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The Gryphon enduro event launches Saturday in Squamish, B.C.

"This is a course built to race, not just ride"

August 5, 2016
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Image: Provided
Image: Provided

To any West Coast mountain biker—or Canadian riders of any background—the fact that Squamish, B.C., will be the location for the launch of the Gryphon, a new feature of the North American Enduro Tour, likely isn’t surprising. After all, rimmed with the province’s towering peaks and threaded with tree-lined trails, the British Columbia community has established itself as the spiritual homeland of Canadian mountain biking.

Kicking off this weekend, what’s celebrated about Squamish will be on display, as riders take to the dirt.

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Presented by Giro Sport Design, the Gryphon, organizers say, is all about showcasing Squamish’s mountain biking character. “We are trying to create the best enduro race on what we believe is arguably the best terrain for enduro racing in the world,” said organizer Dylan Smith of Squamish Enduro. “Squamish has long been heralded as an all-mountain haven, and that’s what we want to showcase to everyone, including the world’s best.”

The course, Smith said, never crosses the same point twice. En route, competing riders will have views of B.C.’s Tantalus Range in the north, while Howe Sound will present a glittering, scenic view of the Pacific Ocean to the south. Along the way, the route, organizers say, will be a “technical wonderland.” There are soft, loamy flows mixed with roots and rocks. Transition stages mix fire road, doubletrack and singletrack with moderate grades and steep climbs that top out at 1,200 ms.

“The course,” Smith added, “has been designed to challenge all aspects of riding, but an emphasis [has been] put on fast, technical sections. This is a course built to race, not just ride.” That course, he said, will also be well-marked, thanks to the involvement of Giro Sports Design.

In the lead-up to this weekend’s competition in Squamish, Porsha Murdoch leads the women’s field with 540 points, followed by Lia Westermann with 340 and Ileana Anderson with 310. On the men’s side, Chris Boice leads the back with 580 points, while Jubal Davis and Macky Franklin are second and third in classification, with 550 points and 545 points, respectively.

To Darren Kinnaird, general manager of the North American Enduro Tour, the powerful field reflects the growing prominence of the enduro scene in general.

“NAET,” Kinnaird said, “is really taking off this year and we’re thrilled to see the racing scene embrace what it has to offer. Races like the Gryphon are upping the ante for young and competitive enduro racers who want to either qualify for the Enduro World Series or see and challenge the best terrain on this continent. It’s amazing to see the sport taking off like this.”

All proceeds from The Gryphon will support the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the Sea to Sky.