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- California Enduro Series Announces 2024 Schedule - 11/19/2023
- ASHLAND MOUNTAIN CHALLENGE 2023 โ CES RACE REPORT - 10/04/2023
- China Peak Enduro 2023 โ CES Race Report - 09/04/2023
Featured upcoming events
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Sea Otter Classic
April 11-14, Monterey
Sea Otter is cyclingโs North American season opener. Professional and amateur athletes alike make the annual pilgrimage to Sea Otter to participate in some of the sportโs most competitive and enduring events.
This festival offers the perfect opportunity to try out new bikes, with hundreds available to demo on the raceway and in three other demo zones. With special areas for eMTB, MTB skills and kidsโ bikes โ riders can try before they buy. Whether youโre young or old, new to cycling or experienced, you are sure to find obstacles and fun designed just for you throughout the Expo. Demo bikes over all four days and take home not only big smiles, but new skills to practice on your local trails and routes.
Festival passes get you access to the demo areas, food court, beer garden, stunt shows, kidsโ activities, and more. Buy online and save. Kids 12 and under are free, as is parking.
Learn more at seaotterclassic.com.
Huffmaster Hopper
April 20, Maxwell
Hopper Adventures is partnering with B-Rad Foundation to bring a new cross/gravel cycling event to Northern California. All proceeds from the inaugural Huffmaster Hopper will be donated to Butte County Camp Fire relief efforts.
This special Hopper takes place on the rolling gravel roads and lightly traveled tarmac of Colusa County, just west of I-5 and east of the Mendocino National Forest.
With two routes to choose from, 89 or 59 miles, and less climbing than a typical Hopper, riders will be treated to an adventure few have seen on two wheels. Both routes are half gravel and half paved.
Hopper Adventures founder Miguel Crawford says, โOur hope is to create a unique, challenging event that will connect our cycling community from the Bay Area with Central Valley, Chico, Davis, Sacramento and Redding cyclists. This is going to be a shredding good course for a great cause.โ
Hopper Adventures also produces the popular Grasshopper Adventure Series. See page 30 for more information about this unique Northern California cycling race series.
Learn more at grasshopperadventureseries.com.
Great Auburn Epic Race
April 28, Auburn
The inaugural Great Auburn Epic takes place in Auburn, the Endurance Capital of the World. This mountain bike race features four timed cross country stages on the spectacular trails at Auburn State Recreation Area (Auburn SRA).
The race starts with a 4.5 mile transfer along Foresthill Road including a crossing of the Foresthill Bridge โ the highest bridge in California at 730 feet. Stage 1 is on smooth single track on the Foresthill Divide Loop from Grizzly Bear House to Drivers Flat. Stage 2 features four more miles on the Foresthill Divide Trail and then 3.5 miles of amazing flowy, twisty turns and switchbacks of the Connector Trail, where racers are treated to amazing canyon views above Lake Clementine. Stage 3 takes place on Culvert Trail โ a flow trail with banks, berms, jumps and a tunnel under Foresthill Road. The fourth and final stage is the Confluence Trail from Mammoth Bar OHV along the Middle Fork of the American River to the confluence where the middle fork meets the north fork.
Post-race party with BBQ, craft beer, awards and shenanighans round out a great day on the bike. Professional timing provided by California Enduro Series.
Learn more at totalbodyfitness.com.
Groveland Grind
May 18, Groveland
The Groveland Trail Heads mountain biking club brings back this unique fundraising cycling event for its second year. The Groveland Grind is a multi-terrain (pavement, broken pavement, gravel, small rocks and dirt) adventure ride at Yosemite National Parkโs doorstep.
Riders will experience everything the majestic Stanislaus National Forest has to offer including grinding climbs, challenging terrain, and some of Mother Natureโs most amazing views.
With three routes to choose from, cyclists of all skill levels and in good physical condition can participate. All three routes are truly special as they hug the border of Yosemite National Park, with some sections on the original road and railroad to Yosemite.
A post ride party tops off the day, complete with food, beer, and a raffle.
Proceeds support the Ferretti Non-Motorized Trail System project (mountain bike trails).
Learn more at grovelandtrailheads.org.
Ensenada Bike Fest
May 24-26, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
Bajaโs premier mountain bike festival takes place over Memorial Day weekend at Horsepower Ranch in Ensenada, just 90 miles south of San Diego.
Thereโs something for everyone to enjoy at the festival whether you love music, relaxing poolside while soaking up the Baja sunshine, or riding your bike.
The festivalโs mountain bike enduro race, the Ensenada Enduro, kicks off the 2019 season of the California Enduro Series (CES). The enduro-curious can try out a new event โ the Grand Fonduro โ which is a perfect introduction to the sport, getting riders out on two of the five stages that the CES racers will be using.
In addition, a brand new cross country mountain bike course wraps around the ranch, covering ten miles with over 1,500 feet of elevation on 85% single track. The festival will also feature a dual slalom and speed & style course built and designed by downhill racer Kevin Aiello.
Of course, local food and libations will be plentiful.
Learn more at californiaenduroseries.com.
Bishop High Sierra Ultra Marathons
June 1, Bishop
Choose between a 20-mile โfun run,โ a 50k, a 50-miler, and a 100k; all are high altitude races with a great deal of climbing in the scenic foothills of the eastern Sierra Nevada, above the small town of Bishop.
Courses are mostly comprised of four wheel drive dirt roads, with a couple sections of singletrack trail, and very short sections of pavement. There are very few trees, thus the race is exposed, often hot, usually dry, sometimes rocky, and mostly high! Much of the 100k and 50-mile courses are above 7,000 feet in altitude.
Aid stations for this event are famous for the variety of food and drinks available, particularly as the race progresses. Racers are treated to a post-race buffet,
and awards are given to the winners of each distance.
The race is produced by Eastern Sierra Interpretive Association (ESIA) โ a Bishop-area non-profit organization โ and benefits its Eastern Sierra Youth Outdoor Program, and Inyo County Search and Rescue.
Learn more at bishopultras.com.
Lost and Found
June 1, Portola
Recognized as one of the toughest (and most fun) gravel grinders in the west, the Lost and Found Bike Ride features a perfect blend of pavement, dirt road, gravel road and historic railroad grade. Racers must choose their weapon wisely (gravel bike, cross bike or mountain bike) with the โlongestโ ride at 100+ miles on 80% dirt, while shorter options exist at 60+ miles and 30+ miles.
High alpine lakes, meadows carpeted in wildflowers and majestic peaks await racers who will finish this year to live music, dancing, delicious food, an awards ceremony, a kidsโ race/pump track, camping and a beer garden.
Make it a family adventure weekend and bring the whole clan and your friends to this event that wonโt disappoint with plenty to do including swimming, boating and fishing at Lake Davis.
This race supports Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship trailwork efforts.
Learn more at lostandfoundbikeride.com.
America’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride
June 2, Lake Tahoe
Bike the West and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society invite you to participate in the 28th annual Americaโs Most Beautiful Bike Ride, one of the most scenic and awe-inspiring rides you will ever experience. Spectacular scenery, clean mountain air, great food and fully supported by experienced ride organizers make this ride a โmust doโ for any avid recreational bicyclist.
Choose between a 72-mile ride around Lake Tahoe or a full 100-mile century. Also available again this year is the popular โboat cruiseโ ride. Enjoy a continental breakfast and sightseeing cruise across Lake Tahoe on the Tahoe Paradise; debark at Garwoodโs Pier in Carnelian Bay, then ride the remaining 35 miles back to the finish line.
Americaโs Most Beautiful Bike Ride promotes Lake Tahoe Bikeway, a plan to build and interconnect bike lanes/trails around Lake Tahoe. It is also the culmination of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Societyโs National Team In Training spring fund raising program.
Learn more at bikethewest.com.
Photo: Photo John
Fears, Tears and Beers
June 8, Ely, Nevada
With 14 years of racing history, Fears, Tears and Beers is Americaโs oldest, and still rowdiest, enduro bike race. Pedal your bike through two casinos on your way to the top of Ward Mountain. Youโll then be timed at specific sections of the course. There will be two to seven timed sections, mostly twisty downhills and sprint sections. The sum of the times on these special tests will determine the winner.
Choose from the following categories: Fun Run โ shorter in length and less climbing than the beginner class, two timed sections; Beginner โ 17.5 miles, 2,300โฒ elevation gain, three timed sections; Sport โ 26.6 miles, 3,500โฒ elevation gain, four timed sections; Expert/Pro โ 33.3 miles, 5,400โฒ elevation gain, six timed sections. All participants get great swag and a post-race awards ceremony banquet.
This event is an annual fundraiser for Great Basin Trails Alliance.
Learn more at elynevada.net/fears-tears-and-beers.
Photo: Kasey Carames / California Enduro Series
Mammoth Bar Enduro
June 28, Auburn
The Mammoth Bar Enduro offers a fun and challenging course that includes trails in the Auburn State Recreation Area (SRA) and Mammoth Bar OHV.
In Auburn SRA, racers will take on two stages: one on Confluence Trail which runs along the Middle Fork American River and features a gradual descent featuring rock gardens and narrow sections; the other on flowy Culvert Trail which features banks, berms, jumps, drop offs and a tunnel under Foresthill Road. The other two stages of the day will take place at Mammoth Bar OHV: Eastside Trail which has been brushed and graded for a fast black diamond technical thrill run; and Stonewall/Rocky … a stage that starts out steep on Stonewall then leads into the double black diamond Rocky Trail with a crowd favorite finish at the venue.
A post-race party with a full BBQ lunch, local craft beer, and awards will round out this big day of racing bikes. Professional timing provided by the California Enduro Series.
Learn more at totalbodyfitness.com.
California Enduro Series
The 2019 CES season kicks off in Baja California with the Ensenada Enduro. The event is part of the inaugural Ensenada Bike Fest, which takes place over Memorial Day weekend (May 24-26) at Horsepower Ranch in Ensenada, just 90 miles south of San Diego.
Also new this coming season is the Mt. Shasta Enduro, which is the third stop on the schedule, taking place July 13 at the Mt. Shasta Ski Park near Mount Shasta/McCloud. This event introduces riders to a fresh riding zone on the south slope of Northern Californiaโs iconic Mount Shasta. The course features 5,000โ of descent on a variety of fast, challenging, technical terrain.
As if that wasnโt all exhilarating enough, the popular Northstar Enduro returns for a sixth season, this time as Round 7 of the Enduro World Series (EWS). The event takes place over the August 23-25 weekend.
Big mountain favorites China Peak Enduro (June 29) and Mammoth Mountain Enduro (date TBD) โ formerly Kamikaze Bike Games Enduro โ return to the line-up as does the Ashland Mountain Challenge which wraps the season up in style October 5.
2019 series points will be based on the top five results of the six races.
Learn more at californiaenduroseries.com.
Grasshopper Adventure Series
Located in Northern Californiaโs Sonoma and Mendocino counties, each โHopperโ is unique in its route and terrain and challenges both cyclist and equipment like no other race series in the world.
Remaining 2019 series events include: Skaggs & Super Skaggs Apr 27, King Ridge Dirt Supreme May 11, Jackson Forest June 22. Other Hopper Adventure events include: Huffmaster Hopper Apr 20 (see page 29), Mendo Hopper Sept 14-15, Usal Hopper Oct 12.
Learn more at grasshopperadventureseries.com.
California MTB Dirt Series
Back for 2019 is the California DIRT MTB Series, one of YBONC Foundationโs fundraisers to support programs for Nevada County school bike clubs.
California DIRT MTB has been selected again by USA Cycling to host the 2019 California MTB XC State Championship as a series. There will be a cash purse to the Pro classes. Cash prizes will vary depending on class size/participation. If you participate in all races on the schedule, you are eligible to register with a fee bundle package, and win podium medals.
The series kicks off at Sea Otter Classic in Monterey on April 14; the rest of the schedule is as follows: #2 โ May 5 in Nevada City (DA/Round MTN), #3 โ May 25, Susanville Ranch Park in Susanville, #4 โ June 23 in Grass Valley, #5 โ July 7 in Nevada City (Dascombe/Hoot/Pioneer).
Learn more at ybonc.org/events/dirt-classic.
