The TDS Enduro is known for its rowdy tracks, rowdier spectators, and some of the best vibes in racing—and this past weekend’s edition delivered all that and more, with a healthy dose of mud thrown in for good measure. Kona riders Eddie Reynolds and siblings Becky and Ryan Gardner lined up to take on the chaos. For Becky and Ryan, it’s a familiar tradition. For Eddie, it was his first taste of Ass Slap Alley. Read on to hear why the Gardners keep returning year after year—and what Eddie thought of his debut event.
The TDS Enduro is hands down my favorite race of the year. While the courses and riding are truly next-level, the real magic of TDS lies in the people, the atmosphere, and the nonstop festivities. From the moment you set foot on the Sanchez family's ranch, it's pure entertainment until the moment you leave. Between the 11—or however many stages Ron dreams up—wild moto events, pit bikes, good food, and late-night fire pit hangs, there's no shortage of chaos, laughter, and catching up with old and new friends in the woods. The trails themselves have pushed me to become a better, more confident rider year after year, with big features, sick loamers, and fresh surprises that Ron and the crew somehow always manage to cook up. And you can never go wrong with some good old-fashioned blind racing to keep you sharp and on your toes. Even though it's easily one of the most exhausting weekends—full of sprinting, partying, and nonstop good times—I always leave TDS feeling completely wrecked and more stoked than ever for the next one. - Becky Gardner
With over 15 years of racing behind me, it takes a special event to get me between the tape these days. TDS just always seems to scratch that itch for getting a little loose, kicking it with good friends, and just a little bit of redneck chaos. Ron and his family have managed to concoct a special blend of bikes, relatively controlled explosions, and race gas that I just can't seem to give up. TDS lays it on with three days of racing, 11 race stages (half of them blind), throngs of manic crowds armed with stickers, colored chalk, beer cans, and costumes and above all an insanely high level of racing for what started as 12 guys timing laps in the woods. There is just something about this race that has you pushing the limits and laying it on the line more than you might otherwise deem wise or necessary. This years race was nothing less than expected with cold temps, heavy rain, and more bike and clothing destroying red mud than you could ever hope to wash out. I'll be cleaning red dirt from my gear for the next 2 months but it was all worth it for what Ron calls my annual redneck immersion therapy session. I was more than happy to keep some of the young guys honest and round out the top 20 for another year. - Ryan Gardner
TDS was epic! Bubba called me a few days before and asked if I wanted to go, I couldn’t say no. I packed a duffel bag and a blanket and jumped in the van completely unprepared for the conditions we were going to face. The vibes of this event were awesome, very different from most of the races I’ve been to over the years. Friday, we had a super fun practice day, and I forgot that we would be racing those trails, so I didn’t pay attention to any of them! Saturday and Sunday gave us plenty of rain, which was a curveball for me. Riding in the rain was one thing, but racing was next level! I surprised myself with a couple of good finishes in some stages while just riding and having fun. Sunday, I was sitting fourth after the blind stages until the usual TDS runs, then I slipped back and finished in sixth. The energy and vibe of this event were all-time! Definitely something I want to add to my list every year! - Eddie Reynolds
