Exciting Ashland Mountain Challenge Recap – Race Highlights

Read our thrilling Ashland Mountain Challenge recap with highlights from the California Enduro Series. Discover race results!

07/29/2016

byASJ Staff

Mountain biker races down a forest trail, navigating a turn marked with tape.

A rider rails through the green switchbacks on stage 3 during practice.

Ashland Mountain Challenge Recap: Fifth round of popular enduro series takes riders just over the California border into Ashland, Oregon

Words and photos by Called To Creation; video by Sebastian Bauer and Mitch Nuyens

Beautiful temps and perfect trail conditions greeted racers on July 16 at the fifth round of the California Enduro Series – the Hope Technology Ltd Ashland Mountain Challenge put on by the dedicated crew with Ashland Mountain Adventures. Just over the California border in Oregon, Ashland provided pine trails for miles and solid elevation gain/descend for four stages of amazing enduro action.

Mountain biker navigates a wooded trail, creating a dust cloud in the bright sunlight. — Kathy Pruitt splits through the trees on stage 3 during practice.

Riders enjoy a forest trail, pedaling through a serene landscape with towering trees. — Riders weave through the moss-covered trees during practice Friday.

Smiling cyclist in a blue jersey and helmet stands in a sunlit forest. — Cory Sullivan relaxes after his first stage race run at the top of stage 4.

Bikers navigate a forest path as a supporter in a blue shirt encourages them. — Nathan Riddle in the start gate on stage 4. He would finish 1st Pro Men.

Rider in orange apparel bikes along a narrow forest trail surrounded by greenery. — Scott Chapin looked quick in the rollers on BTI. He would finish 4th in Pro Men.

Attendees at a biking event mingle among parked bikes and tents in a forest setting. — The after race scene is always good at the Ashland Mountain Challenge. Racers had a beer garden to drink from, a good salad with pesto pasta and raffle prizes all to look forward to at the end of the day.

Van with bikes on the back drives on a forested mountain road on a clear day. — Van Life. Scott Seymour and his family took two sprinters to the event from the Mariposa CA area. We caught up to them on Interstate 5 right as they passed Mt. Shasta. Scott would finish 3 in the Sport Men Category while his Wife, Rachel, leads the series in Beginner Woman.

Snow-capped mountain peaks rise above a forest of green pine trees under a clear blue sky. — Speaking of Mt. Shasta, it really is an impressive site, with one of the largest rises in the U.S. it is a prominent geographical feature in the region.

Winners pose on stage at the California Championships, with banners and sponsors in the background. — TRP Brake Zone winners were Ryan Gorman at 33.9mph for the men and Amy Morrison at 30.4mph. Kathy Pruitt and Amy Openn were were just behind Morrison. through the zone.

Group of medalists poses at the California Enduro Series, standing in front of sponsor banners. — Winners of the Rabobank KOM / QOM on stage 3: Pro Men: Ryan Gardner Pro Women: Adele Mery Expert Men: Nick Gallizioli Expert Women: Meave Dudley Sport Men: Trenton Guthrie Sport Women: Amy Oppen Beginner Men: Pete Schmidt Beginner Women: Rachel Seymour.

Pro Women's Podium - 1st place: Adele Mery 30:28.5, 2nd place: Kathy Pruitt 30.38.5, 3rd place: Amy Morrison 30:54.4, 4th place: Essence Barton 31:40.4, 5th place: Janea Perry 32:03.8 — Pro Women’s Podium – 1st place: Adele Mery 30:28.5, 2nd place: Kathy Pruitt 30.38.5, 3rd place: Amy Morrison 30:54.4, 4th place: Essence Barton 31:40.4, 5th place: Janea Perry 32:03.8

Mountain biking champions spray champagne in celebration at the California Enduro Series podium. — Pro Men’s Champagne Shower – 1st place: Nathan Riddle 27:00.4, 2nd place: Ryan Gardner 27:06.5, 3rd place: Cory Sullivan 27:10.4, 4th place: Scott Chapin 27:19.8, 5th place: Dillon Santos 27:29.2

Stay tuned for race results and a full recap. Join us August 27-28 for round six – and Golden Tour round 2 – the Northstar Enduro at Northstar California Resort in Truckee!

californiaenduroseries.com

Adventure Sports Journal is a proud sponsor of the California Enduro Series.

***

Main Photo: A rider rails through the green switchbacks on stage 3 during practice.

Read Other Press Releases Here.

07/29/2016

byASJ Staff