CDC Tiger Mountain Enduro

Words by Stephen Dempsey photos by Konrad

The fourth race of the Cascadia Dirt Cup was pure Northwest grit and grimace as Mother Nature provided a wet and chilly venue that tested riders and volunteer crews alike. It was stormy, winds kicked hard and rain came in sequenced torrents but the vibe in the crowd never wavered. Racers still finished with skids and smiles, for they knew high fives, dry clothes, burgers and Ninkasi beer was there to rekindle the physical spirit. One enlightened racer summed things up perfectly, "Stormy yet beautiful, the wet Tiger Mountain trails cleansed everyone's souls today. Attracted by adventure, riders sought and found the answer to their appetite." The day started and ended very wet, but all three stages were a blast of liquid sunshine. The overall consensus on "pure stoke level" must be strong, for the Tiger race was sold out early, with nearly 240 racers eager to rip bright and early on Saturday morning. A special thanks go to James and the original Tiger Mountain Crew, Evergreen Trail Crew, and all the volunteers that helped get these trails ready for destruction come race day!

POST RACE QUOTES

"Can't stop smiling!"—Anonymous

"I never ever would have wanted to go ride for 3 hours in conditions like that. Cold, wet, windy, brutal. But it was a race, so you go for a ride. It was awesome. Even when i was freezing and and shivering in between transfers, i still had a big smile son my face, Enduro for life bro."—Chaz Sponsel.

"The Cascadian lifestyle is good! Rain, bikes, mud, and beer."—Anonymous

"So wet and cold, but once you become one with the PNW, it's all good."—Kelan Hawks

"This was my first enduro race ever and it blew my mind! I'm thinking about giving up my World Cup DH and steelhead slaying for a new discipline"—Luke Strobel via Lars Sternberg

"Being a victim of the elements makes you a bitch...and you can't be a pussy your whole life. Think about it! It's way messier being born, and you made it through that. So man up...and come out to a CDC event next year."—John K

PERSONAL RACE NOTES
Stage 1: River raging root caps and and pedal heavy, diesel engine legs churning. The hands are numb extensions just ripping as hard as possible to hop over the next rock armored water bar at speed. Options are bountiful as the old railroad grade delivers riders lots of trail clutter on a wide canvas. Puncture city; try to stay ninja light and keep blinking that dirt out the baby blues. Get a chain guide.

Stage 2: Suck hole city. Poor fellas worked all week to get the worst possible weather for the curing of the new trail. Off the bike twice being spastic and sloppy. Barley able to pedal through the muck tested endurance and skill. Shifting and gear selection was paramount through here.

Stage 3 Tightened section of berms were moto-skid friendly. Watch the off-camber bridge entrance. Keep on the gas, for the stage is sweet. Be happy to go get warm!

Check out the full results and overall Cascadia Dirt Cup standings below.

The Grand Finale Chuckanut Enduro is October 20th. Sign up here