Race Report | California Enduro Series Round #2 Recap

24.06.2015
by

The second round of the California Enduro Series was held June 13-14 near Mendocino. 300 enduro racers traveled to the small, coastal town of Caspar, increasing the town’s population by 150% for the weekend! The Wild Wood Adventure Enduro is unique in that it would be the first multi day race in the California Enduro Series. The organisers promised 2 days of bike riding on amazing singletrack, and they delivered!

Each day offered about 25 miles of riding and over 4,000 feet of climbing.
Each day offered about 25 miles of riding and over 4,000 feet of climbing.
Racers camped at Jug Handle Creek Farm. The sight of a warm sleeping bag was welcomed after a hard day of riding.
Racers camped at Jug Handle Creek Farm. The sight of a warm sleeping bag was welcomed after a hard day of riding.
The town of Caspar played host to over 200 racers June 13-14th.
The town of Caspar played host to over 200 racers June 13-14th.
SRAM, VP Components, Slime, and SQ Labs were on hand to tune up racer’s rigs.
SRAM, VP Components, Slime, and SQ Labs were on hand to tune up racer’s rigs.

Saturday started with a long fire road climb up to the first stage. Each day, the first stage was the Rabobank sponsored KOM/QOM, or King/Queen of the mountain. Saturday’s first stage went down the tight and twisty Manly trail. The trail started off fast and flowy, pointed up for a minute, and then continued down with incredibly tight corners with trees seeming to creep out onto the trail. It was nearly impossible not to clip a tree at least once! The Men’s winner of the KOM award was Marco Osborne and Megan Melack on the women’s side.

Brianne Spiersch (Marin Rabobank) is stoked on her 5th place finish in Open Women.
Brianne Spiersch (Marin Rabobank) is stoked on her 5th place finish in Open Women.
Christina Schroeter (Team Clif Bar) shreds her way through the Beginner Women’s race.
Christina Schroeter (Team Clif Bar) shreds her way through the Beginner Women’s race.

Another notable stage on Saturday was a trail called Moto. This descend was double track width, but it was littered with ruts, steep chutes, off camber corners, and drops.

Dillon Santos (Ibis Cycles) pins it to a 6th place finish in Open Men.
Dillon Santos (Ibis Cycles) pins it to a 6th place finish in Open Men.
Jeff Kendall-Weed (Ibis Retro Cellars) took the Day 2 Rabobank KOM and 2nd place overall in Open Men.
Jeff Kendall-Weed (Ibis Retro Cellars) took the Day 2 Rabobank KOM and 2nd place overall in Open Men.

The race is not over until the final finish line, and that finish line would lie after an arguably more grueling day on Sunday. The race started off climbing backwards on Saturday’s first timed stage, Manly Trail. It was a steep slog, but eventually racers made their way to the top of the Forest History Trail. This trail was similar to Manly and offered even more tight switchbacks. The KOM was Jeff Kendall Weed and QOM Abby Hippely.

Scott Chapin (Santa Cruz Factory Team) styles his way to a 7th place finish in Open Men.
Scott Chapin (Santa Cruz Factory Team) styles his way to a 7th place finish in Open Men.
Evan Geankoplis (Marin Rabobank) found the 3rd place spot on the Open Men podium.
Evan Geankoplis (Marin Rabobank) found the 3rd place spot on the Open Men podium.

Another racer favorite was Hi Chutes Trail. The very last stage of the race was also about fire road width, but had even bigger ruts than Moto. At one point, you had to keep all the way to the right of the trail, or fall into a rut at least a foot deep.

Results

Pro Women top 5 results
1. Megan Melack
2. Abby Hippely
3. Lauren Gregg
4. Caroline Dezendorf | Vanderkitten Racing
5. Brianne Spiersch | Marin Rabobank

WomenProPodium (1)

Not only did the racing excite, but the event was extremely well organized. All of the timing and course marshals were extremely friendly and accommodating. Each day, breakfast, lunch, and dinner were provided and the gourmet menu satisfied many. The race HQ at the Caspar Community Center had a great atmosphere each night. all of this thanks to Mendocino Bike Sprite!

Pro Men top 5 results
1. Marco Osborne | WTB/Cannondale Overmountain
2. Jeff Kendall-Weed | Team Ibis Cycles/Retro Cellars/WTB
3. Evan Geankoplis | Marin Rabobank
4. Cory Sullivan | The Hive
5. Teddy Hayden | Bear Development Team

MenProPodium (1)

“The California Enduro Series is a for-riders, by-riders operation. The ultimate goal is to create world-class enduro events that everyone from pros to amateurs can enjoy and showcase the amazing locations that make California one of the best places to mountain bike on earth.”

For more info, visit: californiaenduroseries.com

Words: Ryan Simonovich Photos: Scott McClain

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