Carson City Off-Road Final Day by danyul

The Epic Rides Off-Road Series and bike expo rolled into the weekend with the grand finale of the series; Capitol 50 Pro backcountry race. With serious money on the line, the top professionals were battling it out from downtown Carson City, out to Lake Tahoe and back. The unforgiving fire road climbs were rewarded with epic single tracks and wide, loose downhills. Back in town, spectators could enjoy live music, the beer garden, and food while waiting for their favorite riders to cross the finish line.

Check out the action from day one here.

Another race day about to begin. Sunday's weather topped out at 86F / 30C. Don't forget your sunblock!

Fast and Curious. This is what some city officials get to drive - not to shabby.

Fast and Curious. This is what some city officials get to drive - not too shabby.

Yeah, there were a few bikes in town over the weekend. Oh, and did we mention the entire city was approved for "open-container". Good times were had.

The beer was flowing, the Stan's was flowing... and pretty much everything else.

The festivities carried on all weekend long. Headlining band The Cave Singers hit the bullet on the head with soulful acoustic jams and were definitely a crowd favorite.

The festivities carried on all weekend long. Headlining band, "The Cave Singers", hit the bullet on the head with soulful acoustic jams & were definitely a crowd favorite.

Five minutes to race time. Series' leader Todd Wells and teammate Russell Finsterwald, looking cool, calm and collected.

Could this slick looking black and green machine be something new from the good folks over at Giant? I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

This is what happens when you give mountain bikers the key to the city. Giant Factory riders, Carl Decker, Adam Craig and Stephan Davoust wreak havoc on the steps of the State Legislature building.

A massive start to the Pro Men's race.

Geoff Kabush rails a turn under the shade of the Birch trees. Photo: Brian Leddy

It was almost an hour from the start before racers were rewarded with a downhill section. Here's Todd Wells savoring the single track around Spooner Lake, before the next big climb. Photo: Brian Leddy

The top men making a sharp switchback with Jeremy Martin in the lead.

Nic Beechan is no stranger to high altitude and steep climbs.

Hours of climbing were rewarded with stunning views of the Lake Tahoe area.

Beginning of what was literally a shot-gun start to the race. The Pro Women started off as a pretty tight pack but as the hours went by the mountain began to take its toll and spread out the field.

The beginning of what was literally, a shot-gun start to the race. The Pro Women started off as a pretty tight pack, but as the hours went by, the mountain began to take its toll and spread out the field.

Rose Grant and Amy Beisel battle it out on one of the highest peaks of the course. It is a long and steep climb from the base of Marlette Lake seen below .

Rose Grant and Amy Beisel battle it out on one of the highest peaks of the course. It's a long and steep climb from the base of Marlette Lake (seen below).

Maghalie Rochette put in a solid performance over the weekend. She came in 9th place in the Backcountry race, which put her in 3rd place in the series standings.

Halfway into the near four-hour race. Katerina Nash in the lead, with Rose Grant and Amy Beisel nipping at her heals.

The sweet taste of victory. Katerina Nash comes in with a winning time of 3:52:50 on the 50-mile course.

Geoff Kabush delivered a 1,2 knock-out punch over the weekend; winning both the 50 mile Backcountry race and the Pro Crit.

Geoff Kabush s winning machine. Unlike a lot of other riders Geoff chose to run a 2X setup with electronic shifting .

Geoff Kabush's winning machine. Geoff chose to run a 2X setup with electronic shifting.

Todd Wells Benjamin Sonntag and Nic Beechan celebrate as the top three Pro Men in the Epic Rides race series. Some large checks were taken home.

Todd Wells, Benjamin Sonntag, and Nic Beechan celebrate as the top three Pro Men in the Epic Rides race series. Large checks were taken home.

Todd Wells' uber light race bike. Stay Gold.

Rose Grant Amy Beisel and Maghalie Rochette celebrate as the top three winners of the race series.

Rose Grant, Amy Beisel and Maghalie Rochette celebrate as the top three Pro Women of the race series.

Until we meet again Carson City...Happy trails!

MENTIONS: @epic-rides / @danyul

Author Info:

danyul

Member since Nov 30, 2010
37 articles

12 Comments

28 1

bikewriter (Jun 21, 2016 at 6:28)

More XC coverage?! More pics of 2x winning bikes AND mind-blowing photography? Thank you (believe it or not I check PB first for my lycra knobby scowling face coverage)!

11 0

suspended-flesh FL (Jun 21, 2016 at 9:39)

"Out to Lake Tahoe and back"??? That's straight up the Eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada. Even my car hates that climb. Respect.

rivercitycycles (Jun 21, 2016 at 11:14)

I was thinking that myself. That's some serious elevation gain. Reminds me of the Death Ride

10 0

turbodropshop25 (Jun 21, 2016 at 9:05)

The Tahoe area is soooooo freakin beautiful!!! One of my favorite places on this rock! Thanks for the coverage!!!

badburke (Jun 21, 2016 at 7:09)

Awesome Shots Dan!

macross87 (Jun 21, 2016 at 8:51)

Indeed!

gregnash (Jun 21, 2016 at 11:01)

Looks like a great event that I will be attending next year, just sucks I happened to be out of town (considering it started 5 blocks from my house). Looks like fun was had by all, except those that did not realize the amount of climbing we do for our trails... 12 miles of climbing fireroad and that is before you get to the BIG climb. Then from there it is all downhill (relatively speaking).

SteveDekker (Jun 21, 2016 at 9:33)

Looks like a great time. The whole Tahoe area is awesome! So much great riding and climbing. Might have to get some altitude! 102 here today.

zutroy (Jun 21, 2016 at 8:52)

Yeah......2X is dead...who needs it with the range we have now on 1X

cleghornphotography (Jun 21, 2016 at 9:53)

Good stuff Dan!

oakandpine (Jun 21, 2016 at 12:19)

Congrats to the Yackle brothers racing out of Reno for their first place wins. Well done boys.