Vernon Race Re-Cap - Osprey Packs BC Enduro Series

The BC Enduro Series returned to it's former glory this past weekend with a two-day event. Last year, every stop on the series had a two-day course, making for some extremely tough riding and organizing. Luckily this weekend we had support from the North Okanagan Cycling Society and Silver Star Resort.

Canada has the misconception of being cold, but if you were in the Okanagan this weekend, you know that is far from the truth, with temperatures reaching around thirty-eight degrees, riders were constantly fighting to stay hydrated and cool. The series is sponsored by Osprey Packs and Smith Optics, let's just say that if you didn't have a hydration pack or sunglasses this weekend, you pretty much would've withered up into a ball with your #endurogoggles and #endurobanana. Seriously, a big thank-you to those guys for helping us beat the heat this weekend!

Okay, back to the race-recap. For anyone who has never ridden the trails in Kalamalka Park, go do it. Now. Those trails are insanely steep, littered with rock, lung busting climbs, rattlesnakes and the most winding, gentle climb we've ever ridden in forty degree heat. Mark, the president of NOCS (North Okanagan Cycling Association), was keen to showcase the trail network that the club has been working on for the past four years.

The course on Day 1 was only 19km, yet it took around two hours for the majority of the field to complete, it was a gruelling day! You can re-create the course on your own time here: VERNON COURSE

Stage 1 was described by one rider as "Full on DH, into full on XC, into full on DH, into full on XC" you get the picture.

Craig Wilson - Heavy duty mechanic, heavy duty on the pedals!

Full face helmets were a reality this weekend, with one rider even losing half a tooth! Luke Fennell, pictured above is a Vernon local, when he recommends a full-face lid, you oblige!

From full-face, to suns-out-guns-out; Leonie Picton, absolutely crushing it down Stage 2. Stage 2 was probably the gnarliest stage of 2015, featuring sustained steep descents, littered with tire and face eating rocks.

Same rock chute, different angle. Evan Wall | U19 Men's 1st Place

Stage 3,4,5 had a mix of flow, pedalling and in this heat, DUST! Katrina Strand made an awesome comeback on Day 2, finishing 2nd overall.

DAY 2


Each morning we were treated with some cold-brewed coffee, courtesy of Motion from Bean Around the World. Don't let Tim Hortons fool you with their 'iced coffee'. Cold brew coffee is brewed for 16 hours in the cold. Trust us, riders needed this to get them fired up on a hot Sunday morning!

Stage one started right in the heart of the Silver Star village. James Rennie was the first rider to drop-in, he finished 3rd in Pro Men's.

'Cadence' the border collie was the second rider to drop-in. If James didn't have any motivation from the one-hundred other riders lined up behind him, this was it. Watch out for Cadence, she's probably faster than you!

Stage 1 started with a massive sprint before dropping into a right hander. Kipp Fennell showing the result...

Volunteering is better in the sun!

Matthew Clough, just destroying berms as he races down Flow! The best part of racing in a bike park - BERMS!

Eric Nykoluk styling it out on one of the many high speed sections. Someone changed his name on the entry form to #Dadbod, but with style like that, we should all adopt...

Yoann Barelli, making another visit to the BCES. On the line, he disclosed the secret to winning, 23.8 PSI in the rear.

The best part about starting in the bike park before it was open to the public. Finishing early! Radar keeps a look-out for the Freedom Bikes crew. Notice the empty glasses!?

Smile! Great way to spend the weekend with your fam

Co from Smith Optics presenting the 'Worst Luck' award. This rider had some flagging tape catch in his rear brake, sending them over the bars!

Like free stuff? Like forty-degree heat? Milk chugging contest courtesy of Bean Around the World for some free schwag!


Our lovely Kazoom Leader Jersey gets passed from James Rennie to Jamie Biluk, that doesn't seem to effect their Broduro though.


Junior U15 Men
1 Ruben Guibert 50:00
2 Jack Cormack 50:32
3 Felix Abraham 51:32


Junior U19 Men
1 Evan Wall 49:24
2 Noah Van Der Watt 55:56
3 Carter Krasny 56:06


Junior U19 Women
1 Keeley Wentzel 1:23:48


Master 40+ Men
1 Andy Moore 51:51
2 Trevor Syrowy 52:17
3 Morne Van Der Watt 56:08


Open Men
1 Craig Wilson 48:36
2 Quentin Emeriau 49:51
3 Pierre-Alexandre Couture 50:51


Open Women
1 Leonie Picton 55:02 Arbutus Routes
2 Katrina Strand 57:35 Fox Head, Fox Shox, Maxxis
3 Amy Pryse-Phillips 57:38 Endless Biking

Yoann is as genuine as they come!

Pro/Elite Men
1 Yoann Barelli 45:55 Giant Factory Off Road
2 Jamie Biluk 46:55 Bondtraining/Suspensionwerx
3 James Rennie 47:05 Dunbar Cycles

Massive thanks to Scott Robarts Photography. You can find more event photos on his page: SCOTT ROBARTS

Next stop is Rossland!

Posted In:
Racing and Events Osprey