Hi All!
How's your training coming along? You're just about there...
So we hope you're feeling really strong, confident and ready for THE BIG DAY!
With less than three weeks to go, you should now have ridden at least one 60-65 miler; and over the next two weekends (October 10 & 17th) have a plan for doing at least 70 as the final test.
It's really important to do the long training rides. Besides making you strong and building your endurance, it's the only way to learn whether your bike is properly fit for you and whether your shoes, shorts, gloves, etc. will work for the long distance day.
Have you done some climbing rides? The full century is a pretty challenging course with over 7,000' of climbing. You'll face some short, steep climbs and some long, gentle grades. If you haven't trained on some serious hills, you might find this route tougher than you imagined. Not trying to scare you... But we also don't want you to be surprised when you get there.
Have you practiced changing a flat tire? If not, please do! You absolutely should be able to do this yourself. While we will have roving SAG vehicles on the route, it's sometimes not easy to get to you exactly when you need help. For example, the Red Rock Canyon loop is ONE WAY; so SAG drivers can't make a u-turn and go back to you if you flat on that road. Also, Highway 160 has sections where the highway is divided and a SAG vehicle would have to drive many miles before being able to turn around. So please plan on being as self-sufficient as possible.
Finally, Tynesha is receiving inquiries about the exact route and the various distance choices. So here's the scoop. The route is basically an out-and-back, with a diversion around the Red Rock Canyon Scenic Loop at the beginning. So once you've completed the loop, you can turn around at any time.
If you get out a map and follow along, the route is...
From the Red Rock Casino, turn left on Charleston, which becomes Highway 159. It's a flat road until you turn right on the Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive. The Scenic Drive is a one-way loop that climbs to a summit then drops you back down to the highway. The first two or so miles are fairly gentle and then the next couple really pitch up. You'll hit some 8-10% grades in the last mile before the first SAG stop. After the stop you'll climb a little more, then it's mostly down hill to the right turn on Highway 159.
Highway 159 has some gentle rollers and some flat ground all the way to the right turn to Blue Diamond and your next SAG stop. After the stop, you'll turn right on Highway 159 and then right again at the t-intersection at Highway 160.
You'll start gently climbing on Highway 160, and it gets a little steeper at the top of the 10 mile ascent to the next SAG stop at Mountain Springs. This will be the turn-around for anyone who decides they've had enough climbing for the day. Those doing the full century will descend three miles and make a right on Lovell Canyon Rd and begin a gentle 11 mile climb to the turn-around SAG stop.
(There are two short, unpaved dirt sections on Lovell Canyon Road. When we were there two weeks ago, the first section was a little thick, so we walked it. The second one was more compact and ride-able. If you feel safer walking both, then walk! Always err on the side of caution!)
The rest of the route is simply the return trip on Lovell Canyon Road, a very careful left onto Highway 160, another careful left onto Highway 159, then the straight shot back to the Red Rock Casino and an end to your triumphant day! The SAG stops at Mountain Springs and Blue Diamond will remain open for the return trip if you want to stop.
The navigation for the century is super easy. The scenery is wonderful. There's a bit of traffic on Highway 160, but there's a HUGE shoulder, so it's totally safe. Just stay to the right. No hugging the white line please!
If you have any questions about the route, please send us an email at embassy AT planetultra.com
Will post again by the end of the week!
Deb & Brian
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