California Enduro Series 2017 Round 5: Crafts and Cranks Enduro - Video
The California Enduro Series headed to Southern California for its fifth round of the season. The Crafts and Cranks Enduro presented by Team Big Bear in Big Bear Lake was part of the third annual Crafts and Cranks bike racing and beer festival which ran throughout the weekend of July 21–23 at Snow Summit Bike Park. The two-day enduro took place on Friday and Saturday and gave nearly 400 racers a good feel for what the San Bernadino mountains have to offer.
The course included swoopy sections full of big beautiful berms, grippy pavers, sweet spots to send it, chunky rock gardens, tight corners, and even some loamy bits in the trees. The two-day race kicked off with stages one and two on Friday afternoon. Racers started their second day with a hefty 7:00am climb to the first of three stages.
At the end of it all, Brian Lopes reigned supreme, beating riders half his age. Essence Barton swept all five stages, taking the win for the women on her "home" turf.
Brian Lopes pinned on one of stage two's many dusty, loose turns. Lopes lost the stage to McKay Vezina by 0.03 of a second. He ultimately took the top step for Pro Men, despite a crash on the event’s final stage.
"It was a hot one, and challenging both technically and physically. With the heat, you really feel that." With Laguna Beach being home base, Lopes is no stranger to dry and dusty trails but he points out, "Here is a whole different level of dry and dusty. The soil is more powdery. Add a few hundred racers, and trail conditions change dramatically—your race run won’t be the same as practice."
Essence Barton sends it on stage three and took it all the way to first place in Pro Women. Barton grew up racing XC at Snow Summit.
"I know the mountain—so despite being ten days off training, I felt good. But mentally and emotionally, it was challenging. I wanted to do my best; the pressure was on. My goal was to win this race and I’m so stoked I did. Hometown victory!"
McKay Vezina keeps his cool through the trees on stage four. The Newbury Park rider took Pro Men's second place.
Evander Hughes rails a long paver berm on stage three. The Temecula racer lost the stage by a fraction of a second to his teammate, Cole Picchiottino, but finished the event one spot ahead of him at Pro Men's third place.
Cole Picchiottino, another Southern California resident, charging his way to Pro Men's fourth place.
Ryan Gardner was the only Northern Californian on the Pro Men podium. He came in fifth place for the event and currently stands in first place for the series overall.
Christine Eikmeier took Pro Women's second place and is eighth in the series overall.
Anneke Beerten gets set to take on the day high above Big Bear Lake. Beerten finished third in Pro Women.
Janea Perry focused and determined on stage four. Perry is the series' Pro Women leader and took fourth place.
Zephyr Sylvester coming in strong on stage three, taking that energy all the way to the podium in fifth place. She currently stands at second for the series overall.
Tyler Weyman (Giant) took first for Open Men and is currently in second place overall.
Nick Gallizioli at the top of stage one. Gallizioli took second for Open Men and stands in first for the series overall.
Travis Claypool on a sharp U-turn berm on stage four. Claypool, a Southern California Junior Expert rider racing the EWS took first for the event.
Max Sedlak, another Southern California Junior Expert rider, followed Claypool to the podium, taking second place.
Liz Miller throws the horns as the Pro Women line up for another stage of racing.
Tim Langdon roosting a powdery berm on the first stage of the event. Langdon placed 13th in Pro Men.
Oof! Langdon still smiling after a nasty spill on Day two's stage four.
Evan Geankoplis sets his piercing blue eyes ahead, coming in at eighth place in Pro Men. Geankoplis is a series racer and currently stands at third place.
Scotts Valley Cycle Sport's women catch a lift. The SVCS team stands at first place for the series overall. Brittany Cavaletto (center), co-owner of the Santa Cruz County bike shop took first place in Expert Women for the event and is currently 3rd overall.
Riders line up at the Kenda tent to register on Friday.
CES director, Steve Gemelos had plenty to smile about, including a fun ride with his wife Megan, series co-founder and their friend Heather Cooper. Gemelos was thrilled to partner with Team Big Bear to add the Crafts and Cranks Enduro to the 2017 race lineup.
 | Team Big Bear has a lot of experience running cycling events, making it an easy partnership. We love having events that are more than just a race. Having a festival with craft beer and live music adds to the fun of an enduro weekend. |
Crafts and Cranks race director, Tom Spiegel addresses the racers at the rider meeting as Gemelos and Southridge Racing director Donny Jackson look on.
| Team Big Bear was excited for the Crafts and Cranks Enduro to be part of the 2017 series. We appreciate all the Northern California riders who came down for the race and hope they enjoyed themselves here at the resort. |
Friday's rider meeting.
Sean Bell and his father Mike share a passion for riding. Son finished just off the podium in sixth place, while dad took third for Expert Men 50+.
Camaraderie is the hallmark of enduro.
The K-Man team took turns riding the mechanical bull. K-Man is currently at 12th place overall.
Gardner chills in his DHaRCO party kit.
C.E.S. is excited to showcase the Canyon Spectral, a replica of the bike Canyon rider, Joe Barnes is racing in the E.W.S. This fine steed will be on display at the remaining 2017 C.E.S. races.
A young helper picks the winning Fox fork raffle ticket. Big thanks to Fox for donating 2018 forks to be raffled at each C.E.S. event of the year.
Ahh... That cold post-race brew on a hot afternoon!
Pro Women's Podium: 1st. Essence Barton / 2nd. Christine Eikmeier / 3rd. Anneke Beerten / 4th. Janea Perry / 5th. Zephyr Sylvester.
Pro Men's Podium: 1st. Brian Lopes / 2nd. McKay Vezina / 3rd. Evander Hughes / 4th. Cole Picchiottino / 5th. Ryan Gardner.
It may have been a bike racing and beer festival, but let's not forget about the magic of fermented grapes. Big thanks to Michael David Winery for providing vino for this season's podium winners!
Cheers to another great event—massive thanks to the riders, sponsors, and volunteers who make it all happen. View full results here.
Up next: Round 6—the Northstar Enduro at Northstar Mountain Resort, August 26–27. The Northstar Enduro is the second round of the C.E.S. Golden Tour. It's also an E.W.S. qualifier and a stop on the N.A.E.T. Hope to see you there!
About California Enduro Series:
C.E.S. 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. Contact C.E.S. for information on sponsoring the 2017 series.
Check out the 2017 schedule and learn more about the series at californiaenduroseries.com.
Words by Michele Charboneau.
Photos by Scott McClain.
Video by Mitch Nuyens and Sebastian Bauer.
MENTIONS: @calienduro
Author Info:
Member since Apr 28, 2014
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I think it’s great that Lopes (an old guy that some people have choice words for) is riding on a bike (made by a brand that some people have even more choice words for) is still killing it. As an ‘aging’ mountain biker, I’ve got zero excuses. It was legitimately inspiring when I heard he won this thing.
See ya next year Crafts and Cranks! I’ll be racing it this time! (I’ll also be an ‘old guy’ on a despised bike brand but with a goal of not coming in last.)
www.pinkbike.com/news/from-the-top-david-turner-2017.html