Devils Punch Bowl Road Race

[bbp]

Has anyone done this race in the past? Anyone know the race route that they use?

[OC Roadie]

Did it last year, it was one of 2 DNF's for me. The course is hard, it was hot, and bees kept going through the vents on my helmet. I don't really know the route. Thankfully, the race is on my boys birthday this year, so I won't be able to make it.

[bbp]

Did it last year, it was one of 2 DNF's for me. The course is hard, it was hot, and bees kept going through the vents on my helmet. I don't really know the route. Thankfully, the race is on my boys birthday this year, so I won't be able to make it.

Crap, was it windy as hell?

I just got stung by a bee that was in my helmet last Friday :(

[OC Roadie]

Crap, was it windy as hell?

I just got stung by a bee that was in my helmet last Friday :(
I recall some wind, but can't remember if it was that strong. The route starts with a climb, I fell back about halfway up, and then chased for over a lap, and came within less than a minute of catching the group, before I decided I was done. There's also a long gnarly 50mph+ downhill, that's where I remember some wind, and not being too excited about it. BTW, I got your PM about the Radars, they're still not available to employees, after I get mine, I'll ask about a second pair, but I wouldn't hold your breath (they have limits to employee purchases).

[bbp]

I recall some wind, but can't remember if it was that strong. The route starts with a climb, I fell back about halfway up, and then chased for over a lap, and came within less than a minute of catching the group, before I decided I was done. There's also a long gnarly 50mph+ downhill, that's where I remember some wind, and not being too excited about it. BTW, I got your PM about the Radars, they're still not available to employees, after I get mine, I'll ask about a second pair, but I wouldn't hold your breath (they have limits to employee purchases).

Hopefully I can find out the race route so I can go pre-ride it once. What Cat were u racing?

Keep me updated on the Radars :)

[OC Roadie]

Hopefully I can find out the race route so I can go pre-ride it once. What Cat were u racing?

Keep me updated on the Radars :)
Cat 4's

[bbp]

Cat 4's

I'm doing Cat 5 so we'll see what happens.

[Entropy906]

Has anyone done this race in the past? Anyone know the race route that they use?

I think this is the route or at least close to it from what I can tell from the description.http://www.routeslip.com/routes/20835
Well I guess that's not the route at all since the routeslip is 12.5 miles and the actual course is 16. So I threw something together and maybe it is this http://www.routeslip.com/routes/27717

I've never done the race but I would like to but I work on weekends and i's unlikely I can get that day off.

Usually the wind isn't too bad out there. I am out riding there quite a bit either going to Big Rock Creek or Angeles Crest.

[bbp]

OC Roadie was right, that doesn't look easy at all. Thanks!

I usually ride in West Palmdale to Leona Valley and beyond.

[1265 Lombardi]

Did it twice last year couple weeks apart. I dont exactly remember the course but I remember the long gradual climb from the start and hitting couple of rollers before the last crest into a long fast down hill in to the flats. Come around and do it again. Its a tough one. I didnt know what I was getting into and did not train for it specifically. I did not make the climb both times was dropped before the last climb. Luckily I had people to ride with. I will be doing this again this year hopefully with little more fitness and I'll be trying out my new wheels. We'll see if it makes any difference.:)

[OC Roadie]

OC Roadie was right, that doesn't look easy at all. Thanks!

I usually ride in West Palmdale to Leona Valley and beyond.
http://www.routeslip.com/routes/27717 Looks like the course, or at least very close. You start on Pallet Creek Rd and make the left on Longview. I would consider this the toughest SoCal road race, pretty comparable to Boulevard, but this one was nastier for me.

[bbp]

I think this is the route or at least close to it from what I can tell from the description.http://www.routeslip.com/routes/20835
Well I guess that's not the route at all since the routeslip is 12.5 miles and the actual course is 16. So I threw something together and maybe it is this http://www.routeslip.com/routes/27717

I've never done the race but I would like to but I work on weekends and i's unlikely I can get that day off.

Usually the wind isn't too bad out there. I am out riding there quite a bit either going to Big Rock Creek or Angeles Crest.

Is there anyway to make routeslip follow the road instead of having to actually click on the road?

[Entropy906]

This follows the road but you can't save routes like routeslip yet http://bikeroutetoaster.com/

[TrevorInSoCal]

Punch Bowl last year was my first road-race, and I DNF'd.

Went out hard trying to stay with a group that went off the front on the first climb and then cracked. Don't think I got a good enough warm up. Spent the rest of the lap trying to hang with a chase group before dropping out of that group and pulling out at the feed zone the second time around.

In retrospect, I was stupid to have bailed out. Somehow I got it in my head that nearly 20 guys had passed me, and was completely demoralized. Turns out a guy I know who was in the race and flatted right at the start ended up top 10. He never caught me, so I must not have been passed by as many guys as I thought.

Make sure to get a good warm up for this one 'cause it starts out with a good hard climb, and in the Vs anyway, people are attacking from the start. Maybe 'cause the Vs only do 2 laps.

Wanted to go back this year, and redeem myself, but I've got a mtn. bike race that weekend.

[bbp]

I rode the course yesterday. The beginning climb is a ***** esp. if you haven't warmed up. Looks like it'll be a tough race. I know all the sand baggers will be attacking right off the bat.

[OC Roadie]

I rode the course yesterday. The beginning climb is a ***** esp. if you haven't warmed up. Looks like it'll be a tough race. I know all the sand baggers will be attacking right off the bat.
Yep, sooo sad that I'm missing out on Punchbowl this year (half sarcasm/ half serious);)

[bbp]

Yep, sooo sad that I'm missing out on Punchbowl this year (half sarcasm/ half serious);)

Hook me up with some EPO! (half sarcasm/ half serious).