The 2014 California Enduro Series kicked off the season with the Battle Born Enduro on Peavine, Mountain, just outside Reno, Nevada. The course featured some classic high desert riding with exposed, scrubby terrain and loose drifty dirt.
A racer testing traction in the turns on Peavine Mountain during practice saturday. Many of the turns had faux-berms, that is a pile of sand that looked deceptively like a berm. One racer commented on the number of golf balls that had been lost in the turns on course.
Marshall Eames was beaming Saturday morning before the race, with a kit that bright who wouldn’t be? Unfortunately, he suffered a mechanical on course and had to bail out early.
275 riders lined up at the start line, hot to trot, rearin to go.
Casey Coffman, local Reno pro ripper and all-around stand up guy, put in a solid day of racing Saturday taking third, even after flatting and bending a rotor on the final stage. Casey was happy to share his local knowledge during practice, showing out of town racers around, organizing shuttles, and walking lines with the masses.
Megan Melack on the gas.
Emily Forsberg, mashing on stage 2 for a second place finish in the Sport Women class.
Danny Mollineda given’ er. Kenda supports Danny. Kenda supports the California Enduro Series. Thanks Kenda.
Stage 5’s rock gardens provided some texture for the day. Doug Thayer laid down the fastest time through the rough stuff, finding his way to the top spot on the podium for the pro win. Cheers Doug.
Teal Stetson-Lee finished the day with a commanding lead in the womens pro field. She chose to ride her XC race bike on the pedally course, a decision that clearly paid off.
Lauren Gregg charging the rocks on stage 5.
Beer. Ceol Irish pub brought out their beer ambulance, administering fluids to thirsty racers.
An impressive number of Juniors—33 young men and 1 young woman—took on the Battle Born Enduro.
Racers checking out their times. Bike Monkey delivered spot on timing for the event.
Pro women podium. 1st Teal Stetson-Lee, 2nd Amy Morrison, 3rd Megan Melack, 4th Lauren Gregg, 5th Allie Donovan.
Pro men podium. 1st Doug Thayer, 2nd Gregg Stone, 3rd Casey Coffman, 4th Jason Moeschler, 5th Ryan Thym.
You can find full results and more information over on the California Enduro Series website . And be sure to mark your calendars for the next race in California, the VP EnduroFest at China Peak. Be sure to sign up soon, as race #1 was sold out.
Words: Matt De Young Photos: Scott McClain, Called To Creation
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