Northstar brings big jump lines to California enduro
By Michele Lamelin

Over 230 racers returned to the Sierra mountains for the California Enduro Series. The series’ third stop—the Northstar Livewire Classic Enduro in Truckee—capped off Northstar’s 2014 Enduro Bike Race Series, running the day before the bike park’s popular Livewire Classic, their downhill race series’ finale.

The 19 mile course gave competitors a varied taste of high Sierra terrain. Transfer stages were a mix of lift access and arduous pedaling. The three timed stages featured a combined 2900′ of descending and an extra helping of pedaling that required riders to dig deep in order to stay ahead. Racers were excited to kick off the timed portion of the event on Northstar’s premier jump trail, Livewire, which features huge berms and jumps at every turn. In stark contrast to Stage 1, Stage 2 was a 5 mile grinder that finished off with a grueling fire road climb to the stage finish. Stage 3 was a welcome relief, showcasing fast and flowy trail, with jumps, big berms and two long, low senders to the finish.

The next stop for the California Enduro Series will take place at Mammoth Mountain as part of the Kamikaze Bike Games (September 18-21), marking the third straight stop in the high Sierra. The series will round out with Mountain Bikers of Santa Cruz’s Santa Cruz Super Enduro at Soquel Demonstration State Forest (October 10-12). Both the Mammoth Kamikaze Bike Games Enduro and the Santa Cruz Super Enduro are sold out.

Pro Women Podium
1 – Jackie Swider (Art’s Cyclery / Dirty Jane)
2 – Lauren Gregg (FOX)
3 – Christine Hirst (CycleWorld)

Pro Men Podium
1 – Marco Osborne (Cannondale)
2 – Doug Thayer (Cyclepaths)
3 – Tom Doran (Santa Cruz, Royal Racing)

FULL RACE RESULTS
SERIES STANDINGS
SERIES SCHEDULE

Marin Bikes Mount Vision C-XM8 raffle
Proceeds benefit California Enduro Series

FOX 2015 36 fork raffle
Proceed benefit Stafford Lake Bike Park and Mountain Bikers of Santa Cruz (MBoSC) flow trail project at Soquel Demonstration State Forest

Read more about Enduro:
ENDURO: Putting the Fun Back into MTB Racing
Why Enduro? Top athletes weigh in on why they love enduro
Ladies of Enduro: Inspiring women taking on enduro in California

The Northstar Livewire Classic Enduro drew over 230 racers.

The Northstar Livewire Classic Enduro drew over 230 racers. Photo by Bogdan Marian.

The camaraderie inherent in the sport is what makes enduro racing so popular with mountain bikers.

The camaraderie inherent in the sport is what makes enduro racing so popular with mountain bikers. Photo by Bogdan Marian.

Racers kicked off the day with a long climb along the lift line to the top of the first timed stage.

Racers kicked off the day with a long climb along the lift line to the top of the first timed stage. Photo by Scott McClain / Called To Creation.

Liv/giant - Northstar athlete Karin Edwards took it all the way to 1st place in the expert women's category.

Liv/giant – Northstar athlete Karin Edwards took it all the way to 1st place in the expert women’s category. Photo by Scott McClain / Called To Creation.

Ryan Chandler (Santa Cruz / FOX) — all focus and grit. Photo by Bogdan Marian.

Ryan Chandler (Santa Cruz / FOX) — all focus and grit. Photo by Bogdan Marian.

The Northstar course offered plenty of chances for athletes like Haolynn Lu to go airborne.  Photo by Bogdan Marian.

The Northstar course offered plenty of chances for athletes like Haolynn Lu to go airborne. Photo by Bogdan Marian.

An excellent showing of juniors on the Northstar course. Zachary Bodeman (Santa Cruz Junior Composite). Photo by Bogdan Marian.

An excellent showing of juniors on the Northstar course. Zachary Bodeman (Santa Cruz Junior Composite). Photo by Bogdan Marian.

Our current issue's cover athlete Lauren Gregg took the day by storm, landing 2nd place on the pro women podium. Photo by Scott McClain / Called To Creation.

Our current issue’s cover athlete Lauren Gregg took the day by storm, landing 2nd place on the pro women podium. Photo by Scott McClain / Called To Creation.

Doug Thayer rode strong to a 2nd place pro men finish. Photo by Scott McClain / Called To Creation.

Doug Thayer rode strong to a 2nd place pro men finish. Photo by Scott McClain / Called To Creation.

Marco Osborne took the top step on the pro men's podium. Photo by Mary DiNapoli.

Marco Osborne took the top step on the pro men’s podium. Photo by Mary DiNapoli.

Jackie Swider conquered a few demons on Stage 1 (Livewire) and took it all the way to 1st place on the pro women's podium. Photo by Scott McClain / Called to Creation.

Jackie Swider conquered a few demons on Stage 1 (Livewire) and took it all the way to 1st place on the pro women’s podium. Photo by Scott McClain / Called to Creation.

Racers and spectators enjoyed a generous schwag toss and raffle while awaiting results. Photo by Bogdan Marian.

Racers and spectators enjoyed a generous schwag toss and raffle while awaiting results. Photo by Bogdan Marian.


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