Racing

Race Report: Cali Enduro Series #2 — VP EnduroFest China Peak

28.06.2014
by
200 racers converged in the Sierra mountains near Huntington Lake for round 2 of the 2014 California Enduro Series—the VP EnduroFest at China Peak Mountain Resort in Lakeshore.
200 racers converged in the Sierra mountains near Huntington Lake for round 2 of the 2014 California Enduro Series—the VP EnduroFest at China Peak Mountain Resort in Lakeshore.
Although lift access was available for practice, there was no such luxury on race day. Beginners and juniors climbed 1500' while all other categories doubled up the ascent for nearly 3000'.
Although lift access was available for practice, there was no such luxury on race day. Beginners and juniors climbed 1500′ while all other categories doubled up the ascent for nearly 3000′.
The loose dirt and chunky rocks that set the tone for the race didn’t phase Jeff Kendall-Weed (Team Ibis-Retro Cellars) as he charged his way to a 2nd place Pro Men finish.
The loose dirt and chunky rocks that set the tone for the race didn’t phase Jeff Kendall-Weed (Team Ibis-Retro Cellars) as he charged his way to a 2nd place Pro Men finish.
Cedar Kyes’ (Marin Bikes) attacked China Peak’s rough, unmanicured terrain on the Marin Attack Trail, landing a solid 6th in the Expert Men 35+ category.
Cedar Kyes’ (Marin Bikes) attacked China Peak’s rough, unmanicured terrain on the Marin Attack Trail, landing a solid 6th in the Expert Men 35+ category.
Rachel Throop (GT/SRAM/KENDA/TLD) took Pro Women 2nd place after clean runs all day.
Rachel Throop (GT/SRAM/KENDA/TLD) took Pro Women 2nd place after clean runs all day.
The series is seeing a surge of impressive talent in the juniors category, prompting organizers to consider adding a junior expert class for 2015. Nicolas Gallizioli (Scotts Valley Cycle Sport) took 1st place junior boys.
The series is seeing a surge of impressive talent in the juniors category, prompting organizers to consider adding a junior expert class for 2015. Nicolas Gallizioli (Scotts Valley Cycle Sport) took 1st place junior boys.
Amy Morrison (Mike’s Bikes) fast riding made for a 1st place win in a stacked pro women’s field.
Amy Morrison (Mike’s Bikes) fast riding made for a 1st place win in a stacked pro women’s field.
Jeremiah Newman (Felt WTB) pinned through the soft steeps to a 1st place Pro Men win.
Jeremiah Newman (Felt WTB) pinned through the soft steeps to a 1st place Pro Men win.
Riders who excel at navigating tech gnar were in their element on stage 3. James Bradley railed to 2nd place in Sport Men 50+.
Riders who excel at navigating tech gnar were in their element on stage 3. James Bradley railed to 2nd place in Sport Men 50+.
Amy Rambacher (Socal Endurance Ladies Team) was stylin’ on the course.
Amy Rambacher (Socal Endurance Ladies Team) was stylin’ on the course.
Tom Doran (SLO to the Bone) cut off his arm cast a week early to race the event, and took a remarkable Pro Men 8th finish.
Tom Doran (SLO to the Bone) cut off his arm cast a week early to race the event, and took a remarkable Pro Men 8th finish.
Racers hung out with family and friends, and enjoyed lasagna dinner and beer while Bike Monkey tallied results.
Racers hung out with family and friends, and enjoyed lasagna dinner and beer while Bike Monkey tallied results.
Some fast, fierce ladies on that step. Pro Women podium: 1st Amy Morrison, 2nd Rachel Throop, 3rd Jackie Swider, 4th Christine Hirst, 5th Lauren Gregg.
Some fast, fierce ladies on that step. Pro Women podium: 1st Amy Morrison, 2nd Rachel Throop, 3rd Jackie Swider, 4th Christine Hirst, 5th Lauren Gregg.
Fastest guys in a stacked field. Pro men podium: 1st Jeremiah Newman, 2nd Jeff Kendall-Weed, 3rd Jon Buckell, 4th Scott Chapin, 5th Casey Coffman.
Fastest guys in a stacked field. Pro men podium: 1st Jeremiah Newman, 2nd Jeff Kendall-Weed, 3rd Jon Buckell, 4th Scott Chapin, 5th Casey Coffman.
And it’s a wrap.
And it’s a wrap.
WIN A 2015 FOX 36 Aaron Bartling (Giant Team Bike & Bean) not only walked away with 2nd place in his category, he also won the brand new 2015 FOX 36 fork raffled off at the end of the race. FOX donated five of these highly anticipated forks to be raffled off—one at each CES 2014 event—with proceeds benefiting Stafford Lake Bike Park and Mountain Bikers of Santa Cruz (for the Soquel Demonstration State Forest flow trail project). There are three more forks to raffle off—the next one at round 3, the Northstar Livewire Classic Enduro. You need not be present to win, so support your California trail projects and take a shot at winning the hottest new fork from FOX Tickets are $5 each. Buy tickets now for the next drawing.
WIN A 2015 FOX 36
Aaron Bartling (Giant Team Bike & Bean) not only walked away with 2nd place in his category, he also won the brand new 2015 FOX 36 fork raffled off at the end of the race. FOX donated five of these highly anticipated forks to be raffled off—one at each CES 2014 event—with proceeds benefiting Stafford Lake Bike Park and Mountain Bikers of Santa Cruz (for the Soquel Demonstration State Forest flow trail project). There are three more forks to raffle off—the next one at round 3, the Northstar Livewire Classic Enduro. You need not be present to win, so support your California trail projects and take a shot at winning the hottest new fork from FOX Tickets are $5 each. Buy tickets now for the next drawing.
WIN A MARIN MOUNT VISION CARBON XM8 Are you stoked on the series so far? You can help California Enduro series continue to offer world-class events by spreading the word about their Marin Bikes Mount Vision C-XM8 fundraiser raffle... and purchase a ticket or two yourself. Marin generously donated the super light, full-carbon trail bike, which will be raffled off at the series finale, the Santa Cruz Super Enduro (need not be present to win). Tickets are $5; proceeds offset series operating costs. Purchase tickets here. (Photo: Marin Bikes Team Factory rider Brian Astell ripping round 1 Battle Born Enduro on the Mount Vision C-XM Pro.)
WIN A MARIN MOUNT VISION CARBON XM8
Are you stoked on the series so far? You can help California Enduro series continue to offer world-class events by spreading the word about their Marin Bikes Mount Vision C-XM8 fundraiser raffle… and purchase a ticket or two yourself. Marin generously donated the super light, full-carbon trail bike, which will be raffled off at the series finale, the Santa Cruz Super Enduro (need not be present to win). Tickets are $5; proceeds offset series operating costs. Purchase tickets here. (Photo: Marin Bikes Team Factory rider Brian Astell ripping round 1 Battle Born Enduro on the Mount Vision C-XM Pro.)

You can always find more information, and to purchase raffle tickets for the Marin C-XM8, go to the CES website.

Words: Michele Lamelin Photos: Scott McClain, Called to Creation

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