Brandon Fischer smiles with his bike on Sunday, Aug. 6 after a second place finish in the U21 Men's category. He eventually won the the U21 category in the Big Mountain Enduro series. PHOTO BY JEN CLANCEY
Austin Manser stood at the front of the Ramcharger 8 lift line, hoping to hop on as soon as the lightning delay ended. Mud speckled the brim of his helmet. It was his first time mountain biking in the Rocky Mountains, let alone Big Sky.
“It’s quite the experience, you come out here and you think you’re fast until you come further and see how people really ride,” Manser said.
Manser was a participant in the Big Mountain Enduro Finals, held at Big Sky Resort on Aug. 5 and 6 for the series’ 11th year. As the last opportunity to score points and achieve fast times, pro, expert and amateur riders approached the slick courses with fervor.
Manser is used to a 900-foot hill in his home state of Missouri. Big Sky Resort’s elevation gain on the Swift Current 6 lift is nearly double that number.
“For someone who’s not used to it, it was quite the experience,” Manser said. “It’s definitely made me a better rider.”
He described the rainy and slick conditions during the Expert Men’s race. Across the board the conditions added to the competition on the courses. The weekend was marked by heavy rain and passing thunderstorms and even for pros, the weather posed challenges.
How the Pros prepare for the race
For 2018 U.S. Enduro national champion and professional biker, Porsha Murdock, courses require a level of study and preparation, combined with improvisation. After a practice ride on the mountain Friday afternoon, she took a breather to chat tactics.
“It’s definitely a different riding style compared to if it’s dry,” Murdock said. As a course sees more riders, mud is dragged over roots making conditions that Murdock likened to “ice” in some sections.
To stay on route, Murdock envisions a course and what to expect on the trail.
“Typically, for me I like to kind of recap what’s coming up on the stage, certain features I have to look for and be ready for to get in position to hit them and execute,” Murdock said.
“I’m gonna slide and I might not hit all the lines I want to but it’s kind of just like flowing with it as you get to each little section.”
Although Murdock feels she began the sport later in life, she is excited to see younger female athletes get involved in Big Mountain Enduro, a unique type of racing.
“It’s a little bit more fun, less cross country focused and less just one run downhill. It’s a nice hybrid of the two,” Murdock said.
“So, I think all of those things factor in and then younger girls are having… more programs that they can join when they’re younger, like start progressing at a much earlier [age].”
Murdock finished third overall in the Big Mountain Enduro series and third in the Big Sky race.
Second in the race, first overall in U21
No stranger to a rainy climate, Brandon Fischer from Bellingham, Washington completed Big Sky’s Mountain Enduro with a spot on the podium, racing in the U21 category.
“It was really good today,” Fischer said, pausing to wash the mud off his bike. “It was super fun because it dried up and [was] really sunny and the trails were really good.”
Despite the weather, all weekend long bikers returned to lifts and pedaled up the mountain post-race to get the most out of Big Sky biking.
“I travel all around the United States to race,” Fischer said. “This is definitely my favorite place and favorite race every year… I love it.”
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by GAS for ride information.
Time
July 29 (Monday) 6:00 pm - October 7 (Monday) 6:00 pm
Hike Big Sky is a FREE guided hike for our community and visitors alike. A different trail will be featured each Monday at 9 a.m. Visit BSCO.org for trail description
Event Details
Hike Big Sky is a FREE guided hike for our community and visitors alike. A different trail will be featured each Monday at 9 a.m. Visit BSCO.org for trail description information. Please wear layers, bring water and snacks. Bear spray recommended.
Time
August 5 (Monday) 9:00 am - October 7 (Monday) 12:00 pm
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by GAS for ride information.
Time
August 5 (Monday) 6:00 pm - October 14 (Monday) 6:00 pm
Join Santosha, BASE and Gourmet Gals to bring you a donation based all levels community yoga lunch break class every Wednesday throughout the summer. It will be
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Event Details
Join Santosha, BASE and Gourmet Gals to bring you a donation based all levels community yoga lunch break class every Wednesday throughout the summer. It will be taught by a variety of teachers from Santosha and BASE. This summer all proceeds will go to Big Sky Band-Aid, aside from the first one on the 26th that is happening during Pride week- all funds donated for that class will go to Big Sky OUT. A delicious lunch will also be served by Gourmet Gals following our practice each Wednesday (included in donation). You are welcome to donate with cash at the event or you can Venmo @Santoshabigsky and make a note for Community Yoga. Hope to see you in the Park!
Time
August 7 (Wednesday) 12:00 pm - October 7 (Monday) 1:00 pm