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Dear Sturdy Riders,
With the arrival of the Holiday Season, we send our warmest Season's Greetings to all. May the coming New Year bring all you wish for. Our thoughts also turn to our brave military forces currently deployed in harm's way. We wish them Godspeed and a safe return. They have earned our eternal gratitude through selfless service and countless sacrifices.
The 7th Annual 2011 Stagecoach Century is set to roll on Saturday, Jan 15, '11. This is your only chance to ride Stagecoach in 2011. This premier century has consistently been named by Bicycling Magazine as a "Best in Cycling" event. There's no better way to kick off an exciting New Year of cycling!
New for 2011:
+ Custom Stagecoach Medal & Pin
+ Long Course / Short Course Pricing Options
+ Time Trial Options (Solo/Tandem/Team)
Stagecoach Weather: Below are weather conditions from all past January Stagecoach Century rides. Jan is usually ideal for cycling, but it can be cold, windy, or both--that's just the desert being the desert. Since a picture is worth a thousand words, please check out the photo galleries. See for yourself. Riders, in Jan, with short sleeve jerseys, is a fairly good indicator!
2005: Mild temps 50-70 F, mild winds 5-10 MPH,
Sunny/Warm. Photos
2006: Mild temps 48-65 F, sustained winds 10-12,
gusts to 20-25 MPH, Sunny/Windy. Photos
2007: Cold temps 28-42 F, mild winds 5-10 MPH,
gusts to 15 MPH, Some Sun/Cold. Photos
2008: Warm temps 48-74 F, mild winds 3-9 MPH,
gusts to 15 MPH, Sunny & Warm. Photos
2009: Warm temps 45-82 F, mild winds 3-5 MPH,
gusts to 10 MPH, Sunny & Warm. Photos
2010: Mild temps 49-74F, mild winds 3-5 MPH,
gusts to 10 MPH. Photos
Our ambitious goal for 2011 is to attract 1,100 Sturdy Stagecoach riders. In this tough grinder economy, we sure appreciate your support. We invite you to register for the ride today. To help, we're continuing our special $15 discount promocode "OM15" to past riders and members of the Interest List. Once you're in, please encourage all your cycling friends to join you at Stagecoach.
 
The winter cycling season in San Diego and Imperial County deserts offers mild seasonal temps, deep blue skies, clean air, and spectacular desert scenery with blooming wildflowers, Ocotillo plants, and greenery all along the course, especially near the turnaround in Shelter Valley. All this with minimal traffic!
What makes Stagecoach singularly unique is the remote desert location. The route parallels the Great Southern Overland Stage Route of 1849, the "real" Pony Express. Portions of the GSO are clearly visible along the ride. Most of the land is Anza-Borrego State Park or Bureau of Land Management protected public land, meaning it's our land to enjoy and protect.
The Stagecoach course has no stoplights, very low vehicle traffic, and minimal commercial and residential buildings. The course is on County Route S2, a well-maintained paved road, with mostly excellent road surfaces, and is 50 miles out, 50 miles back, with only 2 lonely stop signs.
This idyllic platform makes many optional distances available to each rider, based on personal conditioning and weather conditions the day of the ride. With 6 carefully spaced, fully-stocked Rest Stops, all riders are well supported in both directions, regardless of distance. Support is never more than 9 miles away. With some forethought, Stagecoach offers something special for all cycling levels, beginner to expert. Please visit Rider Levels for no-nonsense advice on how to safely, and successfully, ride Stagecoach.
To sustain this marquee event, reaching new riders is vital. Please post a message & link to Stagecoach on your social networks, club websites. And email your cycling buddies inviting them to join you. We're most grateful for your support!
It's easy to spread the word, just click on any "Forward to a Friend" icon below. Many past riders tell us Stagecoach ranks as one of their most memorable cycling achievements. It's well worth the remote location. Driving is on Interstate Freeways, all the way to Ocotillo.
Here's what's included with your paid entry:
Ride Registration
Rider Email Updates
Detailed Final Rider Instructions
Included Lunch Meal
Cue sheet for all route distances
Free parking
Free primitive camping nearby
Martin Luther King Long Weekend
6 fully stocked rest stops + included lunch
Photography services
Dedicated Law Enforcement
Tom Cody's roving Bike Mobile support van
Course sweep vans and vehicles
Lunch option in Shelter Valley or Ocotillo
DJ / Mini Expo / Festivities at the Finish
Rider goodie bag
Gear drop at Start and Rest Stop #1
Optional Post-ride Pasta Meal
Optional Post-ride Hamburger Meal Deal
Refund/Rollover/Transfer Options
50 miles out, 50 miles back, that simple!
Start/Finish at the Ocotillo Community Park
Optional 4-Person 100-Mile Team Time Trial
Full Century Finishers names posted online
Comprehensive Round up email
NEW: Custom Meal and Pin
NEW: Long Course / Short Course Pricing
NEW: Solo & Tandem Time Trial Options
www.shadowtour.com
Sponsor Corral:
a. World Cycles: Save 10% off most parts and accessories and Save 20% off Tune-ups. Great deals on bikes too. Ask Owner Alex about Coaching and Training Systems. Look for the Yellow World Cycles Pick-up at the Start/Finish and along the course!
b. Nytro: Special 20% off Tune ups. Ask for Walt at the shop and mention Stagecoach. Walt will be riding Stagecoach as his first major comeback event after a long period of recovery from a serious injury. We wish him the very best!
c. Leucadia Cyclery: Mention Stagecoach to receive a 10% discount off most parts and accessories, including Tune-ups! Owner Fred is a cool guy, who has mastered the Art of fixing all things Bicycle.
d. Attorney Richard Duquette offers wise legal advice for riders: "Dont skimp on insurance!". Check out his article on Under/Uninsured motorists. Richard and wife Kim, are avid cyclists, triathletes and Stagecoach vets. Contact Richard at 760-730-0500.
e. Mission Valley Resort: The Host Hotel for Stagecoach is offering riders a special price. Click here for details.
f. Sport Action Photos: New official photographer, specializing in capturing unique action-oriented rider photos at affordable prices.
g. America by Bicycle: We are the #1 fully-supported Coast to Coast Bicycle Touring Company in America. We feature rides dedicated to touring the U.S.A. in the best possible way, on the seat of your bicycle. We have the most routes, the best support, and the most experince to help you realize your dream of riding across the country! All of our crossings are divided into smaller stages for riders on the multi-year dream. Come by our booth after the ride and find out more!
h. Ellsworth Bicycles: Celebrating 20 years in 2011, Ellsworth Handcrafted Bicycles has a new line-up of Mountain and Road bikes. Ellsworth Factory rider Slater Fletcher just placed 3rd at the Ultraman World Championship in Hawaii on the Coefficient, our new TT bike! Visit www.ellsworthbikes.com to learn more.
We look forward to seeing everyone in January. Until then, enjoy the Holidays, keep to the right of the white line, and always ride safely!
Respectfully,
Jim & Larry
Managing Members
Shadow Tour, LLC
ST Promotions, LLC
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