The Captain: Double D Enduro Race

Enduro Style Racing makes its Debut in Colorado Springs

(June 24th, 2012) Colo Springs, CO - Despite the large wild fire burning just minutes away, this past weekend Colorado Springs based Tier-1 productions (promoters of 24 hours of CO Springs), hosted a unique yet extremely challenging big mountain style enduro race. Consisting of two 7-8 mile “descents”, The Captain, gave riders a chance to race trails that have never been raced on due to many recreational concerns from the Forest Service. Promoter Tim Scott felt the race was worth the effort though and worked closely with local forest service officials to make the event a reality.

After an hour-long shuttle in to the mountains just west of Colorado Springs we were at the top of the epic multi use trails that make up The Captain. Thirty-second intervals spaced riders to give each the chance to conquer the terrain in a personal time trial. Two similar tracks gave racers a chance to shred some technical, flowy, Colorado singletrack while each dropping over 3000k vertical in around 7 miles. Both courses offered a variety of terrain from high speed and wide open to tight, rocky and slow sections along with a few short punchy climbs. Making for a true mountain bikers course.

Bike choice for the event seemed to be a consensus. With most racers on  5-6” trail bikes which provided the most versatility for the tough downhills while still being efficient enough for the pedaling sections. “ I really love this style of race” said eventual Pro Winner, Doug Ryden,   “It’s a great test of overall skill for people that just like to ride fun bikes and fun trails.” With fast times around 46 minutes on the first course and 37 minutes on the second, both stages offered a full on workout of both mind and body.

With forest service cooperation event promoter Tim Scott hopes to make create an annual event. “We are really happy to have been able to comply with the Forest Services request to make this event a reality, but we don’t have word on permitting for next year yet.” Scott explained. “With similar style events selling out across the country, we have the potential to be big race, but we were waiting on forest service approval until about three weeks ago. That makes marketing the race difficult.”

Although turn out for the first year event was low, with only about 20 riders participating, The Captain offered amazing racing on top notch trails along with two shuttles. “It was a great learning experience” Scott said “It gave us a chance to figure out the system with a small group of riders. I do think it was a great first year for this race.” After racing this event, I highly recommend it if you like epic days of riding based around fun trails.

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