Birdsboro Enduro
by Jessica Buch • May 01, 2025
Birdsboro Enduro
Rustic Park, Birdsboro, PA
Saturday, April 26, 2025
By Jessica Buch | Bikeman.com
This past Saturday, I raced the Birdsboro Enduro in Birdsboro, PA—my first-ever e-bike enduro—and it turned out to be one of the most fun, well-run races I’ve ever done. Hosted by Berks Trail Works, the event featured five challenging yet accessible stages, all set against the stunning backdrop of a rock quarry and its surrounding reservoirs. Despite the rain turning the trails greasy and the rocks slick, the mud just added to the adventure. Sliding through corners, getting dirty, and pushing through the stages made for an unforgettable day on the bike.
I raced in the Women’s E-Bike category and placed 2nd, finishing just over two minutes behind the leader. I rode my XL Kona Remote 160 set up as a mullet. It’s a little big for me, but it handled beautifully—planted and confidence-inspiring. I rode conservatively and still had two bars left on the battery by the end of the day, which says a lot about the range and efficiency of the setup.
The transfer stages were smooth thanks to the e-assist, but also because of the amazing folks I rode with. I had the chance to ride and navigate with members of the F1RE team, especially Shelly Georgopulos, who was incredibly kind and helpful throughout the day. F1RE, which stands for Females 1st Racing Enduro, was founded by Shelly to support and encourage U19 girls getting into enduro racing. What started as a small team quickly exploded across the Mid-Atlantic race scene. Now they welcome female and non-binary riders of all ages, and they’re known for consistently filling the podiums at local races. Their energy and support out on course made a huge difference for me and really embodied the spirit of the event.
The stages themselves offered a great variety of terrain and style. Stage one was a bit of a wake-up call—pedally and physical—so I was glad to get it out of the way early. Stage two, Black Dog, was a favorite of mine with its fun jumps and playful energy. Stage three, Ramble On, was fast and flowy, and had that classic “let it rip” feel that makes you grin under your helmet. Stage four was long and twisty, demanding focus and finesse to keep a good rhythm through the turns. And stage five was the perfect way to close out the day—fast, fun, and located right near the parking lot, giving it that final lap, finish-line buzz.
One of the best parts of the day, hands down, was the community vibe. Everyone was so friendly, welcoming, and genuinely stoked to be there. I met Instagram friends in real life, reconnected with riders I hadn’t seen since last season, and made a bunch of new friends along the way. You could tell that everyone either already knew each other or wanted to get to know you—it was that kind of atmosphere.
The post-race setup was just as impressive as the riding. A delicious food spread, generous raffle prizes, and unique awards made it clear how much love and effort went into the event. I even got to take home the coolest award I’ve ever won: a big round metal sign that I’ll be proudly displaying for a long time.
One of the things that made this race truly special was knowing that it wasn’t just about racing—it was also about giving back. Proceeds from the event went to support The Dirt Therapy Project, a nonprofit helping military veterans find healing and reconnect through outdoor adventure, particularly mountain biking. Berks Trail Works, the nonprofit behind the event, does an incredible job maintaining and advocating for trails in the region. Their commitment to the trail community and to causes like Dirt Therapy really added depth and purpose to the entire experience.
All in all, the Birdsboro Enduro was more than just a race. It was a muddy, joyful, empowering reminder of what makes the MTB world so great: community, challenge, and the simple thrill of being out on the trails. I’ll be smiling about this one for a long time.
www.veteransfuture.org/pages/dirt-therapy
Photo Credit Berks Trail Works, Aaron Homiak, & Chris Buch
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