KENDA CUP WEST BIG BEAR WITH THE BOYS

Kenda Cup Weekend at Snow Summit, Big Bear Lake Report :
Snow Summit was buzzing with all types of mountain bikes; XC, Enduro, Downhill, and the occasional E-bikes of impending doom. It was hot and dry, but luckily windy enough to keep it manageable. The snow is gone which leaves behind some nice trails to ride it, and ride we did!
Saturday was the Enduro race with three stages, two of which was lift accessed. No complaints here because I didn't want to over cook the legs for Sundays XC. Running a Kenda HellKat in the front and HoneyBadgerDH in the back, love the setup.

Overcooked a sharp turn crashed on Miracle Mile during the practice run and didn't have another chance to ride it. Lets just say the race run wasn't at full speed with another crash. Xpedo GFX (Ken Yamakoshi) pedals worked great on some hairy sections where I had to Moto some turns, stable and solid platform. Went straight to stage 2, Plumbers/Skyline, pedally stage and again short. And the third stage was the longest and funnest Upper and Lower FallLine. Missed podium by freaking 5 seconds in the MasterMen category! Thank you Royal/7iDP Transition Pads for saving my skin on those crashes.

After a great night of recovery meals and liquids (MiguelMike-o Arreola) we were set for Sundays XC throw down. All the big guns had showed up for a fast 18 mile course. We had a 5 man train for the first half of the race until we hit the Plantation climb where the 3 racers took off. This is where the battle with Dan Blurton got heated. Passed him on the climb and started to gap him on the fire road to Skyline. Calf started to tighten up on the switchbacks and the Diesel came roaring by. Barely hung on to his wheel trying to stretch the calf out. Then the downhill chase. He is running the Kenda Sabres (fast rolling and high volume) and I'm on HoneyBadgerXC (slow rolling but more bite). Norco Revolver vs. Scott Spark. The Path vs. Backbone. Let the debate begin! It was an epic downhill all the way to the road. Would come up to his rear wheel but couldn't make the pass. I knew he would get me on the road to the finish and that is what he did. Hung on for 5th with Benjamin Islas close behind. Adrenaline rush to last a lifetime!

Big Thank You to Roger Hernandez for his continued support and being a dang cool friend. Vegas Bob Snyder and Mark Thome threw down Backbone style. Joy Chow for keeping us hydrated and taking race pics that Christer Phizzle uses later at night. Sigma Sport computers and heart rate monitor, Xpedo Pedals, Ryder Sunglasses, Kmc Chain, Norco Revolver (Ben Essman), Royal/7iDP, and Balvenie Doublewood...

Big Shoutout to Ben Goyette for a hard fought 8th in Pro. Sam Wiernucki for a top five in the Endurance race! Reno Z Karimian for a top 5 in fast Cat 1 category. Michael Nasco was in second place just seconds away from the finish line but blew out his rear tire. Izeereal Redmonkey was talking about cyclocross after his race, not yet dude!
#5seconds #kendatire #kendamtb #sigmasport #norcobikes #switchtoxpedo #royalracing #Miguelnolikewhiskeybutdrinksitanyway
Photo by Philip Beckman. www.pbcreativephoto.com