Video: California Enduro Series, Round 2 - The Wild Wood Adventure Enduro

This weekend racers rode the trails of the Mendocino Coast’s deep, beautiful forests in the second stop of the California Enduro Series - the Wild Wood Adventure Enduro. The race challenged riders with eight stages over two days filled with tons of climbing, tight and loose singletrack, and screaming wide-open descents.

The Mendocino Bike Sprites organized the event and highlighted some of the best trails the region had to offer. Riders were stoked to ride the fast and flowy singletrack in the absolutely stunning scenery of the deep woods. The loose and narrow trails provided endless chances to make mistakes, which kept racers and spectators alike on their toes. The weekend was a whirlwind of camping, camaraderie, crashing, and some epic bike racing.

The Jug Handle Creek Farm House was a perfect venue for the racers. Its beautiful grounds and artistic atmosphere encapsulated the feeling of the amazing and unique Mendocino Coast.


The racers gathered each morning at 7:30am at the Caspar community center. Hearty breakfasts were provided to fuel riders for their big days on the course. Racers discussed their strategies and predictions for the race over delicious food and warm coffee. Just as the coastal fog started to break, everyone headed out to the start line.

Racers were giddy with anticipation before the start of the race on Saturday morning. Almost 300 riders took off from the start line on day one.

Scott Chapin (Santa Cruz Factory Racing) flies down one of the high-speed wide open sections of the course. Chapin ended up 7th Place in the Open Men’s category.

Jeff Kendall-Weed (Ibis/WTB) was the fastest rider down Forest History Trail, winning the Rabobank KOM title on Day 2. Kendall-Weed took 2nd place overall in the Open Men’s field.

Megan Zemny (California Enduro Series) staying smooth and focused on the course. Zemny has worked tirelessly behind the scenes organizing the CES series, and at Wild Wood she got a chance to experience the event from a racer’s perspective! Zemny crossed the line with an impressive 9th place finish in the Open Women’s category.


Marco Osborne (WTB/Cannondale Overmountain) was the fastest man on the mountain winning the Day 1 Rabobank KOM on Manly Trail as well as taking 1st place in the Open Men category. His incredibly impressive riding skills were highlighted by the fact that he rode the 8 stages blind and still dominated the field.

Abby Hippely was the Day 2 Rabobank QOM as well as taking 2nd place in the Open Women category.

Megan Melack looking focused and riding her way to a 1st place finish in the Women’s open category. Melack kept racers on the course smiling all day with her positive attitude infectious laugh.

The Path Bike Shop Factory Team from Orange County, CA waits for results.

Megan Melack accepting her 1st Place trophy from the race organizer.

RESULTS - OPEN MEN

1. Marco Osborne (WTB/Cannondale Overmountain)
2. Jeff Kendall-Weed (Team Ibis/Retro Cellars/WTB)
3. Evan Geankoplis (Marin Rabobank)
4. Cory Sullivan (The Hive)
5. Teddy Hayden (Bear Devo Team)


RESULTS - OPEN WOMEN
1. Megan Melack (Julianna)
2. Abby Hippely (Juliana)
3. Lauren Gregg (Pivot/Fox/WTB)
4. Caroline Dezendorf (Vanderkitten Racing)
5. Brianne Spiersch (Marin Rabobank)


Words by Lauren Gregg & Photos by Scott McClain, Called To Creation