California Enduro Series Announces 2019 Schedule

PRESS RELEASE: California Enduro Series

¡Vamos a México todos!

¿Qué-WHAT???!! That’s right … the California Enduro Series is shaking things up and heading to Baja to kick off the 2019 season. Round 1 — the Ensenada Enduro — is part of the inaugural Ensenada Bike Fest, which takes place over Memorial Day weekend (May 25-27) at Horsepower Ranch in Ensenada, just 90 miles south of San Diego. Get those passports renewed and brush up on your Spanish because this is an event you don’t want to miss.

Ensenada Bike Fest’s Lou Mollineda says, “We’re stoked to be hosting the very first CES race outside of the US. Ensenada, Baja California is known as the ‘Cinderella of the Pacific’ … a magical place. Everyone knows Baja for its awesome fishing, Baja 1000, and friendly people … and very soon, the Ensenada Bike Fest!”

Also new this coming season is the Mt. Shasta Enduro, which is the third stop on the schedule, taking place July 13-14 at the Mt. Shasta Ski Park near Mount Shasta/McCloud. This event introduces riders to a fresh riding zone that many aren’t familiar with, despite its location on the south slope of Northern California’s iconic Mount Shasta.

Mt. Shasta Ski Park’s Taylor Russell says, “We’re excited to be joining CES for the upcoming 2019 race season. The Mt. Shasta Enduro course features 5,000' of descent on a variety of fast, technical and fun terrain right underneath the beautiful, majestic Mt. Shasta. Come challenge yourselves!"

As if that wasn’t all exhilarating enough, the popular Northstar Enduro returns for a sixth season — this time around being part of the Enduro World Series. This race takes place over the August 23-25 weekend, and is the EWS Challenger event for 2019. (Scroll down for important information re. Northstar registration.)

Three other popular venues also return to the line-up. Big mountain favorites China Peak Enduro (June 29-30) and Mammoth Mountain Enduro — formerly Kamikaze Bike Games Enduro — (TBD) will serve up the monster gnar as usual, while the singular Ashland Mountain Challenge will once again wrap things up in style on October 5.

CES Director Steve Gemelos says, “With two new venues and an EWS event at Northstar, the 2019 season is going to be huge! We’re thrilled to kick off the season by heading down to Baja for the Ensenada Bike Fest over Memorial Day weekend. That event is going to be off the hook. We’re also stoked to team up with the folks at Mt. Shasta Ski Park, introducing folks to a sick riding zone most have not heard about.”

Gemelos adds, “And of course, EWS … so awesome to bring the top international racers to California to race one of our favorite venues — Northstar. Returning to China Peak, Mammoth and Ashland rounds out an amazing enduro season ahead. We can’t wait to bring the CES race family together again and we welcome new riders of all racing levels.”

2019 series points will be based on the top five results of the six races. CES RiderID is required to register for these races. Northstar Enduro racers should note that EWS will be managing registration for that event; registration for EWS racer opens on December 11 and December 14 for CES/Challenger racers. Details to be published soon that will help riders prepare for EWS Northstar registration.

CES is made possible by the generous sponsorship of industry and community businesses. If you’d like to get involved and be part of CES’ exciting 2019 season and/or EWS Northstar, send an email to sponsorship@californiaenduro.com.

CES 2019 Schedule

May 25-27 — Ensenada Enduro at Horsepower Ranch in Ensenada, Mexico
June 29-30 — China Peak Enduro at China Peak Ski Resort in Lakeshore, California
July 13-14 — Mt. Shasta Enduro at Mt. Shasta Ski Park in Mount Shasta/McCloud, California
August 23-25 — Northstar Enduro **EWS #7** at Northstar California Resort in Truckee, California
Race date TBD — Mammoth Mountain Enduro at Mammoth Mountain in Mammoth Lakes, California
October 5 — Ashland Mountain Challenge in Ashland, Oregon

Learn more about California Enduro Series at californiaenduroseries.com. Learn more about EWS at enduroworldseries.com.

Enduro Norte’s David “Chuvy” Franco on loose, steep La Sierrita, a pro/expert stage on the Ensenada Enduro course. Photo: Warren Bower.

Racers take on primitive, chunky terrain at high altitude at the China Peak Enduro in Lakeshore, about 65 miles east of Fresno in the southwestern Sierra. Photo: Kasey Carames.

The Mt. Shasta Enduro brings a fresh new zone to the California Enduro Series, offering a course loaded with trail features such as this wooden wall ride. Photo: Mt. Shasta Bike Park.

Amy Morrison charges Stage 3 (Gypsy) of last season’s Northstar Enduro, which was Round 2 of the EWS North American Continental Series. This year, the burly big mountain action at “Gnarstar” gets even more intense as the seventh stop on the Enduro World Series tour. Photo: Kasey Carames.

Mammoth Mountain, located in the heart of the majestic, wild, and awe-inspiring Eastern Sierra, is an ideal setting for the rough, rowdy and unpredictable sport of enduro. The date for the Mammoth Mountain Enduro (formerly Kamikaze Bike Games Enduro) has yet to be set; stay tuned for more information. Photo: Kasey Carames.

Foot out flat out with James Eves on the Ashland Mountain Challenge course. Ashland Mountain Adventures throws one heck of a season finale just over the California border in Oregon. Photo: Kasey Carames.

Racers and spectators alike keep track of stage standings at the CES Live! timing tent. Photo: Kasey Carames.

The action doesn't stop at the finish line at CES events. Riders enjoy hanging out and swapping race stories … and scoring some mighty fine goods at the series’ signature swag toss. Photo: Kasey Carames.

Getting rambunctious on the pro women podium at the 2018 China Peak Enduro. Photo: Kasey Carames.

We want YOU to come race the 2019 season with us! Stay in the loop by following CES on Facebook @californiaenduroseries and Instagram @ca_enduro. Photo: Kasey Carames.

Words by Michele Charboneau