How long will it take to race the Stage Coach?

[pokey]

Mtnbik, yes after you leave Alpine there is no place to get water or food until mile 189.5.  Before you make a left to hop onto the big black bridge if you keep riding straight 1/4 of a mile you'll see a large grocery store on the left hand side.  There are probably other resupply stores around there but I didn't need to stop so didn't pay too much attention.

Yes, there are lots of resupply places from mile 190 to mile 240ish.  You'll pass a bunch of stores after the riding the Mesa Preserve/Tunnels Trails in case you don't want to carry too much food/water for that singletrack section. 

You'll want to stop at mile 270 in that area to resupply for the next long stretch.  I didn't stop in Ramona.

I stopped to refill water at a spigot outside of a firestation.  There are a few places you can refill water before the Sunshine Market.  The next time I stopped for food was at the Sunshine Market but had enough to make it to Idyllwild if needed. 

I would say it was easy to find a soft spot to camp.  San Diego is a bit harder to camp so I stayed in a hotel.  Hope this helps.

[rocky rode]

Phenomenal photos Gary, thanks for taking the time to set that album up. 
Looks like you had a Saguaro on the rear and I couldn't quite make out what you had on the front.  How did they do for this trip?
Thanks!

I do have a Sagauaro (non TNT) on the rear.  The front is the old style Michelin Wild race'r.  I have the same set up on Patti's bike and am quite happy with both tires.  The sidewalls are pretty tough and they're not too expensive.  The Saguaro wears well too.  The TNT Saguaro is hard to impossible to mount on Stan's rims.

Thanks for the comments!

[hikernks]

Thanks for the pics and updates, it looks like an amazing ride.  A couple of quick questions, particularly for Pokey as being she was going about the pace I hope for.  I am using a 4-liter MSR water bladder, plus a bottle, with an extra 1L Platypus bladder stored in the seat bag.  Do you think this should be sufficient for the long stretch, or should I plan on bringing a Camelbak as well?

[pokey]

Hikernks, I think you will be sufficient with the 4L MSR bladder, water bottle and 1L Platypus bladder.  I did boil water at night for my freeze dried meal, maybe 2 cups wasted there.  The extra camelback might be over kill but it also will depend on the weather when going through the long slow section.

[hikernks]

Thank you Pokey.  I'll throw an empty platy in, and if I need it, its there, and if not, its no big deal.  Thanks again for the info, and the pictures look great.  I can't wait to do it next week!

[E nelson]

Can anyone who has done a pre-ride, explain exactly how to find the water spigot described on the cues at mile 135.7 (Noble canyon Trail - water spigot)?  Is it on the left, or the right, next to a rock, under a bush?  Thanks.

[rocky rode]

You won't miss it.  Well, maybe you could in the dark.  It's on the right, probably 50' after starting the trail.

[al_maxey]

If you look at the GPS track, I think you can see where they visited the spigot off to the right of the track.

[trebor]

Finished up the scouting of the route this weekend. Found the second half to contain more road, less tech, and finish with some long climbing. Water is readily available out there and the stretch from Borrego to Stagecoach RV being the most important to carry enough. I used the 4l MSR and never ran out of water.

San Diego is a time suck - Be aware!! There is supprisingly little food between Torrey Pines and Escondido directly on route. It's there, just off route a bit. Then again from Escondido to Idyllwild, there is even less. The hour of the day you pass through these sections will dictate availability. I realize now, I didn't really take "notes" on what closed when... dang!!

The climb back up from the coast is tough!!

[mtnbik]

Hi Trebor, thanks for scouting out the route for the rest of us   Where did you start and finish your route this weekend?  Did you start at Alpine and finish in Idyllwild, if so how long did it take to ride that section?    When you mention Escondido - is that basically around the 270 mile mark, I see there is a 24 hour gas station at 270 and then it looks pretty hard to get food like you said depending upon when you go through those locations.   Did you happen to notice if there still is water in Warner Springs at mile 320?  Thanks again.

[trebor]

We strategically shuttled cars so I didn't have to climb back to the top of the hill in Idyllwild - i was able to stop in Anza. We did start in Alpine. We rode from 8:30 AM on Saturday to 11 PM that night. Sunday we were rolling by 7 AM and were in Anza around 8:15PM.

There is a gas station where the route goes under the 15 at Escondido. Actually it's about 200 feet off route.

Warner Springs does have water. There is a ranger station, fire house, school, and rumor has it the gas station, that's now permanently closed for business, still has water from its spigot.

For those not able to pre-ride, there is food and water available that's not on the cue sheet. Like, when coming off Mesa Grande to highway 76 there is a biker bar right there on the right at the intersection. Little gems pop up out there. Rolling in to a biker bar clad in spandex.... classic!

[Von Petrol]

I too rode the San Diego to Escondido section. Here are some pictures after Torrey Pines:

Mile marker 243.3






Mile 244


Mile 247.6


Tunnels trail


Lake Hodges


There is a store along the lake near mile 267.7, but it only has weekend hours of 6am to 6pm. They do have a working water spigot. I did go off route to explore the rest of the singletrack around the lake. This picture is not from the official route.


This is the pedestrian bridge at mile 271.4


In Escondido there are several gas station and if you cross over the 15 Fwy there is a Subway, Mc Donalds & Starbucks.

Colen

 

[thelocust]

Ready to go - see ya'll tonight!

[jryter]

I heard the race was delayed. Anyone know for how long? was if for weather?

[mikepro]

I heard the race was delayed. Anyone know for how long? was if for weather?

From the Hub Cyclery website link to FB post:
Stagecoach 400 start time is delayed 2 hours tomorrow morning while we sort out some satellite tracker issues. We will be congregating at Higher Grounds coffee shop at 9am, then leaving at 10am sharp. Come see us off!

[jryter]

If I was around there I'd try it myself. Wanted to see how strong my pal Eszter H is. My cousin lives in Idyllwild so I'll tell her go cheer you on! What fun doing the race for the first time. Have a blast!