Racing

Race Report: Big Mountain Enduro, Moab, Utah

25.08.2014
by

Even when Mother Nature throws some pretty serious curve balls, it’s hard to keep a good race down. Heavy rain may have postponed the famous Whole Enchilada enduro by one day and shortened it’s overall length, but those who stuck around were treated to one extra afternoon of partying with their friends and seriously tacky dirt on two short and sweet stages.

Changing things up this year by holding the race one month earlier than years past, in late August, organizers may have been concerned with the heat, but not rain. Moab sits squarely in the desert and rain is minimal. The month before the race, weather was acting as normal, and the temperatures hovered above 90 degres on a daily basis.
But things started to take a turn just a day before the race and temperatures dropped, which was great. But with that change in weather also brought some clouds. And hanging out within those clouds were some angry raindrops that wanted to be unleashed. And down they came early Saturday morning, scheduled to be race day.

The start of the race had already been pushed back by the organizers by two hours, due to previous rain. After consulting with the Forest Service and BLM (Bureau of Land Management), they collectively decided that a later start was a good thing. So riders rejoiced at not have to get on a 5:45 shuttle in the morning to make an 8 am start time. First shuttle would leave at 7:45.

But things changed rapidly overnight and the storms started pounding down around 6 am. Unfortunately, it rained too hard, and the local rangers had their say and decided that running a race with over 200 riders on extremely wet trails was not something they were going to allow. In America, when running races on public land, permits are given to race organizers who go through a long and arduous process to hold that race. But the government officials always have the last say, even up to the minute before the race. Yes, the minute. They can cancel for numerous races. Which makes being a race promoter in America an extremely risky proposition.

Extra Party Day

But Brandon Ontiveros (BME race promoter and owner) has done a good deal of race promoting and with that experience, took it all in stride. Firing up the social media machine to let folks know that the race had been postponed until the next day. Some grumbling certainly happened and some racers simply could not wait another day. It is unfortunate when you there’s a schedule in place and something that no one can control, the weather, makes all the decisions. But to those peeps who could wait for another day, they were rewarded with a combination of shorter, more sprint oriented stages, and dirt that was tacky and almost perfect.

Immediately after getting out the word that the race was postponed, the message was also put out to the masses that a big BBQ would be held at race HQ at 4 pm that day. Enough beer had already been brought for two days, so a party was on! And Moab being in the terrain that it’s in, with famous “slick rock” everywhere, riding plans were made by almost everyone to hit up one or another of the area trails that feature mostly riding on rock, thereby avoiding mud and damaging the trails. What do you do when all of your racer friends are gathered in one place? You go ride of course.

So making lemonade of lemons definitely happened, and the day turned out to be quite nice. A gorgeous evening brought out double rainbows and the plans were made to race on Sunday, starting at 10 am from Burro Pass. Two stages only, each about 8-10 minutes long. Each fun. The makeup of the overall race had been changed severely, going from the Whole Enchilada, which is sometimes known as a long pedal fest, into two short downhill stages, Burro and Hazard County, with the emphasis on fun.

Most racers we talked to were totally okay with the change in the race and remained fired up that the race was even happening. The rain had been that bad that no one was even sure until early Sunday morning that it would still happen. The Forest Service and BLM rangers still had to make the call in the morning. But the good word finally came in and the race was on!

Race day went off without a hitch. Aside from racers who could not stay, everything went according to the new plan. With a lot of juggling, and decisions made on gut feelings, things turned out as well as they could and many smiles were seen during the day, and post race. Moab is an incredible location, one that has to be seen and ridden to be believed. The red rim rock and amazing canyons are something out of a funky imagination. We’ll wait to see if Moab is on the schedule for 2015, but this one will be remembered as a good one.

Scroll through the photos to get more of the awesome story written by the Moab almost “Whole Enchilada” 2014 enduro race.

Finally race day dawned and racers started to roll out of their vans and prepping bikes. This should be a good one.
Finally race day dawned and racers started to roll out of their vans and prepping bikes. This should be a good one.
Richie Rude was in attendance after racing in Whistler, BC, and the course changes definitely played to his favor.
Richie Rude was in attendance after racing in Whistler, BC, and the course changes definitely played to his favor.
The shuttle route seems to climb and climb, going on forever from desert red rock valley floor to mountain forests.
The shuttle route seems to climb and climb, going on forever from desert red rock valley floor to mountain forests.
A shot right out of the movie "On Golden Pond" this campsite host cabin is one we'd like to return to and stay for a week.
A shot right out of the movie “On Golden Pond” this campsite host cabin is one we’d like to return to and stay for a week.
Stage 1 ended in one of the prettier locations seen all summer, in a grove of aspens with a small creek running through.
Stage 1 ended in one of the prettier locations seen all summer, in a grove of aspens with a small creek running through.
Nate Hills was the first on course, one he knows well.
Nate Hills was the first on course, one he knows well.
Ross Schnell was healthy and back on familiar terrain. He was absolutely flying today. Smooth over the creek gap.
Ross Schnell was healthy and back on familiar terrain. He was absolutely flying today. Smooth over the creek gap.
Rude isn't afraid of much when it comes to flying downhill at high speeds, and this small creek gap, which isn't really all that small, and has no take off lip, wasn't going to slow him down.
Rude isn’t afraid of much when it comes to flying downhill at high speeds, and this small creek gap, which isn’t really all that small, and has no take off lip, wasn’t going to slow him down.
Anthony Diaz coming in hot.
Anthony Diaz coming in hot.
The trails were wet, but not sloppy. Heather Irmiger going through one of three creek crossings.
The trails were wet, but not sloppy. Heather Irmiger going through one of three creek crossings.
Beth Roberts lives in Moab and knows these trails well. She had her best race of the summer in the BME series, taking 2nd, only missing out on the win by three seconds. So close!
Beth Roberts lives in Moab and knows these trails well. She had her best race of the summer in the BME series, taking 2nd, only missing out on the win by three seconds. So close!
Alex Jane Pavon took advantage of some racers not in attendance, stepping up to her best result, a third.
Alex Jane Pavon took advantage of some racers not in attendance, stepping up to her best result, a third.
Somehow Sarah Rawley finds the time to race. Working overtime for the Big Mountain Enduro group on a crazy weekend like this one is not easy. Maybe racing the bike is the easy part for her.
Somehow Sarah Rawley finds the time to race. Working overtime for the Big Mountain Enduro group on a crazy weekend like this one is not easy. Maybe racing the bike is the easy part for her.
Ileana Anderson catching a bit of hair light before she enters back into the darkness of the forest.
Ileana Anderson catching a bit of hair light before she enters back into the darkness of the forest.
Dylan Stucki, riding through the golden wildflowers, with the menacing Misfits t-shirt.
Dylan Stucki, riding through the golden wildflowers, with the menacing Misfits t-shirt.
Almost knee deep if you took the wrong line and slowed down too much.
Almost knee deep if you took the wrong line and slowed down too much.
Kyle Mears was cruising, but mountain creek crossings don't care if you're having a good race run. Down he went.
Kyle Mears was cruising, but mountain creek crossings don’t care if you’re having a good race run. Down he went.
The Rude Boy team may have been smaller today, but they were having fun as always. Spotted in the woods, mistaken for, well, nothing really. You see these guys from a far.
The Rude Boy team may have been smaller today, but they were having fun as always. Spotted in the woods, mistaken for, well, nothing really. You see these guys from a far.
Taylor Lideen didn't really know a lot about enduro racing before the 2014 season, coming from an ultra endurance background. He learned fast and will be racing Pro next year.
Taylor Lideen didn’t really know a lot about enduro racing before the 2014 season, coming from an ultra endurance background. He learned fast and will be racing Pro next year.
It's a Rude Boy irie party at the Stage 1 finish. "That was a sweet stage!"
It’s a Rude Boy irie party at the Stage 1 finish. “That was a sweet stage!”
The liaison to Stage 2 was stunning. Some calm before the next storm.
The liaison to Stage 2 was stunning. Some calm before the next storm.
For a lot of racers, this was an end to a 2014 race season. And they were having fun.
For a lot of racers, this was an end to a 2014 race season. And they were having fun.
Hazard County trail is almost entirely in the open, in cow pasture. But the dirt clay mixture is perfect for staying together to make a rock hard race track of single track.
Hazard County trail is almost entirely in the open, in cow pasture. But the dirt clay mixture is perfect for staying together to make a rock hard race track of single track.
Tall grasses, mountains in the distance. Not a bad way to rip through Stage 2.
Tall grasses, mountains in the distance. Not a bad way to rip through Stage 2.
In the distance if the famous red rock Moab is known for. Also cattle that Hazard County is known for.
In the distance if the famous red rock Moab is known for. Also cattle that Hazard County is known for.
This is how you feel after a 25 mile liaison to return to race headquarters. AJ Pavon feeling whupped.
This is how you feel after a 25 mile liaison to return to race headquarters. AJ Pavon feeling whupped.
Pro Women's Podium 1.Irmiger 2.Roberts 3.Pavon 4.Rawley 5.Anderson
Pro Women’s Podium 1.Irmiger 2.Roberts 3.Pavon 4.Rawley 5.Anderson
Pro Men's Podium 1.Schnell 2.West 3.Rude 4.Osborne (missing) 5.Hills
Pro Men’s Podium 1.Schnell 2.West 3.Rude 4.Osborne (missing) 5.Hills

You can always find full results and more info on the upcoming Crested Butte Ultra Enduro over on the BME website.

Words, Photos: Daniel Dunn

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.

You may also like