California Enduro Series 2017 Finale: Ashland Mountain Challenge

The California Enduro Series (CES) wrapped up its 2017 season in style with the Ashland Mountain Challenge, presented by Ashland Mountain Adventures, on October 7, 2017 in Ashland, Oregon.

Just over the California border, Ashland is a quaint town well known for its Shakespeare Festival, a vast array of eating and drinking establishments, and access to a myriad of outdoor adventures, including, of course, the famed mountain bike trails in the Ashland watershed. The sold-out season CES finale offered a challenging course that gave its 271 racers quite the test of legs, lungs, and skill, as well as a veritable tour of the outstanding trails on the east and west sides of Mount Ashland. Dry, fast, loose were the words of the day … a day that Cory Sullivan and Janea Perry—both on the Marin Enduro Team—crushed all the way to the top of the pro podium. Their solid efforts on the AMC course capped off a stellar season that landed both of them championship titles for the 2017 series.

Race morning was sunny but downright chilly. Sport/Beginner racers quickly warmed up on a whopping nine mile transfer from the Lithia Park venue that included 3,200 feet of climbing. Stage 1, Horn Gap, is true Ashland single track—fast and flowy with a few sections of tight trees. Riders then pedaled over to Stage 2, Hitt Road, a fast double track with a few water bars and rocks to keep folks on their toes. Meanwhile, Pro/Open/Expert riders were shuttled to the top of Mount Ashland where they made the transfer to their first stage of the day, Stage 3. This stage started at top of the downhill section of Lower Bull Gap and continued on Upper and Lower Missing Links, across the Four Corners parking lot and finished just past the bottom of Catwalk on Toothpick. This lengthy run was a real burner, with plenty of tight corners to sprint out of and a few punchy little climbs tossed in to keep things extra special. From a short transfer across Toothpick and up Caterpillar, racers got a real treat for Stage 4: two new trails that have not yet been raced at the AMC—Lizard and Jabberwocky. New additions to the watershed trail system, both are flow trails with deep, fabulous berms, big flowy corners, and plenty of tables and doubles. The final stage for Pro/Open/Expert riders was BTI, a short but super sweet Ashland classic.

After completing their respective sides of the mountain, each group swung through the venue to snag a tasty treat at the PBJ sandwich bar and to check their standings at the CES timing tent. Pro/Open/Experts then made the long pedal up to Stages 1 and 2, while Sport/Beginner riders caught shuttles to the top of the mountain for their final two stages, 3 and 4. In all, Pro/Open/Expert riders took on a total of 33 miles that included 8,000 feet of descending and 5,200 feet of climbing. Sport/Beginner riders put in a solid day just shy of those numbers. As riders finished up with this long day of racing, they re-converged at the Lithia Park venue to grab a beverage and swap race stories with friends while waiting for results to come in. They were treated to an incredible dinner spread and an array of libations before awards for the Ashland Mountain Challenge and the Series Overall were announced.

Get full Ashland Mountain Challenge race results here. View final series individual standings here and team standings here.


Cory Sullivan (Marin), here on the short but super sweet Stage 5 (BTI), called the 2017 AMC course "unpredictable, skaty, rolling fast." Although his Stage 5 time of 2:38 put him in second to Nathan Riddle's 2:36, Sullivan's solid effort on the day ousted his hometown idol Riddle from his spot as AMC champ. Sullivan says, "It's been a long-time goal of mine to beat Nathan, who I have looked up to my whole life. That said, I went into this race with no pressure on myself … I just wanted to ride my best and I'm stoked that today's best won me the top spot." Sullivan’s talent and skill saw him not only to the top step on the day, but to first place in the series overall as well.


Nathan Riddle (Santa Cruz Bicycles) navigates the turns on Catwalk / Stage 3, taking second on this especially long stage at 16:08, five seconds behind Cory Sullivan. The local legend (for whom the WTB Riddler tire is named) lost his AMC crown to Sullivan by a mere four seconds, taking second place on the day. He says, "I’m truly stoked for Cory. Not only for his win today, but because today's win made his series overall win. Nobody wants to get second, but hey, I'm willing to share. It eases the pain that it was Cory." He adds with a grin, "But … next year: it's ON!"

Kyle Warner (Marin) looking focused and composed as he comes into the bottom of Stage 3. He finished the stage in 16:16, just behind Sullivan and Riddle, taking third for that stage and ultimately third on the day.

Fierce and focused, 2017 Golden Tour winner Evan Geankoplis (Marin) charges the bottom of Stage 3. He came in fourth on the stage (with a 16:19), and also on the day. His skill and effort throughout the season saw him in second place for the series overall.


Ryan Gardner (Kona) feeling the Jabberwocky magic on Stage 4; his time of 7:47 put him in fourth on the stage. He came in fifth place at day's end, and took third for the series overall.


Local rider Janea Perry (Marin) railing the Jabberwocky turns on Stage 4. Perry, who has been racing her heart out all season long, led that stage by 22 seconds (8:21) and finished the day on the top steps of both the AMC and series overall Pro Women podiums. She says, "Hometown races always have added pressure—winning the Ashland Mountain Challenge felt great. I'm happy to have ended the season on a good note on my local trails. And I'm stoked to win the overall! I owe a lot to my family, friends, and sponsors (Marin, WTB, e thirteen, Honey Stinger, KMC, Sweet Protection, 180 Decals, 100 Percent, Deity Components). The 2017 season has been good to me."


Essence Barton (Santa Cruz Bicycles / VP Components) setting out fast and strong on Stage 2's Hitt Road. Barton's 4:49 time put her at second on the stage, less than five seconds behind Janea Perry. Barton took second place on the day and her solid riding and dedication put her in second for the series overall as well.

Battle Kitten on course! Ashland shredder Andrea Napoli is ferocity personified on Stage 4's Jabberwocky. She took third on both the stage and the day.

BTI gives Porsha Murdock (Juliana) a lift as she takes on the final stage of a day that would see her in fourth place.

Lili Heim gets after it on Stage 4's Jabberwocky. She took fifth place on the day and landed in the top ten for the series overall in ninth place.

This crew made good fun out of the nine-mile climb to Stage 1.

Noah "Bearbait" Catropa (SR Suntour / Marin) railing his home turf, making easy work of Jabberwocky's loose DG on Stage 4. He took third on the stage with a time of 7:45, and just missed making the Pro Men podium by less than a second.


Kyle "Speedbump" Harder (Santa Cruz Bicycles) rails Stage 2, Hitt Road. Harder doesn't just race hard, he works hard. He came up to Ashland earlier in the year for an Ashland Mountain Adventures / California Enduro Series trail work day sponsored by Santa Cruz Bicycles. Check out this article about the event to learn more about the trail work endeavor and how you, too, can help.

Mike Lee (Felt / Dynaplug) lookin' oh so fine on Stage 4's Jabberwocky. Lee took tenth on both the day and the series overall.


It was good to see Dillon Santos (Ibis) back in action after his injury a few months ago at Whistler. Here he negotiates a tight section toward the bottom of Catwalk on Stage 3. Taking it easy on the day, he finished in eighth place. Impressively, he took fourth in the series overall despite missing half the races!

Evan Turpen turning up some dust on Stage 5. The China Peak Enduro's very first race director finished the series in the top ten, placing seventh.

Barton at the start of Stage 5.

Tasha Thomas (South Shore Bikes) getting sideways on a tight Jabberwocky turn, Stage 4. She finished seventh in the series overall.

Ashton Smith sails through a loose, tight corner on Stage 3's Catwalk. Smith's efforts saw him to fifth place Open Men by day's end, and second place for the series overall.

That light! That DG! Those trees! The Ashland watershed is an amazing place to ride, whether at race speed or a more recreational pace.

A wee hike-a-bike on the transfer to Stage 5.


Team K-Man's Jesse Buerster had plenty to smile about at the start of Stage 4. He took second on the stage (his 8:08 just four seconds behind Ashton Smith) and landed fifth place Open Men for the series overall.

Mechanicals suck.

Mammoth Bar Enduro race organizer Heath Sherratt waits to drop into Stage 4.

Cory Sullivan checking his golf swing between Stages 4 and 5.

Race organizer William "Wild Bill" Roussel setting folks up with the lowdown at packet pickup.

Margaux Elliott checking in at packet pickup. Elliott made the Expert Women podium in fourth place and her hard work throughout the series took her to fourth overall.


Loading up for practice shuttles at the Ashland Mountain Adventures shop. AMA takes riders up to the top of Mount Ashland where they are dropped off for an incredibly fun shred down some of the best singletrack they'll ever put tread to.

Hope is the title sponsor of the Ashland Mountain Challenge and provides a great deal of support to the event.

CES co-founder and sponsorship director Megan Gemelos hands out prizes during a fun pre-awards game, while hashtagendurobaby hangs out, taking it all in.


Standing Stone's head chef Stefano Cipollone conceived a hearty and delicious post-race menu that included homemade three bean chilli served with a choice of shredded pork or roasted sweet potatoes (or both!), plus freshly baked sourdough bread and a winter kale salad. Gil's of Ashland—a favorite post-ride tap house—provided three different microbrews, two flavors of Oregon cider, and local wines.

Hope provided some killer awards to this year's AMC winners.

This. Is. Stoke.

After a long and exhausting season, these pros are ready to kick back. Left to right: Ryan Gardner, Carolina Gomez-Villafane, Essence Barton.

Ashland Mountain Adventures' Sue O'Daly flings swag to the eager masses. This lovely dynamo is well known throughout the greater mountain biking community for being remarkably helpful, accommodating, enthusiastic, and downright AWESOME.

The enduro community rocks.


AMC race director Roussel says, "The AMC was a huge challenge, not just for me, Sue and our crew, but for the racers as well. It was a big day on the mountain, yet we finished up in a reasonable amount of time and no one was seriously hurt. I’d say it was a success and we will go a little bigger next year." He adds, "I want to give a big shout of gratitude to my wife Sue without whom this event would not—could not—happen. Sue is the powerhouse behind operations: organizing the venue, practice and race day shuttles, medical needs, signage, food and drink, and so much more."

Roussel is appreciative of the event being part of the series, as well. "Working with CES continues to be a thing that was meant to be. Steve, Megan, and Michele have such a great passion and understanding of what it takes to run an event like this and that makes AMC's job so much easier. The pieces just fit and come together well. Thank you, CES for working with AMC to bring the racers such a quality event here in Southern Oregon!" Learn more about Roussel, the shuttle business he runs with wife Sue O'Daly, and the origin of the Ashland Mountain Challenge in this article by Lars Filson.

Massive thanks to FOX for donating 2018 forks to be raffled at each CES event of the year. Winner Sterling Morvay poses with CES Director Steve Gemelos.

Ashland Mountain Challenge Pro Men podium: 1 - Cory Sullivan / 2 - Nathan Riddle / 3 - Kyle Warner / 4 - Evan Geankoplis / 5 - Ryan Gardner

Ashland Mountain Challenge Pro Women podium: 1 - Janea Perry / 2 - Essence Barton / 3 - Andrea Napoli / 4 - Porsha Murdock / 5 - Lili Heim

(Photo regrettably unavailable)
Ashland Mountain Challenge Open Men podium: 1 - Jed Pope / 2 - Sam Markling / 3 - Jacob Black / 4 - Jesse Buerster / 5 - Ashton Smith

Ashland Mountain Challenge Junior Expert podium: 1 - Myles Morgan / 2 - Max Sedlak / 3 - Alex Walker / 4 - Blaise Janssen / 5 - Shane Swigard

CES Overall Pro Men podium: 1 - Cory Sullivan / 2 - Evan Geankoplis / 3 - Ryan Gardner / 4 - Dillon Santos (absent) / 5 - Matt Guntert (absent)

CES Overall Pro Women podium: 1 - Janea Perry / 2- Essence Barton / 3 - Zephyr Sylvester (absent) / 4 - Amy Morrison (absent) / 5 - Carolina Gomez-Villafane

CES Overall Open Men podium: 1 - Tyler Weyman / 2 - Ashton Smith / 3 - Nick Gallizioli (absent) / 4 - Jacob Black / 5 - Jesse Buerster

CES Overall Junior Expert podium: 1 - Max Sedlak / 2 - Blaise Janssen / 3 - Lee Faraola / 4 - Hayden Wenger / 5 - Myles Morgan (absent)

CES Overall Team podium: 1 - Sierra Overhead Analytics / 2 - Scotts Valley Cycle Sport / 3 - VP Enduro Stars / 4 - The Hub Roseville / 5 - Marin Enduro Team

Here’s to yet another extraordinary event—and an absolutely amazing fifth season. CES co-founder and director Steve Gemelos enthuses, "The Ashland Mountain Challenge was the perfect wrap-up for the fifth year of the California Enduro Series. The trails here are a BLAST—everyone we saw was grinning ear to ear and hooting about all the fun they were having. We couldn’t ask for a better end to a milestone season. Thanks so much to Bill and Sue from Ashland Mountain Adventures for putting on such an exemplary event."

Gemelos looks back at this fifth year of the series with pride and gratitude, noting that the series would be nothing without the passion and dedication of its riders, sponsors, and crew, and the incredible race directors and their teams. "To the riders—we love having you as part of the series. Enjoy the off-season and we look forward to seeing you on the trails. Our sponsors—you are a critical part of the series and your support is truly appreciated. Race directors and your teams, plus everyone on the CES team—you work really hard to make these events and this series happen. I can’t thank you all enough!"

About California Enduro Series

CES is a for riders, by riders non-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to promoting world-class enduro events that everyone from amateur to pro can enjoy, at a geographically diverse range of venues. The series is renowned for fostering an exceptional sense of community and encourages its participants to be involved in its planning.

The series is grateful for the support of VP Components, FOX, Clif Bar, WTB, Canyon, Kali Protectives, Michael David Winery, Cranked Naturals, Kenda Tires, DHaRCO, KMC, Adventure Sports Journal, Gamut, Voler, ESI Grips, Mike's Bikes and TrailWorks.

Follow CES on Facebook and sign up for the CES e-newsletter to be the first to know when the 2018 schedule is released.

Learn more about the series at californiaenduroseries.com.

Words by Michele Charboneau and Lars Filson
Photos by Scott and Melody McClain, Called To Creation
Video by Mitch Nuyens and Sebastian Bauer

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MENTIONS: @calienduro

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