2022 Rendezvous Enduro

All photos by Connor Burkesmith

The Rendezvous Enduro returned for its fourth year and provided an insane day of biking that brought the 2022 Montana Enduro Series to a close. Competitors had the unique opportunity to start their race at 10,450' of elevation from the peak of Rendezvous Mountain. Since biking down from the Aerial Tram is not normally allowed and this is only the 2nd year the Rendezvous Enduro course has started from the summit, our daring competitors were rewarded with a unique experience that very few have had.

The course was extremely different from the other stops along this three-part Montana Enduro Series, which were held at Helena, MT and Whitefish, MT. The event in Whitefish, just three weeks prior, offered a more flowy ride through a bike park, compared to the longer and more technical course that today's participant's endured. The Rendezvous Enduro course offered a unique environment that transported racers right into a backcountry setting, with a variety of challenges across four stages.

Pre-Race

After a pre-race meeting at the base of the mountain, riders piled into the Aerial Tram with their bikes – a rare sight to see. With music blasting in the Tram and participants geared up and amped for the epic day ahead, the atmosphere and energy was reminiscent of skiers ascending the first tram on an epic powder day. However, there was no snow in sight, unlike 2019, when it snowed more than 8 inches the night before the race.

Instead, riders were greeted with an inversion providing a comfortable 54° at the summit and a beautiful glow from the morning sunrise that left a serene feeling and likely put riders at calm before the intense ride they were about to partake in. With 360-degree views of the Tetons and surrounding ranges, there was no better spot in the world for a pre-race stretch.

Although an individual event where competitors compete for the best time in their division, the comradery between competitors was evident and spoke magnitudes to the family-like atmosphere of the sport. As competitors waited in line they discussed the course and the strategy they had developed after inspecting the course the day prior – something you wouldn't typically see between competitors in other sports.

Stage 1

The energy levels remained high and competitors cheered for each other as they took off from the starting line and absolutely cooked it through the ridgeline that divides Grand Teton National Park and Bridger-Teton National Forest. The initial straightaway, through what was essentially a rock garden, built up riders' thirst for speed while simultaneously building a sense of caution and a focused mindset, which was necessary for the more technical and narrow sections they were about to encounter. This ridgeline merged into Rock Springs Loop – a beautiful upper-mountain hiking trail with stunning views of Cody Peak – and then dropped into Rock Springs Canyon. Racers then continued east dropping off two shelves to finish the 1.57 mile long stage in the valley below the Spacewalk and Zero-G chutes.

Stage 2

After completing a 0.9 mile transfer up to the base of Rendezvous Bowl, competitors began Stage 2 of the race. Some viewed this as the "gnarliest" of the trails off the Tram, which makes sense as the 1.25 mile section took racers down Tensleep Bowl via the Cirque Trail, which is a black diamond hiking trail. This rocky terrain, with an unobstructed view of the valley to the right, truly put the magnitude of the mountain into perspective. The Cirque Trail led racers to switchbacks down Headwall, ending next to The Deck at Piste.

Stage 3

But it wasn't even close to being over; Stage 3 was the longest of them all at 5 miles. Competitors described this as the most physically challenging stage, and while it wasn't the most technical, it was a "mental game" whose length took a toll on you. This stage descended down the Wildflower and Hoback Trails, which snaked around wildflowers and through small streams, offering a serene environment that would be calming if the stage wasn't as physically exhausting as it was. This stage also presented challenges through narrow trails and sharp turns on switchbacks. After ending Stage 3 at the top of the Union Pass Lift, an easy 1 mile transfer down Tram Line and Lucky Charm led racers to the Sweetwater Gondola where they could sit down and take a moment to relax before starting the final stage. 

Stage 4

Don't be fooled – a mere 0.9 miles on an actual bike park trail didn't mean it was easy. In fact, Stage 4 was the most technically challenging of them all. It descended down Dirty Harry, which is the only double black diamond "Expert Only" run in the JH Bike Park. The general consensus on strategy going into this run was to "try not to fall" which is obviously always a goal, but much more challenging to succeed in when talking about Dirty Harry. This adrenaline-pumping run was a fitting way to end this beast of a race and close out the 2022 Montana Enduro Series.

View Rendezvous Enduro course on Trailforks

Results

By completing the race in an astonishing 33:00.5, Brody Buchwalter set the fastest time of the day. However, everyone who competed in this mentally and physically demanding race deserves mad props; it takes serious skill and dedication that should not be overlooked.

View Full Results

All photos by Connor Burkesmith