The first round of the California Enduro Series was held on May 9 just a lick east of the California – Nevada state line. Much like when Le Tour de France ventures into neighboring European countries from time to time, this race was held in Nevada. Those who raced the Battle Born Enduro in 2014 remember the blistering heat of Peavine Mountain above Reno, Nevada. This year’s race was contested in May instead of June, so racers were graced will cool weather.

The race sold out in just a few days. Kurt Gensheimer a.k.a. The Angry Singlespeeder must have been the most stoked enduro rider in attendance!
The race sold out in just a few days. Kurt Gensheimer a.k.a. The Angry Singlespeeder must have been the most stoked enduro rider in attendance!

In the hour before the first wave of riders took off, the parking lot of Rancho San Rafael Park was filled with stoked racers scrambling to prepare their day’s equipment. Some had their bikes all dialed in, while others had suffered substantial damage during the previous day’s pre ride. At 8 AM Pro and Expert Category riders were sent off by event organizer Kevin Joell, with Sport and Beginner Category riders trailing about a half hour behind.

A rider sends it while pre riding stage 1 on Friday afternoon.
A rider sends it while pre riding stage 1 on Friday afternoon.
Fat bikes at an enduro race? Mike Galeoto pilots his rig to 10th place in the Expert 40-49 field.
Fat bikes at an enduro race? Mike Galeoto pilots his rig to 10th place in the Expert 40-49 field.

The course would dish out about 26 miles of riding with 3600 feet of climbing. A big portion of the climbing was taken care of on the first transfer stage, taking riders 1+ hours and climbing 1900 feet. The wind was blowing at the top, which made waiting in line at stage 1 slightly uncomfortable.

Ryan Simonovich, the author of this recap, tackles a switchback on stage three. Ryan would finish 12th place in the Expert 18-29 category for the Scotts Valley Cycle Sport / Valhalla Builders Enduro Team.
Ryan Simonovich, the author of this recap, tackles a switchback on stage three. Ryan would finish 12th place in the Expert 18-29 category for the Scotts Valley Cycle Sport / Valhalla Builders Enduro Team.
It was not always a success story. Many riders came in battered and dusty.
It was not always a success story. Many riders came in battered and dusty.

Stage one had the most flow, sending riders twisting through the high desert. A favorite section was the Bobsled Trail. Aptly named, Bobsled took riders up and down the walls of a gully. Fun to ride, but tricky to race down without making a mistake. Who ever could lay off the brakes and carry their speed through corners would be successful on this stage.

Young gun Dillon Santos would finish 4th in Pro Men for Ibis Cycles.
Young gun Dillon Santos would finish 4th in Pro Men for Ibis Cycles.
Rabobank’s Evan Geankoplis rides his Marin bike to a 7th place finish in Pro Men.
Rabobank’s Evan Geankoplis rides his Marin bike to a 7th place finish in Pro Men.

After the long transfer to stage one, the second transfer was only a few minutes long. However, it featured a steep, 20% kick up a rocky double track. After summiting the leg burning climb, riders were faced with an even trickier descent. Stage 2 started with tight turns, littered with loose rocks. After a short climb, the trail opened up into a high speed section through a meadow. Riders were often wishing for more gears depending on which size chainring they chose to run.

Teddy Hayden of the Bear Development Team rails his way to 18th place in Pro Men.
Teddy Hayden of the Bear Development Team rails his way to 18th place in Pro Men.
Amy Rambacher properly matched every part of kit, including her bar mounted iPhone! She would finish 10th in Pro Women.
Amy Rambacher properly matched every part of kit, including her bar mounted iPhone! She would finish 10th in Pro Women.

The third transfer was a real grind at over 20 minutes long. It was important to pace yourself as the stages would only get more physical. The third stage started with a series of flat, tight switchbacks. you could see them from the starting line of the stage, so there was some entertainment as you waited your turn. The trail was then punctuated with tricky switchbacks, corners, and off camber sections. It was a challenge to stay on the trail while riding at race pace speeds.

Kyle Warner of Marin / SR Suntour finished 2nd in Pro Men.
Kyle Warner of Marin / SR Suntour finished 2nd in Pro Men.

The fourth transfer was a nice break with mellow gradients for the majority of the climb. However, the following stage would be crucial to the race. The stage starts off with some flow trail style berms and then turns toward a no-brake straight away. Veering back into the hill side, the trail then pointed up a couple minute climb with a false summit smack dabin the middle of it. The segment then finished with a pedally bit of trail winding its way through a canyon.

Jackie Swider of Juliana Bikes makes her way into a 6th place in Pro Women.
Jackie Swider of Juliana Bikes makes her way into a 6th place in Pro Women.

At this point, everyone except for Pro and Expert riders would finish the race and head to the finish. Pro and Expert riders had one final challenge. They would climb part of transfer one, to a dirt road which would summit at stage five. Stage five required the least pedally of all, and was definitely the most technical. The trail started with some flowy corners, but quickly got down to business. In the middle of the stage, there are two rock sections. The rocks are placed perfectly, allowing bikes to roll right over them. The rock sections where not super challenging for an experienced rider, but in the cash of a crash, bikes and bodies would easily be broken. The trail then picked up speed, twisted through a gully, and finished near the end of the previous stage.

Scott Chapin’s impeccable enduro style brings him into the 9th spot in Pro Men.
Scott Chapin’s impeccable enduro style brings him into the 9th spot in Pro Men.
At the end of the day, battle rigs are laid to rest and replaced with food and drink.
At the end of the day, battle rigs are laid to rest and replaced with food and drink.

After a big day on the bike, racers were treated to delicious local food and beer in the shade of Rancho San Rafael Park. After hours of hanging around and chatting with fellow riders, results were finally calculated. Those who posted the fastest times basked in glory on the podium, and everyone went home feeling stoked.

“The California Enduro Series is a for-riders, by-riders operation. The ultimate goal is to create world-class enduro events that everyone from pros to amateurs can enjoy and showcase the amazing locations that make California one of the best places to mountain bike on earth.” Learn more at californiaenduroseries.com

Ladies first: 1) Katerina Nash 2) Brianne Spiersch 3) Monika Renk 4) Amy Morrison 5) Lauren Gregg
Ladies first: 1) Katerina Nash 2) Brianne Spiersch 3) Monika Renk 4) Amy Morrison 5) Lauren Gregg
Pro Men Podium: 1) Doug Thayer 2) Marco Osborne 3) Kyle Warner 4) Dillon Santos 5) Cory Sullivan
Pro Men Podium: 1) Doug Thayer 2) Marco Osborne 3) Kyle Warner 4) Dillon Santos 5) Cory Sullivan

Words: Ryan Simonovich Photos: Scott McClain, Called To Creation


Did you enjoy this article? If so, we would be stoked if you decide to support us with a monthly contribution. By becoming a supporter of ENDURO, you will help secure a sustainable future for high-quality mountain bike journalism. Click here to learn more.

About the author

Aaron Steinke

Aaron was our first employee and actively helped make our company what it is today, significantly shaping the look and direction of our various magazines. Aaron has been pursuing his own projects since mid-2020 but he continues to advise and support us on issues of marketing and technology. For many years, you would usually have found Aaron at casual enduro races, but increasingly you'll find him riding his road bike – long live freedom on two wheels!