Racing

Race Report: Oregon Enduro Series Race #1 Hood River

11.06.2014
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The Oregon Enduro Series kicked off the summer race season in great style, opening with the always popular trails in Hood River, with an all star cast of top North American pros and assorted freak show. Racing was tight. The big boys came out to play, and the fast girls were there too.

North American kicked off in a big way this past weekend, with the Oregon and California series both opening up their summer campaigns. Hood River, OR was the site of Round 1 in the Oregon series, and based on the lineup of pros with Enduro World Series experience, it was the place to be. The Men’s field was stacked, with well over 15 racers having participated in EWS events.

Exactly opposite from last year’s conditions, the trails in Hood River were bone dry. Soft, loose, and dusty dirt, mixed in with the high speed death marbles. With those conditions combining with a lot of tight and twisty turns in the trees, but not a lot of all out, biggest gear you can get, pedaling, riders were opting for slightly shorter travel bikes. Stages ranged in length from 2-8 minutes for Pro Men, with a good bit of variety thrown in. Stage 4 was a straight up BMX, pump track berm fest, and insanely fun.

On a bit of a sad note, local Hood River Trail Stewards President Matt Klee was tragically killed in a mountain biking accident in Whistler the previous weekend. Matt was widely respected and loved by everyone who knew him. A moment of silence took place during the rider’s meeting on Saturday morning in his honor. As many who know him remarked, he would have wanted the race to go on. No questions asked.

Race registration took place on Friday evening at Dirty Fingers bike shop. Beer is served while mechanics wrench on bikes. Bikes and beer go together like, well, riding bikes, then having a beer.
Race registration took place on Friday evening at Dirty Fingers bike shop. Beer is served while mechanics wrench on bikes. Bikes and beer go together like, well, riding bikes, then having a beer.
On site registration was a big social scene, catching up with old friends you maybe haven’t seen all winter. Dogs and kids add to the laid back vibe in Hood River.
On site registration was a big social scene, catching up with old friends you maybe haven’t seen all winter. Dogs and kids add to the laid back vibe in Hood River.
Thump coffee was busy all day in this coffee happy part of the world. Their beans and roasts do not disappoint, and many racers commented on raised heartrates.
Thump coffee was busy all day in this coffee happy part of the world. Their beans and roasts do not disappoint, and many racers commented on raised heartrates.
Eduardo de Solminihac, part of the organizing team at Montenbaik, behind Andes Pacifico and Enduro World Series Nevados de Chillan, Chile chats with Josh Carlson, who is returning from injury.
Eduardo de Solminihac, part of the organizing team at Montenbaik, behind Andes Pacifico and Enduro World Series Nevados de Chillan, Chile chats with Josh Carlson, who is returning from injury.
Everywhere you turned, you saw shredders being pumped on bike racing. Alex and Margaret race pro, and were ready to blow up some soft turns.
Everywhere you turned, you saw shredders being pumped on bike racing. Alex and Margaret race pro, and were ready to blow up some soft turns.
Brown bears can be quite friendly in this part of the world. This Newfoundland dog was absolutely giant, and as friendly as they come, greeting every passerby with a drooling smile.
Brown bears can be quite friendly in this part of the world. This Newfoundland dog was absolutely giant, and as friendly as they come, greeting every passerby with a drooling smile.
Curtis Keene warms up by shooting hoops. Keene has pretty good form on the court, but not sure how many shots he made.
Curtis Keene warms up by shooting hoops. Keene has pretty good form on the court, but not sure how many shots he made.
Emily ripped the shirt off boyfriend Aaron Bradford's back, and helps show off a prototype BMC race frame. Photo: Dennis Yuroshek.
Emily ripped the shirt off boyfriend Aaron Bradford’s back, and helps show off a prototype BMC race frame. Photo: Dennis Yuroshek.
Racing in tight trees at Hood River seems like a blur at times. Photo: Dennis Yuroshek.
Racing in tight trees at Hood River seems like a blur at times. Photo: Dennis Yuroshek.
Racer Ryan Cleek concentrates on the line ahead, trying to keep a straight face while whizzing through the peanut gallery of hecklers. Photo: Dennis Yuroshek.
Racer Ryan Cleek concentrates on the line ahead, trying to keep a straight face while whizzing through the peanut gallery of hecklers. Photo: Dennis Yuroshek.
Racing on stage 8 took riders through sunlight openings in the deep forest. Jaime Rees riding the wave.
Racing on stage 8 took riders through sunlight openings in the deep forest. Jaime Rees riding the wave.
Rachel Throop, riding her GT Sensor, with the red white and blue kit. ‘Merica!
Rachel Throop, riding her GT Sensor, with the red white and blue kit. ‘Merica!
Kathy Pruitt, Demo Director for Juliana Bicycles, and former pro downhiller, took the win in Hood River aboard the recently released Roubion. Photo: Dennis Yuroshek.
Kathy Pruitt, Demo Director for Juliana Bicycles, and former pro downhiller, took the win in Hood River aboard the recently released Roubion. Photo: Dennis Yuroshek.
Abigail Hippely would go on to 2nd place in Pro Women. Photo: Dennis Yuroshek.
Abigail Hippely would go on to 2nd place in Pro Women. Photo: Dennis Yuroshek.
The forest can be thick in this part of the world. Racer Adam Synder finds the light.
The forest can be thick in this part of the world. Racer Adam Synder finds the light.
Cody Kelley is a young America concentrating on enduro racing this summer. Kelley won the Sea Otter Dual slalom, and is a threat in multiple disciplines.
Cody Kelley is a young America concentrating on enduro racing this summer. Kelley won the Sea Otter Dual slalom, and is a threat in multiple disciplines.
Brian Lopes, racing on an Intense Tracer carbon 27.5, seems to not age. Still mega fast at 43, he would slot into 3rd, Pro Men. Photo: Dennis Yuroshek.
Brian Lopes, racing on an Intense Tracer carbon 27.5, seems to not age. Still mega fast at 43, he would slot into 3rd, Pro Men. Photo: Dennis Yuroshek.
More heckling, with freshly supplied toy air horns, kept the racers in light spirits. Photo: Dennis Yuroshek.
More heckling, with freshly supplied toy air horns, kept the racers in light spirits. Photo: Dennis Yuroshek.
After finishing their races earlier in the day, these super-fans changed into “casual” clothing to cheer on anything that moved.
After finishing their races earlier in the day, these super-fans changed into “casual” clothing to cheer on anything that moved.
Relaxing after a hard two days of racing is tough business. Sit. Drink beer
Relaxing after a hard two days of racing is tough business. Sit. Drink beer
You can also stand and drink beer. As long as there are friends around and stories to tell, people are smiling.
You can also stand and drink beer. As long as there are friends around and stories to tell, people are smiling.
Curtis Keene, having just ended his day’s racing, talks with the media. Keene took first place in a strong North American field.
Curtis Keene, having just ended his day’s racing, talks with the media. Keene took first place in a strong North American field.
Women’s Pro Podium-1.Pruitt 2.Hippely 3.Strand 4.Irmiger 5.Gregory
Women’s Pro Podium-1.Pruitt 2.Hippely 3.Strand 4.Irmiger 5.Gregory
Men’s Pro Podium- 1.Keene 2.Carlson 3.Lopes (missing) 4.Hills 5.Schnell
Men’s Pro Podium- 1.Keene 2.Carlson 3.Lopes (missing) 4.Hills 5.Schnell

Words, Photos (except as noted): Daniel Dunn

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