Kimberly Enduro

I had decided a few weeks ago I really wanted to do some more racing this year and specifically some more Enduros. I have done 2 others one last year and one this year. I am learning quickly that Enduro means a variety of things and that I need to work on my Downhill skills. Kris and I were making a quick day trip up to Kimerbely and back to do the race. It was going to be about 3 hours long with 6 stages ranging from 1 min to 15 min. We knew it was going to be close to 100 degrees and were excited to only be racing down and not the ups too. It is so much more relaxing to get ready for an Enduro. Most of them so far have feed station and I really don't have to worry about nutrition and I just don't get as nervous. We showed up in Kimberly and realized how dry it is there. Two weeks prior we were racing in gnarly roots and mud. This was going to be the polar opposite. It was dry, loose, and "Oh my" ROCKY. The first stage wasn't too bad, flowy, loose, rocks, it was good for a warm up. Second stage was a little longer, little rockier, little bit more loose, but I survived and felt good about it. It was fun single track climb to stage 3 and it was longer yet, it was fun, more of a dual slalom course. We didn't bring any extra protection, which I had noticed almost everyone had when we got there. Just fun shorts, jersey, and our usual helmets. At this point I was thinking I would have been faster with these, but it was a doable course. I hadn't yet gotten to stage 4. It was the longest stage and by far, it was way over my head in terms of feeling comfortable with my skills. I am guessing I have the skills to ride all of it, I just haven't ever ridden anything like it. As Kris stated it was like a rocky technical singletrack descent that then someone threw bricks on the trail. I laughed at the analogy because it was dead on. These were huge lose rocks everyone and tumbling down trail when you went through. I rode as much as I could there were 2 sections I was maxed out on and decided to just be safe. By the end of the stage I had gotten some guts and was riding well for me and going for it. I rode my Ibis Ripley which was awesome, it save me a few times. I love how stable I feel on it, I am definitely more confident on it. I am excited to keep challenging myself, I feel like I am growing a lot this year with my downhilling skills. The last two stages were a breeze compared to the 4 th. I was now I downhill mode and did much better in both stages I even came within 3 seconds of my husband, which never happens. I was happy with it. I definitely still have a lot of work to do in the more technical descents, but am excited to work on them. I must also mention that Canada has some amazing female riders. The average skill level is just insane. I was 7 the overall female, which I lost a spot on the podium on stage 4. So I have some work, but once again can't wait for the next Enduro.