Race Report: 2018 Cascadia Dirt Cup - Bend, Oregon

The Cascadia Dirt Cup ventured to Mt. Bachelor, just outside of Bend, Oregon for the 4th Annual Volcanic Bike and Brew Festival. As the feature event of the festival, the organizers of the Cascadia Dirt Cup went against the grain of a traditional enduro and put a creative spin on the format - a fully lift-assisted course with double runs down each stage. It was rolling starts, flying finishes, race and repeat and results calculated at the finish line with the best time taken for each stage counting toward each racer's overall cumulative time. Repeat runs down each stage were optional, providing an element of strategy as racers paused between runs to make some hard, fast decisions not normally required during an enduro race. Many went all out and cleaned every stage twice. Others weren't so sure it was worth the risk of a potential mechanical or injury and cherry-picked their repeat runs, or completely passed on seconds. For some those second runs became essential for saving their race.

The course was comprised of three stages for Pro, Expert and Sport racers. While all racers tackled Stage 1: Last Chance and Stage 2: Rattlesnake the Pros and Experts raced Rockfall for their final stage and Sport racers took on Hanger as their third stage. The addition of a youth race brought the groms out in full force to scorch two runs down Bladerunner with the best time counting for the win.


Racers listen intently as Race Director Trey Wilson details the race format.

Alex Walker landed on the pro podium after he was able to throw out a run due to a flat on his first stage.

Where are your gloves Shane? Abshire ended his day in fourth in Expert Men 18-29.

Della Woods smashing roots on her way to take the win in Expert Women.

Andy Springer of Barrow Frame Designs crushed the course on his custom Hardtail.

With Broken Top and South Sister in the background, Casey Botts storms down Stage 1. Not a bad backdrop Botts!

Canyon Wilcox finishing strong for 2nd in Jr. Sport.

Cal Curley of Pine Mountain Sports takes the rocky-pumice line.

This must be the faster line as demonstrated by Chris Bondurant, third in 50+ Expert.

Four is the magic number! Racer #444 Chris Costigan bringing home 4th in Sport Men 40-49 cat.

Alexander Moschitti, first in Expert Men 30-39.

Alicia Wilder hanging on to fourth for the day.

Jake Hightower improved on each of his second runs but elected not to repeat stage 3... Could he have jumped onto a podium spot?

Ingrid Larouche rode all three stages twice and landed 2nd in Pro Women.

Everyone was all smiles with transfers like this.

They don't call it "Rockfall" for the dirt. Steven Whitley out of the gate on stage 3.

Isabella Thuren ripping BladeRunner.

Insta-results from Red Tent Timing! Racers keeping an eye on the results monitor and comparing their stage time tickets to see how they stacked up.

Kicking out the jams for a great post-race vibe.

Bikes, beer and bands. Bring it and they will come!

Pro Men Podium: 1st-Torsenn Brown, 2nd-John Frey, 3rd-Noah Catropa, 4th-Don Thuren, 5th-Alex Walker.

Pro Women Podium: 1st-Porsha Murdock, 2nd-Ingrid Larouche, 3rd-Julie Baird, 4th-Andrea Napoli.


Post race revelry, Legion of Dirt team spirit.

At the end of the day, racers were stoked with the race and repeat format with a festival at the finish line. Racers were all smiles with Red Tent Timing cranking out the instant results, live bands cranking out great music, and Bend's award-winning breweries serving up their best to celebrate. Carson Storch wowed the crowd with a high flying jump demo. It was a fantastic end to an amazing festival weekend.


Full results can be found here.

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