Stagecoach

Date:              Saturday, January 18, 2014
                        Registration Opens Soon!
Distances:     100/90/84/73/50/26 mile options
Location:       Ocotillo, California (80 miles east
                        of San Diego, just off Interstate 8)
Address:        266 West Imperial Highway
                        Ocotillo, CA 92259 (map it)
Field Limit:    750 / max 25 TTT Teams
Start Times:    
     Time Trial Riders:     7:00 A.M. - 7:10 A.M.
     All Riders:                  7:10 A.M. - 9:00 A.M.

Welcome Riders!

	Sturdy Riders receive all these great features with paid entry:
Ride registration Detailed Final Rider Instructions Included Subway lunch meal Plenty of free parking Camp for free 2 miles from start Cue sheet and maps for all routes Riders select distance: 26 to 100 miles Six fully stocked rest stops, plus lunch and rest stop items in Shelter Valley Photography Services Dedicated law enforcement Roving mechanical support Lunch choice in Ocotillo or Shelter Valley DJ/festivities at Ocotillo Park Gear drop at Start/Finish & Rest Stop #1 Optional post-ride Pasta Meal Goodie bag Refund/Rollover/Transfer (click here) Easy navigation course; 50.0 miles straight out-and-back Cool Start/Finish area at 3.5 acre Ocotillo Community Park Optional "Ultimate 100 Mile 4-Person Team Time Trial" Optional Chip Timing for Full Century  Full Century Finisher Names & Cities posted on the Stagecoach website Comprehensive "Round up" email Custom Finisher Medal and Pin Long Course/Short Course Prices Solo/Tandem/Team Time Trials NEW FOR 2013: Official Strava Segments NEW FOR 2013:  Optional "Tec T-shirts" NEW FOR 2013:  Trophies Men & Women                               TTT & Solo Champions
CUSTOM MEDAL & PIN FROM CROWN AWARDS 2013 Stagecoach Medal    Ultimate Cycling       Adventure Pin 2013 Stagecoach Pin
WELCOME NEW VISITORS! Facebook       Bikeride.com                   WorldCycles.com El Tour           Socaltrailriders.com         BBC Network NCCC            Team in Training              Constant Contact Bikelink.com  TandemBicycling.com       Active.com Cibike.org      Rideofthecentury.com      SDC Velogirls.com Solvang Prelude               Tour de Poway efgh.com       Northcountycycleclub.com Raceplace.com Latriclub.com Breakaway-training.com    Rexcycles.com Prerace.com  Beginnertriathlete.com     Runnersworld.com
2006 Sturdy Stagecoach Rider           Approaching base of Campbell Grade

SADDLE UP!
THE WILD WEST IS CALLING
~ YOU! ~

10th Annual Stagecoach Century
Saturday, January 18, 2014
Ocotillo - Shelter Valley - Ocotillo
California, U S A


2012 Finish Line!
Nick B. (Poway, CA) & Laurel M. (Alpine, CA)
  Courtesy SportActionPhotos.com



2013 Stagecoach Jersey


2008 Stagecoach Century glorious weather!


2011 Stacey (363) from Torrance, CA and Patricia (396) from Manhattan Beach at Rest Stop #7
Photo Courtesy SportActionPhotos.com


2009 Sunrise in Ocotillo, Courtesy Brightroom.com


2009 Michael from San Diego, CA
Nearing Rest Stop #1
photo courtesy Brightroom.com


2008 Relaxing spin out in the desert, in January!
Photo Courtesy Brightroom.com


BEWARE of "Jumping" Cholla Cactus!
Don't touch, or even go near, these prickly devils
Photo Courtesy Brightroom.com

     2013 Stagecoach "Tec" T-shirts

Stagecoach Century sign at Ocotillo Community Park, updated Dec 16, '12

2013 Voler Jersey, Club Fit, 3/4 Front Zipper, 3 Rear Pockets     
        
     
                          2013 Voler Jersey Front                                                2013 Voler Jersey Back
                                                                     
                                                                   Click here for Sizing Charts
                                                                          

Shadow Tour Logo with lettering "The Ultimate Cycling Adventure"
Khaki/Black Bill	Khaki/Hunter Bill	Khaki/Sky Blue Bill	Khaki/Navy Bill
Stagecoach Logo
Khaki/Black Bill	Khaki/Hunter Bill	Khaki/Sky Blue Bill	Khaki/Navy Bill

Course Maps and Profiles:

Stagecoach Century Route

          For better resolution and ease of printing, click here to download Stagecoach Course Map as PDF 

         

Stagecoach Driving Map

          For better resolution and ease of printing, click here to download Stagecoach Driving Map as PDF 

          
          
       

Cyclist Levels:  Click here for detailed Rider Levels tips and advice.

The Stagecoach course is moderately difficult overall.  It is signicantly affected by weather conditions on the day of the ride. All cyclists need to assess their own physical conditioning, weather conditions, and course profiles when deciding what distance to ride. The course has several options marked, however, all riders may adjust their distance by safely excuting a u-turn along the out-and-back course.

For beginner cyclists, we recommend starting at the early start time. Typical beginner riders take eight to ten hours including stops to ride the 100-mile Stagecoach, depending on weather conditions. More advanced cyclists typically complete the entire route in under seven hours with minimal stops. The very fastest cyclists will be under six hours.  Team Time Trial teams may finish well under 5 hours in good conditions.

SPECIAL NOTE FOR BEGINNERS AND RIDERS NEW TO SHADOW TOUR:   

Shadow Tour rides are hosted in remote locations.  This optimizes natural scenery and minimizes vehicular traffic.  As a direct consequence, some riders experience a sense of isolation and feel they have been left completely alone out on the course because there are no urban areas or heavy traffic around them.  This is normal, especially on a long and unfamiliar desert century ride.  Anxiety levels also tend to rise when weather conditions make riding more difficult.

Rest assured, our courses are designed in such a way that you are never more than 9 miles (in front or to the rear) away from an on-course Rest Stop support or small community along the route.  Further, we have patrolling CHP support and our own roving SAG Wagons on the course continuously.  There are also many cyclists riding in both directions so you can flag one down if you need help.  This does not mean we can immediately evacuate every single rider at a moment's notice -- we can't--neither can any other major ride.  But we will get to you as quickly as possible if you need help. 

We strongly recommend riders unfamiliar with our course, or riders attempting their first full century, to take it "one small bite at a time".  At Stagecoach, you have the freedom to ride north on S2, and at any time, you may safely turn around and ride back south (with full Rest Stop support) to the start/finish at the Ocotillo Community Community Park.  So if you're not sure of your level of conditioning, or if weather conditions develop out on the course, as they typically do in remote sections of the desert, consider turning back early.  You have the option to reconsider.  For example, you might ride north to Rest Stop #2 near 25 miles, then return south to Ocotillo giving you 50 miles; then repeat the process to complete a full century.

Our on-course resources such as SAG vehicles, communications, and volunteers are always limited.  Don't expect a Shadow Tour vehicle to pick you up the instant you feel you cannot continue--it's simply not possible.  If you feel you need help, try calling us on your cell phone, or dial 911 if it's an emergency, try flagging down another cyclist or motorist, or simply ride or walk back to the nearest Rest Stop and let the volunteers know you need assistance.  We'll do our best to get you back to the start/finish as soon as possible.  Keep a level head out there and be patient.  Constantly ask yourself how you're doing.  Use every single rest stop for fluids and energy products, including salt (pretzels or E-Caps) and bananas and Clif energy bars (major bonk busters).  Keep an eye on the weather, your time, and how other riders are progressing.  If you have any doubt, turn back early.  You still have lots of options to have a great ride! 

Registration:

Online and mail-in registration is open.   Click below to sign-up.

     We encourage riders to register early and SAVE BIG!

     • Concerned about committing early? Please visit our Refund/Rollover/Transfer Policy 

     Payment by Credit Card: processed online through Active.com. Riders receive a confirmation email from
     Active.com when their entry has been processed successfully. Riders without computers may call
     Active.com Customer Service at 1-877-228-4881 to register by phone.

     Payment by Check: download the registration form,  complete, sign, and mail it with a check.

      IMPORTANT EMAIL & SPAM NOTICE: All our rider correspondence is through email. Please insure we
     always have a valid email for you or a friend who can relay messages to you. Additionally, be sure your
     spam filter allows inbound email from these two sources:

     support "@" active.com  AND support "@" shadowtour.com

     Regrettably, we cannot verify bounced emails from spam filters requiring the sender (us) to actively
     respond (type a response). We are not responsible for missed emails caused by rider spam filters. We
     understand and support controls of unwanted spam. However, with thousands of emails to our riders,
     it is impossible for us to individually respond to these kinds of active response spam filters.

Registration Categories and Prices:  

    
    1.    Ride takes place rain or shine, wind, heat, or cold 
    2.    Refunds, Transfers, and Exchanges are permitted per Shadow Tour Policies.
    3.    Lunch is INCLUDED with all rides (select:  Start/Finish in Ocotillo, or halfway, in Shelter Valley) 
    4.    “Post-Ride” Pasta Meals are OPTIONAL:  $12 prior, $15 day of event. 
    5.    Voler Jerseys:  Riders ordering jerseys by Nov 15 will receive them at packet pick-up. 
           After Nov 15, riders ordering jerseys receive them by mail in Mar (free shipping). 
    6.    T-shirts: Riders ordering t-shirts receive them at packet pick-up. Refunds issued if sizes run out.
    7.    All riders register as individuals, online or by mail, this includes tandems, teams, and clubs 
    8.    All riders select, in advance, location for included lunch meal, Shelter Valley -OR- Ocotillo.
    9.    Individual / Team Time Trial is optional.  There is no additional fee for Time Trial participation.
    10.  Unclaimed Gear Bags/Jerseys/T-shirts:  Will be mailed upon receipt of $8 to cover shipping expenses. 

Lodging

OFFICIAL HOST HOTEL :

        

Shadow Tour is pleased to announce the Official Host Hotel is the Kings Inn San Diego for the 2012 Stagecoach Century.  This charming, beautifully landscaped property is in the heart of Mission Valley, near San Diego's Old Town, the birthplace of California, with many of San Diego's major attractions nearby. 

The Kings Inn welcomes you back to a gentler world, with a sense of authentic hospitality, whether a kind smile from a front desk agent, or the sincere warmth of a a server bringing a steaming plate of waffles to your table, or refreshed guest rooms that give you the feeling of returning home.  You’ll find all you need as you prep for the Stagecoach Century.  

A San Diego hotel has been selected as the Host Hotel because there are no convenient options near the actual Start/Finish in Ocotillo.  From the the Kings Inn property, Ocotillo is about a 1 hr 20 min drive (approx. 80 miles) heading due east on Interstate 8 Freeway. It’s an easy & scenic drive on Saturday morning—you won’t be disappointed. The huge advantage, for all riders, is the convenient Friday afternoon packet pickup at the Kings Inn Meeting Rooms.  You can pick up your packet (and a friend's packet with written/email permission) a full day in advance, allowing you to be all set to ride immediately upon arrival in Ocotillo on Saturday morning. WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE ALL RIDERS to pick up rider packets at the hotel on Fri, Jan 11, '13, Noon–8:00 P.M. All riders will still have the option to pick up rider packets at the Start/Finish in Ocotillo on Saturday morning from 6:45 – 9:00 A.M.

2013 Updates:  The Kings Inn is offering an exclusive Stagecoach Daily Rate of $59 plus tax for all Stagecoach riders, based on availability, with guaranteed Best Room Available.  This special promotion ends two weeks prior to the event date.  It's always best to book as far in advance as possible!  

To book your reservations, please telephone, Local: (619) 297-2231, or Toll Free: 800-785-4647, and mention Promocode "Stagecoach" at the time you make your reservations.  Click here visit the Kings Inn website.  Cancellations require 48-hours advance notice.

      Kings Inn San Diego 
      1333 Hotel Circle South
      San Diego, CA 92108

      Google Directions:  Click Here

      Direct Dial:  619-297-2231
      Toll Free:    800-785-4647
      Fax:           619-296-5255
  

Top 10 Friday Packet Pickup BENEFITS:

1.   Avoid lines on Saturday in Ocotillo.
2.   Calmly review your rider packet, Final Rider Instructions, course maps, and other swag items.
3.   Carefully affix ride numbers to helmet in advance, vastly improving the odds of identification
      by photographers out on the course.
4.   Review any last minute details, maps, and instructions provided in your packet the night prior.
5.   Avoid a round-trip from your car to the registration area, and back, on Saturday morning.
6.   Pick up rider packets in the relaxed environment of the Kings Inn Meeting Rooms.
7.   Easy in & out FREE PARKING for packet pickup.
8.   Chance to purchase t-shirts and jerseys while most sizes are likely available.
9.   Ask questions or get information about the ride on Friday afternoon/evening when volunteers
      and staff are not as pressed for time (like they are early Saturday morning in Ocotillo).
10.  Sign up Friday at the “Regular” price. On Saturday morning, all entry categories go up $5. 
      Credit Card or Cash accepted.  There is an ATM in the Kings Inn lobby.

MORE LODGING OPTIONS:   Listed below are hotel, motel, and camping options in the vicinity of Ocotillo. The small town of Ocotillo has only modest accommodations. The primary reason Stagecoach is such a low-traffic and pristine ride is due to its isolated location. The closest hotels are in El Centro, about 27 miles east of Ocotillo via Interstate 8. Overall, these are very good options considering the distance from Ocotillo and mix of quality and affordable hotels. If you prefer to stay in San Diego on Friday night and drive out to Ocotillo early Saturday morning, there are many other San Diego hotel options available.  Listed below are the some reasonably priced hotel options listed by distance from Ocotillo.  Note:  Don't confuse "Ocotillo" with "Ocotillo Wells".  Ocotillo Wells is about 60 miles away from Ocotillo (Start/Finish).