Words by Becky Gardner @beckygnardner
The Big Mountain Enduro headed to Keystone Resort for the third race of the series. With a past of racing downhill and a couple weeks of some really pedally races I was beyond excited to ride some gnarly lift-access terrain. The courses were rocky and loose, with some technical tight steep turns...the perfect place for WTB’s Vigilantes. Over the past year I have grown extremely fond of the Vigilantes. No matter the conditions (wet or dry), they get the job done!
Saturday’s race at Keystone was a real treat, giving racers a crisp breeze all morning. With most of Colorado being in a heat wave it was pleasant doing a race out of Colorado’s intense sun. Stoked to get the race started, I headed to stage one. This course was by far the hardest track of the race with steep rock gardens and 90-degree technical turns. Unfortunately I was a little too excited about Keystone’s gnarly trails and clipped a pedal while sprinting into a jump and it sent me over the bars, sticking my brake lever through my shorts. After establishing I was ok and dislodging my lever from my race kit, I started back down the trail...cleaning the rest of my run. I felt a little discouraged losing so much time but knew I had three more trails to make it up on. The rest of the trails were less technical but long enough that I could make up some time. I tried my best to flow, pump, and pedal as hard as I could. I was truly having a blast. I ended up finishing the race with 3rd place and a smile on my face.
Excited for tomorrow! What's happening? Round 4 of the Big Mountain Enduro Series at Winterpark Resort, of course!