One of the most anticipated races of the year went down this weekend in Glorieta, New Mexico. Yeti Cycles Big Mountain Enduro hosted a sold out race with some big name pros and fast locals all duking it out on the rugged technical high desert trails.
The race day was comprised of four stages, each offering plenty of challenges. The first stage, Broken Arrow, was the longest of the day and had a few opportunities to hammer the pedals and gain some extra time. The second stage, Janker DH, is a true downhill trail that tested even the best riders. With grades nearing -50% and lots of moon dust, it was a slip and slide! The penultimate stage was Jagged Axe, one of the premier trails in Glorieta. This trail is littered with big “A-Line” features and has some massive rock garden sections. Check out our previous Trail Feature for Jagged Axe for more. Stage four was the fan favorite Chili Dog, another technically challenging trail, especially after a long day on the bike. It ends with the classic heckler zone rock drop, with hundreds of fans turning out to witness hucking and carnage.
Stage 1 – Broken Arrow
3.8 Miles, 1,575 Ft Descended, Average Grade -7.8%, Max Grade -24%
Trail Preview from Daniel Rhodes following Corey Spoores
Kona’s Scott Countryman keeps it tucked on the first stage of the day. He finish an impressive 5th place in pro. Photo: Eric CookFollow Cam Legend Nate Hills gapping where most others rolled. Photo: Eric CookPre-jump banshee speed. Photo: Eric CookAlexander Vidal putting his YT to work. Photo: Eric CookJosh Snow of Alien Bike Shop gapping on Stage 1. Photo: Eric CookAdam “Prosauce” Prosise repping for Team Rudeboy and keeping it pinned! Photo: Eric CookThe champion on the day, Richie Rude, visibly faster than most. Photo: Eric CookShawn Neer won here last year, and was just off the podium with a 6th place finish in 2018. Photo: Eric CookGetting loose like a goose. Photo: Eric CookThe American Dream pre-drifts into 2nd place. Photo: Eric CookFlying every time I saw him, Blake Mastrangelo! Photo: Eric CookCameron Joye putting it down for Leatt. Photo: Eric CookTrevor McCutcheon just outside the top 10. Photo: Eric CookRyan Geiger riding for Absolute Bikes. Photo: Eric CookYeti Development’s Bryn Bingham leaning in the trees. Photo: Eric CookDylan Stucki corning hard on Stage 1. Photo: Eric CookJanker Ted right behind and on the gas out of the corner. Photo: Eric CookWomen’s Pro winner Cooper Ott was cooking on Stage 1. Photo: Eric CookRachel Straight not far behind, finishing 2nd. Photo: Eric CookKona’s Becky Gardner gripping and ripping. Photo: Eric CookLauren Bingham locked in through the tight lower section. Photo: Eric CookLeigh Bowe shoulder tucking and looking fast! Photo: Eric CookFellow Colorowdy Ariana Dittmer looked fast on course all day. Photo: Eric CookC3 rider Wade Washburn keeping his Evil on track. Photo: Eric CookArin Teter on the straight away towards the end of Stage 1. Photo: Eric CookAndrew Dunlap with his best race face. Photo: Eric CookLeaning it over into the straight, Ryan Reish looking sharp. Photo: Eric CookBroken Spoke rider JJ Squires wide open. Photo: Eric CookHeart and Soul’s Jake Rehfeld staying off the brakes. Photo: Eric CookShawn West corner smashing. Photo: Eric CookFlagstaff’s Mike Hardt on one! Photo: Eric CookExpert Men’s winner Josh Gaube on his way to victory. Photo: Eric CookColorowdies were out in force! Brett Kreyche with the flyby. Photo: Eric CookMost stoked, Travis Barrett grinning and pinning. Photo: Eric CookMatthew Thomas came down from Colorado to shred some NM dust. Photo: Eric CookJordan Bawden running smooth on Stage 1. Photo: Eric CookKeeping it between the tape. I saw a few people make mistakes going through this section. Photo: Eric CookRyan Baczurik was the only Rudeboy not repping the rasta colors. Photo: Eric CookCalifornia’s Gil Esquivel fast through the woods. Photo: Eric CookJoe Nicholson leaving it all on the track. Photo: Eric CookAustin Eberting made the trek from Texas for BME round 1. Photo: Eric CookAlex Scott of Jagged Axe Trail Designs, the evil geniuses behind these trails. 4th place on the day! Photo: Eric CookJake Matthews shredding the brown pow. Photo: Eric CookWendell Montgomery floating over the rocks. Photo: Eric CookIsaac Miller was on a mission. Photo: Eric CookMST Adventures’ Corey Spoores on a heater. Photo: Eric CookRobert Thomas threads the needle. Photo: Eric CookBrendan Smith floating between the trees. Photo: Eric CookTeam Trail Party’s Alec Zogas living up to the name. Photo: Eric CookYeti’s Mike West storming through to finish 1st in Vet Men. Photo: Eric CookBrandon Sims of Heart and Soul Racing on the hunt! Photo: Eric CookA rare Propain bikes sighting. Photo: Eric CookMichael Aish pumps his Nomad through a corner. Photo: Eric CookShannon Crockford leaning mean. Photo: Eric CookNot messing around, Wade Wilderman in attack formation. Photo: Eric CookThere wasn’t any shortage of corners on Stage 1. Photo: Eric CookLance Mason giving it a puller. Photo: Eric CookKatie Gillen on her way to 2nd place! Congrats Katie! Photo: Eric Cook3rd Place Merel Witteveen crushing the last chunky section on Stage 1. Photo: Eric CookNot bothered by the tech, Kate Baugh taking the straight line. Photo: Eric CookSallie Hoefer keeping on the pedals, almost at the Stage 1 finish. Photo: Eric Cook
Stage 2 – Janker DH
0.5 Miles, 530 Ft Descended, Average Grade of -18.7%, Max Grade -48%
Trail Preview from Ron Cura following JJ Squires.
Bartolomej Stuchlik on a technical roller section of Stage 2. Photo: Daniel RhodesPeter Ostroski coming into Stage 2 on a mission. Photo: Tara BereshDavid Camp chute blasting. Photo: Daniel RhodesTwo riders coming down the steeps. Photo: Tara BereshA Colorowdy getting loose in the steeps. Photo: Daniel RhodesKona rider Ryan Gardner getting drifty. Photo: Tara BereshNicolas Sears leaving a roost cloud in his wake. Photo: Daniel RhodesRyan Geiger getting pitched! Photo: Tara BereshRiley Bartz staying up! Photo: Tara BereshFlagstaff’s Jesse Calvin cleaning corners. Photo: Tara BereshSteep dusty chutes are what Kevin Stiffler eats for breakfast. Photo: Tara BereshTimothy Morris casually destroying in jean shorts. Photo: Tara BereshThe American Dream keeping it janky. Photo: Tara BereshCurtis Keene right at home on steep dusty trails. Photo: Daniel RhodesCurtis thanked Richie for “breaking all the rocks”. Photo: Daniel RhodesRichie Rude using every bit of his suspension. Photo: Tara BereshJust 2 seconds off 2nd, Marco Osbourne finished 3rd today. Photo: Daniel RhodesMarco Osbourne way behind the saddle. Photo: Tara BereshShawn Neer disposing of all the dust on track. Photo: Daniel RhodesBlair Reed dropping in! Photo: Daniel RhodesEddy Cohn had a DNF, but he was fast when we saw him! Photo: Daniel RhodesAnother shot of Eddy Cohn keeping it loose! Photo: Tara BereshJake Oswald dirt blasting. Photo: Daniel RhodesTrevor McCutcheon trying to stay off the brakes. Photo: Daniel RhodesLocal pinner and one of the namesakes of this trail, Janker Teddy Jaramillo letting it go! Photo: Daniel RhodesCooper Ott took every stage win for Pro Women, total domination! Photo: Daniel RhodesRachel Straight was consistent on every stage, never out of striking distance. Photo: Daniel RhodesLia Westermann cooking into the next chute. 4th for her! Photo: Daniel RhodesLauren Bingham letting it rip! Photo: Daniel RhodesBecky Gardner navigating one of many tight steep corners. Photo: Daniel RhodesDid we mention steep corners? Photo: Daniel RhodesEric Bodine of Guerrilla Gravity sending it. Photo: Daniel RhodesTight and twisty, with serious steeps. Photo: Daniel RhodesTim McMorrow foot out for safety. Or maybe style. Photo: Daniel RhodesThe chase is on. Photo: Daniel RhodesRut dust smashing was the name of the game for Janker DH. Kevin Wood obliges. Photo: Daniel RhodesTom Bush brought his best shirt and best manual skills, too. Photo: Daniel RhodesMatt Seifers hauling the mail. Photo: Daniel RhodesAlec Zogas finishing strong on Stage 2. Photo: Daniel RhodesWilliam Hoitsma full send to end the stage. Photo: Daniel Rhodes
Stage 3 – Jagged Axe
1.5 Miles, 895 ft Descended, Average Grade -11.2%, Max Grade -32%
Trail Preview from Daniel Rhodes following Dave Marquez and Ian Eagle
Rudeboy Ryan Baczurik sending on Jagged Axe. Photo: Daniel RhodesMyles Overstreet hitting the big Jagged Axe drop. Photo: Daniel RhodesChance Sims pulling. Photo: Daniel RhodesWatch your 6! Photo: Daniel RhodesPatrick Rodriguez keeping it smooth through the rough. Photo: Daniel RhodesFloating above the tape. Photo: Daniel Rhodes
Stage 4 – Chili Dog
1.2 Miles, 778 Ft Descended, Average Grade -12.3%, Max Grade -42%
Trail Preview from Ron Cura
Nate Hills gapping the A-Line on Chili Dog. Photo: Eric CookAlaskan Peter Ostroski is down to risk it for the biscuit. Photo: Eric CookBlake Mastrangelo riding a hovercraft. Photo: Eric CookDylan Stucki opting for the roller line on Stage 4. Photo: Eric CookSean Perry on the edge. Photo: Eric CookShawn Neer coming over the top. Photo: Eric CookCole Picchiottino fast through the Chili Dog chunder. Photo: Eric CookMarco Osbourne leaning his Cannondale over. Photo: Eric CookCooking corner is Quinn Reece’s game. Photo: Eric CookTeddy Jaramillo coming through faster than most. Photo: Eric CookKyle Doyle AKA Hashtagthatshit with some hang time on Stage 4. Photo: Eric CookRachel Straight sending the step up farther than lots of the men. Photo: Eric CookUp and over and onto the next rock section. Photo: Eric CookYeti’s Lauren Bingham bobs and weaves. Photo: Eric CookNM’s Syd Schulz crushing through the rocks. Photo: Eric CookTrek rider Evander Hughes, eyes on the prize. Photo: Eric CookSedona local Lars Romig on a ripper, 2nd Place Expert Men. Photo: Eric CookAndrew Dunlap light and quick in the rock gardens. Photo: Eric CookCO rider John Bailey focused on the task at hand. Photo: Eric CookNM’s Shawn West in attack mode on the final stage. Photo: Eric CookRock garden blasting is no issue for Matthew Thomas. Photo: Eric CookLil dusty out there. Photo: Eric CookBalance and composure. Photo: Eric CookKeeping the fingers off the brakes for a rare straight section. Photo: Eric CookHeart and Soul Racing’s Kendal Weingardt looked fast out there! Photo: Eric CookA Colorowdy doing the name justice! Photo: Eric CookRock chute sending for Ryan Cutshall. Photo: Eric CookTravis Barrett smooth through the rock section. Photo: Eric CookJake Rehfeld in his first enduro race! Killing it out there man! Photo: Eric CookCurtis Cole came away with a 5th Place at the days end! Photo: Eric CookRafael Guevara repping Team Rudeboy. Photo: Eric CookCorner destruction courtesy of Patrick Rodriguez. Photo: Eric CookKnee out, eyes up. Andy Burns coming through for 5th place Am. Photo: Eric CookNick Carlucci corners harder than most. Photo: Eric CookWendell Montgomery leaving everyone behind for a 3rd Place finish! Photo: Eric CookRooster tail. Photo: Eric CookFront wheel dirt spraying, Michael Selden getting after it. Photo: Eric CookKevin Quattlebaum finishing the day strong. Photo: Eric CookTop Ten finish for Tim Lynch today! Photo: Eric CookIsaac Miller riding for Knolly Bikes. He was fully pinned every time he went by. Photo: Eric CookMatthew Cork with his best race face. Photo: Eric CookMitchell Rea stays composed through the last stage. Photo: Eric CookCorey Spoores tucked and holding on tight! Photo: Eric CookPete Hvidsten throwing roost after a pass. Congrats on 6th! Photo: Eric CookThe tongue of Matt Reichel making an appearance on Stage 4. Photo: Eric CookEvan Fry holding his line. Photo: Eric CookSending for the camera, Jesse Hansen bar tweaking. Photo: Eric CookOregon’s Jeremy Covey getting behind the saddle for the entry to the heckle zone. Photo: Eric CookTodd Munson boosting the classic ender drop of Chili Dog. Photo: Eric CookJoe Lawwill sending it as the spectators gather in force for the gnarly ender of Chili Dog. Photo: Eric CookLocal ripper Eric Breden lets it huck. Photo: Eric CookDL Wood coming in hot, 3rd Masters Men! Photo: Eric CookCrowd perspective, entertainment by Shannon Crockford. Photo: Eric Cook
RACE RESULTS:
Expert Open Men: 1st: Josh Gaube
2nd: Lars Romig
3rd: Robby Madeiros
Amateur Men: 1st: Chris Thomas
2nd: Aidan Scott
3rd: Wendell Montgomery
Master Men 40+: 1st: Mike West
2nd: Joe Lawwill
3rd: Jonathan Reed
Master Men 50+: 1st: Dee Tidwell
2nd: Don Fritts
3rd: DL Wood
Groms: 1st: Aidan Bond
2nd: Braden Linde
3rd: Izak Boarman
We hope you enjoyed MTBNM’s coverage of the opener of the Big Mountain Enduro race series for 2018. Glorieta Camps is some of the most celebrated riding in our state, and it was amazing to see the turn out for this event. From world level pros, to the weekend warriors and the groms on the come up, everyone turned out!
Stay tuned for more race coverage coming from the Scott Enduro Cup at Angel Fire in a few weeks!
Cheers,
Mountain Bike New Mexico
Words and Layout: Eric Cook
Photographs: Eric Cook. Daniel Rhodes, and Tara Beresh.
mountainbikenewmexico.com 
Awesome coverage and rider perspective!!!
I wanna see you rail the chili drop!!!
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Such a great write up and even better photos! You guys rock!
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Thank you Jake! That means a lot! Let’s go get some shots with you and your crew!
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