Benduro
is a Stage Mountain Bike Race Series, attracting racers with both a
passion for technical descents and the ability to complete several
physically punishing transfers and timed stages, all with enough
juice left over to enjoy the party. Hosted by Josh Bender, the
purpose of Benduro is to push the limits of both athletes and
equipment, while bringing riders and spectators together on some of
his favorite trail systems.
2016,
the inaugural year, Benduro drew well over 100 participants, sending
them along nearly 80 miles of rowdy stages and transfers, with
shuttle support to keep riders off pavement at three astoundingly
unique venues in Nevada, California, and Utah. Racers received prizes
valued in excess of $10,000 from supporting sponsors, appetizing
meals, and adrenaline pumping live entertainment by Southern Oregon
rock band Greenstone. Many racers camped and came early to practice
and stayed late to ride the local trails for fun.
For
all venues of 2016, racers from various mountain biking backgrounds
excelled on the courses, from freeriders to professional gravity and
endurance racers, with a handful of collegiate riders. Series
Champions were Janette Tank for Women, Lorin Whitaker for Men, and
Stockton Jones for Juniors. The series received mentions on Pinkbikes
frontpage and Just the Tip, Las Vegas Journal, Trail Peek and other
review sites, along with numerous photos, videos, and words shared by
participants on social media, PinkBike, and other mountain bike
specific websites.
All
stops of the 2017 Benduro Series will entail 2 days of racing, 2
nights of camping and partying with live music and local food. Due
to the high mileage, technical terrain, and risk factors of 2017
Benduro courses, race categories have been reduced to just Pro and
Open, with age brackets for Open Men. From here on out, competing in
Benduro will require an elite level of both technical skill, and
fitness. We hope to draw more participants from the endurance, epic,
gravel grinder and adventure crowds, in addition to our current
community of gravity racers.
All
venues will be open to the general public and offer alternative
trails to ride during races and great on-trail spectating
opportunities. We again look forward to family, friends, and watching
on course and mingling in the main staging area and at the parties.
This year spectator passes will be available and include event
t-shirt, swag bags, camping and dinners. We hope to have just as many
spectators as racers, if not more.
Benduro
has many volunteer opportunities for 2017. If you would like to
assist with course marking, trail maintenance, course marshaling,
on-site registration, timing assistance, emergency medical services,
radio operators, photography, videography, or another fun task please
contact us. All volunteers will receive a free spectator pass,
including an event t-shirt, swag bag, camping and dinner(s).
2017
Benduro Series Schedule:
April
14-16 BOOTLEG Boulder City, Nevada BikeReg.com/BootlegBenduro
June
9-11 EL DORADO Georgetown, California BikeReg.com/ElDoradoBenduro
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