La Ruta de los Conquistadores
La Ruta – Too Tough to Describe
Rob / 16.12.2003
“Today was icing on the humble pie La Ruta served up on Day 1. It started easy enough with a 12km warm up through the streets of San Jose but then, BAM! ... 28km of climbing. With much of it on paved road it was not a technical climb but it was steep, relentless and punishing on an already tired body.
We were blessed with good weather today. I could see my breath near the summit of the climb but I did not need to put my jacket and leg skins on. My legs were like lead through most of the climb and my lower back was throbbing with tension. I was looking forward to the downhill to rest them both. No such luck. Strewn with large, loose rocks the downhill was steep, treacherous and at least as punishing as the climb. There was no time to relax my back or legs and now my forearms were screaming from the death grip on my brakes.
Eventually the trail improved to be more of a road and I was able to relax and enjoy the ride. Thankfully this more rideable downhill took me all the way to the finish line. I was too spent for more climbing.
Once again, we rode through some beautiful countryside and passed many friendly and encouraging faces. I don’t remember how many aid stations we went through but every one was full of amazingly helpful people. It made the ride a little more bearable to get so much support. Now if only they would ride my bike for me too.�
This year was the 11th ‘Ruta’ and for the first time it was won by a rider from outside Costa Rica, though Marvin Campos came from just across the border in Nicaragua.
That’s all we know – so the pictures from Martin Paquette of Level 9 and the superb gallery sent through by our friends at www.ecosportaventura.com will have to tell the rest of the story. (Just click on the gallery links on the left to see them.)
You can see more of Martin's pictures on the Level 9 site here.
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