In this video I take my first crack at a proper cross country race… on the all-new 2023 Giant Reign Advanced Pro. Yep, an enduro bike on an XC course. I rolled into the Summerhill club champs in New Zealand mostly just keen for a good time and to see what the reality is when you’re hauling a bigger, heavier rig around a track that’s made for speed and efficiency. The whole point was to test the Reign in a totally different setting than big trails and downhill runs—how it accelerates, how it holds speed, and what it feels like when you’re actually racing rather than just lapping for fun. The big takeaway is it’s absolutely doable and it’s a laugh, but you definitely feel the trade-offs compared to a dedicated XC bike. If you’re thinking about racing what you’ve already got, this is your sign to just enter the race, back yourself, and enjoy the day.