Travel Info

Days : 3
Available From: 01/11/2012 (Thu 01, Nov )
To: 03/11/2012 (Sat 03, Nov )

Places

• Costa Rica > CARIBBEAN COAST
• Costa Rica > CENTRAL VALLEY
• Costa Rica > NORTH PACIFIC COAST

Description

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Total Distance Covered: 240 miles / 385 km
• Total Elevation Gain: 39,000 feet / 11 887.2 meters
• Terrain: Gravel, jeep roads, asphalt and singletrack.
• Description: Jungle, active volcanoes, farms, coffee fields, forests and small villages.

La Ruta traverses Costa Rica from the west coast on the Pacific to the east coast on the Caribbean. You can expect a hot, humid, tropical climate as well as very cold, high-mountain temperatures.

The route starts at the Pacific Coast beach town of Jacó. The first 15 minutes or so is a pleasurable ride before commencing the first of many grueling climbs. Upon reaching the town of Bijagual, the journey takes a sharp left and heads into the back end of the Carara nature reserve, which is populated by poison dart frogs, scarlet macaws, and many other animals. The route descends into the Valley of Turrubares and continues on towards the central highlands, taking you through spectacular scenery. Surrounded by mountains and volcanoes, the Central Valley is cooler than the coast, with more rain at higher elevations.

The highest point in the expedition is the Irazú Volcano, which towers over San José at the eastern edge of the Central Valley and reaches 3,432m (11,259 feet). Irazú and its neighbor, the Turrialba Volcano, border the old capital city and religious center of Costa Rica, Cartago. The Conquistador Perafán de Rivera explored the region with its rich volcanic soils that today contribute to the prosperous agricultural industries surrounding Cartago and the town of Turrialba. After an in-depth exploration around the Turrialba Volcano, Rivera continued towards the Atlantic flatlands, traversing some of Costa Rica's biggest rivers and most dense jungle.

Costa Rica has experienced tremendous changes over the last two decades, and therefore the course of La Ruta has also changed. Because of the heightened rate of development, we ask competitors to take a good look around when deep within the forest or high up in the mountains and consider what the world was like when the Spanish Conquistadors journeyed through here. No doubt, you will think the race course is tough, but imagine the natural obstacles the Conquistadors had to overcome! What have we done with our natural environment since then? What can we do today so that future generations (of all species) can experience the awe and wonder of our natural surroundings? Throughout the race, meditate, appreciate, communicate, and do something positive in the light of competition and camaraderie. Experience personal growth and help others to achieve their own as well. It is difficult to tread lightly while biking frantically from coast to coast, but please consider some way to leave Costa Rica a better place than you found it. Carry out what you carry in and remind others to do the same.

 

PACKAGE INCLUDES:

• 3 days race entrance
• Breakfast (November 1-3)
• Lunch (November 1-3)
• 2 nights accommodations in double-occupancy lodging in 4-5 stars hotels (November 1st & 2nd)
• Pacuare Rafting on day 3 (optional participation)
• Transportation to hotels
• Luggage transportation to each start point/finsh line (It doesn’t include transportation San José to Pacific or Limón to San José)
• Bike Race Numbers
• Sponsor Goods
• Electrolyte drinks
• Fresh fruit at all checkpoints
• Race medal
• Racing Insurance
• Red Cross/Fire Department support throughout the entire race
• 5 Support stations every day throughout the race  (IS IT 4 or 5 SUPPORT STATIONS?)
• La Ruta de los Conquistadores’ Race Book
• La Ruta de los Conquistadores’ Bag
• La Ruta de los Conquistadores’ 20th Edition LA RUTA jersey (just for racers)
• La Ruta de los Conquistadores’ ID

Total Distance Covered: 240 miles / 385 km
Total Elevation Gain: 39,000 feet / 11 887.2 meters
Terrain: Gravel, jeep roads, asphalt and singletrack.
Description: Jungle, active volcanoes, farms, coffee fields, forests and small villages.

Pre-registration promo available until December 15th, 2011
International Competitors: $1350 USD