Exactly twenty years ago, my form of mountain biking was given a name. The year was 1999, and it was the company Specialized that embodied exactly why I got into the saddle with their new model. They called their new line "Enduro" and meant mountain bikes with which anything was possible. Difficult descents. Long climbs. Light and yet with sufficient suspension travel. With Enduro, Specialized broke down the previously rigid boundaries between cross-country and downhill. The model name developed into a discipline in its own right, with the focus on fun, adventure and, above all, the trail experience. Enduro is a symbol of freedom outside of established norms. Exactly what I was always looking for - Specialized gave it a name and, for me, revolutionized the sport more than any other company with its innovations.

Then, a few years ago, someone came up with the idea of turning enduro into a competitive discipline. At the time, I shook my head in amazement. Enduro, this symbol of freedom, adventure, independence and fun: What does that have to do with regulations, rankings and race tracks? I was convinced that this emerging racing discipline was stillborn - because it made no sense in my eyes. It turned out differently. These races are now trendier than ever before.

Not much is left of my vision of "enduro". Anyone who uses the word "enduro" today usually means downhill races on single trails, where you have to manage some of the climbs under your own steam. Today, enduro means riding down a given route as quickly as possible at a specific start time. And as we know, a few particularly ambitious riders have already reached into the poison cabinet to be a tad faster. This is the complete opposite of what Specialized revolutionized mountain biking with twenty years ago. Racing has killed my idea of "enduro". I no longer use the word "enduro" and continue to ride mountain bikes as I always have - with fun, adventure and trail experience. It's just that this form no longer has a name.

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