November 1st, 2011 9:27am
LA RUTA DE LOS CONQUISTADORES - also referred to as La Ruta, is known to be one of the toughest races on the planet -and for all those big lunged, masochists that thrive on pain it looms just days away. Go to Costa Rica for the beaches, not on this watch. Three toed sloths, monsoon downpours, dilapidated railroad bridges, and climbs into the heavens are what await these supermen in spandex.
Calling these riders supermen is not an exaggeration, because this mountain bike race features 39,000 plus feet of climbing in peanut butter mud that can really only be appreciated when made with the tropical rains that usually show up in the afternoons. We are talking about drive train eating mud that gets so thick you wheels won't spin and "hike a bike" takes on a new meaning. Sometimes just staying upright when walking your bike can be a challenge.
Home field advantage definitely goes to the locals who have won every La Ruta race ever held until last year when it was won by Ben Sonntag. But this year there will be a new cast of characters and a different set of challenges that have yet to reveal themselves.
La Ruta is the only bike race that traverses the American land mass from coast to coast - from Pacific to Atlantic. Between its sea-level start and finish, the 240-mile route crosses 5 mountain ranges.
We will be covering it for you so be sure to check back every day as we upload photos - internet access permitting.
Location: News >> LA RUTA - the Challenge Looms - Nov 2-5, 2012
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