News Racing

Race Report: Big Creek Quick Six Enduro, Georgia, USA

02.04.2014
by

Georgia enduro racing is live with the Big Creek Quick Six, held outside of Roswell, GA. The deep dark woods are reminiscent of World Cup downhill racing. Find out who’s fastest in this underrated part of the US.

Ethan Quehl (Norco/Maxxis/Fox) and Kevin Schmenk (Deity Components) ready for Stage 1 – Troll Trail in the Expert Men category.
Ethan Quehl (Norco/Maxxis/Fox) and Kevin Schmenk (Deity Components) ready for Stage 1 – Troll Trail in the Expert Men category.

The first Enduro race held in Georgia brought out some of the Southeast’s fastest locals to try out the popular race format in the first Big Creek Quick Six. The event sold out two weeks ahead of time, and not even rain, wind, mud, and more rain kept these guys indoors. They craved #Enduro, and the volunteer crew from IMBA/SORBA Chapter: Roswell-Alpharetta Mountain Bike Org (RAMBO) delivered six (rain delay cut it down to five) stages of the good stuff at Big Creek Park in Roswell, GA. The event was a fundraiser to help expand the freeride trails and kids MTB programs at the park.

Local Chris Wyatt (Peachtree Bikes) dives into Stage 2 – Stumpy’s Loop. Chris was on point throughout the day and took the top spot in Expert Men.
Local Chris Wyatt (Peachtree Bikes) dives into Stage 2 – Stumpy’s Loop. Chris was on point throughout the day and took the top spot in Expert Men.

Stages 1-3 had riders sprinting through the downhill portions of the park’s XC trails, which included a few short climbs, rooted flat corners and pedally sections. Solid technique and endurance played the key roles here to minimize time loss. Many riders said these stages showed who was ready for race season, and who needed a bit more work (or may want to lay off the fast food).

Event sponsor Fresh Bike Service brought in US National 4X Champion and Yeti Factory rider, Ross Milan to lead the kids race, sign autographs and MC the award festivities. Fresh Bikes also gave away some of the biggest prizes we’ve seen at a MTB race in a long time. A racer-only raffle included: a Yeti SB95 frameset, a Rocky
Mountain Element frameset, SRAM XO brakes, ENVE Bars, POC and Bell helmets…you get the idea. Racers were blown away by the swag!

#Stoked. Nino Califano doubled up by winning the Yeti SB95 frameset courtesy of Shawn Brunner from Fresh Bike Service (right) and Ross Milan of Yeti Cycles (left), and second place in Master’s Men.
#Stoked. Nino Califano doubled up by winning the Yeti SB95 frameset courtesy of Shawn Brunner from Fresh Bike Service (right) and Ross Milan of Yeti Cycles (left), and second place in Master’s Men.
#Pinned. #Enduro. Tim Mondor (Alpha Bikes) works the local pirate line off the booter in the Gully on his way to a silver medal in Expert Men. All on a single-speed hardtail.
#Pinned. #Enduro. Tim Mondor (Alpha Bikes) works the local pirate line off the booter in the Gully on his way to a silver medal in Expert Men. All on a single-speed hardtail.
#Ladies. Erika Lick (Team Dirty Girl) sends it off the booter on Stage 4. She worked her way to second place in Women’s Open with a giant smile.
#Ladies. Erika Lick (Team Dirty Girl) sends it off the booter on Stage 4. She worked her way to second place in Women’s Open with a giant smile.

Spectators lined up early to get a good view of stages 4-6, which covered the ‘freeride area’ trails at Big Creek Park. Stage 4 (“The Gully”) included fast, flowy berms, roots, and booters in a cavernous, natural channel with sections 6ft below ground giving spectators a top-down view of some of the action.

Stage 5 (“Lunch Line”) took riders along the Elementary School that borders the park down into The Darkside’s rock garden. The on-off rain throughout the day made the rock garden treacherous. Due to weather delays and course safety, the race was shortened to just five stages. Racers were still stoked on the course, the #Enduro format, and the support of the fans.

#Clean. Ethan Thompson made the trip from NC and earned 3rd place on the Novice Men’s podium. He looked sharp all day, especially on Lunch Line aka Stage 5.
#Clean. Ethan Thompson made the trip from NC and earned 3rd place on the Novice Men’s podium. He looked sharp all day, especially on Lunch Line aka Stage 5.
#Relaxed. Mateo Ortegon (Evolution Bike Co.) knows the Big Creek trails well, and his efforts throughout the day scored him the top spot in Junior Men.
#Relaxed. Mateo Ortegon (Evolution Bike Co.) knows the Big Creek trails well, and his efforts throughout the day scored him the top spot in Junior Men.

Podiums:

Racers were stoked on the huge custom, laser-cut medals in gold, silver and copper, plus all the swag. Flavor Flav has nothing on these winners.

1) Terri Watts (Terrapin Beer Co.), 2) Erika Lick (Team Dirty Girl), 3) Nikki Thomas
1) Terri Watts (Terrapin Beer Co.), 2) Erika Lick (Team Dirty Girl), 3) Nikki Thomas
1) Chris Wyatt (Peachtree Bikes), 2) Tim Mondor (Alpha Bikes), 3) Joseph Karpus (MTBgarage.com)
1) Chris Wyatt (Peachtree Bikes), 2) Tim Mondor (Alpha Bikes), 3) Joseph Karpus (MTBgarage.com)

Words: Ryan Kramer Photos: Random Start Photography

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