Race Report: California Enduro Series 2018 Finale - Ashland Mountain Challenge

The California Enduro Series wrapped its 2018 season with the Ashland Mountain Challenge (AMC) —presented by Ashland Mountain Adventures — on Saturday, October 6 in Ashland, Oregon.

Mother Nature rallied the rain clouds to treat racers to something different for this year’s series finale. After a season of racing dry, loose tracks, riders welcomed the change in recipe. Just add water, and Ashland’s decomposed granite terrain becomes grippy perfection.

Racers flooded in as early as Thursday for practice. These fortunate folks enjoyed relatively clear skies as they sampled the hero dirt created by a touch of rain the evening before. However, by Friday afternoon, the rain had returned with a vengeance. Soaked riders filed in from afternoon practice runs to packet pickup, heartened by a race day forecast that heralded somewhat nicer weather … although not by much.

Indeed, race day dawned cold, foggy and drizzly, but nothing could dampen the 275 riders’ enthusiasm as they prepared to race some of the area’s best trails — a veritable tour of the Ashland watershed.

Sport/Beginner racers warmed up with a 8.5-mile climb from Lithia Park to Stages 1 and 2, while Pro/Expert riders shuttled to the top of Mount Ashland for Stages 3, 4 and 5 (Pro/Expert only).

Some slippery sections challenged Sport/Beginner riders on their first two stages of the day. Otherwise, conditions were prime. Stage 1 ran on Horn Gap, a fast and flowy singletrack trail that runs through sections of tight trees and throws in a punchy little climb partway down. From the bottom of Stage 1, riders pedaled over to Stage 2 on Hitt Road, an eye-watering high-speed double track with plenty of water bars, rocks, and “S” turns to keep things spicy.

Meanwhile, Pro/Expert riders took on their first stage of the day — Stage 3 (Bull Gap/Missing Links/Catwalk) — which served up plenty of rocks, roots, tight corners, and sweeping berms. Roots and rocks were reportedly a bit slick, but the dirt itself was tacky excellence. Stage 3 was an especially long one; in fact, it was the longest stage of the CES 2018 season.

After this burner, a mild singletrack traverse through the trees across Toothpick and up Caterpillar gave riders the chance to recharge before taking on Stage 4. This stage ran on Lizard and Jabberwocky, which together make up about three miles of all-out flow with giant dishy berms, and tables and doubles galore.

From the bottom of Stage 4, Pro/Expert riders pedaled up to Stage 5 (Pro/Expert only): BTI, an Ashland classic. This short but oh-so-sweet old school run features plenty of everything to keep riders on their game, including big berms and tight corners to sprint out of.

Morning precipitation began to clear as noon approached and Sport/Beginner and Pro/Expert categories swapped stages. Excess moisture on course dissipated, leaving absolutely primo conditions all around. Ear-to-ear grins on dirt-spattered faces testified to a fun day on the bike as riders checked in their timing chips at the CES Live! tent in the Lithia Park venue.

While waiting for results, riders enjoyed a Mediterranean feast catered by Falafel Republic, and beer, cider and wine from Gil’s of Ashland. A generous raffle preceded a lively awards ceremony that honored the day’s top five winners from each category as well as the top five CES 2018 season overall winners, both individual and team competitions.

Cory Sullivan defended his AMC Pro Men championship title while Essence Barton took the win for Pro Women. Barton also ended the day as the CES 2018 Pro Women champ, while Evan Geankoplis hung on to his Pro Men lead. Scotts Valley Cycle Sport maintained their lead for the team competition, taking home the season’s championship.

Check out full AMC race results and podium shots for all categories here. View series overall individual results here and team results here.

Cory Sullivan dropping into the Catwalk rock garden on Stage 3. Sullivan defended his title as AMC Pro Men champ, and finished the series in fifth place overall. Sullivan reflects, "The Ashland Mountain Challenge is a special race for me personally. Being my hometown, this is where I learned to ride mountain bikes. It's always nice to get back to see family and friends. This year we got a good amount of rain leading up to race day which made the trails unbelievably good. The dirt in Ashland really holds moisture well. I was disappointed that Nathan Riddle was unable to compete this year due to an injury. He is a good friend and mentor I have looked up to since starting to ride back in the early 2000s. He has helped push me to a new level of racing in Ashland. He is just so on point there."

2018 was a year of challenges for Sullivan. He says, "I was given the amazing opportunity to attend Trans-Cascadia the week before the AMC. This was amazing for my mental and physical state as I am only about 2.5 months out from a broken clavicle that required being plated with 11 screws. All and all it was a great way to end the 2018 race season. Thanks to everyone for making this possible!" Photo: Kasey Carames

Essence Barton setting up to sprint out of a loamy corner on Stage 3's Missing Links. Barton not only took first place Pro Women, but took first for the series overall as well. She says, "The Ashland Mountain Challenge was a tough race because I'm from Southern California where it rarely rains. After the race was over I was too nervous to see how I did. I chipped in and walked away because I was afraid to see how I ended up. Multiple people came up to me before podium to say congratulations and I breathed a sigh of relief hoping that meant that I won."

Winning the series was a three year effort for Barton. She explains, "What most people didn't see was the blood, sweat, and tears that took place before the wins. Once I fell in love with racing enduro after my first enduro race at China Peak in 2014, there was no looking back. I knew I wanted to try and win the series. It didn't come easy by any means. There were lots of girls who were just as determined as I was and it took a few years to finally earn it."

With a packed year that included her wedding, being on tour with her dancing, and attending language school, Barton was at a disadvantage because she could only make it to five of the seven races, just enough to qualify for series points. She says, "I knew that that meant I had to do my absolute best at every single race because every race counted for overall points. That was a lot of pressure to have no mechanicals, no mistakes, and no sickness. Basically I just had to win, and a lot. Although I was nervous I just stuck to my training as best I could, despite my busy schedule, and prayed that I would make it through this season on top.
" She adds, "Standing on that podium in first place for the Ashland Mountain Challenge and for the Series Overall was a victory for a lot more people than just me. There's a lot of people who support me, train me, and help pay for my way to be at these races. I'm incredibly lucky to have sponsors, family, and friends who believe in me. Thanks also to CES for making such a great race series that takes us to awe inspiring locations all over California!" Photo: Kasey Carames

Ashland Mountain Adventures shuttled riders up to the top of Mount Ashland for practice on a chilly and wet Friday morning. The shuttle service's owners Bill Roussel and Sue O'Daly are the tireless husband and wife team who put on this popular event year after year. Photo: Kasey Carames

Heading out for practice from the top of Mount A. Photo: Kasey Carames

Myles Lucas warming up on the Stage 3 transfer for a practice run. Photo: Kasey Carames

MTB Experience team riders Rachel Kagan and Jeni Boltshauser, both Sport Women 35+, were all smiles in practice. Boltshauser finished the AMC in fourth place, and took first place for the series overall. Kagan took fifth on the day as well as overall. Their all-female team rocked their first season, taking third in the team competition. Photo: Kasey Carames

Dashing through tight trees is a hallmark of Ashland riding. Photo: Kasey Carames

Packet pick up at Ashland Mountain Adventures. Photo: Kasey Carames

Expert Women rider Emily Marriott's favorite trail treat is Skittles ... can you tell by the clothing which of these two ladies she is? ;-) This was Marriott's first-ever experience racing in Ashland, getting in some practice laps on her first-ever visit to Ashland just the week before. She says, "The trails in Ashland are amazing — flat-out fast, flowy and fun. But what really stood out to me this race was the Ashland community. So many hometown heroes showed up racing, supporting, and volunteering their time ... huddling in the rain and cold all day and sharing such friendly and positive stoke that the weather challenges really became the least interesting thing about the day. I’m super glad to have made the trip and would definitely recommend the race to anyone considering it." Photo: Kasey Carames

James Bradley giving his a bike a rinse back at the shop after a dirty day of practice. The Expert Men 50+ rider finished the 2017 season in second place overall (third at the AMC), but took a hiatus from racing this year ... until this event. At race day's end, Bradley was reunited with the AMC podium, taking fourth place. Photo: Kasey Carames

Fall foliage going off at the event's venue, Lithia Park. Photo: Kasey Carames

Stage 3 marked the start of the race for Expert and Pro riders. Photo: Kasey Carames

Josh Kahn pinned on Stage 3's Missing Links. Local legend Nathan Riddle couldn't race due to an injury but wasn't about to let that hold his bike back from his beloved course. Riddle loaned his Santa Cruz Blur to Kahn, who shred it to a Pro Men second place finish. Kahn says, "I had an awesome time racing this years AMC on the home trails. Bill and Sue at AMA put on a great event as usual. Huge thanks to Nathan for loaning me his rocket ship bike. I am really happy to end up in second behind my longtime friend Cory. Looking forward to trail work this winter and to next year's season!" Photo: Kasey Carames

Ingrid Larouche looking fierce on Stage 3. Larouche finished the day in second place Pro Women. Photo: Kasey Carames

Master Men 40+ first place finisher Brian Butler navigating a tight bit on Stage 3. Photo: Kasey Carames

Leave no trace. Pro Women third place finisher Janea Perry stayed off the brakes as she flew down a loamy section of Stage 3. Perry ended the season in fourth place overall. Photo: Kasey Carames

Nick "Nicky D" DiNapoli leaning into a deep loamy corner on Stage 3. DiNapoli landed in fourth place, taking his first Pro Men podium. Photo: Kasey Carames

Aiden Chapin was still hard on the gas about midway down Stage 3, the longest stage of the day ... and the entire CES 2018 season. The Expert Boys U18 rider took first place on the day as well as first for the season overall. Chapin's brother Jenson (Sport Boys 12-15) also finished in first for the series overall; he stood in fifth place on the day. Photo: Kasey Carames

Expert Boys U18 rider Jake Snow gave Chapin a good chase to the AMC and CES overall podiums. He took second on the day as well as the series overall. Photo: Kasey Carames

A new baby at home has kept Doug Thayer off the race circuit for much of the year, but a solid day of racing saw him to the Pro Men podium in fifth place. Photo: Kasey Carames

Ray "dabigbadwolf" Syron snagged a last minute entry to the race and was not at all sorry for joining the dark dirt fest. Photo: Kasey Carames

Expert Women rider Della Woods, racing for Standing Stone Brewing, charging Catwalk's slippery rock garden about halfway down the especially long and physical Stage 3. Woods not only powered her way to a fifth place finish, but also played an integral part in helping Ashland Mountain Adventures prepare for the event. Photo: Kasey Carames

Marty "The Raven" Crosley defended his position as AMC's second fastest Expert Men 50+ rider. Photo: Kasey Carames

Ashland native Sam Markling now resides in Santa Cruz, but loves coming back to get after his native turf. Markling gets boosty on Stage 3's Catwalk, the watershed's oldest trail. Photo: Kasey Carames

Vendor booths and a PBJ bar back at the Lithia Park venue. Photo: Kasey Carames

Riders came by the CES Live! timing tent to dip timing chips and check standings. Photo: Kasey Carames

Iconic scene from the top of Jabberwocky on Stage 4. Photo: Will Cortez

A spectator's dog gave Mike Lee a (not-so)merry chase down Jabb. "I'm glad it wasn't a mountain lion or a bear," he laughs. "That was the biggest adrenaline rush I've ever had, flashing back to getting bit [by a dog] off my bike when I was a kid. This was no laughing matter in the moment. But afterwards, I couldn't and still can't stop laughing about it. Best way to cap off a season ever! Almost better than winning ..... almost ..." Photo: Will Cortez

Kyle Bowman railing ribbons of chocolate on Stage 4. Photo: Will Cortez

Charles Gregorski in fine form as he looked into a Stage 5 turn. Photo: Kasey Carames

Alexander Walker taking off from the Stage 5 start; he finished in second place Junior Pro Men U21. Photo: Kasey Carames

Heidi Kanayan was smooth and focused on Stage 5, BTI. Kanayan went on to take fourth on the day and came in second place for the series overall after giving Barton a good run for the money. She gets a little choked up reflecting on the past season. "This year has been a blast. And Ashland was the best place to wrap things up at. Two years ago I didn't think I'd ever be competitive at the pro level again in this sport after fracturing two vertebrae, a rib, and giving myself a major concussion. Then I started this year with a broken collarbone that required a plate and ten screws. But I'm here, I learned I am competitive at the pro level. I'm so grateful to be able to earn second overall in the CES tour. Yes, I want to cry it feels so good. And to race with all these amazing women, some I've known for over a decade ... I can't wait for next season! Photo: Kasey Carames

Ryan Gorman looking simultaneously ferocious and stoked. Ferstokious? Gorman's solid day of racing landed him on the third step of the AMC's Pro Men podium; he took fourth for the series overall. Photo: Kasey Carames

Pro Women fifth place finisher Sara Schneider getting after a grippy turn on BTI. Photo: Kasey Carames

The dirt could not have been better on Stage 5, thanks to Mother Nature adding a splash of water to the DG. Photo: Kasey Carames

Evan Geankoplis in fine form on BTI, Stage 5. An unintended detour off course on Stage 4 may have cost him a spot on the AMC podium, but racing sublime dirt is always a win. The CES 2016 Pro Men champ maintained his 2018 series overall lead, taking the championship back from last year's winner Cory Sullivan. He says, "The whole CES season was super enjoyable for me. The Golden Tour races were by far my favorites of the year. Having such a stacked field at Northstar made for a really competitive race. I felt like I finally was all back up to speed and fitness after my injury in 2016. The support from Ibis, Brian Lopes, and the entire team made for a super enjoyable season. I'm looking forward to some new stops on the 2019 CES calendar." Photo: Kasey Carames

Those grippy deliciously dark "S" turns on BTI. ~~swoon~~ Photo: Kasey Carames

Junior Pro Men U18 rider Myles Morgan on BTI, crushing his way to a first place finish for the AMC and second place for the series overall. Photo: Kasey Carames

Trevor Boldi whipping around a swoopy Stage 5 turn. Photo: Kasey Carames

Riders converged in Lithia Park for post-race revelry. Photo: Kasey Carames

Riders traded race stories and enjoyed libations from Gil's while waiting for results to be tallied. Ashland Mountain Adventures also treated racers to a sumptuous Mediterranean feast from Falafel Republic. Photo: Kasey Carames

Race organizer "Wild Bill" Roussel getting ready to raffle off an impressive assortment of goodies. Roussel says, "We were stoked to be the finale for again for CES. The racers got a special treat this year with rain leading into and during the first part of the day making for amazing dirt conditions that they had not had all season. The event went off with very few issues, and our crew once again came through like the seasoned pros that they are. Thank you to our crew, the racers, and CES. And thanks of course to our sponsors Hope, FOX, WTB, E13 and Dakine for supporting our event over the years."

Roussel's wife — AMA co-owner Sue O'Daly — chimes in, "The race went smooth as silk. The weather worried us some and it was a little dicey in the morning, but it turned out to be an amazing day. The rain made the trails exciting." Year after year, O'Daly enjoys getting to know the racers who utilize Ashland Mountain Adventures for their practice shuttles. "I love them all and thank them for supporting our business and our race." She adds, "Thank you to CES for bringing all these mountain bikers to our beautiful town and for helping to put Ashland on the map as one of the best places on the west coast!" Photo: Kasey Carames

Will Cortez was the stoked winner of these WTB Vigilante tires. Photo: Kasey Carames

The crowd was pretty amped for the raffle. Photo: Kasey Carames

Jeff Kuitert sharing his wild race story in his bid to win a set of Zodiac Lights. Photo: Kasey Carames

CES Director Steve Gemelos and the final FOX fork winner of the season. Huge thanks to long-time CES sponsor FOX for donating forks to be raffled off at each event. Photo: Kasey Carames

Ashland Mountain Challenge Pro Men: 1st Cory Sullivan | 2nd Josh Kahn | 3rd Ryan Gorman | 4th Nick DiNapoli | 5th Doug Thayer Photo: Kasey Carames

Ashland Mountain Challenge Pro Women: 1st Essence Barton | 2nd Ingrid Larouche | 3rd Janea Perry | 4th Heidi Kanayan | 5th Sara Schneider Photo: Kasey Carames

California Enduro Series Pro Men Overall: 1st Evan Geankoplis | 2nd Matt Guntert (absent) | 3rd Todd Renwick (absent) | 4th Ryan Gorman (absent) | 5th Cory Sullivan Photo: Kasey Carames

California Enduro Series Pro Women Overall: 1st Essence Barton | 2nd Heidi Kanayan | 3rd Zephyr Sylvester (absent) | 4th Janea Perry | 5th Lili Heim (absent) Photo: Kasey Carames

California Enduro Series Team Competition Overall: 1st Scotts Valley Cycle Sport | 2nd Team Mike's Bikes | 3rd MTB Experience | 4th Team Midpack | 5th The Hub Roseville Photo: Kasey Carames

Here's to a fun-filled finale in the Ashland watershed — thank you Ashland Mountain Adventures, and all the riders, sponsors, volunteers and spectators who made this event such a great experience all around! Gratitude as well to everyone involved in the 2018 sesason of the California Enduro Series. Can't wait to see you at the 2019 races. Stay tuned for exciting updates to the schedule. ¡Vamos a México, chicos y chicas! Photo: Kasey Carames

About California Enduro Series
CES is a for riders, by riders non-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to promoting world-class enduro events that everyone from amateur to pro can enjoy, at a geographically diverse range of venues.

The series is grateful for the support of the following sponsors: FOX, CLIF Bar, Specialized Bicycles, Dynaplug, WTB, Kenda Tires, Kali Protectives, Cranked Naturals, Michael David Winery, Voler Apparel, Park Tool, Mynesweepers, Adventure Sports Journal, ESI Grips, Gamut USA, Zodiac Lights.

Words by Michele Charboneau
Photos by Kasey Carames and Will Cortez