Photos & Race Report: Sturdy Dirty Enduro at Tiger Mountain

Jill Kintner feeling fierce in her natural habitat. Photo: Brandon Clarke

The Sturdy Dirty Enduro made its first return to Tiger Mountain since 2019, and the people were ready to get fierce. Selling out in just three hours to 250 racers, the Sturdy Dirty increased capacity to 300 so that more people could come out to enjoy some epic racing and rad fun. the Sturdy Dirty Enduro, presented by evo, has helped create a strong community that rallies around getting more people on bikes, building and maintaining trails, and spreading the stoke near and far. Three totally new trails were featured in this year's event, including the spicy blue Atlas trail, which boasts some exciting tight, steep, & janky roots and turns to keep even the most seasoned racer on their toes. Two Olympic medalists came out to put their skills to the test on the 19 mile, 4,600'+ ascent in the Open Cat course amongst a record breaking roster of 21 pro racers.

Leading up to the race, the Train 2B Sturdy Facebook group which launch in early 2021 and now has nearly 600 members, offers a race-ready fitness and training program, group rides, and bike maintenance clinics. With the goals of preparing riders for events like the Sturdy Dirty Enduro and increasing bike knowledge by creating welcoming and inclusive spaces, the community continues to grow in all the best ways. Additionally, the Sturdy B's, organizers of the Sturdy Dirty Enduro, partnered with Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance and Georgetown Brewing to organize monthly trail building and trail maintenance days with the support of volunteer builders and sawyers.

Kandace White sets up for a smooth top to bottom race. Photos: Brandon Clarke

This year the Sturdy Dirty Enduro launched several new programs, including:
• BIPoC Scholarship that was sponsored by evo. Racers could apply for a sponsored entry and support to make their experience at the Sturdy Dirty was a successful and welcoming one.
• SRAM facilitated a three part virtual suspension clinic.
• Norco and Red Bull athlete, Jill Kintner, and Angi Weston of Radical Roots, hosted Race Prep and Riding Clinics for racers leading up to the main event.

Amanda Urbasich getting ready to add the final touch onto her trusty steed. Photo: Riley Seebeck

The course crew getting the low-down on their missions for the day. We couldn't do this without our wonderful volunteers! Photos: Heather Carter

Racer Mikayla Olin appreciating the tie dye extraordinaire that is volunteer Karen Omodt before dropping into the first stage. Photo: Heather Carter

We're fully convinced that Juliana Shred Queen Alex Pavon has perma stoke-face. It's contagious in the best way possible! Photo: Riley Seebeck

Racer Xuan Mai reminding us to take a deep breath, and that getting chased down the trail by a lady bug is actually quite fun! Photo: Brandon Clarke

The cat's out of the bag - party trains with your feline friends are purrific! Photo: Brandon Clarke

Rachel Postiglione enjoying a perfectly tacky berm for breakfast. Photo: Brandon Clarke

5th place pro finisher, Julie Baird, is the funfetti atop of the loam cake. Photo: Jameson Florence

Ruth Curtis shows us how to conquer big roots. Photo: Heather Carter

The invincible Ingrid Larouche on a mystical forest mission. She lost a chain on Predator and still finished on the podium! Photo: Brandon Clarke

Elise Krieghoff understood the assignment of wearing a costume to match your favorite trail! Photo: Heather Carter

The fast dirt, fun jumps, and foxglove tunnel on Side Hustle trail had racers like Liz Lunderman full of smiles. Photo: Heather Carter

Michelle Brittnacher goes fast and takes chances on a techy root section. Photo: Heather Carter

It's Britt Phelan's pre-rock-ative to shred Lower Predator in style. Just look at her fly! Photo: Riley Seebeck

Photo: Riley Seebeck

The aid stations came well equipped to keep racers hydrated and their energy going with Jello shots, cotton candy, & smoked salmon appetizers. Photo: Brandon Clarke

Presenting sponsor, evo, brought all their bike technicians out to provide Nascar themed "pit-stops" for any racer that ran into bike trouble on course. Photo: Brandon Clarke

Aaaand off they go for the next stage! Photo: Brandon Clarke

Team Dad Bod did not disappoint at the top of the final pull to the summit where racers were treated to bacon grilled cheese sandwiches, ribs, and of course heaps of good jokes and happiness. Photos: Riley Seebeck

Team Norco hosted a pinkies-up Canadian menu complete with Beaver Tails, Vanhattan's, smoked salmon appetizers, and jorts, but of course.

Nyki Delorme dropping in hot on the Predator rock exit while riding her new Norco Range. Photo: Brandon Clarke

Andi Zolton of Roam Fest just crushing Lower Predator. Photo: Jameson Florence

Photo: Riley Seebeck

Back in the lot, the Shred Report crew shares some highlights of the day's race in the evening segment of Tiger Mountain Tribune Live. Photo: Heather Carter

The best way to celebrate a successful day is with a tacos, a beer, and a friend. Photo: Heather Carter

Back in the lot, Radical Roots coach Angi Weston hosted the annual Sturdy Dirty Huck-to-Flat! Photos: Riley Seebeck & Brandon Clarke

Alex Pavon may have walked away with an injured thumb, but not without an all star team to help bandage her up. Photo: Riley Seebeck

We feel this hug so much! Photo: Riley Seebeck

And of course there were raffle prizes, like FSA wheels, a Norco Rampage frame, PNW Components and High Above Hip Packs, Shredly, and many more! Photo: Heather Carter

Beginner Youth: Adara Jacobsen. Photo: Heather Carter

Sport 30-39: 1. Jaime Schultz; 2. Becca Homen; 3. Krista Kowalchik; 4. Shelby Burgess; 5. Katie Ulvestad. Photo: Heather Carter

Sport 40-49: 1. Michelle Valko; 2. Shandra Lee; 3. Xuan Mai; 4. Dixie Service; 5. Kindahl Reed. Photo: Heather Carter

Expert Youth: 1. Sophie Lymberis; 2. Grace Lawson. Photo: Heather Carter

Expert 19-29: 1. Ana Julia Gutierrez; 2. Kate Pearce; 3. Stephanie Brune; 4. Emily Russell; 5. Kate Berreman. Photo: Heather Carter

Open/Pro: 1. Jill Kintner; 2. Laura Battista; 3. Brittany Phelan; 4. Ingrid Larouche; 5. Julie Baird. Photo: Heather Carter

Along with hundreds of volunteer hours, the Sturdy Dirty Enduro has now donated over $20,000 to Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance which goes toward trail building, advocacy, education and volunteerism. Photo: Heather Carter

Race results and more information about the annual event are available at www.sturdydirty.com

Posted In:
Racing and Events Race Reports PBWMN

Author Info:

JMAC44
Member since Aug 4, 2013
8 articles

9 Comments

14 0

adventuresbycole (Jul 22, 2022 at 10:36)

Would have been great to have someone from PB show up to this incredible event as its not far from HQ. Maybe there was but I missed it? THIS EVENT WAS RAD!

11 0

Schwenderella (Jul 22, 2022 at 11:22)

I agree! Would be cool to have someone like Christina Chappetta show up to cover it!

Tauntaunrider (Jul 22, 2022 at 11:12)

The best! Such a huge turnout, positive vibes, rad shredders, and huge community support is just what makes this event so well attended and so full of smiles. Kudos to organizers, riders and supporters: This event showcases why Washington is the best place to ride! Really psyched PB is reporting in this event!

Mtmw (Jul 22, 2022 at 15:37)

Didn't see mentioned in the writeup but this race had some of the best bike weather I've seen, almost completely dry going in but the slightest of rain right before go time to tamp down the dust and create hero dirt, coupled with that cooling mist you see in all the pictures. An incredible day to be on Tiger.

andypav (Jul 22, 2022 at 12:02)

not gonna lie, aside from the awesome riding the smiles and laughing faces are the best part of all of this

fpecan (Jul 22, 2022 at 12:13)

Great vibes! Love the photo recap!

jlavietes (Jul 22, 2022 at 11:19)

So fn cool.

hardtailparty (Jul 25, 2022 at 13:55)

Now that's what mountain biking is all about.

FSA-MTB (Aug 1, 2022 at 16:02)

Love this event! I'm stoked it grows every year!