California Enduro Series Round 3: VP Components Endurofest

Round Three of the California Enduro Series took place this weekend in the mountains above Fresno, California at the China Peak Mountain Resort. The VP Components Endurofest at China Peak is a favorite stop in the series for many racers who prefer technical, downhill-style enduro stages and primitive and challenging terrain. The venue is unique- a beautiful secluded mountain resort at the end of the road, with stunning views of Huntington Lake and steep rocky trails. Racers and spectators camped on the resort property steps away from the lift. Everyone camping together at the venue really created a fun sense of community at this challenging event.

Friday offered riders a chance to practice the course using the resort’s chairlift to bring them to the top of the mountain. Racers got in as many laps as possible on the four gnarly stages before watching the high sierra sunset and resting up for the race.


A racer studying the course map during practice on Friday. Many riders were shocked by how much climbing would be done on Saturday during the race, but they were rewarded with fast and gnarly downhill stages.

Lift access of Friday for practice helped racers save their legs for the almost 6k feet of climbing on Saturday. Some riders opted out of the lift line and climbed during practice, but most chose to rest their legs and ride the chairlift.

Racers awoke in their tents as the sun started to beat down early on Saturday morning. The temperature was already on the rise as racers gathered for the rider’s meeting at 9am at the base of the mountain. Categories were spaced out in half hour increments with Pros starting to climb the mountain to the start of Stage 1. Stage 1 and 2 were fast and flowy, with deep loose corners just begging to swallow riders’ front wheels. Some racers were able to find flow in the loose conditions while others were met with faces full of dirt. After completing the tricky switchbacks and final sprint of Stage 2, racers were again at the bottom of the mountain and needed to begin their second, 7.3 mile ascent to the top for Stage 3. The heat was punishing, and riders tried to cool off and drink as much water as possible before starting the climb. The long, exposed climb was punishing and the heat was a major challenge for racers. At the top of the climb riders hid in the small bits of shade and squeezed the last water out of their bottles, trying to collect themselves and lower their body temperatures before dropping into the most challenging stages. Stage 3 included the gnarly rock garden, the most technical section of the course and a favorite spot for spectators. Many riders smoothly cleared the large rocks, while many others got caught up and crashed.

The rider’s meeting shows the great turn out for Round 3 of the CES. Last year, the China Peak Endurofest had 188 participants, and this year it has grown to almost 350 riders.

Marco Osborne preparing to race during the rider’s meeting. Osborne took 1st place in the Pro Men’s field.

Crossing the finish line on Stage 3 was a relief, but for Pros and Experts it meant it was time for their third ascent back to the top of the mountain, and the temperature was still on the rise. By the end of the day, Pro/Experts climbed roughly 6k feet on the hottest day yet of the year at the resort. Once at the top, however, they were rewarded with the final stage of the day- the fast and wild Stage 4. Stage 4 brought riders through super fast wide open sections, over sleep slabs of granite, and down a section of an old Pro GRT Downhill course. Stage 4 was extremely technically demanding and was made even more challenging because racers were so exhausted and hot at the end of the day.

Through the heat and the punishing tracks, most riders still had a great day out on the course. Racers loved the technical course and everyone was working together to help one another make it through the heatwave, offering water and support to each other on the trail. Just crossing the finish line was a victory, and after the race riders reminisced about their challenges and triumphs of the day over beer and burritos.


Chris Seymour letting loose on a wide open section of Stage 3 during practice on Friday.

The TRP Brake Zone radar clocked the speed of riders as they entered the Stage 3 rock garden, the most gnarly section on the course.

Brian Lopes sending it on Stage 2. Brian Lopes said "China Peak CA enduro was awesome this past weekend. I'd never been to either the resort or an event that the CA Enduro crew has put on and both impressed me. The mountain had no shortage of challenging natural terrain trails and the organizers made sure to test out our fitness and skill level, having us on our bikes for nearly 5hours of pedaling time, 5500+ feet of climbing, and 25 minutes of staged racing. I'd say this was a REAL enduro event, all the way down to the great swimming hole just a short distance from where most camped out." Lopes finished 2nd.

Pros Casey Coffman and Lauren Gregg hosted the VP Components pre-ride and helped coach racers through a practice run of the two most technical stages of the race.

Jeff Kendall-Weed attacks the gnarly garden in his usual smooth and fast style. He impressed spectators during practice with his “unconventional lines” through the rock garden- utilizing the side of the course as a wall ride. Kendall-Weed finished 3rd.

The VP Components team hangs with the pros with a few post-race beers. The VP Team spent a ton of time doing trail work, marking the course, and organizing the event. Erik Saunders put lots of thought into course design, trying to create a race that would challenge riders and reward bike handling skills and line choices.

Women's Pro Podium
Margaret Gregory
Ariana Altier
Essence Barton
Jackie Swider
Amy Morrison (not pictured)

Men's Pro Podium
Marco Osborne (WTB Cannondale Overmountain)
Brian Lopes (Brian Lopes Inc.)
Jeff Kendall-Weed
Evan Geankoplis (Marin Rabobank)
Cory Sullivan (Ethirteen)

Winners of the Rabobank KOM/QOM, the fastest riders down Stage 4 for Pro/Expert and Stage 2 for Sport/Beginner. Brian Lopes and Margaret Gregory took the Pro/Expert award, and Matthew Gauncher and Erika Boren were the Sport/Beginner KOM/QOM.

TRP Brake Challenge winners, Jeremiah Newman (WTB/Pivot) and Brianne Spiersch (Marin/Rabobank)

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

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