"The Toughest mountain bike race on the planet" - La Ruta

Anyone familiar with this race? It is billed as "The Toughest mountain bike race on the planet". Takes place in Costa Rica where my mom is from and having been there many times I can only imagine that with the humidity, heat, mountainous tropical jungle terrain, rain, mud, and mosquitoes (sure I'm missing something else).....that this could quite possibly be the toughest mountain bike race.

The race started today Nov 5 and runs through the 7th. You can follow it via their website or FB with English posts as well.

The race will take riders from the Pacific coast and end in the Atlantic. For those that have not been to Costa Rica, the country itself is composed of very diverse geographical climates, ranging from dry tropical climates to very wet cloud forests. Due to the mountainous terrain, riders can expect significant elevation gains each and every day as well.

http://www.adventurerace.com/

https://www.facebook.com/LaRutaDeLosConquistadores/?fref=nf

http://adventurerace.com/la-ruta-mt...-ruta-de-los-conquistadores-2015-23rd-edition

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That earns a Herz-patented "Holy Carp!!"

The humidity alone would kill me.

 

Wow...barely across the start line and they are already having to HAB......from previous years....it won't be the last time either.

 

There's this too!

 

Are you sure this isn't a foot race where for some sadistic reason you're required to carry a bicycle along?

 

I've only heard of this because I follow Tinker and he's been there in the past... Not sure if he's there this time around.

 

Hopefully.....so that would mean he doesn't pass me 3 or 4 times during the 6hr race.

 

Yes he is there....

 

Maybe more singletrack, jungle, mountains, rivers further on, but looks like mostly dirt roads in that video.

 

Really... #3 with a rigid fork. "Suspension forks are for pussies!"

 

He's basically riding a flat-bar CX with MTB gearing. I saw several of those on the Crusher.

And Tinker looks like he can't remember where he left the other half of his fork.

 

Those darn Cannondales....

Race results day 1 and 2 show Tinkers still got it. Finished 12th and 13the respectively!

 

^^^^ All the Hispanics in the list have at least THREE names... ^^^^

 

Pinche pendejo mamon. ....sounds about right!

 

Tinker posted that he ended up in 8th place at the finish, but 1st in the 50-59 category. This may be the first time that I've seen him mention the old guy category! He may finally be realizing that he will slow down at some point... Which goes along with his decision not to go for any more 24 hour races.

 

Here are the final results.....

 

Day one of the 2016 race finished today. 2 more days to go. Here are the links to their FB page and website....

Day 1 Stats wow

• Distancia:
  90 km (aprox.)
  
  Elevación Acumulada:
  12,000+ pies / 3,400mts. (aprox.)
  
  Cambio de altura:
  12 metros (nivel del mar) a 650 m a 1201m a 490m a 855m
  
  Clima:
  Tropical Seco 30°C a 35°C.
  
  Hora de salida:
  6:00 am
  
  Cierre de meta:
  6:00 pm

https://m.facebook.com/?_rdr#~!/LaRutaDeLosConquistadores/

http://www.adventurerace.com/