Big Mountain Enduro 1, Angel Fire/Taos
Big Mountain Enduro kicks off the season at BME 1, Angel Fire/Taos with a demanding stage on the South Boundary Trail in Angel Fire, New Mexico. Most racers come to Angel Fire to ride at Angel Fire Bike Park, but BME takes Enduro racing to the backcountry for Stage 1 on an epic 7-mile descent that started in alpine meadows and dropped into rough, technical trails, including locally named rocks like "the Tombstone" and "Shark Fin" that claimed more than one single-ply tire.
Ross Schnell (Trek Factory) took an early lead with a demanding 27 second lead over Jeremy Horgan Kobelski (Trek Factory), and Mike West (Yeti Cycles) in third. Kelli Emmet (Giant) set pace for the women taking the win on the first stage with Krista Park in second (Cannondale/NoTubes) and Jill Behlen (Tokyo Joes) in third.
Four more stages to go tomorrow at BME #1, Angel Fire/Taos at Angel Fire Bike Park and Resort. Visit http://www.bigmountainenduro.com for the latest updates!
For full results from Stage 1:
http://www.bigmountainenduro.com/assets/files/AF_Stage1_PrelimResults.pdf
![BME 1 Angel Fire Taos kicks off the season with Stage 1 on the South Boundary Trail.]()
Riders load up for the first stage of BME #1, Angel Fire/Taos on South Boundary Trail.
![Trek rider Heather Irmiger throws it down for fourth place. Four more stages to go]()
Trek rider Heather Irmiger puts down a solid fourth for the Pro Women.
![Ross Schnell sets the pace for first place on Stage 1 with nearly a 30 second lead. Four more stages to go on Day 2 of BME 1 Angel Fire Taos.]()
Ross Schnell takes an early lead of 27 second for Stage 1.
Ross Schnell (Trek Factory) took an early lead with a demanding 27 second lead over Jeremy Horgan Kobelski (Trek Factory), and Mike West (Yeti Cycles) in third. Kelli Emmet (Giant) set pace for the women taking the win on the first stage with Krista Park in second (Cannondale/NoTubes) and Jill Behlen (Tokyo Joes) in third.
Four more stages to go tomorrow at BME #1, Angel Fire/Taos at Angel Fire Bike Park and Resort. Visit http://www.bigmountainenduro.com for the latest updates!
For full results from Stage 1:
http://www.bigmountainenduro.com/assets/files/AF_Stage1_PrelimResults.pdf
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On the way back we loaded into a school bus and used one side for bikes (draped over the seats like a truck tailgate) and one for peeps. This worked really well, I think they should look into doing this next year, instead of any sort of trailer. The bikes were kept safe from damage and the loading was quick and efficient. It seems like you could have 5-6 buses going like this and keep the process moving.
Another suggestion for next year, for stage one, they can schedule the pros in the morning and the amateurs in the afternoon. That way both can get practice at the resort on Saturday, and both aren't trying to squeeze on the same early shuttles. The amateurs can get a couple hours in before stage one and the pros after. Most pros didn't get back until after 2 and amateurs even later (they spent most of the morning waiting for shuttles or climbing to the start of stage 1).
Overall the race was tremendous! Can't wait to do it again!
Super fun event to shoot, even at 4:30pm on Day 2, Stage 5, the racers were still pushing themselves. Very cool too see first hand.