The Rendezvous Enduro Results and Photo Recap
What. A. Day. The 2019 Rendezvous Enduro just wrapped up and in typical Jackson Hole fashion, it was wild, rowdy and steep. For the first time ever, the race was set to start at the top of Rendezvous Mountain at 10,450 feet. Unfortunately, mother nature had different plans. On Friday’s practice day, a snowstorm rolled in over the Tetons and started to cover the upper mountain in white. Despite the cold and western conditions, competitors knew that riding from the top of the tram was a unique experience and took to the tram with their bikes to test out the full course before race day.
Unpredictable race day weather at 10,450′
Overnight the storm intensified and by Saturday morning over 8 inches of snow fell at the summit and drifts of snow easily grew to 18 inches. Patrol, race organizers and trail crew all assessed the conditions, safety and feasibility of running the race on the original course before deciding to cancel the first stage, which was the highest in elevation and add on a lower stage at the end. Even without the first stage, racers still rode the tram to the summit before making their way down to the start of stage 2, an experience they soon won’t forget.
Racers wait to start at the top of Stage 2
As soon as the race kicked off it was game time. The entirety of stage 2 was covered in several inches of snow, making conditions a little “western”. At the transfer area between stages 2 and 3 racers could finally see a break in snow. Not surprisingly Stage 3, which descended the whole Wildflower Trail, was just as wild. From the start, it tested racers traction control in wet rainforest-like conditions over a series of tight switchbacks and long straightaways. After a heart-pounding transfer stage to the top of Sweetwater Gondola, Stage 4 combined Solitoga and Saratoga trails allowing everyone in the field to let loose on two of the best bike trails at JHMR. The 5th and final stage descended True Grit in the bike park before finishing at the base area.
Endless views on the decent.
The 2019 Rendezvous Enduro was an unforgettable race and couldn’t have happened without the Montana Enduro Series, mountain patrol, mountain ops, the event staff and all the volunteers. Thank you everyone for the great day.
