Fresh off the first CLIF Enduro East stop of the year, the series switched gears and headed to Vermont's Northeast Kingdom this weekend for the second annual CLIF Enduro Lite at Burke Mountain. This event focuses on introducing riders to the world of enduro racing in a relaxed, judgement free environment. Burke Bike Park and Kingdom Trails put together four challenging, yet approachable race stages linked by legit pedal transfers. Pros were on hand to ride alongside our racers, talk strategy and provide encouragement, keeping the stoke high and smiles wide throughout race day. It's a race weekend like this that reminds us all why we started doing this in the first place.
Bike CheckSeven year old Airline Cycles rider Hudson Nablo entered his first Maxxis ESC Enduro last year and hasn't looked back since. You can find this kid taking laps long after the races are over but we got him to stand still just long enough to grab a photo and rundown of his pint-sized Giant Trance Jr. "The Savage" as the other kids call him, has become a regular on our CLIF Kids class podiums but was finally able to earn his first win this weekend with a final race time of 8:51 through three stages.
Rider height: 4' 2", weight: 60 lbs.
Frame: Giant Trance Jr, size XS
Fork: Fox 34, 20 PSI, 2 spacing tokens
Rebound: 6 clicks
Compression: middle setting
Rear shock: RockShox Deluxe RT, 45 PSI, maxed out with volume spacers
Compression: open
Rebound: 2 clicks
Brakes: Shimano SLX
Rotors: 180mm front, 180mm rear
Shifter and Derailleur: SRAM NX 11-speed
Cassette: 11-46 SRAM GX 11-speed
Cranks: 160mm
Chain Ring: 30t
Chain Guide: MRP SXg
Wheels: DT Swiss FR570 26"
Hubs: Industry Nine Torch
Tires: Maxxis Minion DHF 2.3, 24 PSI front, 25 PSI rear
Saddle: SDG Grom
Seatpost: Giant
Bars: Answer Carbon, 140mm long, 0mm rise
Stem: Answer 30mm
Grips: Easton
Up next is the CLIF ENDURO EAST EWS Qualifier at Thunder Mountain in Charlemont, MA on July 27-29, 2018
REGISTRATION HEREWords and photos: Andrew Santoro
Full ResultsPhotosEnduroeast.com