This Justin Niemi YouTube gives you a great idea of what Enduro Mountain Bike Racing is all about.
The California Enduro Series (CES) has been held throughout California (and sometimes nearby states) since 2013, and on July 31, 2021 it returned to Mammoth Bar for the 3rd of its 5 events. CES has a mission statement that reads: “The California Enduro Series (CES) is a for-riders, by-riders operation. The ultimate goal is to create world-class enduro events that everyone from pros to amateurs can enjoy and showcase the amazing locations that make California one of the best places to mountain bike on earth.”
CES is based in Santa Cruz, and works with event managers at the locations it selects each year. This year the organization they partnered with for the Mammoth Bar edition was Total Body Finess, specifically TBF Racing, based in the Roseville/Granite Bay area, and owner of hundreds of running, cycling, and multi-sport events in our area each year.
To give those unfamiliar with the term “Enduro”, here is the Wikipedia definition: “Enduro in its most basic definition is a type of mountain bike racing where the downhills are timed, and the uphills are mandatory but not timed. Riders are timed in stages that are primarily downhill, with neutral “transfer” stages in between. The transfer stages usually must be completed within a time-limit, but are not part of the accumulated time.”
The race at Mammoth Bar had 4 stages, basically 4 separate courses with a transition phase between each. The 300+ participants ranged from young to old, novices to experienced. Each group had a start time, that allowed for the riders to space out over the distances. All were rewarded with barbecue and beverages upon finishing. To see the different divisions, complete results, and photo galleries CLICK HERE. The 4th race will be held at NorthStar, CA and the 5th at Ashland, OR. Scoring is cumulative with awards presented to top series finishers at the end of the series.
The City of Auburn’s Endurance Capital Committee was present at the finish area, and we found that mountain bike riders came to this event literally from all over the state and beyond. We welcomed the riders to the Endurance Capital of the World™, and enjoyed giving away our now-famous logoed items (neck gaiters, can holders, water bottles, bandanas, cowbells, coasters, stickers and more…). Afterall, it is only fitting for our Committee to be present at an event with a name like “Enduro”!
Ready for the Riders!
Pre-race instructions
Burgers and beer and shade await the finishers.
Finishers checking in and heady for the beer and burgers.
Future Enduro participants.
Everyone’s adventure begins… and ends… here.
