The Grand Enduro will challenge you on three demanding stages in and around Grand Junction’s Lunch Loops trail system. For those unfamiliar, the nature of these trails is very technical and require expert handling skills as well as solid fitness.
What to expect:
Chunky, desert terrain that’s hard on body and equipment – bring sturdy tires and spare tubes!
Stages will lose significant elevation, but lack sustained steeps – be ready to pedal! However, this is no XC race, so bring your well equipped all-mountain bike. You’ll hate it on some of the punchy, short climbs but wish you were on an even bigger bike at some points!
All stages feature at least a few “moves” – sections of trail that are particularly precarious. Where possible we’ll have go-arounds, however these will generally cost you time! Pre-riding all stages is definitely recommended and required for stages 1 and 3.
25-40 minutes of racing over 7.2 miles of trail. 2.5-4 hours of total ride time covering ~23 miles.
STAGE DETAILS
PROLOGUE: WAVER ROCK > PUCKER UP > RAVEN RIDGE > CURT’S DOWN
Riders will be seeded based on Saturday’s Prologue race, which will take place on the last 2 miles of Stage 3. You will start at the Waver Rock, just below Widow Maker, and head straight to Pucker Up. After you complete Pucker Up, you’ll head straight across the saddle up Raven Ridge rather than down Moto as the first two years had been. You’ll be challenged to navigate through a short technical climb as you enter Raven Ridge. Then it’s mostly downhill with a couple of relatively smooth rolling climbs before you bomb down Curt’s Down into Curt’s Lane. Finish line is right at the wash area.
Be sure to pump the brakes on your adrenaline through this as you’ll need some of this for the next day. Stay smooth and safe! Riders will be seeded based on their times in this stage. We will start fastest riders first and progress to the slower times to minimize passing which may provide a safer racing environment and enhance your experience during the event.
