- Jun 7, 2022
JADEN DAHNERS, 19
Enumclaw, WA
Rides: YZ250fx
I’ve grown up riding in the Washington mountains my whole life. Always getting lost or having something go wrong, it’s never not an adventure.
My Dad and my two Uncles set the bar when I was little for what I now consider an “easy ride”. 9 hour days and only going 18 miles weren’t uncommon when I was on a 65. Trudging through snow, lifting the bikes over trees, getting lost, breaking down, it was always something.
I was very fortunate to have grown up around so many talented riders. I learned real quick that if you give them the chance they will roost you and splash you.
I have always rode the local enduro series but didn’t really start racing it seriously until a few years back. I was able to win the Overall Enduro title in 2019 and that opened my eyes and really gave me motivation to try for more, especially after watching so many past champions represent their country at the Six Days ISDE.
This past winter I was able to qualify myself into a spot to ride for Team USA in France, this wouldn’t have been possible without growing up in such an amazing riding community.
Most days you can find me out cutting trail or riding pit bikes with friends. I’m always out trying to explore, a lot of times that ends up with getting me and my friends stuck somewhere but no matter what it’s always a good memory to look back on.
If anyone is interested in supporting my trip to France this
august shoot me a message. I am selling shirts to fundraise!
I’d like to thank a few people for always supporting me:
WLF Enduro (for making the best trail pack), ANSWER Racing, Gaerne Boots, Arai Helmets, Desert Valley Powersports, Yungkurbe Inc.,
My entire family
- Apr 30, 2022
Zachary Costilla, 27
Maltby, WA
Rides: 2021 KTM 300 XC TPI
I've been a Washington local my whole life. Growing up I ripped around at Reiter Pit and Beverly dunes with my dad on a pretty regular basis until we unfortunately had to get rid of our bikes and quads during the recession. Flash forward to two years ago, I bought another dirt bike and it has completely taken over my life.
After discovering the world of Hard Enduro, my focus shifted from riding forest service trails to finding the hardest situations I could get myself into and finding ways to get out of them on my bike. This has led to me racing the AMA Hard Enduro Series, having already competed at Grinding Stone in Arizona and registered for the remainder of the "West" events in the Hard Enduro Series. These races are serving as training for the big one for me, which is racing at Redbull Romaniacs in July of this year.
Dirt Biking has become an extremely integral part of my life, it satisfies a need to be challenged on a regular basis. The inner perfectionist in me is also deeply intrigued by the sport as well, with every single ride showing improvement and exposing new things that need to be worked on. It has also really strengthened relationships in my life, from being a focal point of my relationship with my girlfriend who rides every weekend on the gnarly trails with me, to helping my Dad and I relive those days when I was a small child riding a single speed quad in the dunes.
Outside of riding dirt bikes, I'm usually tinkering with anything mechanical in my garage, hiking with my dogs and girlfriend, or practicing/writing with my guitar. There's also a healthy woodworking obsession sprinkled in there that shows up in spurts! If anyone ever wants to ride or talk shop, I'm on the dirt bike every weekend without fail. I can typically be found at Walker Valley, but when conditions permit I try to ride the high altitude mountain trails as much as I can! Drop a message in my Instagram if you want to ride or just chat! @zach.costilla Special Shoutout to the sponsors who have helped support this journey: Synergy Protech; Ride Motorsports; FXR; Gaerne Boots; Ryno Power; Blud Lubricants; Bike Graphix!
- Apr 30, 2022
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