Race Report: Furious Racing and Footdown in Alberta at the Canadian Enduro Series
While we didn't race the Berm-A-Grin trail, it sure is a must ride spot! Follow along as Jake Paddon chases race organizer Ted Morton
Race Recap: Round #5 Crowsnest Pass, AB // Norco Canadian Enduro Series presented by LTP Sports
In 1920 the last train robbery ever in Alberta took place in the Crowsnest Pass, Alberta. This area in the late 1800s and early 1900s was surrounded with some of the most badass rum runners, thieves and downright fun people! While the rum runnners and thieves have left, this little town has grown into a booming outdoor paradise. Riding here is an absolute treat; there are high Alpine hike-a-bikes, flow trails that will blow your mind with natural on-off features, singletrack for days and some crazy scenic views. Throw in a bite to eat at any one of the local restaurants (Captain’s Pizza and Stones Throw are a few of our favourites) and you’ve got yourself a vacation to remember.
The weekend was highlighted by Norco Canadian Enduro Team members Evan Wall (U21) and Jacob Tooke (U21) taking the two fastest times of the day for the men. Katie Spittlehouse walked away with the fastest time for the women, taking the overall and the pro win. Daniel Shaw won the pro-men after riding most of the course blind! For the Open Women it was Clara Bown (who is U21!) who stole the top spot after an incredible race!
For full results you can click here.
Trail Love
The United Riders of Crowsnest have a club like no other. It’s run by a very tight-knit community that makes time for the little things like making mugs, applying for grants, helping riders find food and accommodation in their houses. This dedication to making good times on bikes really shows by the big things they’ve been able to create – new trails, including my favourite flow trail and some truly unique features littered throughout untouched hero dirt!
This event is also a part of the Rumhead Bikefest, a weekend full of camping, kids rides, beer and community goodness!
For those who didn't know, at every stop of the Norco Canadian Enduro Series, we donate 10% of racer registrations towards the local club's trail maintenance. For this race, racers contributed $2557!
UROC | Pass Powderkeg | Darcy Neniska | John Redekopp | Andrew Fairhurst | Paul Hunter | | Lucas Hall
UROC, no You Rock! Thanks for having us team!
The famous 'Crowsnest'. The views in the pass are breathtaking
While practice day was littered with torrential downpours, race day was quite the opposite. Rainbows and sunshine!
Picture perfect morning up at Pass Powderkeg to start the day!
The Course
Jacob B. was ready for the cold morning but the weather turned around and it was full sun for the afternoon!
Race organizer Ted Morton putting in the grunt work. A dropped chain the night before the race, and in the rain - ugh! Luckily our photographer Jenny was on course scouting with her truck and had a full toolbox!
The climb up to Big Bear (Stage 2) is long and steep!
Racing
Pass Powderkeg has some fun jumps!
Tonje Kvivik (Right) made the trip out. She's a pro freeskier and is starting to make her mark in mountain biking as well!
We were stoked to see race legend Nick Quinn back out between the tape. He's stepped back the last few years as he's become a dad, pretty cool to see him land a 6th in Pro Men!
Laura Mislan from Alberta 66 MTB was out racing. Check out her guiding operations if you're looking for tours or lessons in the Alberta area.
Jake Paddon is an absolute animal. He and Ted Morton hiked up Frank Slide on Friday, Jake then raced Sunday only to try and attempt to drive back to Squamish on Sunday night before his car broke down near Salmo in an area without cell reception. Needless to say, he was late for work...
The Pass has everything - roots, rocks and a whole bunch of fun!
Jacob Baggott making short work of the rock rolls on Stage 3 aptly named "School of Rock"
Smith Thrills AND Spills - Timed Descent
At every event, we pick a stage that is full of wild thrills and tremendous spills. For this event, we switched it up and invited the whole entire race to participate in a game of foot-down. We gave $75.00 to the male and female winners who kept their feet up the longest!
He can't decide if these will make him faster or if it is more important that they will stop the salt from the salt gun his brother uses to keep mosquitos at bay.
Definitely need to upgrade this rider with some #Chromapop
The winners of the SMITH Spills and Thrills footdown competition!
Livin' the Dream!
These events are more than just racing; they're about having an adventure with your crew and in some cases, winning some sweet, sweet, prizing!
Dan Shaw took home the win in the We Are One Composites Rim Swap Fiesta. It's simple in theory - swap a tire on a carbon rim, fastest time wins a pair of rims - but it's harder than it looks, just ask Dan.
MEC was onsite providing free mechanic services to racers and after the muddy pre-ride day they were working hard.
Tailgating with some Fernie Brewing is always a good idea. I heard a rumour there is a new brewery opening in Crowsnest Pass - better hurry and buy your house now!
Our volunteers are outstanding!
SMRT Tent was a necessary item this weekend, these things make camping easy and keep you dry.
Results
If you're looking for results, you can find them here.
Be sure to check out all the photos from the event here Big thanks to Jenny Grayburn for the photos, be sure to tag her in your posts!
SC U21 Women // Leanne Gartner
SC Open Women // Sara McCartney, Kat Ray, Cee Kung
SC U21 Men // Jared Langille, Brady Pederseon, Rhett Marriott
SC Open Men // Jason Cox, Matt Henning, Patrick Ouellette
U15 // Elijah Barron (6th Overall), Oliver Cebuliak, Jacob Baggott
30-39 // Ryan Cowie, Mike Smith, Steve Lessoway
21-29 // Mike Brush, Mike Saunders, Casey Elzinga
40+ // Frith Murray, Grant Murray, Kevin Eaton (RMCC)
Open Women // Clara Bown, Krista Cook, Tonje Kvivik
U21 // Evan Wall (Norco Canadian Enduro Team), Jacob Tooke (Norco Canadian Enduro Team), Johnny Helly
Expert Men // Zach Singer, Eric Stonehouse, Bryan Bell
Pro Women // Katie Spittlehouse, Melanie Edwards, Jena Greaser
Pro Men // Daniel Shaw, Darcy Neniska, Aidan Jones
Volunteering
If you're keen to volunteer, register here as a volunteer
Thanks to all our volunteers, you are the backbone of the racing community!
The Norco Canadian Enduro Series is supported by:
A massive thank-you to this year's series sponsors and supporters and anyone who volunteered with us and anyone who helped with a shuttle, a beer, or a spare tube!
Need something? More information?
• Visit our Website
• Athlete Inquires & Volunteer Information | admin@bcenduro.com
• All other inquiries | ted@bcenduro.com (Event Director)
MENTIONS: @SmithOptics / @raceface / @CLIF
Author Info:
Member since Mar 9, 2013
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I’ll take that #chromapop upgrade