2013 Stagecoach 400 info is UP

[brendanc]

This year's ride departs April 26th from Cafe Aroma in Idyllwild, CA. It has some route changes. There's a suggested donation of $20 to the Idyllwild Community Fund. The ride is badass.

http://socalenduro.wordpress.com/stagecoach-400/

[GerryL]

I like the route changes, it should improve the route even more. I have been looking forward to this one since last year.

[chris-r]

Awesome, just signed up!
-Chris R

[Eszter]

I like this one:

"GPS navigation assistance is strongly recommended"

It should come with the addendum of: "You will be completely lost without a GPS because Brendan likes to send the route through the strangest of little places, many places that the rational brain simply will not comprehend.  Just bring it."

[LonestarJ]

I think I registered? I filled in the form prior to this post coming out about the updates (was trolling the site for updates) but haven't received a confirmation email.

Jason.

[ne14cycling]

BC,

My $10 is on Guy S.

Hoping not to wish we shoulda done the SC400 instead!

Thee (often) credit card tourist, CC

[forest_on_bike]

I'm planning on ITT this before the AZT. The dates are too close together to do them both on the "official" start dates.

If I start my ITT on April 10th, are there any issues that I should be aware of?

For example, I read that, last year, there were some issues with getting access to parts of the route that crossed private (or perceived as private) land. Will the whole route be accessible if I ITT it?

Is snow a possibility on the higher elevation sections?

Thanks in advance for any guidance or "heads up" on doing an ITT in early April.

Forest

[the tortoise]

My $10 is on the rest of the field!!

[Prometheus]

Hey Forest,

I am doing the Stagecoach as an ITT starting March 18th.  I'll let you know if there is any snow, but hopefully all clear.  I'm not trying for a good time as much as  testing out my race setup for the Tour Divide.  A good website for snow accumulation is NOAA's:  http://www.nohrsc.noaa.gov/earth/  Overlay with race course in google earth.  This week would not be a good week to be there.

Dan

[forest_on_bike]

Hey Dan,

Good luck with the shakedown ride. I'm going to do the TDR this year too, so I'll see you in Banff.

I'll ping you after your ITT to see if you ran into any snags with the Stage Coach route. From what I understand, there were a few small issues with the route last year (e.g., someone closing a gate, saying that it was their private property).

And thanks for the NOAA link. That's a great tool for checking snow conditions!

Forest

[Buttermilk]

Dan,
You still planning on an ITT beginning the 18th? If the stars align I may be also...otherwise I'll be following your tracks as I'll start on the 20th. It looks sweet with the highs on route to be in the low 90s through the first day desert.
Jeremy

[Prometheus]

Jeremy,

Yes, I plan to roll out from Cafe Aroma at 7:30 AM on the 18th, providing everything makes it on my flight.  That would be great to have someone to start with.  It looks like there is still some snow now, but should easily melt off this week.  90 is going to be very hot for me because I am in Colorado and my morning commutes lately have been in the low 20s.  Scott from track leaders has sated he will have the track up and running by the time we start.

Dan

[Buttermilk]

Yeah, sounds hot to me too. 40 deg higher than my highs right now. Well it's good prep for the AZTR. It will cool down as we get coastal though. I'll keep you posted if I will start with you.

[the tortoise]

If you can push all the way to Stagecoach trails in Shelter Valley the first day, that would be the way to go. Once the sun comes up in the desert, it gets hot immediately. Oriflame might be a little warm the next morning but once you top out near Cuyamaca it will be much cooler.

[Buttermilk]

Thanks Rich, that is my plan so far...
Are the wildflowers beginning to bloom in your region?

[the tortoise]

Thanks Rich, that is my plan so far...
Are the wildflowers beginning to bloom in your region?

We rode Pinyon, Fish Creek and Arroyo Tapiado yesterday. Not much happening for wildflowers. Probably won't be a very good wildflower season compared to some. Sand is OK but some loose sections. You might need to seek out some of the side crust as you climb Fish Creek. 29er tires with around 20 PSI should work fine. Go with a tire of 2.2 or bigger that rolls well. I run Saguaros. I haven't ridden Cane Springs Road lately but that can be pretty loose.

[Gimmearaise]

wish it wasn't so close to the AZT, maybe a ITT is in my sights!

[ScottM]

Just a quick note - Dan started his ITT this morning.  Tracker here:

http://trackleaders.com/stagecoach13

If anyone else is ITT'ing and wants to be tracked, drop me a note.

Wishing I were out there, bikepacking new trail, right now...

[forest_on_bike]

Go Dan!

Hey Scott, I'm going to start an ITT on April 9th. I'll PM you for logistics/details. Thanks!

[forest_on_bike]

Also...did Dan make a wrong turn? Looking at his track history, it looks like he deviated from the route after point #5.