A week’s worth of rain and clouds all parted on Friday September 10th, for Stage 1 of the Fluidride Mt Hood 3 Day Enduro, giving racers access to some of the best ground conditions I can remember. The dirt was perfect, and the stage was set for a showdown between some of the best endurance descenders in the business.
Stage 1, started from the top of Magic Mile Chair over 1,000 feet above the highest road on Mt Hood. Riding from the 7,000′ level, riders dropped from sunshine, through clouds, and back into sunshine again, ending 20 minutes later on 39 Road, at 3,000′. Adam Craig (Rabobank/Gaint Off Road Team) got off to a good lead in Stage 1, setting a course record of 17:14. Nathan Riddle (SRAM/Rock Shox/Fluidride) who had chosen a bigger bike was 35 seconds back in second place, still sitting in striking distance of Craig with two “more fall line intensive tracks” to come on day 2 and 3. Jared Hobbs, Joel Armstrong, and Matthew Slaven (who took a hard fall in the stage) rounded out the top 5 for the day. In the Women’s division, Jaime Rees (The Bike Hub) added to her string of wins with yet another top placing in stage 1.
Stage 2 descended from 6,000′ to 4,000′ – a 2,000′ drop in about 6 minutes. Knowing Nathan Riddle was going to charge on this stage to make up time, Adam Craig kept his pace high, eventually going off line, and flatting after hitting a rock. “I just made a mistake, and got off line, and bam, I had a flat” said Craig who was basically out of contention after the flat. Nathan put in a time good enough for second place on the stage, just 5 seconds behind stage winner Matthew Slaven (Kona/Easton/Dakine) which put him in a comfortable position going into stage 3.
Stage 3 at Ski Bowl, was the shortest, but arguably the most technically challenging track of the weekend. Dropping 1400′ in about 5 minutes, this track is always demanding on both riders and their equipment. Nathan Riddle set out to do a good, but safe run, and ended up posting the fastest time of the day, with a 4:42, followed closely by Jared Hobbs (River City/Viso/Fox/Arrow) and Joel Armstrong (River City/Viso/Fox/Santa Cruz). In the end, Nathan ended up winning the Pro Men’s event, and the series, after winning the Dog River Event in May. Jamie Rees took the Women’s crown for the weekend, and the series.
Eirik Schultz (River City/Specialized) took the win in a very competitive Cat 1 30-39 category with wins on Stage 1 and 3.
Chris Bentley (mtnsidebikes.com/Fox/FSA/Michelin) won the Cat 1 40-49 event over Mike Estes (Cove/Dakine) and Barry Stockton (Transition Bikes/Discover Bicyles). Todd Olson (Brashers Auto Auction) rounded out the top 4, with a nice win on Stage 3.
The Women’s Cat 1 Event was won by Jacki Thornton, followed by Cherry Thomas, and Jennifer Everhard.
Thanks to all the racers who came out to enjoy the scenery, racing, and epic terrain Mt Hood has to offer. Big thanks also go out to Petr Kakes, Greg Aldrich, and the rest of the Hurricane Crew – to the US National Forestry Service – and to Steve Kruse and the crew at Timberline for keeping things running harmoniously on their end. Props also go out to Momentum Bikes in Sandy for their generous raffle donation.
Of course none of this would have ever been possible without the help of our sponsors. Be sure to support the fine companies who support NW racing! Look for a post race video to be posted soon.
Fluidride Enduro 2
Fluidride Enduro Overalls
