Starting point: Best Western Jacó Beach.
Finish point: Hacienda El Rodeo, San José (capital of Costa Rica).
Distance: 110 km (aprox.)
Elevation Gain: 12,000+ feet/3,400mts. (aprox.)
Altitude change: 12 meters (sea level) to 650 m to 1201m to 490m to 855m
Climate: Tropical Dry 30°C to 35°C.
LA RUTA's legendary Day 1 starts at 6:00 AM and gives competitors until 5:30 PM — 11.5 hours—to complete the 110km route before being disqualified. It won't be easy. From sea level, riders climb numerous hills that hit riders with a total elevation gain of approximately 12,000+ feet. That's why Day 1 is known by competitors as the "make it or break it day".
Expect all kinds of riding conditions this day: mud, gravel, asphalt, and loose rocks. Temperatures will be very high in the lowlands, as high as 105 degrees F and cooler in the mountains.
This was a shock to the system. And probably the hardest thing I've ever done
The climb in the beginning was steep and brutal. I started out fast, trying to stay with the
front group, HR through the roof, and then faded a bit to ride with the 2nd 50 guys.
After the initial climb, there was an long stretch through the jungle, where you basically hike forever (or it feels like it). There were these red slick clay eroded canyons where you have to carry the bike most of the time. Up and downhill. The heat was oppressive.
After the initial climb, there was an long stretch through the jungle, where you basically hike forever (or it feels like it). There were these red slick clay eroded canyons where you have to carry the bike most of the time. Up and downhill. The heat was oppressive.
After the canyons of red mud, you never get a break. Then we go into the second huge climb for another 4200 meters straight up, mostly road. I rode with a costa rican and a columbian. The costa rican had a chase car, and they would give him bottles and such. They helped me a few times a s well. The climb went on forever. There were random markings on the road like 5km to go, but that was for something else. Neverending, and painful. Not much fun here.
Preparedness.
The aid stations were perfectly stocked, and spaced logically. On reflection, the right strategy would be to go as light as possible and use the aid stations. I think I was overprepared. I wore a 100oz Camelbak. I also packed a bunch of bars, gels, tubes, CO2 etc. The thing weighed a ton.
Costa Ricans.
They are really friendly, supporting people. They also smoke a lot of pot. Those things could be related.
This was not a good stage for me. 7.5 hours put me about an hour behind where I thought I should be.
La Ruta de los Conquistadores, Stage 1 from Ilya C. on Vimeo.
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