11-12-08 // La Ruta de los Conquistadores
Joe Lawwill |
The 16th La Ruta de los Conquistadores, set for November 12 through the 15, is claimed as one of the world's toughest multi-day mountain bike stage races. The race follows the route that took Spanish Conqueror Juan de Cavallón 20 years to finish while exploring the country, but instead of 20 years it will take racers just four one-day stages to finish.
The opening stage is arguably the most difficult running 69 miles with 14,500 feet of climbing, mud, and multiple river crossings. The climate for this stage includes tropical rain forest, sub-tropical rain forest and tropical dry forest.
Stage two, which plows through sub-tropical rain forest and template climates, is not quite as extreme as the first, but it still holds it own in difficulty with steep climbs and sketchy descents.
Stage three has the most drastic climate changes going through cloud and rain forests. It hits the highest spot on the course at 9,875 above sea-level on the Irazu volcano. Here riders will be greeted with hot 'Aguadulce' tea then begin the decent through coffee plantations to the stage's finish.
Stage four covers the most distance, but also covers the tamest elevation changes. Despite the diminished vertical travel the course is still challenging putting riders either on, or next to bone-rattling intact railroad tracks. The climates for the final stage includes sub-tropical rain forest, Montano rain forest and tropical forest.
For more information on the La Ruta de los Conquistadores visit adventurerace.com
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