La Ruta - Still the Toughest
Dana LaMastra / 22.03.2005
Costa Rica’s La Ruta de Los Conquistadores Still Wears the Crown As the World’s Toughest Mountain Bike Race.On the heels of the highly successful 2004 La Ruta de Los Conquistadores, the 2005 edition has been announced for November 11-13, 2005.
La Ruta de Los Conquistadores is no ordinary mountain bike race. Each year riders confront the daunting task of retracing the historic steps of Spanish conquistadors across Costa Rica in this killer 3 day stage race that covers over 300 miles and 30,000 vertical feet of climbs spanning from the Pacific Ocean to the beaches of the Caribbean Sea.
Not only do riders face-off with competitors from around the world, but they must pit themselves against Costa Rica’s unforgiving natural environment, which includes endless hike-a-bike through mud that will peel the skin from the riders’ heels, brutal climbs up smoldering volcanoes, long tricky descents through coffee plantations, and so many climate changes that riders may suffer heat stroke and hypothermia on the same day!
“It’s more like an adventure race than a world cup event,†explains Román Urbina, creator of La Ruta de Los Conquistadores. “There are sections that can’t even be navigated by 4X4s or motor-cross bikes. The riders have no access to external support and must rely on their own tenacity and the help of other competitors.â€
La Ruta de Los Conquistadores is not only a psychological pressure cooker, but most riders agree that their bikes are never quite the same after a tour of duty at La Ruta. (The route eats bike parts for breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
Each year, countless articles and television spots appear in dozens of languages featuring La Ruta de Los Conquistadores and the heroes who brave its many faces. Race organizer Roman Urbina predicts 2005 will be an even bigger media event, drawing on the wide international appeal of La Ruta de Los Conquistadores.
3 days, 300 miles, and 30,000 vertical feet of nasty climbs, set in the harrowing wilderness of Costa Rica. Whether the athletes are getting paid to suffer or amateurs willing to dig deep, La Ruta de Los Conquistadores promises to be a dramatic and visually compelling event.
Add La Ruta de Los Conquistadores (November 11-13, 2005) to your list of upcoming events .. if you’re tough enough! Details are on www.adventurerace.com.
