Race Recap: Crowsnest Pass - MEC Canadian National Enduro Series presented by Intense Cycles

The Crows Call, in Crowsnest Pass

Alpine, trains, big mountains, expansive views and some of the best coffee in Canada; welcome to Crowsnest Pass, Alberta, round #2 of the the MEC BC Enduro Series (BCES), presented by Intense Cycles, this stop was hosted by the United Riders of Crowsnest Pass with support from the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass and the Crowsnest Pass Fire Rescue team.

You may have no idea where Crowsnest Pass, A.B. is, and well, it’s not really one place. “The Pass”, is really a combination of five communities, (Bellevue, Hillcrest, Frank, Blairmore, and Coleman), close to the B.C. border and at the foot of the Rockies between Fernie and Calgary. Don’t worry if you can’t find it on a map, you’ll be riding here sooner than you think, as this is quickly becoming a riding destination hot-spot, and with over two-hundred and forty riders this weekend, the word is definitely getting out.

Crowsnest Pass is one of Alberta’s premier riding destinations—the town is behind it, there’s unbelievable coffee, the campsites have majestic views, and one photo from the top of Big Bear will likely be enough to make you Instafamous.

Now don’t be a “Pa*shole” and go ride there! (That's Crowsnest Slang.)

The story of the weekend was Matt Monod taking his first win in the Pro category. Matt is the type of person who shakes my hand after every race, says his praise and always makes time for a good yarn. To top that off Matt gives tirelessly back to the riding community in Alberta, he runs kid programs, coaches with the Rundle Mountain Cycling Club and routinely can be found out exploring every peak and trail. Matt thoroughly deserved that top spot and it’s again a reminder that ‘Nice Guys’ don’t finish last.



Trail Club and Community

The United Riders of Crowsnest Pass are a small, humble group, however, their experience, passion, and desire run deeper than the neighboring mines. The UROC team literally took every piece of advice from last year and put it into their trails.

This community has two flow trails (one beginner, one expert), trails in the sub-alpine, a dirt jump and skills area, riding lessons and a ski hill that’s growing more trails than the appearance of pimples in the U21 category.

I can’t urge you enough if you want to experience what an unexplored mountain bike destination looks like, come here. You won’t be disappointed.

To everyone at UROC, the Municipality of Crownsest Pass and Crowsnest Fire Rescue, thank you!

Special thanks to; John, Andrew, David, Tracy M, Darryl, Dr. Stephen, Mark, Troy, The Lost Lemon, and all the Train Conductors who make Crowsnest special.


Local Supporters—Thanks

Thanks, guys!

United Riders of Crowsnest | Rumhead Bike Fest | Municipality of Crowsnest Pass | Crowsnest Pass Fire Rescue | Pass Powderkeg Ski



MEC Trail Donation

At every stop in the B.C. Enduro Series we give back 10% of participant registrations to the local trail club, at select events, MEC matches our 10% providing an extra little bit to help the clubs manage the trails, that’s over 20% back to the local club!

At this race, we donated just over $4,200 back to the local club!



Racing

You can check out more photos from the event here, courtesy of Sam Egan from Cedarline Creative

The trails were in prime condition for racing and as the first race of the season is was exciting to see how the long winter affected riders.

The course was around 47kms in length with approximately 1,600m in elevation gain—I think many riders had to a few too many stouts this winter!
















The Course


Stage 1 | Buck 50
3,208m distance, 59m climb, -268m descent
Stage 2 | Big Bear Down » Sooper Trooper
2,814m distance, 37m climb, -392m descent
Short Course Only, Stage 2x
1,358m distance, 16m climb, -99m descent
Stage 3 | School of rock
2,031m distance, 2m climb, -193m descent
Stage 4 | Whistling Post
860m distance, 4m climb, -75m descent
Stage 5 | Spare Change » Roots O'Hazard
1,907m distance, 9m climb, -282m descent

Our Trailforks profile is here


Bike Check



Results

You can find the full results here.

For series points in the MEC Canadian National Enduro jump on over to Roots and Rain.


U15 Men
1 // Jonathan Helly // 28:14
2 // Dylan Fysh // 29:19
3 // Jacob Baggott // 30:59

U21 Men
1 // Evan Wall // 25:49
2 // Jack Menzies // 26:31
3 // Alex Silverthorne // 26:33


U21 Women
1 // Sena Odyakmaz // 35:10
2 // Micah Morris // 36:14

21–29 Men
1 // Levi Koroscil // 27:25
2 // Sean Alexander // 27:29
3 // Andre Volard // 27:37


30–39 Men
1 // Blaise Ratcliffe // 28:00
2 // Jonathan Welsh // 28:14
3 // Jonathan Friesen // 28:42

40+ Men
1 // Andrew Fairhurst // 27:20
2 // Rich Marshall // 27:49
3 // Gordon Yanota // 27:51

Open Women
1 // Brianna Roth // 31:15
2 // Sarah Brunswick // 31:32
3 // Karey Watanabe // 32:09


Pro Women
1 // Leonie Picton // 29:10
2 // Julie Marshall // 30:11
3 // Jennifer McHugh // 30:13

Pro Men
1 // Matt Monod // 25:27
2 // David Harder // 25:40
3 // Aidan Jones // 26:25



Short Course Open Men

1 // Easton Beaulieu
2 // Adam Duell
3 // Nathan Pinchak



Short Course U21 Men

1 // Ryder Denys
2 // Finn Borstymayer
3 // Jack Kolesch

Short Course Open Women

1 // Sara McCartney
2 // Megan Glover
3 // Suzanne MaCrae

Short Course U21 Women

1 // Clara Brown



A massive thank-you to this year's series sponsors and supporters

• And anyone who Volunteered with us and anyone who helped with a shuttle, a beer or a spare tube!



We Need Help

We're always looking for parents, girlfriends/boyfriends or injured riders to help out!
What you'll get:
• Jersey
• Lunch
• Post-race meal and drink
• Discount entry to any other race, for you or for a friend/kid/dog
Contact admin@bcenduro.com, with your preferred race, phone number and email.

Need something? More information?

• Website
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Athlete Inquires | athletes@bcenduro.com
• Volunteer Information | admin@bcenduro.com
• All other inquiries | ted@bcenduro.com (Event Director)

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MENTIONS: @bcenduroseries

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