Shane Gayton races in the 2016 Whistler Spring Classic; he is currently in 11th spot in the North American Enduro Tour standings. Photo by Scott Robarts
There is still time to register for the
Whistler Fall Classic, the fourth Enduro World Series Qualifier in the NAET season, and one of the last enduros of the year in the Sea to Sky Corridor.
The course has just been released and it's looking like a big sampling of everything the
Whistler Mountain Bike Park has on offer: flow, roots, rocks, single-track and lots of alpine terrain.
With the leaves starting to turn and temperatures dropping, it is also likely to be one of the last races to crest these peaks until 2017 and is certain to live up to its billing as a race that gives those who want to leave it all on the trail a chance to crush.
The next race, the
Kamikaze Bike Games Enduro at Mammoth Mountain, is capped at 600 registrations, whereas this will be a more intimate race ─ although, still with Enduro World Series qualifiers points on the table. It is the only EWS qualifier in Pacific Northwest.
Registration is open until Friday, and will be
available on site on Saturday.
The course: Stage 1Top of the World
Transition 1-2No Joke to the Freight Train expressway containers
Stage 2Starting at the Freight Train containers, riders enter Duffman. Duffman to Mackenzie River then back onto Duffman. Golden Triangle to Shady Acres, onto Del Bocca Vista and, finally, EZ Does It. Finish at the water tower, just after the bridge on EZ Does It.
Transition 2-3Recommended route to the bottom of the bike park is via EZ Does It to Monkey Hands, but the rider can make their own trail choice. Upload Fitzsimmons Chair. Upload Garbanzo Chair. Ride Blue Velvet until Bear Cub Road. Proceed down Bear Cub Road to the top of Creekside Gondola. Freight Train to Cross Roads. Dusty’s Descent. Follow the signs to BC’s Trail
Stage 3BC’s
Transition 3-4Upload Creekside Gondola. Freight Train. Cross Roads to Dusty’s Descent. Take the turn off for BC’s Trail. Go down Love Canal to top of Kadenwood Gondola. Follow the signs on the access road.
Stage 4Big Timber
Mckay Vezina, 32nd in the Enduro World Series, took on the Spring Classic, the first race of the North American Enduro Tour and the first of the two NAET races based in Whistler. Now owned and operated by Crankworx Events Inc, which is based in Whistler, the Whistler Spring Classic, and Whistler Fall Classic offer two chances for racers to return to the home base. Photo by Scott Robarts
Sarah Leishman placed fifth in the Whistler Spring Classic and has been racing the EWS ever since, where she is currently ranked 10th. Photo by Scott Robarts
Jennifer McTavish came second in the U17-20 category in the spring. Photo by Scott Robarts
Noah Catropa races toward his sixth place finish in the U17-20 category of the Spring Classic.Photo by Scott Robarts
Yoann Barelli, who lives and trains in Whistler, placed third in the Spring Classic behind Jesse Melamed and Josh Carlson, who is currently leading the NAET series in points. Photo by Scott Robarts
Jesse Melamed raced in the Spring Classic and is registered to return for the fall; although he is flying in to make the start line.He is coming off a stunning second place finish in the SRAM Canadian Open Enduro presented by Specialized at Crankworx three weeks ago. Photo by Scott Robarts
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