Racing Video

Photo Essay: California Enduro Series #4: Kamikaze Bike Games

29.09.2014
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Last weekend the 2014 Kamikaze Bike Games took over Mammoth Mountain. The Games featured all disciplines of mountain bike racing, with the Shimano Enduro held on Sunday. The Enduro was the fourth stop of the California Enduro Series and was a sold-out event with 300 racers in attendance.

Stage Two was full of gnarly rock and root sections
Stage Two was full of gnarly rock and root sections Picture: Scott McClain (Called To Creation)

The first two days of the Kamikaze Games were marked by dry, loose pumice and sketchy trail conditions, but Saturday night a storm rolled in and watered down the track for the Enduro racers. Sunday morning, during the riders’ meeting, the storm struck again and it started to pour rain and hail. Due to the weather, race organizers were forced to make some changes and pull one stage from the race. Just before the scheduled start, the weather broke and racers were able to get on the lift to the start of Stage One. The heavy rain left the course in absolutely ideal shape for the racers. They took full advantage of the epic conditions and ripped down the mountain on three challenging stages.

Mammoth Mountain is a classic location for epic mountain bike events
Mammoth Mountain is a classic location for epic mountain bike events Picture: Scott McClain (Called To Creation)
The weather looked intimidating, but ended up creating ideal riding conditions
The weather looked intimidating, but ended up creating ideal riding conditions Picture: Bogdan Marian
Race organizers explain the changes that needed to be made to the course due to the weather
Race organizers explain the changes that needed to be made to the course due to the weather Picture: Bogdan Marian
The storm broke and racers were able to take the lift to the start of Stage One
The storm broke and racers were able to take the lift to the start of Stage One Picture: Bogdan Marian
Tom Doran preparing to drop into Stage One
Tom Doran preparing to drop into Stage One Picture: Bogdan Marian
Amy Morrison looking focused through the trees of Stage One. Amy rode her way to the top of the Pro Women’s podium.
Amy Morrison looking focused through the trees of Stage One. Amy rode her way to the top of the Pro Women’s podium. Picture: Bogdan Marian
Many features during the race offered riders the opportunity to get airborne
Many features during the race offered riders the opportunity to get airborne Picture: Scott McClain (Called To Creation)
Marco Osborne charging through the rocks on Stage One. He rode this same bike to victory in the Pro GRT Downhill race on Saturday.
Marco Osborne charging through the rocks on Stage One. He rode this same bike to victory in the Pro GRT Downhill race on Saturday. Picture: Scott McClain (Called To Creation)
Ryan Chandler cranking over a climb on Stage One
Ryan Chandler cranking over a climb on Stage One Picture: Bogdan Marian
The Stages were full of technical descending and lots of elevation loss, but there were still plenty of sections that required racers to pedal and put the power down
The Stages were full of technical descending and lots of elevation loss, but there were still plenty of sections that required racers to pedal and put the power down Picture: Bogdan Marian
Steven Lewis on Stage 2. Lewis finished 3rd place in Cat 1
Steven Lewis on Stage 2. Lewis finished 3rd place in Cat 1 Picture: Scott McClain (Called To Creation)
The defending champion, Brian Lopes, defended his title and was the fastest rider on the mountain that day
The defending champion, Brian Lopes, defended his title and was the fastest rider on the mountain that day Picture: Scott McClain (Called To Creation)
After his aggressive speed destroyed a rear wheel, Casey Coffman ingeniously still finished the race after rigging a 27.5 wheel in his 29er frame
After his aggressive speed destroyed a rear wheel, Casey Coffman ingeniously still finished the race after rigging a 27.5 wheel in his 29er frame Picture: Scott McClain (Called To Creation)
Kurt Gensheimer, better known as the Angry Singlespeeder, dawned his signature disco outfit for the race
Kurt Gensheimer, better known as the Angry Singlespeeder, dawned his signature disco outfit for the race Picture: Bogdan Marian
The treacherous terrain had many riders leaving some blood behind on the course
The treacherous terrain had many riders leaving some blood behind on the course Picture: Scott McClain (Called To Creation)
Joe Lawwill of Shimano supported from the pit after a collision with a tree took him out of the race after Stage One
Joe Lawwill of Shimano supported from the pit after a collision with a tree took him out of the race after Stage One Picture: Scott McClain (Called To Creation)
Men’s Pro Podium: 1st- Brian Lopes 2nd- Marco Osborne 3rd- Tom Doran 4th- Jon Buckell 5th- Douglas Thayer
Men’s Pro Podium:
1st- Brian Lopes
2nd- Marco Osborne
3rd- Tom Doran
4th- Jon Buckell
5th- Douglas Thayer Picture: Scott McClain (Called To Creation)
Women’s Pro Podium: 1st- Amy Morrison 2nd- Rachel Throop 3rd- Jackie Swider 4th- Lauren Gregg 5th- Brianne Spiersch
Women’s Pro Podium:
1st- Amy Morrison
2nd- Rachel Throop
3rd- Jackie Swider
4th- Lauren Gregg
5th- Brianne Spiersch Picture: Scott McClain (Called To Creation)

Words: Lauren Gregg | Pictures: Bogdan Marian, Called to Creation

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