JimmyNH

Anybody doing the Alpine Challenge this year? All you SD peeps? I'm in for the 60-miler.

IanInSD

I'll be there... probably do the 72mile ride.

heresy

I plan to. I am undecided between 60 and 72 miles.

Alex & Deya

We did it last year and it was super fun Hope we can do it again this year.

Magda003

I am planning on doing this ride too.

WhiteCarbonDude

"The Descanso Ride measures 60 miles and has 5,700 feet of elevation gain. It remains one of the toughest rides in California."

REALLY!?!?

Rick@OCRR

I'll be there, I'm all signed up and paid. I agree, an excellent event, very well presented with some good climbs!

Rick / OCRR

bolshoi2008

I'm planning to do the Descanso ride but I'm worried about the 60 miles, 5700 of elev gain. How difficult is this ride? How would you compare this to like Cruising Conejo and Solvang centuries since those are the only ones I've tried? I'm just a weekend rider doing around 40 miles, no more than 2000 ft elev gain regularly.

Rick@OCRR

In general terms, it's about the same as GMR/GRR from Glendora to Mt.Baldy village and back (= 44 mi. and 5,000 ft. of climbing). So Alpine Challenge 60 miles would actually be easier than GMR/GRR since the elevation gain is only 700 feet more, but the milage is 15 miles more.

So really, no worries. Plus, on Alpine Challenge you get rest stops, food / drink, which you don't get (unless you stop at the Lodge in The Village) riding GMR/GRR. Oh . . . and much easier than the Solvang Century.

Rick / OCRR

Magda003

Rick;
Why not 72-mile option? On their website it says that the difference between 60- and 72-miler is additional 1,000 feet of climbing in 12 miles. I am not sure which one I should do to be the best training before Breathless Agony. Any advice?

ericm979

The longer one of course!


Really, it depends on where you are in your training. If you haven't done anything like the 60 miler in terms of climbing recently, then do that. If you have then try the 72 mile one.

Crash716

I have such a hard time paying to do what i consider a twice a month training ride.

this used to be my saturday ride every week.

GP

I'd pay to do a ride with Crash.

Magda003

How much one has to pay to ride with CRASH

Rick@OCRR

Hi Maria,
I was answering a question from bolshoi2008, who was interested in the 60 mi. in the post above.

I will be riding the 72 mile (like I always do at Alpine), and you should too. It will be easier than the ride we did in Anza Borrego / Santa Ysbel / Julian. Lots easier, really, since Alpine has good food / drinks at the checkpoints.

Worry not, you'll be fine and you'll be passing a lot of the guys and most of the women !

Rick / OCRR

GP

i don't think you can put a price on it. It's like playing catch with Curt Schilling.

"WU"

72 miles is your only option!

Magda003

OK, I was wondering why you'd do 60 miles cause knowing you my Dear, you always go for the max. I was wondering however if it might be more beneficial to give your legs extra rest before the BA but of course seven days is a lot of time to rest.
After reading your description of the Alpine Challenge in comparison to our beloved GMR/GRR ride, I have a better feeling of what I am getting into.........and the feeling is not too shaby.......I am up for the 72-miles.

Rick@OCRR

Maria,

You will Rock the World on the 72 mile Alpine Challenge; absolutely no worries and you'll have a great time!

Rick / OCRR

Crash716

you'd probably drop me like a sack of potatoes right now.

Magda003

You Guys (R and D) Rock

Crash716

a little attention and allot of patience

Magda003

Sounds way over my budget....... Can't afford it right now.

Crash716

It's really not that bad...there are only about 2 little sections where you need to come out of the saddle....the rest is just some climbing...not too hard, usually about 4% i think.

JimmyNH

If you've done the Conejo and Solvang centuries, you should be OK, but don't underestimate this ride. It's pretty hard. The main climb is about 20 miles long (approx. from mile 20 to mile 40) and although the average grade is not that bad (I would go with Crash here - about 4%), there are a few very hard sections. The last 5-6 miles are also uphill.

Ha!! I'll do the 60 miles and I'll leave no beer for you at the finish.