Big Mountain Enduro Presents the Crested Butte Ultra Enduro,
the first 5 Day Backcountry Enduro in North America.
Crested Butte– Big Mountain Enduro is bringing the first ever, five day backcountry enduro event to North America, with the Crested Butte Ultra Enduro, on September 3-7, 2014. This ultra enduro is not for the faint of heart. Riders will be challenged with five days of racing, four of those days deep in the backcountry, with big climbing transitions that will peak out at the top of the world overlooking majestic peaks. The fifth and final day of racing will be held at Evolution Bike Park at Crested Butte Mountain Resort.
“The announcement of the 2014 Crested Butte Ultra Enduro, the first five-day backcountry Enduro in North America, is one for the records and we couldn’t be more stoked to host such an amazing event right here in our backyard in one of the most picturesque places on the planet,” said Brandon Ontiveros, executive director of Big Mountain Enduro. “This event has been in the making for several years and I’m personally honored to be able to finally showcase some of the best descents and high alpine singletrack in the country, in what will be the first enduro of this magnitude on this side of the pond.”
Racers should expect to ride some of the most challenging and scenic trails in North America, earning most of their descents, while being relatively self-supported and capable of navigating maps in remote areas. “This special gem of a place tucked deep in the Rockies and surrounded by wilderness, holds the longest running bike festival in the country and is a true mountain town with more miles of singletrack any any other location in the U.S.” Ontiveros said. Most backcountry stages will start around 9,000 feet in elevation, with some days climbing up to and topping out above 12,400 feet.
With 20,000+ total feet of descending over the course of five days and the largest cash payout of any 2014 Big Mountain Enduro event, this event will draw a large pro field, and will be limited to 200 riders. Registration opens on Wednesday, January 15 at 6 p.m. MST. More details will be released the first week of January in the Big Mountain Enduro Newsletter and online at www.bigmountainenduro.com. You can also visit Big Mountain Enduro on Facebook and Twitter for the latest details.
Photo: Daniel Dunn Words: BMES
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About the Author
Robin Schmitt
Robin is one of the two founders of 41 Publishing, a visionary and go-getter. While he now enjoys every second on the bike – whenever his busy schedule allows – he used to race against the clock at enduro events and a few Downhill World Cups. Besides that, Robin practises kung fu and Zen meditation, plays the cello, loves classic cars, travels abroad and still reviews numerous bikes himself. Progressive ideas, new projects and major challenges – Robin loves exploring undiscovered potential and getting to the bottom of new trends.
