California Enduro Series announces 2014 schedule
The California Enduro Series (CES) is pleased to announce the 2014 race schedule. Consisting of six events showcasing the amazing diversity of California’s terrain, the 2014 series will appeal to all enduro enthusiasts from beginner to pro. In addition to welcoming back popular venues from last year’s inaugural season, CES is excited to include Mammoth’s Kamikaze Bike Games Enduro as an official series race and to add Northstar and Battleborn events to the 2014 line-up.
Dates 2014
April 19-20: VP/Kali EnduroFest at the Dirt Club in Los Olivos
June 7: Battleborn Enduro on Peavine Mountain in the Reno/Tahoe area
Date TBA: China Peak Enduro at China Peak Mountain Resort in Lakeshore
August 30: Northstar Enduro at Northstar California Resort in Truckee
September 18-21: Kamikaze Bike Games Enduro at Mammoth Mountain in Mammoth Lakes
October 10-12: Santa Cruz Super Enduro at Soquel Demonstration State Forest (Demo) in the Santa Cruz Mountains
CES Director Steven Gemelos enthuses, “We’re stoked to bring the series back for 2014 – including three events from last year plus adding the Mammoth Kamikaze Bike Games Enduro, Northstar Enduro AND Battleborn Enduro to the series calendar. It’s going to be an amazing 2014!”
The 2014 series will kick off with the return of the VP/Kali EnduroFest April 19-21 in Santa Barbara county at the Dirt Club in Los Olivos. The Dirt Club – site of Pro XCT, US Cup and Norba AMBC events as well as numerous high school league races – embraced enduro with last year’s inaugural EnduroFest. Stages range in nature from super fast with stunts and technical flowing tracks to full-on power to the pedals Super D.
VP/Kali EnduroFest Event Director Erik Saunders says, “We’re looking forward to throwing another great event where people can fully experience the fun and camaraderie that this format can provide.”
For its second stop, the series will head to the Reno/Tahoe area on June 7 for the first ever Battleborn Enduro on Peavine Mountain. Just over the California border in Nevada, Peavine Mountain has been home to the Peavine Challenge race for more than 20 years and boasts an ever-expanding and improved trail system. Battleborn Enduro organizers have been working with the local Poedunk Trail Group to get some of the new trails completed to create a killer enduro course. Both rider and bike will be tested on the 20 mile course featuring 3,000 feet of climbing and technical descents on rocky terrain.
“Peavine is a favorite riding spot of the locals for its challenging and narrow trails,” explains event co-organizer Kevin Joell. “We’re pleased to introduce it to new users through the Battleborn Enduro, and support the work of the Poedunks to continue mining Peavine’s singletrack.”
The series will travel high into the Sierra mountains for its third stop, the China Peak Enduro at China Peak Mountain Resort in Lakeshore, 65 miles northeast of Fresno. (Date to be announced.) Running at especially high elevation, some lift access will be a welcome respite from this event’s long, arduous ascents. Participants can expect technically demanding timed downhill stages on loose, rocky and dusty terrain with amazing views of scenic Huntington Lake.
Racers will be treated to a thrilling addition to the CES line-up with its fourth round scheduled at Northstar California Resort August 30 in Truckee. The Northstar Enduro will run as part of their weekend-long LiveWire Classic event.
“Mountain bikers consistently rank our park among the best in the world,” says Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Bill Rock. “We are thrilled to take part in this series, providing us an opportunity to showcase our park to world class riders and allowing them to enjoy our unmatched views and trails.” Gemelos adds, “As one of the prominent mountain bike parks, Northstar is the perfect location for an epic enduro, and an exciting addition to the California Enduro Series. We’re stoked to have them on the 2014 schedule.”
The Kamikaze Bike Games Enduro – a CES bonus event in 2013 – comes on board as a series race for 2014, running September 18-21 at Mammoth Mountain in Mammoth Lakes.
Bill Cockroft, Senior Vice President at Mammoth Mountain says, “We are pleased once again to have California Enduro Series be a part of the Kamikaze Bike Games. We look forward to a huge event in 2014 after our very successful Enduro event last summer. Thank you Steven Gemelos for teaming up with us. We promise to crush it next September.”
The series will then wrap on the coast with the Santa Cruz Super Enduro (SCSE) October 10-12 in Santa Cruz, California. This weekend-long event offers racing, riding and rad activities enjoyed with good friends. Between shredding some of the best trails in Santa Cruz at Soquel Demonstration State Forest (SDSF aka Demo) and celebrating the spirit of Enduro back at the event’s central hub at Camp Loma, there’s something for everyone to be stoked on.
Gemelos, who directs the SCSE in addition to CES, declares, “The 2013 Santa Cruz Super Enduro was epic – physically challenging and technical. The best part was seeing all the stoked riders and smiles during and after the race. We are really looking forward to doing it again in 2014.”
Words & Photos: California Enduro Series (facebook Page)
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