DECEMBER RIDER UPDATE

Official Charities:
Shelter Valley Citizen's Corp: Donation Link
Desert Museum (Ocotillo): Donation Link
Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund: Donation Link

10th Annual
Stagecoach Century
and Time Trials

Date: Sat, Jan 18, 2014

Where: Ocotillo, CA
(80 mi east of San Diego, just off I-8, Driving Map)

Start: 7:00 - 9:00 A.M.

Distances: 26, 50, 73, 84, 90, and 100 miles.

331 Registered Riders

Shadow Tour Group

Stagecoach Fanpage

Attention

Sturdy Riders

STAGECOACH
rolls Sat, Jan 18, '14

Registration Open!

STAGECOACH
Designs

2014 Jersey

Front

Back

2014 T-shirt

2013 Medal (2014 design coming soon)

2014 Pin

Many Thanks to

our stellar Sponsors
and Affiliates!

Quick Links

Shadow Tour Website
Stagecoach Page

Stagecoach Rider Levels

Stagecoach Driving Map

Stagecoach Course Map
Stagecoach Lodging

10th Annual 2014 Stagecoach Century
~~ and ~~
Solo/Tandem/Team Time Trials

Dear Sturdy Riders,

As we prepare to ring in the New Year, we wish to Thank You for registering for the 2014 Stagecoach Century on Sat, Jan 18, '14, in Ocotillo, CA. We send our Best Wishes for a Safe & Happy Happy New Year!

The Stagecoach Century is a unique event, and requires careful preparation and respect of all participants. To assist you, carefully read this email containing important pre-ride updates & tips. Everything below is also posted on the website. The Final Rider Instructions summarize what every rider needs to know and contains the Course Map. All riders must carefully study these instructions before starting. Any last-minute changes will be posted in the "News" section of the Stagecoach webpage.

All Registered Riders will receive one more Rider Update Email the 2nd week of January 2014.

Stagecoach Countdown = 20 Days!

Sponsors: We thank all Sponsors, Volunteers, and Affiliates who are essential to making Stagecoach possible. Please visit the Sponsor Corral at the bottom of this email for some great deals! Always mention Stagecoach, for potential discounts at your bike shop. Be sure to stop by the Pearl Izumi booth on Fri for Factory Outlet Deals on high tech winter riding apparel & accessories.

Official Charities: We proudly continue our long term Volunteer associations with the communities of Shelter Valley and Ocotillo as Official Charities for Stagecoach. These outstanding Non-Profit Community organizations have provided fantastic support for Stagecoach riders since the very beginning.

For the 10th Annual Stagecoach, we wish to showcase & reward Volunteers from Ocotillo (Start/Finish) and Shelter Valley (Turnaround point). Below are their special Donation links. There's still time to make a generous 2013 tax-deductible gift by Dec 31st. To date, no online rider donations have been made. Let's change that today!

      Desert Museum (Ocotillo): Donate Now
      Shelter Valley Citizen's Corp: Donate Now

Chip Timing: CEP Timing is returning to Stagecoach. Full Century riders have the option (free) to receive a timing chip on Sat in Ocotillo. Only the 100-mi course will be timed. Riders must have their wristbands validated at the turnaround point (at mile 50), past Shelter Valley. Timing Chips must be returned to the CEP Timing Booth in the Finish area. There's an $85 replacement fee for lost or missing timing chips. When approaching the Finish Line inside the Ocotillo Community Park, SLOW DOWN before making a safe Left turn from S2 into the park. Listen to Volunteers and STOP, if instructed. STOP immediately after crossing the Finish timing mat (which will be marked). USE EXTREME CAUTION ENTERING THE FINISH AREA!

Start Time: On Sat, Jan 18, '14 Time Trial riders (Team and Solo) launch first, from 7:00-7:10 A.M. on tight intervals (less than 30 sec). The rest of the field starts immediately after the last Time Trial rider rolls from 7:10 - 9:00 A.M. Use extra care making the turn onto S2 out of the parking lot.

One Bite at a Time: Recognize that riding a century in January is unusual. We congratulate you on accepting the Stagecoach Challenge. It's not an easy century, and weather can make it treacherous. Plan your ride, and ride your plan! Take it in small bites, Rest Stop-to-Rest Stop, or even hour-to-hour. Cold, dry desert air can dehydrate you before you know it.  Rising afternoon temps will take a toll too. Drink and eat at every Rest Stop!  Don't exceed your limits.   You may safely turn around at any point on the course. Don't compare your June cycling to the January Stagecoach, they're two different animals. If this is your first Stagecoach, avoid fixation on making it to the turnaround. You need to have enough reserves to ride all the way back to the Finish. Watch out for each other, point out obstacles, stay to the right, ride single file, and be safe out there!

Key Stagecoach Century Information:

    a. Final Rider Instructions & Course Map: Please study carefully.   Download here.

    b. San Diego Waiver Form: Save time at packet pick up! Please print out, complete, date, sign, and bring to Fri/Sat packet pick up. Download here.

    c. Driving Map: Basic map showing location of Ocotillo, CA. Download here (don't confuse with Ocotillo Wells, which is over 60 miles away).

    d. Rider Levels: No-nonsense advice & tips for a variety of Stagecoach rider levels, Click here.

Packet Pick up Details: Friday and Saturday options. Riders may pick up friends' packets with written permission, such as a printed email authorizing release.

     a. Fri, Jan 17, '14: Noon - 8:00 P.M. at Host Hotel, DoubleTree by Hilton San Diego-Del Mar, located just off Interstate 5 in Carmel Valley, at 11915 El Camino Real, San Diego, CA 92130 (map it). Free/easy parking. Riders may register in-person, Cash or Credit Card. Please call Emmeline Vasquez at 858-764-0261 to book rooms at a Stagecoach Special $99 rate, plus tax, based on availability. Offer ends Jan 1st, '14.

     b. Sat, Jan 18, '14: 6:00 - 9:00 A.M. Ocotillo Community Park, 266 West Imperial Hwy, Ocotillo, CA 92259 (map it). Riders may register in-person. Cash or Credit. Portajohns are available onsite. Arrival coffee & breakfast is provided by Ocotillo Volunteers. Donations are much appreciated & support the Desert Museum.

     c. What to do at packet pick up:

      * Complete San Diego Waiver & drop in Waiver Box
      * Locate your Bib # on the posted Rider Lists
      * Pick up Rider Packet
      * Have ID ready

* Rider packet contains: Helmet #, wristbands, rider instructions, and map. Riders also receive a Custom Pin & pre-ordered optional items. Medals are given at Finish Line.

Upgrades: Riders may upgrade from Short Course to Long Course on Fri or Sat. Cost is $15.

Host Hotel: Shadow Tour welcomes the DoubleTree by Hilton San Diego-Del Mar as the new Official Host Hotel for the Stagecoach Century. DoubleTree is offering Stagecoach riders a special $99 p/t rate, based on availability thru Jan 1st, '14. Click here for details.

Detailed Driving Directions: Here's a link to Googlemaps and a basic map showing the location of Ocotillo, CA. Caution: Do not confuse with "Ocotillo Wells", which is about 60 miles away from the Start/Finish!

Ocotillo Exit off Interstate 8: From the west, it's the Ocotillo exit right after the Calexico exit. From the east, it's the Ocotillo/Imperial Hwy exit. Vol's/signs will guide you from the freeway exit to the Ocotillo Community Park approximately 2 miles north on S2.

Restrooms in Ocotillo: Portajohns will be positioned at the south end of the parking lot at the Ocotillo Community Park. Sanitizing gels are available. If operational, two restrooms are available on the west side of the Community Park building.

Weather:   Forecasts will be posted on the website starting approximately one week prior to the event.

     a. Variable conditions:  Weather in the desert WILL vary widely. Expect winds to shift around all along the route and to gust in the afternoon. The north end of the course is about 15 degrees cooler than Ocotillo, due to its 2,200 ft elevation.

     b.  Morning Chill:  Regardless of forecasted high temps, it WILL be cold in the morning. See clothing below. We do not recommend sleeping in a car overnight. We've tried it in the past, the wind & cold temps make it very uncomfortable.

Clothing:  Wearing the right clothing is almost important as drinking plenty of Vitalyte/water, and replacing carbs! Pearl Izumi will be at the Fri packet pick up if you need to purchase last-minute high tech clothing items. Below is our recommended clothing plan:

     a. Early A.M:  It will be cold in the morning. We recommend starting with a high-tech base layer (not cotton!). A jersey, bib shorts, arm and leg warmers, or tights, a wind-breaker, and light weight/medium weight full finger gloves.

      b. Mid-morning:  Most riders warm up on the 10.5 mi gradual climb up to Rest Stop 1, and down in the low elevations of Carizzo Badlands. Have faith, almost all riders feel much better once the sun rises!

       c. Lunch:  Shelter Valley is at mile 42.   We recommend riding past the Community Center to the turnaround point before stopping for lunch. While eating lunch, remove outer layers.  The main food area is heated.  Don't camp out too long!  If it's chilly when you start riding, put your outer layer back on.  You should warm up before Rest Stop 7 (mile 75).

      d. Late afternoon:  Coming back through the low desert areas south of Agua Caliente and in the Badlands, if temps rise, you should remove arm/leg warmers, vest, and other outer layers. Be sure to re-apply lip balm and sunscreen on exposed skin. See Rider Levels for many more tips.

Key Time Cut-offs:

      12:15 P.M.   Scissors Crossing closes (mile 45)
      1:00 P.M.     All riders must be returning to Ocotillo
      1:15 P.M.      Lunch in Shelter Valley closes
      5:00 P.M.     Course officially closes

Time cut-offs insure riders are safely off S2 by 5:00 P.M. Darkness falls rapidly & temps plunge in the desert right at sunset. These deadlines are mandatory! All course support ceases at 5:00 P.M.

Bicycle Maintenance: Stagecoach is absolutely no place to take chances on any worn bike parts. If in doubt, get a tune-up. Ask your mechanic to replace any questionable parts, especially tubes & tires! Bike Shop Links: San Diego, Los Angeles, and Orange County. Traction Mobile Bike Repair will be at the Start in Ocotillo and roaming the course. Traction Bicycles owner, Matt McDaniel, can provide full tune-ups prior to the event at your home or office.

Frequently Asked Questions: Here's the link to learn more about camping, Rest Stop items, parking, etc.

Referrals: Please encourage your friends to join you at Stagecoach.   You may pass along the special Holiday promocode STURDY15 to new riders (see coupon below). The promocode provides a special 15% discount.

Event Director: Shadow Tour Founder/Event Director Jim Knight is a passionate & active distance cyclist. He incorporates many personal lessons-learned, and feedback from riders, into upgrades for future Shadow Tour cycling events. Rest assured, Jim's Tips & Advice are based on direct experience. Jim completed a solo course pre-ride on Dec 29 (Strava download).   The route appears to be in overall excellent condition. Even the weather was outstanding, finished in short sleeve jersey. Noticed a few patches of deeper sand in the road shoulder on the last 4.4 miles before the turnaround at 50.0 miles. Be alert and use extra care on that section.

Jersey: Voler is once again producing the optional Stagecoach jersey. Riders who ordered jerseys prior to the Nov 22, '13 deadline will receive them at packet pick up. All other orders are in the 2nd Production Run, which will be mailed in Mar, '14 (free shipping). A small quantity of jerseys will be for sale at the event.

2014 Jersey Front

Ranch Cycles: Ranch Cycles in Rancho Santa Fe is the closest brick & mortar bike shop to the Friday Rider Packet pick-up at the DoubleTree. Ranch Cycles will be onsite for part of the day. Maps showing the location of the store (about 5 miles) will be provided. Be sure to mention Stagecoach for discounts & specials.

We send our Sincere Best Wishes for a Wonderful Holiday Season & Happy New Year. We look forward to seeing all of you at Stagecoach in January. Until then, enjoy your early Winter cycling.

As always, please ride defensively in traffic, point out hazards & obstacles to your cycling buddies following behind you, stay right of the white line, be on high alert at all times, and always watch out for the unexpected!

Happy New Year!

~Jim

Jim Knight

Event Director/Managing Member

Shadow Tour, LLC

Editor's Note: Apologies, in advance, for any mistakes, typo's, oversights, or factual errors in this Newsletter. Visit shadowtour.com for corrections, if applicable. As always, I'll work to improve in the future. ~Jim

Save

15%

Rope in "Standard" prices by registering now for the 10th Annual 2014 STAGECOACH CENTURY on Sat, Jan 18, '14 in Ocotillo, CA. We're pleased to offer a special discount to past Shadow Tour riders and members of the Interest List. Sign up Today & Save!

Enter promocode STURDY15 (all caps) when you register online. It's the last step, so be careful not to miss it. Active.com software is case-sensitive. The promocode is also valid for Mail-in and Walk-up Registrations. The discount applies to entry fee only. May not be combined with other offers, and is not retro-active.

Deadline for "Standard" prices is Midnight PST Dec 31st!

Offer Expires: 9:00 A.M. (PST), Sat, Jan 18, '14