Now that endurance racers have an organized national series to showcase their talents (the recently announce National Ultra MTB Endurance Challenge, a series of six 100-mile mountain-bike races ranging from Park City, Utah to Harrisonburg, Virginia) big-name riders across the country have shifted their schedules to be able to hit series races. Cyclingnews MTB editor Steve Medcroft found one ultra-endurance specialist who couldn't be happier for the competition.
Subaru/Gary Fisher two-niner pro Nat Ross says he's dropped a European trip to add a couple of new Ultra MTB National Series events in his schedule. Ross' teammate and current U.S. Solo 24 Hour National Champion Cameron Chambers says winning the series is his primary season goal. Even Chris Eatough (Trek/VW) should be seen in at least one of the races (he traditionally competes in the Wilderness 101 in Pennsylvania).
The enthusiasm is good news for the dozens of lesser-known but super-committed ultra-endurance racers who rise to the challenge of these event throughout the year; guys who mostly pay their own way, who put in the same intense training as the full-time pros but often have families and full time jobs to share that training with, who make names for themselves with accomplishments that awe the average endurance mountain biker.
