be offered for this program, and it will end on race day. Class cancellation due to weather or trail closure will not be refunded.

Accepted applicants will be notified of their approval and provided a password to register for Enduro Lab.