Tag: Bella Naughton

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Monster Pro Downhill Series, Big Bear

KHS Pro MTB rider Bella Naughton at the Monster Pro Downhill series stop at Big Bear, CA.

The last time I did a downhill race (which was actually my first ever downhill race) was in 2018 at National Champs in Snowshoe, West Virginia where I became Junior Downhill National Champion. I have been wanting to do some more downhill racing for a while now and with the enduro season winding down I thought the Monster Pro Downhill Series in Big Bear, California would be the perfect opportunity.
KHS Pro MTB rider Bella Naughton at the Monster Pro Downhill series stop at Big Bear, CA.
KHS Pro MTB rider Bella Naughton at the Monster Pro Downhill series stop at Big Bear, CA.
Only practicing and racing one track was different for me coming from enduro but I really enjoyed having to pick apart and learn every inch of the track.  We raced a trail called 10-ply and the Big Bear trail crew did an incredible job changing up the trail for the race. The loose, moon dust, dirt was ever changing and it really kept you on your toes because a rut that was there one lap could be blown and gone the next.
KHS Pro MTB rider Bella Naughton at the Monster Pro Downhill series stop at Big Bear, CA.
KHS Pro MTB rider Bella Naughton at the Monster Pro Downhill series stop at Big Bear, CA.
It was a fun challenge and it made for some great racing. I had a lot of fun getting used to the Sr Suntour Rux 38 downhill fork. The stabilization that a dual crown fork provides was so cool and inspired a lot of confidence in my riding.
KHS Pro MTB rider Bella Naughton at the Monster Pro Downhill series stop at Big Bear, CA.
KHS Pro MTB rider Bella Naughton at the Monster Pro Downhill series stop at Big Bear, CA.
Saturday was qualifying/seeding day, I didn’t really have a whole lot of expectations with this being my first downhill other than to ride my bike as best and as fast as I could. I surprised myself with having the first two fastest split times and qualifying 3rd.
KHS Pro MTB rider Bella Naughton at the Monster Pro Downhill series stop at Big Bear, CA.
KHS Pro MTB rider Bella Naughton at the Monster Pro Downhill series stop at Big Bear, CA.
The next day was finals, we had an hour in the morning to practice and then would do our race run later in the afternoon.
Our start time got delayed to allow for some reruns in the amateur categories.
Having a lot of time to sit at the top of the track and wait was something I wasn’t as used to and it heightened my nerves a bit more. I dropped into my race run and almost immediately felt my arms pump up.  I tried to not think about it and just made sure to hit my lines the best I could. I ended up finishing 3rd in Pro Women and I couldn’t be more stoked!
KHS Pro MTB rider Bella Naughton on the podium with a 3rd place finish at the Monster Pro Downhill series stop at Big Bear, CA.
KHS Pro MTB rider Bella Naughton on the podium with a 3rd place finish at the Monster Pro Downhill series stop at Big Bear, CA.
I am proud of what I accomplished this weekend. A big thank you to the KHS Pro Mtb team as I couldn’t have done it without them.  I look forward to doing more downhill racing in the future!
-Bella Naughton
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KHS Pro MTB, U.S. National Championships

KHS Pro MTB rider Shane Leslie riding at the U.S. National CHampionships in Ride Rock Creek bike park, North Carolina.

The team headed to North Carolina this past week for USACycling National Championship’s at Ride Rock Creek bike park.
KHS Pro MTB rider Bella Naughton riding at the U.S. National CHampionships in Ride Rock Creek bike park, North Carolina.
KHS Pro MTB rider Bella Naughton riding at the U.S. National CHampionships in Ride Rock Creek bike park, North Carolina.
The week for me started Friday with Dual Slalom! Practice was in the morning followed by qualifying. I was having a lot of learning the track and I qualified 3rd. I made it through the round of 8 and 4 but got knocked out in the final round and finished 4th. I have really been enjoying learning the ropes to dual slalom racing and look forward to doing more!
KHS Pro MTB rider Bella Naughton riding at the U.S. National CHampionships in Ride Rock Creek bike park, North Carolina.
KHS Pro MTB rider Bella Naughton riding at the U.S. National CHampionships in Ride Rock Creek bike park, North Carolina.
Next up was enduro, a 5am wake up call for a 7:30 stage 1 start on Saturday. I knew it was going to be a tough day after racing slalom with it being hot and humid and quite a bit of pedaling in between stages but I was excited!
6 stages total with 4 on the back side that were slower speed with tight turns and janky rock gardens. The last two were back in the bike park a bit higher speeds, stage 5 was my favorite of the day.
After all was set and done I ended up 4th for Pro women.
KHS Pro MTB rider Bella Naughton riding at the U.S. National CHampionships in Ride Rock Creek bike park, North Carolina.
KHS Pro MTB rider Bella Naughton riding at the U.S. National CHampionships in Ride Rock Creek bike park, North Carolina.
Overall it was another great weekend with the whole team and excited to get back at it this next weekend in Tamarack, Idaho for the last round of the Big Mountain Enduro Series.
-Isabella Naughton
KHS Pro MTB rider Shane Leslie riding at the U.S. National CHampionships in Ride Rock Creek bike park, North Carolina.
KHS Pro MTB rider Shane Leslie riding at the U.S. National CHampionships in Ride Rock Creek bike park, North Carolina.
It was cool to get back to the east coast for National champs this past weekend. It was my first time going to Rock Creek so I had a lot to learn quick. All of the tracks were super rad and quick. I felt good throughout practice and was excited to get racing. Stages 2-4 were greasy and loose while the others were perfect conditions. I struggled a bit on some of the greasy stages but loved being able to open it up on the dh style tracks. I ended up finishing in 9th and was happy to have a clean race. I’m looking forward to getting back out west for the final BME in some conditions I’m more comfortable with. Huge thanks to KHS race team for making this all happen!
-Shane Leslie
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Big Mountain Enduro Rd 5, Brian Head, UT.

KHS Pro MTB rider Bella Naughton on the trail at the fifth stop of the Big Mountain enduro series at Brian Head resort in Utah.

“Wow, what a weekend! I have always enjoyed racing at Brian Head with BME. Day 1 was a long one, with an early wake up call to start the pedal to stage 1 followed by 3 more stages out in the backcountry. The stages were brutal, a combination of pedaling and rocky terrain all at 11,000 ft of elevation. I was able to take a stage win on stage 2 and was sitting in second just 8 seconds behind 1st. Later that day, I raced the Big Mountain Downhill. After rain and lighting delayed the start, I was happy to get 2nd and carry some momentum into day 2 of racing for the enduro!

KHS Pro MTB rider Bella Naughton on the trail at the fifth stop of the Big Mountain enduro series at Brian Head resort in Utah.
KHS Pro MTB rider Bella Naughton on the trail at the fifth stop of the Big Mountain enduro series at Brian Head resort in Utah.

Day 2 we got to stay in the bike park for the remaining 3 stages which I was excited about but knew I had to push hard to make up the time. After stage 6, Porsha and I were pretty much tied going into the last stage. I gave it everything I had and was able to win the stage by .4 seconds and get the win overall!I came into this weekend with the goal to have fun and ride like I know how to ride and it paid off! I’m so stoked to take the win after 7 stages and super tight racing in the enduro! The team has been working hard this year to get to this point and I feel proud to be able to share it with everyone involved!

– Isabella Naughton 

KHS Pro MTB rider Bella Naughton takes first in Women's enduro at the fifth stop of the Big Mountain Enduro series at Brian Head Resort in Utah.
KHS Pro MTB rider Bella Naughton takes first in Women’s enduro at the fifth stop of the Big Mountain Enduro series at Brian Head Resort in Utah.
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Big Mountain Enduro Rd. 4, Angel Fire New Mexico

KHS PRo MTB rider Bella Naughton out on the trail at the Big Mountain Enduro stop in Angel Fire New Mexico.

Round 4 of the Big Mountain Enduro Series took place in Angel Fire, New Mexico this weekend. Angel Fire has always been one of my favorite bike parks to ride and I was looking forward to getting to race here. The two race days consisted of 7 stages with two in the backcountry and the rest in the park. Day 1 started in the bike park on one of my favorite stages of the weekend, I came down in second 1 second out of the lead.

KHS PRo MTB rider Bella Naughton on the podium in fifth place at the Big Mountain Enduro stop in Angel Fire New Mexico.
KHS PRo MTB rider Bella Naughton on the podium in fifth place at the Big Mountain Enduro stop in Angel Fire New Mexico.

Then we headed to the backcountry. I unfortunately had a slide out on stage 2 and moved back to 3rd, Stage 3 was better and I was able to move back into 2nd. The last stage of the day was the longest and probably the most important stage of the day/weekend. I made another mistake and crashed, twisting my bars which set me back quite a bit in time. The rain came overnight heading into day 2 which made for some slick conditions for the remaining 3 stages.

KHS PRo MTB rider Lucas Cowan on the podium in second place at the Big Mountain Enduro stop in Angel Fire New Mexico.
KHS PRo MTB rider Lucas Cowan on the podium in second place at the Big Mountain Enduro stop in Angel Fire New Mexico.

I continued to make mistakes throughout the day but managed to salvage a 5th place. Overall, I am happy with how I am progressing. I just need to get better about carrying it through the whole weekend. Proud of the whole team and especially Lucas for getting 2nd in the E-bike men’s class! Looking forward to regrouping and getting ready for round 5 in Brian Head in 2 weeks!

–Bella Naughton 

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Big Mountain Enduro Rd 3, Sunrise Az.

KHS Pro MTB rider McKenna Merten on the course at the 3rd stop of the Big Mountain Enduro series that was help at Sunrise Resort, Az.

Round 3 of the Big Mountain Enduro Series took place at Sunrise Park Resort in Arizona. This venue is always a proper enduro, racing above 11,000ft on long physical downhills. Day 1 started with an hour and a half pedal to get to the backcountry where we raced two brutal but super fun raw stages before heading back to the bike park for the last stage of the day.

KHS Pro MTB rider Bella Naughton takes 3rd place at round 3 of the Big Mountain Enduro series at Sunrise Resort, Az.
KHS Pro MTB rider Bella Naughton takes 3rd place at round 3 of the Big Mountain Enduro series at Sunrise Resort, Az.

Day 2 was mostly in the bike park with 4 top to bottom stages that really got the arms pumping and tested all the fitness that I had left after day 1. I was happy to get a stage win on stage 6! After 40+ minutes of racing I finished 3rd overall in Pro Women. I am motivated to continue to improve and get faster. Next up for the team is the North American Enduro Cup in Kellogg, Idaho!
-Isabella Naughton

KHS Pro MTB rider Bella Naughton on the course at the 3rd stop of the Big Mountain Enduro series that was help at Sunrise Resort, Az.
KHS Pro MTB rider Bella Naughton on the course at the 3rd stop of the Big Mountain Enduro series that was help at Sunrise Resort, Az.

Sunrise BME is a great venue with a mix of raw bike park stages and “rough cut” backcountry stages. 2 physical days of racing at elevation on long rough tracks make for tough weekend. I was very excited for a dry race close to home. Day one started with two back country stages that I finished 3rd on both to start the day.

KHS Pro MTB rider Jackson Wicklund takes 3rd place at round 3 of the Big Mountain Enduro series at Sunrise Resort, Az.
KHS Pro MTB rider Jackson Wicklund takes 3rd place at round 3 of the Big Mountain Enduro series at Sunrise Resort, Az.Screenshot

Then e-bikes went straight into an uphill “power stage” that was a very steep hill climb with log and rock obstacles. We Ended the day with a top to bottom bike park stage that I finished 2nd on. With all stages raced on day one I finished the day in 3rd place 15 seconds away 2nd place. Going into day two I was planning on pushing hard to get into 2nd place.

KHS Pro MTB rider Jackson Wicklund on the course at the 3rd stop of the Big Mountain Enduro series that was help at Sunrise Resort, Az.
KHS Pro MTB rider Jackson Wicklund on the course at the 3rd stop of the Big Mountain Enduro series that was help at Sunrise Resort, Az.

The day consisted of 3 bike park stages, 1 backcountry stage and 1 uphill stage. I ended up getting 3, 2nd place stage finishes but didn’t quite make up the time I needed. I’m happy with how I was riding on the second day and to finish the weekend healthy in 3rd place.

KHS Pro MTB rider McKenna Merten on the course at the 3rd stop of the Big Mountain Enduro series that was help at Sunrise Resort, Az.
KHS Pro MTB rider McKenna Merten on the course at the 3rd stop of the Big Mountain Enduro series that was help at Sunrise Resort, Az.Screenshot

I was very happy with how my new SR Suntour suspension paired with Kenda tires handled the dry rough stages. I was running a new Duralux 38 fork with 170mm of travel and a Kenda pinner up front and the new Black Diamond tire in the rear.
-Lucas Cowan

KHS Pro MTB rider McKenna Merten takes 3rd place in the women's downhill at round 3 of the Big Mountain Enduro series at Sunrise Resort, Az.
KHS Pro MTB rider McKenna Merten takes 3rd place in the women’s downhill at round 3 of the Big Mountain Enduro series at Sunrise Resort, Az.Screenshot
Super fun weekend with the team! Stoked to finish third in my first Big Mountain Downhill race on a really technical and physical course. Overall a great weekend of racing and cheering on everyone in the Enduro. Thanks to the KHS Pro Team and co-sponsors for the support and helping me chase my dreams each weekend!
–McKenna Merten