Racing

California Enduro Series 2014 Season Preview

30.05.2014
by

The California Enduro Series (CES) is back for its second year of premier Enduro racing in the Golden State. The series focuses on bringing the Enduro experience to a range of riders, providing a fun yet challenging environment for the eager beginner to the seasoned pro. This year the series will include five races featuring several new venues.

Racers will face some rough terrain on Peavine mountain. Photo Tanner Degiovanni.
Racers will face some rough terrain on Peavine mountain. Photo Tanner Degiovanni.

Round 1, June 7: Battle Born Enduro at Peavine Mountain, Reno, NV

The California Enduro Series kicks off the season just over the state line in Reno, Nevada. The race will benefit the Poedunks, a non-profit local mountain bike trail advocacy group, who have built over two miles of new trail on Peavine Mountain in preparation for this race. Pros and Experts will race a 25.5 mile course comprised of 5 stages and 4500′ of climbing while all other racers will ride a 22.5 mile course with 3800′ of climbing. The race will cover some of the best riding the Reno area has to offer. If you haven’t signed up for this one yet, you are out of luck as it sold out right quick. Check out CES Battle Born for all the beta.

It's not all rough and tumble on Peavine Mountain. Racers will have opportunity to open it up on some buff sections of trail. Photo Tanner Degiovanni.
It’s not all rough and tumble on Peavine Mountain. Racers will have opportunity to open it up on some buff sections of trail. Photo Tanner Degiovanni.

Round 2, June 20-22: VP Components EnduroFest at China Peak, Lake Shore

Round 2 will once again be held at China Peak Mountain Resort, high in California’s Sierra Nevada. The race will be a part of a three day event with camping, meals, live music, an outdoor movie, sponsor expo area and demo trucks. Racers will complete three timed stages and three untimed transfer stages. The course will cover steep, rocky, and loose technically challenging terrain. Check out the race website CES VP Enduro Fest for more info or to sign up.

A racer rallies a turn during the first stage of the 2013 China Peak Enduro. Photo: Scott McClain, Called To Creation.
A racer rallies a turn during the first stage of the 2013 China Peak Enduro. Photo: Scott McClain, Called To Creation.
Racers at China Peak will have to let it hang out in the loose Sierra dirt. Photo: Scott McClain, Called To Creation.
Racers at China Peak will have to let it hang out in the loose Sierra dirt. Photo: Scott McClain, Called To Creation.

Round 3, August 30: Northstar Livewire Classic Enduro at Northstar California Resort, Truckee

All new for this years California Enduro Series is the Northstar Livewire Classic Enduro, at the popular lift serviced mountain bike destination. The Northstar Enduro will run as part of this prominent mountain bike park’s weekend-long Livewire Classic event. CES Northstar for more info.

Participants in the Northstar Enduro will have the opportunity to race on some of the mountain’s best terrain. Photo courtesy Northstar California Resort.
Participants in the Northstar Enduro will have the opportunity to race on some of the mountain’s best terrain. Photo courtesy Northstar California Resort.

Round 4, September 18-21: Kamikaze Bike Games Enduro at Mammoth Mountain, Mammoth Lakes

Mammoth Mountain will host an Enduro race as part of its Kamikaze Bike Games Festival. The race will feature three timed stages on the slopes of the fabled mountain. Racers can expect technical terrain and long stages. Added attractions for the weekend include DH, XC, Cyclocross, Slopestyle and other events. For more info check out CES Mammoth Kamikaze Bike Games.

The man himself — Mammoth Mountain Senior Vice President Bill Cockroft — checks in racers for the 2013 Kamikaze Bike Games Enduro. Photo Michele Lamelin.
The man himself — Mammoth Mountain Senior Vice President Bill Cockroft — checks in racers for the 2013 Kamikaze Bike Games Enduro. Photo Michele Lamelin.
Gotta love charging trail bikes in big bike country. Photo Steve Gemelos.
Gotta love charging trail bikes in big bike country. Photo Steve Gemelos.

CES Finals, October 10-12: Santa Cruz Super Enduro at Soquel Demonstration State Forest (SDSF), Santa Cruz Mountains

CES finals will return to Santa Cruz this season, for another great weekend of racing. The Enduro will be the focal point of the three day event which will take on a festival atmosphere with camping, live music, food, beer, and Demo bikes. The race will cover the steep technical trails in Soquel Demonstration Forest, one of the San Francisco Bay Area’s most popular destinations for aggressive trail riding. For more info check out CES Santa Cruz Super Enduro

A racer at the 2013 Santa Cruz Super Enduro finds the focus on the wide open trails in Demo Forest. Photo: Scott McClain, Called To Creation
A racer at the 2013 Santa Cruz Super Enduro finds the focus on the wide open trails in Demo Forest. Photo: Scott McClain, Called To Creation
Jamie Busch catches a brief pocket of sunlight in the deep dark redwoods during the 2013 race. Photo: Scott McClain, Called To Creation
Jamie Busch catches a brief pocket of sunlight in the deep dark redwoods during the 2013 race. Photo: Scott McClain, Called To Creation

Exciting additions to 2014 CES season

CES has strengthened its industry backing this year, which means more chances for racers to win rad gear and raise some funds for bike projects. Racers will be entered into a raffle for a Marin Mount Vision Carbon XM8, a $5200 bike generously donated by Marin, receiving one ticket for every event registration with the opportunity to purchase more tickets for $5. Additional tickets may be purchased at the CES booth and on-line. The drawing will be held at the season finale, the Santa Cruz Super Enduro.

FOX has donated five of the highly anticipated 2015 36 Float 160 FIT RC2 forks, to be raffled off at each event. Proceeds will jointly benefit Friends of Stafford Lake Bike Park and Mountain Bikers of Santa Cruz (for the Soquel Demonstration State Forest Flow Trail). Tickets will be sold at the CES booth and on-line for $5 each. CES is proud to support these two highly anticipated California bike projects.

Lagunitas Brewing Company, master of the microbrew, is sponsoring CES this year. Proceeds from beer sales will benefit Friends of Stafford Lake Bike Park.

Check out the California Enduro Series online for any more questions. It’s definitely going to be exciting summer of racing. Get registered quickly if you haven’t already, races will sell out.

Words: Matt De Young

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