Project Rwanda 25 & 50 mile Ride 4/30/11 (merged threads-route update)

i'm not sure if anybody has done has done this before, but my nephew and i are considering doing this ride. we are still new to riding and may consider doing the 25 mile instead. i was just curious on how the terrain is and what to expect while riding there. here is the route info:

50 mile ride

5287 ft of climbing



Starting at Cook’s Corner, this full route will climb into the back side of O’Neill, proceed through and out of the park near the RSM lake, and make its way to the Dove Canyon waterfall. Then we’ll ride the ridge trails all the way to Caspers Wilderness Park, dropping down Star Rise and catching trails including Bell Canyon, Oso, Cougar, and back to Bell Canyon. At the end of Bell Canyon we arrive at a parking lot and rest rooms that will be our outermost checkpoint and refueling/aid station. From there we proceed up East Ridge all the way to Cougar/Oso, back on Bell Canyon and up Star Rise, tracing our route all the way back to the Dove Canyon waterfall (an aid station will be there as well). After refueling, we ride past the Coto main gate, climb and traverse Chiquita Ridge, head down Tijeras Creek trail to the Arroyo Trabuco Trail. Then we turn back to O’Neill, climb through the park and head back to Cooks Corner for some well-earned rest and recreation.
Click Here for Geoladders route info
Click Here for PDF of trail map
25 mile ride

This ride shares the same beginning and ending route as the 50 miler – but it skips the entire middle Caspers section. It starts at Cook’s, climbs through O’Neill and on to the Dove Canyon waterfall. However, instead of riding out to Caspers, this group will head directly over to the Chiquita Ridge trail, down Tijeras Creek to the Arroyo Trabuco Trail, back through O’Neill and finish up at Cook’s for some post-ride fun.

there is a website to this cause, but i did not post because i was not sure if it was allowed or not.

Link: http://50mr.com/

 

when?

 

april 30,2011

 

If you do a search for "project rwanda", you should get a lot of info.
http://www.socaltrailriders.org/forum/search.php?searchid=86207

 

thanks allroy71. don't know why i didn't do a search.

 

Come on out and try it, grasshopper. A lot of STR riders do this ride. In fact there's a large group of slacker single speeders that do the 50 miler... a great ride for a good cause.

 

i'm seriously considering doing this ride, but not sure i have enough time to commit to training for it. as it is 1 only get to ride about 2-3 hours a week.

 

I did this on a SS 'Cross bike and while I was tired it is a fun ride.
Not Maxwell F.U.N. but beer drinkin' SS Slacker fun!

Here is a quote from last years SSlacker group:

Dude, what time is it?
11:45
Shit! Isn't there a noon cutoff this year?
Yep.
So, how far away are we?
'Bout 15 min if we hammer....

 

Super fun event.
Great route (either distance).
Great raffle.
Great people.
Great cause.

Highly recommended!

 

Great cause....my 3rd time looking forwrd to it....

Go team 40!!!!

 

This sounds like something that I'm stupid enough to do! And seeing how I'll be living down RSM way soon, I'll get to know some OC trails! Aaaahhhhhhh...good times!

 

It's a total blast, but you gotta have a good base and have some miles in with climbing to attempt the 50. Last year a very good, strong rider didn't prepare and train for it, and had to bail, finishing only 33 miles. For a first long ride, the 25 miler is a good one.

Lots of fun, encouragement and for a great cause. You got 4.5 months to prepare. Hope to see you there!

Jeff

 

Now you got me thinking about it. I wonder how painful it would be on a 30lb Am bike....

Mott

 

Saw the OP - just reading the description...yep that's the Rwanda ride. Get out an ride the 25 one week, then the backside 25 the next week, that will give you an idea what you're up against. It will be easier on 'the day' - there are so many fun and encouraging people to get you through it.

And Mott, my HT is an All Mountain HT weighing in at 29+, the 6" bike is now 33+ -- so no matter what I ride, I'm pushing a 30lb'r around the 50 this year...maybe literally

 

i'm getting really excited about doing this ride. Realistically i'll be attempting the 25 mile ride. Any tips or advice for a long ride rookie?

 

I think I've decided to do this. I'll be riding the RFX (stripped down of course). Does anyone know the time constraints for the ride? Like make certain check points by a certain time?

Thanks

Mott

Meant to add this link. These videos are absolutely awe inspiring.

http://projectrwanda.org/video-gallery

 

Last year you had to make the first checkpoint in 3 hours if I remember correctly otherwise you were rerouted to do the 25-mile loop rather then continuing on with the full 50-miles.

 

^^^^ Yes, there are sweeps that start 2 hrs later than the 50 mile participants. If they catch you, you will be ask to turn around and head back rather than all the way to Caspers if you're still heading that way. I was a sweep in 2008

 

I was the end sweep for the last 2 years, the last guy was 10 hours, he had major bike problems, but we worked them out.

 

I finished the 50 last year. I saw the sweeps ride past me into Caspers as I was grinding my way back. I stepped it up a notch so they would not make me quit. Fun ride, challenging for us weekend warriors. This year will be my 4th!