While the winter is slowly setting in and our race seasons are coming to a close, we're still finding ways to test our mettle. Whether that's racing enduro at Bike Park Wales, getting gravel under tyres during the Dukes Weekender or pushing ourselves on a crisp Sunday morning at Swinley Forest, we're still cranking pedals, despite the wet and colder weather. Here's your October update.

• Meet Team ORCC - off-road.cc's very own amateur race team
• Team ORCC EP.08: National enduro, FKT's and our new gravel rider
• Team ORCC | EP. 07 Brad's last XC, Liam C trains CX and Liam M races Tiverton

Suvi

2022 team orcc suvi riding.jpeg, by Liam Mercer

[Photo courtesy of Alex Dunlop]

Our Suvi took on the second event of her season, riding the  Dukes Weekender event in Aberfoyle (more well-known as Gravelfoyle). For those not in the know, the Dukes Weekender Gravel Enduro features a 75km loop with six competitive timed stages, taking riders around the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.

During quite a damp event with just as many ups as there were downs, Suvi brought home a respectable 9th in her category of 50+ women.

Liam M

2022 team orcc liam bpw.jpg, by Liam Mercer

[Photo courtesy of @katrina_b_media]

In October I went to Haibike's Mini Enduro at Bike Park Wales. The format of this one was a little different to any other race of the season as it was a mash-up event. Once again, the rain was hammering down which meant wet and slippery conditions but the big mistake was lack of nutrition which led to an early retirement.

Brad

Keen followers of the Team ORCC series will know that Brad is well within his off-season but that doesn't mean he's hung up his helmet for the rest of the year. Instead, he's been hard at work keeping his fitness up and skills sharp, this time showing us how it's done at his local trail centre at Swinley Forest.

You might also like:

• Enduro mountain biking - everything you need to know
• What is downcountry?
• Gravel bike racing – everything you need to know