2013 Stagecoach 400 info is UP

[hikernks]

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

I'm wondering if the course on trackleaders is last year's route.  I'm pretty sure Brendan changed it due to some property rights issues we had last year.

[ScottM]

It's the 2013 route file that Brendan sent me.  I compared it to the 2012 file and there are some differences, but only minor ones.  I thought there was a major issue at the start last year, but the 2013 file seems to still have the same start/finish.

[GerryL]

That is where it looks like Brendan changed the route for 2013 in the gpx that I got from him. The new route comes down May Valley into Keen Summit (Track Dan followed)instead of out Bonita where that nasty property owner is.

[ScottM]

It looks like Brendan sent me a file that had some changes, but not that one.  I pulled the new file from the website and updated it on the tracker.  Thanks for pointing it out.

[Prometheus]

Hey All,

Thanks Brendan for a great course.  I had a blast and the course was very challenging.  A couple of things I can pass along.  At Sweetwater reservoir, the course takes you though a new fence.  I am not sure if I missed a gate or something, but ended up having to lift my bike over the fence.  If there is a gate I missed, maybe someone can point out where that is located.  Second, the Circle K leaving the north end of San Diego is the last resupply until Sunshine Market unless you go off course to Lake Henshaw.  I wasn't sure how far off course the Lake Henshaw store was, so skipped it ad ran out of food three hours prior to Sunshine Market, luckily I had plenty of water.  The owner of Sunshine Market is super nice and very excited about the racers coming through in April.  Her hours are 9-7, but if you can't make it during open hours, she said to call ahead and let her know what you need and she leave it with one of the campers.  Phone number 951-763-1057.  If she doesn't answer, keep trying, se is often out doing things.  She is a huge supporter of the race and I can't say enough how friendly she is.  Best of luck to everyone and have a blast during the race.

Dan

[chris-r]

Nice work Dan and thanks for the tips! How about the massive sink hole going under one of the bridges near black mountain? Got pretty turned around and muddy there last weekend in the dark. Great course though!

[forest_on_bike]

Dan,

Congrats on your ride and thanks for being the guinea pig. Hopefully it helped you figure out your gear for the TDR. See you in Banff.

Forest

[GerryL]

Nice job Dan. In that section between Escondido and Sunshine there is also an unofficial place across from the fire station in Warner Springs that caters to PCT thru hikers. It isn't so easy to see, just some handmade signs saying PCT Hikers Welcome. I picked up a nice cheeseburger combo there last year while all my companions completely missed it. The lady running it said it was seasonal and their hours varied, but they were mostly open til 5 or so.

[Prometheus]

Crap, I should have checked.  I asked the guys at the fire station if any stores were around and even specifically about that place across the street.  They told me it had been closed for a while.  I should have ridden over to verify.  They looked pretty bored, maybe they were trying to set me up for failure so they would have something to do.

[trebor]

After descending off the top of Verde Mesa (or is it Mesa Verde?) at the highway intersection there is a biker bar on the right. Hours vary. This is before Warner Springs.

I've too used the camp store in Warner Springs. But if you are leaving Escondido at night.... and pushing hard, you many have zero services until Idyllwild. That stretch is desolate.

[nowayjose]

I know GerryL will laugh at this but I'm really bummed not to be able to ride this year. Ride through the desert as far as you can the first day is my only recommendation. It was kind of scary running out of water at noon last year. Also, don't waste too much time in San Diego. Good luck, it's a great ride!

[Dust]

I rode the Escondido to Idyllwild section Saturday.  Left Hodges at 2:30pm got to the Hub at 10:30pm.  I stopped for a coke at the Henshaw biker bar (nice people there), should have eaten as there was nothing open at WSR (pct store no go)  and the Sunshine Market was closed.  there is a store at Lake Hemet, but they were closed.  Arrived at Idyllwild fully bonked and the town was quiet, food nada.  My advice, load up in Escondido.  I will have to try calling in advance to the Sunshine Market if it looks like I will miss their hours.
Except for the bonk and freezing, this section is amazing.  I hope the PCT store in WSR goes online in April.

[tetontodd]

Are there any cue sheets for this route? I'm not familiar with this route/area so any cues I could wrap my head around would be very helpful! If not then maybe a list of landmark stops for water or food would work.
Right now I've got in my head, Borrego, Alpine?, San Diego, Escondido, Sunshine Market, Idyllwild.
 

[GerryL]

I don't have the cues anymore, but the following should help with the food locations. I am not that fast so I hit most of the stops. After Borrego Springs is the Stagecoach Trails RV Park just off route and between there and Alpine is Descanso with some fabulous burritos. Alpine has a good brewery and tons of resupply points. In this stretch before San Diego there is also a Thousand Trails to top off at on the 79 I think. There is also a good stop when you leave San Diego after the Tunnels section by the 56. I think that is one of the last places on course before Hodges/Escondido.

Last year Brendan sent cues to the course, but I deleted that email by accident. I would guess he'll send them to the entrants again before the start.

[tetontodd]

Thanks Gerry that helps. Another couple questions for ya, Do you know how far mileage wise(roughly) it is from Stagecoach RV to Decanso? Is there any water stops in this section, it seems like its quite a push?

[nowayjose]

The only water available in that segment is at the Noble Canyon trailhead.

[GerryL]

The mileage is about 50 between the Stagecoach and Descanso. I don't remember having any worries about water in that section though. We had plenty of water to make it to Noble and then from Noble to Descanso.

@Jose - I knew you would be bummed to miss it this year... we both have some unfinished business out there!

[the tortoise]

For those looking for a good (and tough!) training ride 2 weeks prior to the Stagecoach 400, we put on the Julian Death March which happens to take in the infamous Oriflame Canyon section.
Details here: http://www.julianactive.com/Julian7500.htm

[kdinger]

Nice job Dan. In that section between Escondido and Sunshine there is also an unofficial place across from the fire station in Warner Springs that caters to PCT thru hikers. It isn't so easy to see, just some handmade signs saying PCT Hikers Welcome. I picked up a nice cheeseburger combo there last year while all my companions completely missed it. The lady running it said it was seasonal and their hours varied, but they were mostly open til 5 or so.

I stopped and got a burger at the community center during last year's Stagecoach; apparently it was open from April 10th to May 20th from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm:
http://www.pcta.org/2012/warner-springs-steps-up-to-help-pct-hikers-6162/

Looks like it will be open again this year, but I haven't seen any specific dates or times:
http://www.pcta.org/2013/a-summary-of-pct-updates-and-changes-for-2013-10280/

-Keith

[EricB]

Can anyone recommend a place to stay up there for the night of the 25th? Maybe a place that's bike-in-the-room friendly?

Also is there a place to leave a car for the duration of the race?