California Enduro Series – 2014 Season Recap

The 2014 California Enduro Series challenged racers at five venues and on some of the best single track the Golden State has to offer. In just its second year, the series proved to be huge success with over 800 athletes participating and three out of the five races selling out. The organization of the series was incredibly successful with well-planned events, awesome courses, and consistent and accurate timing. Many racers were originally drawn to the series because of the world-class organization of the events, however as the season unfolded participants recognized something even more significant. Series director Steve Gemelos notes, "As the year progressed we noticed we were doing more than organizing a series of races, we were building a community of riders." This sentiment was echoed by many. No matter what category, age, or gender, all racers felt included in the Enduro community. Familiar faces were seen at each stop on the series and friendships and camaraderie were strengthened at every event. "We’re looking forward to the 2015 season, adding more events to the series, keeping the fun atmosphere of Enduro, and continuing to grow the sport, the community of riders, and the series," added Gemelos.

A significant contributing factor to the success of the series was the support of its generous sponsors. Founding sponsor VP Components went above and beyond to support the series, and VP’s Brand Director Erik Saunders organized the series’ second stop, the VP Endurofest at China Peak Mountain Resort. Marin Bikes donated a Mount Vision C-XM8 to be raffled off at the end of the season; April Spooner of San Rafael was the lucky winner of this super light carbon full suspension trail bike. Pinkbike and Kenda also supported the series at the top level, and a deep list of industry businesses showed their commitment to Enduro by contributing a wide array of prizes and more. Contributing to the series’ community environment, FOX raffled off their game-changing new FOX 36 fork at each race, with proceeds benefiting the Stafford Lake Bike Park in Novato and Mountain Bikers of Santa Cruz’s flow trail project at Soquel Demonstration State Forest.

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ROUND 1: Battle Born Enduro
The first event of the series took place just across the state line outside of Reno, NV. The sold out Battle Born Enduro challenged 275 racers on the desert trails of Peavine Mountain. With loose, sandy single track, rocky technical descents, and punchy climbs, there was something for everyone at the this event. Participants were excited for the season kickoff, meeting their competitors and feeling out Enduro racing and the series. The five stages were accurately timed and racers were stoked about the professionalism of the race—an omen of success for the rest of the series.

James Bradley gets a feel for the high desert terrain under a blistering hot sun on practice day. Called to Creation.

Brian Astell (Marin) pinning through the desert singletrack. Photo by Called to Creation.

Amy Morrison (Mike's Bikes) put the hammer down on Round 1 (coming in 2nd on the pro women's podium) and didn't slow down all the way to 3rd place for the series. Photo by Called to Creation.

Matt De Young looking focused through the technical rock garden on Stage 5. Photo by Called to Creation.

Emily Forsberg powering through a pedally course.

Everyone gathered in anticipation as results are posted. Photo by Called to Creation.

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ROUND 2: VP EnduroFest at China Peak
The VP EnduroFest at China Peak was an awesome weekend of racing and camping. Lift access was available for practice, however on race day it was up to the riders to pedal to the top of the mountain. The technical and rocky course kept everyone on their toes. After the race, the venue turned into a party full of food, beer, and laughter. Everyone camped out on site at China Peak Mountain Resort, and racers cooled off at the swimming hole and hung out together around the campfire that evening, sharing stories from the day’s race.

Show time at China Peak. Photo by Called to Creation.

Casey Coffman (Felt) railing loose turn on Stage 2. Coffman went on to take 5th that day. Photo by Called to Creation.

The trails at China Peak Resort provided varied and challenging terrain, making it a great race venue. Photo by Called to Creation.

Riders making their way to the top of the mountain. Photo by Called to Creation.

Nicholas Gallizioli (Scotts Valley Cycle Sport) with his eyes on the prize — top step on the junior podium at the end of the day. Photo by Called to Creation.

After the race, everyone enjoyed cooling off in the nearby swimming hole. Photo by Called to Creation.

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ROUND 3: Livewire Classic Enduro at Northstar
The Northstar California Resort in Lake Tahoe was the third stop of the California Enduro Series. The bike park offered racers a weekend full of lift runs and rad riding, while the race itself was an awesome chance to shred Northstar’s legendary trails. Racers got airborne on Stage One, the Livewire jump trail, and Stage 3 was the most physically challenging and pedally stage of the series. The fact that this race fell on a three day weekend was icing on the cake, and racers had time to relax in Lake Tahoe.

Plenty of opportunity to get airborne on the Northstar course. Photo by Mary DiNapoli.

Ryan Chandler's (Santa Cruz/FOX) solid riding throughout the series took him all the way to 1st place overall.

Jackie Swider (Art’s Cyclery) was the fastest women on the mountain at the Livewire Enduro. Photo by Called to Creation

Ryan Simonovich's (Scotts Valley Cycle Sport) passion and commitment made for a 3rd place spot on the series podium. Photo by Bogdan Marian.

Tom Doran catching some air with Tahoe’s beautiful scenery as a backdrop. Doran took 3rd that day. Photo by Called to Creation.

The sun sets on an all time day of racing. Photo by Called to Creation.

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ROUND 4: Kamikaze Bike Games Enduro at Mammoth Mountain
The Kamikaze Bike Games highlighted the diverse riding available at Mammoth Mountain, with options to participate in Downhill, Speed and Style, Dual Slalom, cross country, and of course the Enduro event. The Kamikaze Enduro was the most technically challenging course of the series, and Mammoth’s high elevation added another level of difficulty. An unexpected downpour the morning of the race caused some course changes, however the rain left the trails in absolutely epic conditions.

Mammoth’s trails are technical, and many riders displayed evidence of crashes. Photo by Called to Creation.

Lauren Gregg preparing to drop on Stage 1. Gregg was the first rider down the mountain, and took 1st place in the series. Photo by Bogdan Marian.

The Angry Singlespeeder found his happy place, and in fact took 5th Cat 1 in the day's stacked field, and 3rd overall. Photo by Bogdan Marian.

Steven Lewis riding over a wood feature on Stage 2. Photo by Called to Creation.

The Kamikaze Enduro was technically challenging, however it also required racers to put down the power and pedal. Photo by Bogdan Marian.

A rider throwing some style on Mammoth’s Follow Me trail (Stage 2). Photo by Called to Creation.

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SEASON FINALE: Bell Santa Cruz Super Enduro
The grand finale of the California Enduro Series was the Bell Santa Cruz Super Enduro. Held on the world-renowned trails of Soquel Demonstration State Forest, this event was a perfect way to wrap up the series. Santa Cruz’s fast and technical trails made for four great stages, and the spots on the podium were separated by mere seconds. Crossing the finish line was a great relief as racers finished both a difficult race as well as a long, tough series. The festival following the race was a celebration of an awesome season, and riders left looking forward to racing each other again in the 2015 California Enduro Series.

Cozy ambiance on the eve of the race courtesy Trail Head Cyclery. Photo by Called to Creation.

Marco Osborne (Cannondale/WTB) flying down the flow trail on Stage 4. Photo by Called to Creation.

Brianne Spiersch's focus and commitment saw her straight on through to a 2nd place series finish. Photo by Called to Creation.

The techy trails of Demo Forest gave racers a chance to really showcase their skills. Photo by Called to Creation.

Racers were ready to party to celebrate the end of the season, and the post-race festival was a rowdy good time. Photo by Called by Creation.

Pro Men’s Podium. John Hauer (Muscle Milk/Specialized) took the top spot, with Jeff Kendall-Weed (Ibis) in 2nd and Scott Chapin (Santa Cruz) in 3rd. Photo by Called to Creation.




2014 Series Winners

Pro Men
1. Ryan Chandler
2. Doug Thayer
3. Jake Dore
4. Casey Coffman
5. Tom Doran

Pro Women
1. Lauren Gregg
2. Brianne Spiersch
3. Amy Morrison
4. Jackie Swider
5. Rachel Throop

Words and photo selection by Lauren Gregg, with Michele Lamelin
Photos by Scott McClain / Called to Creation, Bogdan Marian, and Mary DiNapoli
Video by Mitch Nuyens and Sebastian Bauer

Individual race results
Series standings
Learn more about the series at californiaenduroseries.com.

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Mentions: @MammothMountain, @BellBikeHelmets, @bikenorthstar

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