La Ruta de los Conquistadores
La Ruta - No Ordinary Bike Race
11.11.2005
The race will have three stages covering a total of 200 miles and thirty thousand vertical feet of ascent, crossing from the Pacific Ocean up to the beaches of the Caribbean Sea (The Atlantic Ocean).
The challenge will be not only be between rival racers, but against the implacable natural Costa Rican environment. Deep mud which sticks to riders and bikes, climbing in a land of amazing beautiful volcanoes and single tracks in coffee plantations are all part of the race. So is the variable climate, from 32° Celsius to the edge of the hypothermia on the high mountains, all in the same day!
\"More than a race, La Ruta is a personal journey. That\'s the difference with the traditional competitions of World Cup biking\" explains Roman Urbina, the creator.
\"There are some segments that cannot be traveled even in 4X4 vehicles or motorcycles. The competitors will not have any access to the external support and must trust in his their own tenacity and in some cases in the help of other competitors\", adds this \"loco\" adventure man.
La Ruta de los Conquistadores is like a psychological pressure cooker. Most of the participants accept that their lives - and their bicycles!!! – are never the same after this challenge.
Among the riders expected to be at the start line on November 11th are the Swisspower Team, Thomas Frischnekcht, the Spanish Champion Alejandro DÃaz de la Peña (Maxxis-MSC Team), the 2005 Trans Rockies 4th place team Kelly Servinski and Jon Nutbrown, and the local Pizza Hut Team, Federico RamÃrez and Iván Amador, who were third in last edition of the Trans Alp Challenge in Europe.
Despite the international field of competitors that show up annually, the race has never been won by a non-Costa Rican. “We hope that this year change the history!� , says Román Urbina.
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