Caldera 250/500 – Usher is IN!
The Caldera 250/500 start list is blowing up. I’ve you’re registered, check your email – we just sent out the GPX tracks and cue sheets. If you didn’t get it, shoot us en email.
20+ people have already indicated their desire to seek the pain cave in the endorphin forest. And we’ve hit the mainstream! Who woulda thunk that bikepacking would cross over to hip hop icons and teeny bopper heart throbs. Usher just hit me up and said he’s gonna crush the 250 and is training hard right now. He said he’s even gonna work some lyrics into his next single… “What up Habeggar, zig zaggin Coyote Traverse, lungs implodin, best bring a nurse, better yet a hearse don’t need no baggage I’m packin, not heat, just 4 liters, try to step i dare ya, i’ll make you my biatch Caldera…”
Also, Taylor Lautner said he’s gonna do the full 500 to get in shape before the filming of Twilight 7 in October.
60k of climbing ain’t ish
So yeah.. if you haven’t registered, get on the list. Only registered folks will receive gpx, cues, and official updates. Here’s some more general route info and other stuff:
- Stats and Scoop – The 250 is identical to the 500 until it splits apart towards the end of the Glass Mtn Traverse and makes its way back to Mammoth. Topofusion is telling us these stats:
- 500 = 480 miles, 65k climbing
- 250 = 256, 31k climbing
- Bears – always a potential concern in the Sierra, so bring some paracord to hang food if you’re camping in a potential bear zone – or at least sleep away from your food. Otherwise, nippy dogs or grumpy bulls are probably a bigger threat.
- Toughest sections – Probably Coyote climb, Volcanic Tablelands to Bodie, and the Sweetwaters/Mt. Patterson climb
- Longest stretch without water/resupply – Volcanic Tablelands to end of the Glass Mtn traverse — that’s one tough section with only a water tank for sheep at the start of the Glass climb and a creek in Taylor Canyon or Adobe Creek. Camel skills required.
- Water filter – definitely. Lots of natural water opportunities on most of the route, and in some places, your only option. CARRY A FILTER.
- Terrain – lots of climbing, lots of descending. Mostly doubletrack, some stellar singletrack, some fireroad miles, and not so much pavement. Volcanic dirt in spots, soft and moto’d out in spots, which leads to…
- Bikes/tires – run whatcha brung – but fat tires are good. 2.35-2.5’s seem good – my 29+ is gobbling it up. so yummy. comfy hiking shoes = important.
- As always, feel free to contact us at any time, for any reason 🙂
Caldera 250/500 Registration Opens Now
Okee dokes. With the Caldera 250/500 exactly two months from today, we figured it’s time.
Click here to register. We are capping the Grand Depart at 45 participants. Honestly, we have no clue how many people will be interested in this sufferfest/magical carpet ride – but we’re covering our arses.
- If necessary, riders will be wait-listed in the order their registration was received, and bumped up in line as people back out. Kinda like flying stand-by.
- Want to ride the route, but not available for the GD? No problem, but you’ll still need to register for an Individual Time Trial – only registered folks will receive gpx tracks, cue sheets, route updates, and be considered “official finishers”.
- If the registration form is confusing, or you have any questions at all – please don’t hesitate to Contact Us or post in the comments of this blog post.
We’re hoping to send out the gpx tracks and cue sheets for both the 250 and 500 around August 1st. We’re doing our best to make sure the tracks and cues are accurate and 100% legal, so it’s likely there will be some updates after the initial release – but all in all, the route is done. Let’s get excited like the Pointer Sisters!
I’m about to lose control and I think I like it.
Fun in the Summer – Calendar, Updates, ETC
Man, it’s so fun seeing all the mtb buzz in town this week for natty’s and all summer long – hope everybody is enjoying it!! Here is some important stuff – spread the word:
- July 16th – weekly mtb Youth Ride 4:30pm at Adventure Center – Main Lodge – FREE bike rental and FREE pedal passes – more kids on bikes!!! – MORE INFO
- July 24th – DH VC’s round #3 – get more info, results, race calendar, etc
- August 22nd -Bodie Bowl – mountain bike race in historic Bodie – more info
- August 29th – Ezakimak- climb up Mammoth Mountain – more info
- Sept 6 – Big Friggin Loop (and Mini Friggin Loop) – great fitness builder for those riding the century and Kami
- Sept 12 – High Sierra Fall Century / Gran Fondo
- Sept 18 – Caldera 250/500 – enough said
- Sept 24-27 – Kamikaze Bike Games
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