24 Hours in the Enchanted Forrest

The secret is out

Race report and images by Brian Leddy

(June 19 & 20, 2010) McGAFFEY, N.M.- The secret is out about a little known place in the Zuni Mountains of western New Mexico, and it took the state’s first 24 hour mountain bike race to make it happen.

Among the tall pines of this relatively moderate mountain range snake some of the sweetest singletrack yet to be discovered by the general public in the Southwest. It turns out to be the perfect place to hold an event like 24 Hours in the Enchanted Forest.

“It’s just a sweet place to hold a 24 hour race,” team Back of the Pack frontman Judd Rohwer said.

While the Gallup area has been cementing it’s reputation as a mountain biking destination for several years now, there are miles and miles of little known and seldom ridden trail in the area. The fact that the race traversed some of the best 16.5 miles of those trails helped bolster that growing reputation.

“It puts the Zuni Mountain on the map and we are finally getting the recognition we deserve,” race organizer Lindsay Mapes said.

As the events date drew nearer, a snag threatened the events outcome; the forest service could not approve the original race route, which included nine miles of singletrack and six miles of doubletrack. That left race organizers looking for another staging area that would allow the event to be held on already approved existing trail.

The resulting compromise turned out to be a blessing instead of a curse. Not only did it allow the race to be held almost fully on singletrack, the staging area was in the scattered shade of the Ponderosa pine trees.

Judging by the enthusiastic comments from racers and non-racers alike, the event was a huge success.

“We had 240 people here the first year, I think that’s pretty unprecedented for a New Mexico event.” Lenny Goodell said.

Gallup tail guru Bill Siebersma agreed. “If you’re not racing, you still fell like you’re part of the event,” Siebersma said.

While the 24 Hours in the Enchanted Forest was an event by and for mountain bikers, it also aimed to benefit those with a little known condition called Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. A portion of racers registration fees went directly to the Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome organization. All in all $5500 was raised and donated, the largest amount the organization has ever received from an event.

Turning in the fastest lap of the day was Mike McCollough at 1:01.55.

The top solo male contender of the day was Jonathon Davis, spinning 14 laps.  “Knowing I was chasing a guy who also had 14 laps helped me pull it off. I wanted to quit at 13,” he said.

Solo Female winner Sara Delano rode 11 laps. “I worked my ass off! My strategy was to stay consistent,” she said.

In the battle for top time in the various team categories, the Enchanted Dream Team, riding in the 4 Person Single Speed category, came away with a hard earned victory. For much of the race they were neck and neck with Team Colavita, but in the end Keith Ashmore snapped a frame, putting them about 21 minutes behind the Dream Team.

“We had no mechanicals, we just road clean and hard. We wanted 20 laps, but it just didn’t work out time wise,” Jeff Hemperley, member of the Enchanted Dream Team said.

While starting and sustaining a new race can be huge challenge, the event organizers seem up to the task, especially given the success of this year’s event.

“Everything fell into place. It was meant to happen and the timing was right. NM was ready for a race, the community was ready for a race and these mountain bikers were ready for a race.” Mapes said.    

For complete results, please visit 24 Hours in the Enchanted Forest

For additional photos, please visit Brian Leddy Photo

As the sun sets the forest comes aglow during the 24 Hours in the Enchanted Forest on Saturday evening. The first annual event drew about 240 racers, but event organizers expect that figure to double next year due to the event's success.	A member of team Active Knowledge rounds the bend next to the skeleton of  a huge old growth Ponderosa on Saturday. The team took second in the 5 Person Open Category with 16 laps.	A member of team Wingnuts cruises through a meadow of blooming lupines in the Zuni Mountains on Saturday.
A rider goes out for her last lap of the weekend on Sunday during the 24 Hours in the Enchanted Forest near Gallup, N.M.	A racer from team Chadezi & The Chez descend a rocky slope on the Quaking Aspen trail Saturday. The team took second with 15 laps.	Keith Ashmore of team Colavita rounds a bend and begins a climb as the light begins to fade on Saturday during the 24 Hours in the Enchanted Forest. The team took a first place in the Four Person Male category with 19 laps.
Pat Murrish swoops down one of the rollers on the Burma trail on Saturday. Murrish completed six laps in the Solo Singlespeed category.	Judd Rohwer pushes hard on his custom titanium singlespeed rig as daylight begins to fade on Saturday. Rohwer, of Back of the Pack Racing, rode 11 laps for third place.	Emile Sfakianos keeps his momentum as the evening begins to set in on Saturday. Sfakianos and his 5 Person Open Team rode 15 laps.
Tony Steffan grinds out one more lap on Sunday on the Y2K trail. Steffan completed seven laps during the course of the weekend.	Gavin Flury, winner of the Huffy toss contest, shows his skill on his winning throw on Sunday.“It’s all in the technique, you’ve got to get it to roll,” Flury said.	The enchanted forest comes alive as dark sets in on Saturday evening.
Brian and Carrie Culligan relax trailside on Saturday evening. Their camping setup, which included a couch, chandelier and a talking Dr. Evil cutout, kept racers entertained throughout the weekend.