Rocky Mountain Enduro Series saves best for last
Racing the Whole Enchilada. Photo courtesy Rocky Mountain Enduro Series
Fall is in the air, and there are few better places to be than Colorado’s high country, where vibrant aspens are putting on quite the show for the two final races of the Rocky Mountain Enduro Series. The five-event series travels to Moab, Utah, on September 17, and Salida, Colorado, September 29-October 1.
“Since bringing the first race to The Whole Enchilada five years ago, the thrill of racing down this iconic trail has never worn off,” said Keith Darner, co-director of RMES and founder/producer of Chocolate Bunny Productions. “This year we have crafted The Whole Enchilada into three distinct enduro stages to capitalize on the fun descending that the trail is known for, and eliminate the bulk of the timed climbing from the traditional course. Utilizing the Sport iDent timing system expands the opportunities to race these remote and iconic trails. It’s going to be an exciting, epic day of competition.”
Stage 1 features the mega, high-speed descent down Burro Pass starting at 11,180’. Fast, rocky, steep and loose, this stage is nothing but pure descending through high alpine forests. Stage 2 begins after transitioning to the top of Hazard County untimed, and follows the main vein down Hazard County, Kokopelli, UPSand LPS, ending just above the Porcupine Overlook.
Grab a snack, hydrate and keep on riding— the third and final descent of the day begins at the “High Point” of Porcupine Rim Trail. From here, it’s nothing but downhill to the finish line at the WSA (wilderness study area) boundary. The Porcupine singletrack is the cherry on top to cruise with your friends to the road and back along the Colorado River Scenic Byway to Chile Pepper Bike Shop and Moab Brewery for post-race refreshments, awards, and raffle.
Fall riding in Colorado is as good as it gets. Photo courtesy Rocky Mountain Enduro Series
Two weeks later, the Monarch Crest Enduro will hit the peak of leaf peeping season with trails typically blanketed in a carpet of gold the final weekend in September. With all five stages starting above 10,200’ and stage three starting at 12,600’, challenging transitions will be redeemed by ripping singletrack descents down infamous tributaries off the Monarch Crest Trail, buffet dinners Thursday – Saturday evenings, custom event jerseys from Yeti Cycles, three days of racing, four shuttles, all the bacon you can eat and all the beer you can drink, all for $375.
“Racing off the Continental Divide Trail is a unique experience for everyone who loves big high alpine adventures,” Darner said. “It took years of working with land management to be able to bring a race to these trails, and we’re pleased the showcase the very best of Salida’s with you.”
Racers will be able to soak in views from atop the Continental Divide before diving down Starvation Creek, Silver Creek, Canyon Creek, Fooses Creek and Greens Creek. All courses, maps, and descriptions are defined in advance online.
Registration is now open at $190 for The Whole Enchilada through Friday, September 15 at 11:50 p.m. Walk-up registration on Saturday, September 16 is from Noon – 7 p.m. at Chile Pepper Bike Shop, 702 S. Main Street in Moab. Lunch, post-race beer, and custom Yeti Cycles event jersey are included in the registration.
Due to field size limits, the Monarch Crest Enduro will open first to the top 10 points leaders in each category, then available to participants of at least one other RMES race, and then to the public on Wednesday, September 13 at 9 p.m. All registration includes event cancellation insurance. If the event is canceled due to inclement weather within three days of the event, riders will receive a full refund.
Visit the event’s Facebook page for updates on registration, and find more information at www.rockymountainenduroseries.com.
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