challenging rides

in between the races how about these chellenging rides to take your training to the next level.

mulholland challenge

saturday, april 9, 2011 @ 7:00 a.m.

Planet Ultra puts on this awesome ride, called mulholland challenge, which is as scenic as it is challenging.

The course can be described as dramatic, epic, diverse, and beautiful. Spend the day riding Southern California's roads less traveled. Ride up, over, and along mountain peaks and ridges, and through a multitude of canyons and country sides. Basically, this event is for the rider who loves to climb and to see a lot of diverse terrain in the process. Bring gears! Some of the roads have steep sustained climbs of 12-14% with pitches up to 18%. Unless you're a super strong climber, we suggest a triple crank, or at least a 30 cog in the back.

Your day starts as you'll head over to the coast via Las Virgenes/Malibu Canyon then hang a left and head towards Topanga. Then the climbing really begins! First, there's Topanga Canyon and Old Topanga Canyon. From there, you'll spend the morning ascending and descending the Santa Monica Mountains on Mulholland Hwy, Little Sycamore, and Cotharin, before hitting Ventura County and the beach via Deer Creek. After an easy, flat cruise back south on PCH, you'll climb back up Decker Canyon hand a right on Lechusa and climb back to Mulholland on Encinal Canyon. Once you're back on Mulholland, you'll keep on riding, all the way back to Stunt Road. You'll definitely be feeling this last big climb of the day. Enjoy the winding descent down Piuma Road, as you have one more climb up Cold Canyon before you make your way to the finish line in Agoura Hills. 116 amazing miles with over 13,375 feet of climbing. (And yes, there are bailout points if you want to do a slightly shorter route with less climbing.)

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breathless agony ride

saturday, may 7, 2011 @ 6:30 a.m.

Mark your calendars: Be a part of one of the great rides of the year when the Veloce Santiago Cycling Team takes your breath away on the breathless agony ride!!

You choose the distance and climbing -- this course has something for everyone:

2 Pass Option: 51 Miles with 4,400 Feet of Climbing This option heads out of Redlands to some great country roads. The first pass is Jack Rabbit Trail û one of Robert KahlerÆs favorite climbs that reminds him of climbing on the backroads of France. You will be treated to Food Stop #1 in Beaumont before the beautiful climb up the second pass to the apple orchards of Oak Glen!! This climb is one of the toughest on the Redlands Bicycle Classic, an event that attracts teams from around the world. You will climb 1,690 Feet in 4.8 Miles for an Average Grade of 6.7%!! There are some pieces that are over 11.4% which will leave you Breathless for sure so bring your climbing gears!! The reward is an incredible 7 mile downhill to Food Stop #2 at the Mill Creek Ranger Station followed by another 7 mile downhill back to the park!! A 3 GU Ride.
3 Pass Option: 75 Miles with 7,800 Feet of Climbing After completing the 2 Pass Option, fuel up at Food Stop #2 at the Mill Creek Ranger Station and then for some more challenge and beauty, climb up towards Onyx Summit to Angelus Oaks where there will be a Food Stop #3 waiting for you!! And donÆt forget about the well deserved, long, smooth, and fast 18 miles of pure downhill!! This is a 4 GU Ride for sure!!
4 Pass Option: 114 Miles with 12,000 Feet of Climbing After fueling up at Food Stop #3 in Angelus Oaks, continue up and up until you get to Onyx Summit, 8,443 Feet Above Sea Level. The clock stops at the top of the mountain in the Breathless Agony ... just like in a Mountain Stage in the Tour de France. It will be a great party with the Grim Reaper at Onyx Summit at 8,443 Feet. All 4 Pass Finishers will also receive a well deserved medal at the top. However, the riding doesnÆt finish at the top: since the clock has stopped, you can take your time enjoying a fantastic and well deserved 42 mile downhill back to the Start / Finish at Sylvan Park in Redlands where youÆll have another party including a Burrito Fiesta Lunch all of which is included in the ride fee. Since this ride is comparable in difficulty to the Markleeville Death Ride, this is a 5 GU Major Adventure for Supermen and Superwomen only!! NOTE: All 4 Pass Finishers are expected to ride their bicycles the 42 miles downhill back to the Start / Finish at Sylvan Park.

Directions: All of the ride options begin and end at Sylvan Park in Redlands, only 45 minutes from the Santiago Cycling Bike Shop in Tustin. Take the 91 East to I-10 and Exit at University St. Turn Left onto University St. then drive .2 Miles. Turn left onto Park Ave. and the Start / Finish Area will be in the Southwest corner of Sylvan Park. Map to Start according to Yahoo Maps

There is a Starbuck's Coffee Shop just 2 miles from Sylvan Park which opens at 5:30 A.M. on Saturdays. From Sylvan Park, go South on University under the I-10 Freeway and turn Right on Citrus Ave. Drive .5 Miles and turn right on Redlands Blvd. Drive .4 Miles and turn right on Orange St. Drive .3 Miles and the Starbucks is at 627 Orange Street. Map to Starbuck's according to Yahoo Maps