Photos by Konrad (Brandon Corneliusen)
Words by Steve Dempsey
The four-stage Capital Forest Enduro was another raging success with nearly 200 riders coming out in full support of the new racing platform. The course was fully dialed with a firm cloak of fog saturating the soil overnight and into the morning. Riders enjoyed 3,400 feet of flowing descent over the day while racing the epic four-stage event. The race was burly, with pros completing the whole day in just under three hours. Only 31 minutes of that three hours were recorded race runs, so James Whiteside at Cascadia Dirt definitely made sure transfer stages were earned.
Sunshine, burritos and heady Ninkasi brew made sure that even if your race run did include some dirt in your teeth or trickling blood, you'd still end the day with at least a full stomach, sunburn and a slight buzz. These three things—along with a bit of grease, blood and dirt—are the telltale signs of a good day on the bike whether it’s a race or a Saturday epic. The Capital Forest event was both, and an example of the instinctual nature of Enduro racing that’s really grabbed the masses for good reason. Friends are able to spend time together in their natural habitat, climbing together at an agreeable pace and mobbing the descents. This is a little of what the caught our ear during the day:
"Loving the CDC! Awesome trails, fun people and such a rad event. Can't beat bikes & beers afterwards.”—Doug Hill
"The variety of courses in the CDC has been a real treat. I love getting sooooo enduro."—Chazz Sponsel
"Diverse stages. Great support and amenities. They even have chain lube and really clean rags at the aid stations! Stages were balanced between tech and stamina. A fun rip in the woods with friends. James is bringing the heat and getting big turnout with both sponsors and racer support."—SRD
"Good times and good bros! Pedal ‘til your dizzy! So duro."—Kelen Hawks
"Flow through the mist. So epic. Breathe."—Kelen Hawks
"Brews, bros, and bikes, what more needs to be said?"—Jasper
"Tired of flaccid face plates and fucked up timing?! Go CDC!"—Anonymous
"Story brewing descents, root gaps. Double power slides! Descending for the miles!"—Anonymous
My race notes:
Stage 1-Loose marble rock turn to start. Long straight before hairpin rock garden. Free flowing after that. Pedal and try to stay low in the berms! Misty forest left racers blind at the finish.
Stage 2-Misty, saturated, yummy dirt. Slap the berms for all they are worth because the moist cinder-block pavers can take you out.
Stage 3-A uphill start makes way for an optional jump line, time-saving log ride, and ripping berm section that is an influx of pure smiles.
Stage 4-The most pedally of all the stages and the longest. The stage that makes or breaks the day. Great root lines to start that whittle down to the creek, climb out and keep ripping. Pedal until you explode because it gets flatter towards the finish.
Stay updated with all things CDC on Facebook and cascadiadirtcup.org
Check out the full race results below!
| Attachment | Size |
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 CDC_CapitolForestEnduro.pdf | 69.38 KB |
