La Ruta de Los Conquistadores - I am on my way...

[Christian P.]

It's on. 4 days of mountain biking across Costa Rica - from one ocean (Jaco) to the other (Puerto Limom).

Start Wednesday at 5:15 am.

www.adventurerace.com

I am at the airport right now on my way down to San Jose. I don't think I have been that nervous/excited/scared/happy in a long time.

I have been doing a fair amount of training for the last 10 months and I am probably in the best shape of my life, but I would need another year to be ready...so if you have some very last minute tricks to share, let me know...

:)

[articulate]

This is cool. :) Best of luck to you.

[gearguywb]

Good Luck! That is one heck of a tough ride.

[tacollie]

Good luck! Can't wait to hear about it.

[Desertdude]

"If you get tired pull over, if you get hungry eat something"

...Have a blast and live in the moment ;)




:::

[LaOutbackTrail]

Cool, good luck! Have a good time. Costa Rica is one of my most favorite places!

[Pokey]

dont end the day til the day is over.......last year 50% of the people didnt make it thru the time check on day 1. This year the coordinators have chopped out two added sections on a few of the days that was new to last years course.

Also- keep an eye on your bike at all times. Lots of locals pilfering nice american bikes last year.

Last year they also extended a few of the time checks---so dont go by your watch.......keep riding til the day is over.......

[DaveInDenver]

Well, how did it go?

A neighbor of one of my riding buddies (and fellow 24 Hours team member), Cary Smith, got 4th in Masters B, 40-49.

[Christian P.]

Well, I am back and alive....hardly...

It was by far the most difficult challenge I've never attempted. It is unbelievable.

The race takes you through about 37000 feet of climbing in 4 days and 365 km of mud, rocks, sand, river, railroad, etc through temperature from 10C to 40C.

I ran out of time (and energy) on Day 1, but I managed to complete the next 3 days and made it through the finish line in Puerto Limon. I made it through all the checkpoints in time, but very often was at the end of the pack as I was pacing myself. My goal was only to complete the race...and I have seen so many people dropping off because of injuries, mechanical failures or even hypothermia

All in all it was an incredible experience and I am really glad I have done it.

Here's a bit more details:

http://tinkerjuarez.blogspot.com/2007/11/la-ruta-de-los-conquistadores-2007.html

http://velonews.com/mobile/html/detail13693.html

And some pics:

http://www.adventurerace.com/web-ruta/pictures/Day%204/index.html

I’ll try to add more details later as I need to work right now…

[dieselcruiserhead]

Wow that is just awesome. Somehow I missed this thread too.. Too cool and congrats on your finish. I have a local friend who is a former professional MTB racer and is a very very good rider, and we tried to send him down this year for his 40th but it was too late. Regardless, very cool...

[viatierra]

I've got one word: BRASS

Congrats dude. I'm my house you win!

[Christian P.]

I put some pictures on my website

http://www.pbase.com/2aroundtheworld/costa_rica__la_ruta_de_los_conquistadores

some have been "borrowed" from this site:

http://www.puromtb.com/ngallery/albums/La+Ruta+de+los+Conquistadores+2007.aspx

gosh I can't believe I was just there a few days ago. I want to do it again!

[Christian P.]

good write-up here for those you are interested...

http://velonews.com/mobile/html/detail13728.html

[dallasrover]

Wow...awsome race. Congrats on finishing, that's amazing.:Wow1: