Hi to the 2014 Breathless Agony Riders!!

 

We are very excited to report that the 2014 Breathless Agony has sold out again this year!!  We’re looking forward to making sure you have a really memorable day of cycling!!

 

The goal of our entire team is to help you on this brutally hard course and have fun!!  This is a VERY hard ride.  If you have a great attitude and are having fun, this spreads like wildfire to everyone around you and before you know it, you won’t even notice how Breathless you are and how Agonizing the course is!!  So have fun and don’t fear the Grim Reaper!! 

 

A number of us rode the entire Breathless Agony 4 Pass course on 4/20/13.  Chuck took a ton of videos and photos which you can see at

 

http://www.cyclingpros.com/Onyx13WorkersRide.htm

 

In a word, the course was magnificent.  His Strava report confirms that he was Breathless and going backwards through Damnation Alley at

 

http://app.strava.com/activities/49914131

 

but doesn’t show the Thermonuclear Meltdown he suffered on Damnation Alley. 

 

Details about the course are below.

 

The Final Registered Riders List has been posted at

 

http://www.cyclingpros.com/onyxriders14.htm

 

and your name is on it!!

 

Please be sure to read all of this information so you can be well prepared for the tough challenge awaiting you on Saturday.  It has plenty of new information even for those riders who are coming back for “more Agony” this year.

 

NEW BREATHLESS AGONY SOCKS

Each rider starting the Breathless Agony Ride will receive a beautiful pair of Breathless Agony Socks.  These are SO COOL they’ll take your Breath Away!!  Plus, they’ve been scientifically proven to increase your Average On Bike Speed by 1.73 Miles Per Hour so they’re even better than an aero helmet!!

 

If you are riding a Tandem, please reply to this e-mail and let us know who will be on the Tandem.

 

START / FINISH LOCATION

We’ll still be in Sylvan Park in Redlands.  Here are the directions:

Take the 91 East to I-10 and Exit at University St. Turn Left onto University St. then drive .2 Miles. Turn left onto Park Ave. and the Start / Finish Area will be in the Southwest corner of Sylvan Park

Parking is available around Sylvan Park including the sometimes forgotten Northeast area of the park where there is ample parking.  If you park in the vicinity of private homes, please be sure to be quiet and not disturb the sleeping residents given the time of the morning.

 

EARLY MORNING BATHROOMS

The sign on the Bathrooms at Sylvan Park says that they do not open until 7:00 A.M. so they may or may not be open.  Even if they are open, they are pretty basic.

Here’s a good option:  There is a Starbuck's Coffee Shop just 2 miles from Sylvan Park which opens at 5:30 A.M. on Saturdays.  From Sylvan Park, go South on University under the I-10 Freeway and turn Right on Citrus Ave.   Drive .5 Miles and turn right on Redlands Blvd.   Drive .4 Miles and turn right on Orange St.   Drive .3 Miles and the Starbucks is at 627 Orange Street.   We have talked to the nice folks at Starbuck’s, they are prepared for lots of cyclists Saturday Morning, and they will open a little early for us this Saturday.  Of course, you’ll want to support the shop and buy a Starbuck’s product while you’re there!!  Redlands is a really nice town and on the way, you’ll also see a lot of fast food options.  We’ve added a link to a Yahoo Map of the Starbuck’s at

http://www.cyclingpros.com/onyx.htm#Directions

We’ll also have 2 Porta-Potties at Sylvan Park for your use but because of possible long lines, we recommend Starbuck's.

 

CHECK IN

Check In will open at 5:30 A.M. Saturday Morning at the above location.

Registration:

1 – Bring your Helmet and Photo I.D. to Registration – You absolutely must have your Helmet and Photo I.D. with you to register and while riding this event

            Last year, some folks came to registration without their Photo I.D. and we had to turn them away. 

 

2 – Show I.D. To Registration and Volunteer will Check Your Name Off Registration List

 

3 – Sign Waiver

 

4 – You will be given your Rider Packet containing:

          A – Your Route Sheet

          B – Your Helmet Sticker Number which you need to apply to the Left side of your helmet.  Rest Stop volunteers will check to see if you have a Helmet Sticker Number to know whether to feed you or not and also so they know you are registered so they will record your arrival times at each Rest Stop.  Riders without a Helmet Sticker Number won’t be checked in at Rest Stops so they won’t get ride credit.

          C – Your Lunch Ticket

 

5 – Pickup your awesome Breathless Agony Socks – The Sizes are:

M =  7-9

L  =  10-12

XL = 12+

 

After the above is complete you’ll probably want to go back to your car.  When you are ready to start your ride, come back and check out with any of the Timekeepers near Registration so we have your Start Time.

 

If you have friends, enemies, or family members who want to ride the Breathless Agony this year, please don’t have them come to Sylvan Park Saturday morning.  The ride is more than totally sold out and we don’t do Day of Event Registration.  We also don't do ride transfers ... we did that one year and it caused way too many problems for us the day of the event.  We did our very best to handle everyone’s circumstances with Refunds or Rollovers but the deadlines for those options are now long past.  Mark your calendar: Registration for the 2015 Breathless Agony will open on Monday, 1/12/15 at 8:00 P.M.  We will open registration at 8:00 at night in order to allow most riders to register from home so they won't have to do this at work and possibly be unable to register due to corporate firewalls.  The date for the 2015 Breathless Agony will be May 2, 2015.

 

START TIMES

We must all work together to ensure our ability to continue to host this event.  We need to prevent large packs of riders from rolling down the road together, preventing accidents, and preventing bottlenecks at the Rest Stops

 

On 5/03/14 in Redlands, CA, Civil twilight begins at 5:31am and Sunrise is at 5:57am

 

Rest Stop 1 in Beaumont opens officially at 7:45am.  At this point, you will have ridden 25 Miles and climbed 2,189 Feet of Climbing over the “flat” part of the course. 

In 2006, Scott McAfee rode from the Start to Rest Stop 1 in 1:20 on the way to setting the overall course record which stands at 4:37 from the Start to Rest Stop 4 at Onyx Summit.

In 2009, Chuck Bramwell, a mere mortal, rode from the Start to Rest Stop 1 in 1:47 about as fast he could go with the help of his fellow riders on the Worker’s Ride.

 

5:45 - 6:00am  All riders who require more than 8 Hours to complete the 4 Passes.  Please do not start in this timeframe if you can complete the 4 Pass course in under 8 Hours.

 

6:00 - 6:30am  All riders who are attempting the 2 or 3 Pass Options and those riders who require 7 - 8 Hours to complete the 4 Passes.  Please do not start in this timeframe if you can complete the course in under 7 Hours.  If in doubt, start between 6:15 and 6:30am.

 

6:30 - 7:00am  Anyone capable of finishing all 4 Passes in 6 - 7 Hours should start between 6:30 and 7:00am.  If you leave earlier than 6:30am, you run the risk of arriving at Rest Stop #1 before it opens at 7:45 A.M. and you’ll have to wait until it opens.  You will also outrun our timekeepers and photographers so your accomplishment won’t be documented.  Please be encouraging to the slower riders as you pass them because everyone tackling this ride deserves a pat on the back!!

 

7:00 – 7:15am  Anyone capable of finishing all 4 Passes in under 6 Hours should start between 7:00 and 7:15am.  If you leave earlier than 7:00am, you run the risk of arriving at Rest Stop #4 before it opens at 11:30am and you’ll have to wait until it opens.  You will also outrun our timekeepers and photographers so your accomplishment won’t be documented.  Please be encouraging to the slower riders as you pass them because everyone tackling this ride deserves a pat on the back!!

 

7:15am  Anyone capable of finishing all 4 Passes in under 5 1/2 Hours should start at 7:15am. 

 

REST STOP OPEN AND CLOSE TIMES

Rest Stop #1 in Beaumont at mile 25 will be open from 7:45 A.M. - 9:30 A.M.  At this point you will have climbed 2,189 Feet.  Rest Stop #1 will be in the City of Beaumont Parking lot on E 7th and Magnolia, just off of Beaumont Ave.  We will have Porta-Potties for this location.

 

Rest Stop #2 at the Mill Creek Ranger Station at mile 43 will be open from 9:00 A.M. - 10:30 A.M.  We will also have Porta-Potties for this location.  Please thank the Rangers at the Ranger Station for their support of this event.  We couldn’t do it without them.  Rest Stop #2 is at the start of “Damnation Alley”, a road that goes on forever right into Hell on a hot day.  J

 

Rest Stop #3 at Angelus Oaks at mile 54 will be open from 10:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.  Rest Stop #3 is our Bacon stop and Rest Stop Captain Greg Knight reports that they’re grilling up at least 3 Pounds of Bacon for those fastest riders into his Rest Stop.  We will have Porta-Potties for this location. 

 

DO NOT LEAVE ANGELUS OAKS TOWARDS REST STOP #4 AT ONYX SUMMIT AFTER 1:00 P.M.  THE CLIMBS FROM ANGELUS OAKS TO ONYX SUMMIT ARE LONG AND REST STOP #4 CLOSES AT 3:30 P.M.  INSTEAD, PLEASE HEAD BACK TO SYLVAN PARK AND PARTY WITH US AT THE LUNCH THERE.

 

DO NOT ride up to Onyx Summit assuming that our volunteers can drive you down the mountain: you need to ride your bike down the course and back to the Start / Finish location.  The downhill is one of the funnest parts!!  If you can’t ride your bike back to Sylvan Park, you will not be listed as a 4 Pass Finisher.

 

Rest Stop #4 at Onyx Summit at mile 74 will be open from 11:30 A.M. - 3:30 P.M.  We will have Porta-Potties for this location.  Be prepared to PARTY with us at the top!!  Every 4 Pass Finisher will be awarded a Finisher’s Award commemorating their awesome day of cycling!!  DO NOT ride up to Onyx Summit assuming that our volunteers or anyone else can drive you down the mountain: you need to ride your bike down the course and back to the Start / Finish location.  The downhill is one of the funnest parts!!  If you can’t ride your bike back to Sylvan Park, you will not be listed as a 4 Pass Finisher.  It is true however that there are some steep little climbs on Barton Flats in order to get to those downhills.  Take your time and enjoy the breathtaking view: The clock has already stopped at Onyx Summit.  Allow your legs to recover as you spin in an easy gear.

 

TIMING

This event will be timed.  Each Rest Stop will have an List of Riders showing the Helmet Sticker Number and the associated Rider Name which will be in Alpha Order. 

1.      Be sure to show the volunteers your Helmet Sticker Number when you leave at the Start and when you arrive at each Rest Stop.   For your safety and fairness to everyone, you must check in at every Rest Stop including Rest Stop #1.  If you don’t check in at a Rest Stop, we will give you a 15 minute penalty.  You don’t need to check out of the Rest Stops because we only record the time you arrived at each location.  Thank the volunteers: this couldn't happen without them!!

2.      The clock stops when you arrive at the last Rest Stop that you go to.  There is no reason to race down the mountain!!  In fact, the best thing you could do is to easy spin and let your legs recover after all of the climbing they have just done!!

3.      At the finish back at Sylvan Park, you must sign in with the timekeeper or else we will give you a 15 minute penalty. 

The results will be posted on our Web Site at www.BreathlessAgony.org showing the time from the Start to each Rest Stop.  There will be separate categories for Men versus Women versus Tandems.

 

We tip our hat to those of you who are attempting this Second Stage of the “King of the Mountains Century Challenge” at http://planetultra.com/portfolio/king-of-the-mountains/

 

CUTOFF TIMES : Also included on the Route Slips

To complete the 3 or 4 Pass Options, you must begin the climb to Angelus Oaks from the Mill Creek Ranger Station Rest Stop #2 by 10:30 A.M.  The Angelus Oaks Rest Stop #3 will close at 1:00 P.M. and the Onyx Summit Rest Stop #4 will close at 3:30 P.M.   

 

LUNCH, MASSAGE, JERSEYS, T-SHIRTS, BEER GLASSES AND SOCKS

At Sylvan Park, from 1:00 – 5:00 P.M., we will have a Burrito Fiesta Lunch.  Each registered rider will be given a lunch ticket at Registration in the morning.  We'll have a volunteer taking tickets (one pass through only) and handing out a towelette to clean hands before touching utensils.  Additional Lunch tickets can be purchased for $10.00 each at Sylvan Park for family and friends.

 

There will also be Massage Therapists at Sylvan Park who can greatly help you recover from this most difficult ride so put them to work!!  For the 4 Pass Finishers who bring their Finisher’s Award with them from Onyx Summit, the beautiful Breathless Agony Jerseys will be available for purchase at the Finish Line Party. 

 

Speaking of awesome Jerseys, check out the new 2014 Jersey graphic at the top of this e-mail to see a glimpse of the great design this year … we think it’s the best ever!!   You can see all of the Jersey details at

 

http://www.cyclingpros.com/onyxjersey.htm

 

There will also be a limited number of matching Breathless Agony Vests and Arm Warmers available for purchase.  This makes for a really great looking kit. 

 

In the event that we run out of any Breathless Agony clothing this year, we will special order if there is enough demand.  Prepayment for special orders will be required. 

 

We will also have a Breathless Agony T-Shirt as described and shown at

 

http://www.cyclingpros.com/onyxTShirt.htm

 

This has breath-taking Blue, Yellow, Black and Gray logos on a White T-Shirt showing the Grim Reaper chasing you on the Breathless Agony Course as well as "Now - Go Elevate Yourself" on the Front.  This high-quality short sleeve T-Shirt was designed by Robert and Jill Kahler and is available for sale at the Finish Line Party at Sylvan Park.

 

Newly designed Breathless Agony Socks are only $8.00 a pair and will give you a 1.72 MPH increase in your Average Speed.

 

All of these great Breathless Agony products are listed on the Order Page at

 

http://www.cyclingpros.com/onyxjerseyorder.htm

 

so you can order them later as well but they’ll all be available for purchase at the Finish Line party back at Sylvan Park.

 

COURSE

As highlighted on the Route Sheet, don't miss the left turn to Jack Rabbit Trail which is .5 Miles after the Quail Ranch Golf Course.  There is a street sign for Jack Rabbit Trail at the turn!!

 

Test riders report for 2014 that Jack Rabbit trail has a few new danger spots that may have been not there last year.  The two spots, one on the right side of the trail and one on the left side of the trail is where the road partially washed out and slid down the embankment, In those two spots the road is about half it's width. Probably the rain caused the slippage.  So watch your line on Jack Rabbit Trail and think of Paris-Roubaix. 

 

We have met with The Mayor and Mrs. Mayor of Jack Rabbit who have been busy preparing his main road for us.  They are the only folks who live up there!!

 

Several SAG vehicles will be out roaming the course.  Usually SAG vehicles will have a floor pump and basic tools.  However the SAG drivers will likely not be expert mechanics - so please do your best to bring a properly tuned, fully functional bicycle, as well as your own supplies, ability, and desire to happily make any repairs needed along the way.  If you ride exotic racing wheels on the Breathless Agony, you will run the risk that they fail on these tough roads and we can't fix 'em.  We've had a number of riders DNF because of wheel problems.  We sincerely do not want you to be another statistic.

 

The Beaumont turn off of Highway 60 is open to traffic, but it is coned and is only one lane. It seemed pretty safe as few cars exit there. However, on that turn off there are metal drainage grates on the road that are a real danger.  They are a danger because the width of the metal grates is much wider that your bike tire. The grates go in the same direction as your bike would be heading. You would not want your tire to hit them as your tire would "sink" into the grate.  Because of this danger, we will have orange cones in front of them this year. 

 

The climb up to Oak Glen is steeper than ever this year.  The descent off Oak Glen may also be steeper … WATCH YOUR DOWNHILL SPEED.  It’s an extremely fun – world class descent but the turns can be sharper than they look so keep your speed under control especially before going into those turns!!  More than one cyclist has lost it in those turns … and we don’t want you to be one of them.  We had a couple of bad crashes on the first hairpin turn in 2009 due to excessive speed. 

 

The pavement is sweet on the Oak Glen climb after it was repaved in 2012.

 

At the bottom of Oak Glen Road is the intersection with Bryant where there is a traffic light.  Last year the San Bernardino Sheriff watched many cyclists make the right turn without stopping for the light but was kind enough to not give any tickets.  He said that this year will be different.  You MUST stop on a red light before turning right onto Bryant.  As a reminder, we will have a volunteer standing in the bike lane before the right turn at that intersection.  Please do not disregard this volunteer's instructions.  We made a video of this turn for your viewing pleasure at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUDAzH_PYvs

 

This course will not be closed to traffic and will not have police patrolling the roads and intersections.  The road surface conditions will be "terrible to excellent" depending on weather conditions prior to the ride. 

 

We do not offer First Aid services on this ride.  If you have a medical emergency, you should call 911 or we will call 911 for you.

 

Tips from Alan Darnell of the Veloce Santiago Team:  When riding rough pavement, stay back in the saddle.  Your front wheel will tend to glide over the bumps and irregularities with more ease.  Be careful.  Watch your line over the rough sections.  Most of us riding Breathless Agony have spent considerable time on the road.  We know cycling has its risks.  We know that we need to ride within ourselves with the conditions in mind.  Excessive speed is usually the problem.  By controlling your speed, you will greatly reduce your risk.  Even though it is not a race, some ride for time.  Even though the decent is fun, you don't gain any time going to the bottom.  The time stops at the top.  Take it easy going down.

 

WEATHER

Normally, this ride can be cool or cold at the top of the climbs.  Weather.com is forecasting the Start at Redlands to be 61-95 degrees with 0% chance of rain (YAHOO!!), Rest Stop #1 in Beaumont to be 58-88 degrees with 0% chance of rain, Rest Stop #3 at Angelus Oaks to be 54-76 degrees with 0% chance of rain, and Big Bear Lake near Onyx Summit at 8,443 Feet to be 47-74 degrees with a 0% chance of rain.  So it looks like a perfect day for a SERIOUS mountain climb but it could get very hot in Damnation Alley at the start of Pass 3.  Onyx Summit is 1,700 Feet higher than Big Bear Lake so that’s about 5 degrees cooler or possibly a high at Onyx Summit of 79 degrees.  Don’t forget the wind chill: the 2,000 Foot awesome descent from Onyx Summit can be very cold.  Last year, it was nice at Onyx Summit until some clouds rolled in and the temperatures seem to drop 20 degrees so we put on our Windbreakers / Vests / Arm Warmers and headed down.  You need to take at least a Windbreaker, Vest, Arm Warmers and/or Long Fingered Gloves or more.  If in doubt, take the clothes: You may be very glad to have them later at the top of the Mountains you are about to descend!!  We don’t transport drop bags because we believe you should have the clothes with you if it gets unexpectedly cold.

 

We recommend you carry a U.S. Postal Service Express Mail Mailing Envelope which folds up very compactly fitting in your seat pack and which will serve as a great wind protector on your chest for the descents on this course.  These envelopes are made of Tyvek which is wind resistant.  Thanks to the San Diego Randonneurs for sharing this tip: these mailing envelopes work great so pick some up at your Post Office.

 

In 2005, everyone was very cold at the top.  See http://www.cyclingpros.com/Onyx0504.htm for the actual temperatures.  One of the challenges of the Breathless Agony course is the descent which may be very cold so you must come prepared.

 

FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND PERSONAL SUPPORT VEHICLES

We appreciate the many volunteers who help us with the Breathless Agony Century.  We don’t want additional friends and family to wait at the rest stops because the roads are already congested enough with drivers and the cyclists don’t want more cars on the road during the event.  Following, feeding, and constant attending to rider’s needs are not allowed on this ride and we will DQ any rider with a personal support vehicle. 

 

In particular this year, there is no room for additional vehicles at Onyx Summit at the top of the mountain.  There will not be room for any vehicles of family or friends at Onyx Summit.

 

IF YOU DON’T READ ANYTHING ELSE, READ THIS TWICE:

Personal support vehicles are too dangerous for motorists and too dangerous for riders with Personal Support Vehicles. 

Disqualifications are going to be handed out and any of our volunteers are authorized to disqualify riders with Personal Support Vehicles.

Don't risk disqualification because you allowed a Personal Support Vehicle on the course.

This includes non-registered riders used as pacers.  If you bring one, you’ll be DQ’d without warning.

The definition of personal SAG is any vehicle (motor or otherwise), anywhere on the route, operated by someone other than Breathless Agony staff, that is providing any type of aid, assistance, or motivation to any rider, or taking photographs, or simply out cheering.  Please understand that our permits don't allow dozens of extra vehicles on the roads or at Rest Stops.  Imagine the traffic from all those cars!  If you're bringing someone who wants to be out on the course, please have them contact us and join our volunteer staff.

 

DO NOT CUT THE COURSE!!

 

RULES

Traffic regulations must be adhered to at all times: Safety is our most important issue.  Be sure to carry I.D. with you. 

 

Ride single file in pacelines since there are many shoulders not wide enough for double wide pacelines.

 

RUNNING RED LIGHTS IS BOTH DANGEROUS AND AGAINST THE LAW!  Please, DO NOT RUN RED LIGHTS!  If you run a red light or a stop sign, we will have to DQ you but worse, you will have to ride back to Orange County inside our Portable Porta-Potty … trust us, you don’t want that!!

 

The California Highway Patrol is working with us this year to keep control of riders who ride in the middle of the road and don't obey traffic laws.  They will ticket if they see infractions.   Ride to the right single file with utmost courtesy and safety in mind. 

 

You are not allowed to have someone else ride for you.  Chuck tried to have Big Jens Voigt ride for him one year but Robert caught onto that and Chuck was DQ’d.  J

 

You are not allowed to load your bike on a vehicle and drive down from Onyx Summit.  This is further explained at http://www.cyclingpros.com/onyx.htm#q13

In order to get full credit for the 4 Pass Option of this ride and to be able to order the official recognition at the Finish of being able to purchase the coveted Breathless Agony Jersey, you must:

 

1 -- Ride the entire route of 114 Miles with your helmet on the whole way

2 -- Check out with the Timekeeper at the Start, Rest Stops 1, 2, 3, and 4 as well as the Finish at Sylvan Park

3 -- Leave the Angelus Oaks Rest Stop before it closes at 1:00 P.M.

4 -- Arrive at the Onyx Summit Rest Stop before it closes at 3:30 P.M.

 

Before 2006, there was a growing tendency for riders to stop riding at Onyx Summit and ride in a vehicle back to Sylvan Park.  This is no longer allowed.

 

You need to ride your bike the full 114 Miles all the way up to Onyx Summit then all the way down the mountain to the Start / Finish at Sylvan Park in Redlands. This is a 114 Mile Century ... it's not a 74 Mile ride taking you to the top of Onyx Summit where you load your bike into a waiting vehicle and drive down the mountain. The clock stops at the top of Onyx Summit because we want the timing to be like the Mountain Stages on the Tour de France like Alp d'Huez and because we want you to enjoy a nice easy downhill with no time pressure to descend quickly or unsafely.

 

So here's the logic:

-- This is a bike ride and the fewer vehicles we add to the roads, the better and safer it will be for everyone

-- We don't want more vehicles than necessary on the roads ... polluting this beautiful course more ... wasting expensive gas

-- We don't want Personal SAGS helping some riders unfairly ... we will have to disqualify riders with Personal SAGS

-- The 40 Mile descent down the mountain is some of the most exciting and best parts of the ride so take your time and enjoy the scenery

-- The clock stops at the top of the mountain so don't rush coming down ... be safe ... use your brakes ... recover from this most difficult test of your mind and body

-- Spin your legs out nice and easy and you'll feel a whole lot better when you get back to the party at Sylvan Park and the next day

-- There's a beautiful, newly paved, wide bike lane down Damnation Alley from the Forest Falls turn nearly to the Ranger Station

-- There are beautiful green hills down near the Ranger Station that you didn't see on the climb up ... and which you wouldn't even notice in a car

 

The Breathless Agony Century is a 114 Mile ride and we want you to get your money's worth!!

 

NUTRITION AND JET PACKS

We will have GU’s available at the Rest Stops.

We will have “Elevation Fuel” available at the Rest Stops to mix into your Water Bottles.  This is a new product from a small startup company that we have tested extensively in our cycling and we believe it will take your endurance to the next level.  There are 3 flavors: Orange, Black Cherry, and Berry.  This is packaged in 3 ounce serving sizes that you can easily add them to your water bottle giving you 150 calories of long chain good burning carbohydrates. 

We will also have Gatorade powder in Lemon Lime, Orange, and Glacier Freeze flavors to mix into your Water Bottles.

 

We also will have a ton of really good fresh food with great variety and excellent nutrition.  Well, maybe the Mountain Dews and Bacon at Rest Stop 3 aren’t so great nutrition but you gotta have some fun on rides as hard as this one!!  J

 

Don’t forget to ask for a “Damnation Dog” at Rest Stop 2.  These are like pure Rocket Fuel for “Damnation Alley”.

 

And it’s all about the Bacon at Rest Stop #3!!

 

Breathless Agony Jet Packs are still in development as suggested in http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H762vyv2eME and updated in http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soKkYRi94uI   

Alan Ptak, Vice President of Product Development of JetPack Labs reports:

 

“** For immediate distribution **

 

Elite cyclists and event organizers everywhere have been asking continually for news of our next product release.  Well, there's been a great deal of progress in the labs at Jet Pack Inc.  Our brightest minds have been laboring diligently to bring you, our most valued customers, the very latest of technological innovations to help you perform at your absolute best.

 

JetPack version 2.0 revolutionized the marketplace with its aerodynamic design, extensive use of advanced composite materials and rigorous testing.

 

On the eve of the 18th annual Breathless Agony, JetPack Labs is delighted to announce today the release of JetPack version 2.6.

By taking a holistic approach across the entire design, manufacturing and testing process, JetPack 2.6 is lighter, more efficient and more powerful than anything previously believed possible.

 

JetPack 2.6 will shave valuable minutes off your 2014 Breathless Agony time.

 

Faster everywhere, it's efficiency in action.

 

In the hills.

 

On the flats. (Which there aren’t many of).

 

Get free speed.

 

Real world speed.

 

JetPack 2.6

 

Grimm doesn't stand a chance.”

 

In the meantime, to ride like you have a Jet Pack strapped to your back, we highly recommend that you sign up for Robert’s Torture Clinics at http://www.cyclingpros.com/Torture.htm

 

We are sponsored again this year by Bristol Farms which is an outstanding Food Market in Southern California.  Bristol Farms provides the finest assortment and highest quality fresh and specialty foods from around the world - in a warm, friendly, and uniquely designed atmosphere with service and value that exceeds the expectations of their customers.  Please support them since they support us and check out their web site at

 

http://www.bristolfarms.com

 

We are also sponsored by Smart & Final which is the smaller faster warehouse store where businesses and households find great savings on quality food and supplies. They have everything you need for cooking, entertaining and cleaning-up afterwards  Check out their web site at

 

http://www.smartandfinal.com/Homepage.aspx

 

Our charity is Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc. which is a volunteer, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, initiated by members of Trout Unlimited and the Federation of Fly Fishers, that serves military personnel who have come home wounded or injured to aid their physical and emotional recovery by introducing or rebuilding the skills of fly fishing, casting, fly tying, and rod building and by using and enjoying these skills on fishing outings and as lifelong recreation. For those suffering with PTSD, traumatic brain injuries and many other types of disabilities, fly fishing is a powerful stress-reliever.   Many of our participants have told us that PHWFF may have saved their lives, pulling them out of a deep, dark depression following a terrible battlefield injury.  While initially focusing on military personnel in the Washington, DC area, Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing has expanded and is offering its services to active military personnel and veterans in military and VA hospitals across the nation.  Our large program has included about 200 men and women, a variety of disabilities both physical and emotional, veterans of WWII, Korea, Vietnam, First Persian Gulf War, Iraq and Afghanistan.  Check them out at http://www.projecthealingwaters.org/  Many of these great veterans will be helping us at the Rest Stops and the Lunch on the ride!!  Please thank them for their service.

 

OLDEST AND YOUNGEST

A special shout out to these riders who are tackling the Breathless Agony with over 65 years under their belt:

 

 

 

 

FARNSWORTH

REX

73

 

 

GENDA

NEAL

72

 

 

ANDERSON

WILLIAM

71

 

 

GERVAIS

DICK

71

 

 

ROPELE

DONALD

70

 

 

WATSON

WENDY

70

 

 

HARDY

ROGER

69

 

 

STEVENSON

JEFF

68

 

 

JAMES

JIM

67

 

 

KNOWLES

BRIAN

66

 

 

LOCKEN

LARRY

66

 

 

LUM

SILAS

66

 

 

MAURIN

PAUL

66

 

 

 

 

 

And we tip our helmets to these young folks who are tackling the 2014 Breathless Agony:

 

 

 

 

SERNA

ANDREW

20

 

 

CHARLES

PATRICK

23

 

 

HUI

VINCENT

23

 

 

BURDEN

DENNIS

24

 

 

WOLF

AARON

25

 

 

JEFFORDS

CASE

26

 

 

KEENEY

JUSTIN

26

 

 

ROCHA

ALEXANDER

26

 

 

WILSON

JAMIE

26

 

 

WU

FRANKLIN

26

 

 

COLSHAN

ERIN

27

 

 

PETERSON

AARON

27

 

 

YOUNG

GARTH

27

 

 

BRANSON

CHRIS

28

 

 

TENG

CASEY

28

 

 

YOUNG

OMAR

28

 

 

PETTIT

SHAWN

29

 

 

ROBERTSON

BRANIGAN

29

 

 

ROTHACKER

RYAN

29

 

 

SMITH

AJ

29

 

 

WICK

JOHN

29

 

 

WILSON

STEPHEN

29

 

 

 

 

 

 

TIPS

This is a very difficult but beautiful ride.  It will take your breath away!!  Remember to put on your Sunscreen.  Pace yourself: Start out slowly, take your time, stop at the food stops, drink and eat enough along the way.  We have received over 7,000 Pounds of Food and Water on 4 HUGE Pallets and there is still more to arrive!!  Have fun on those downhills but be sure to ride safe!!  Conservative pacing, cheerful optimism, and appreciative awareness can be important ingredients in this ride.   Most of all work hard, enjoy yourself, and ride safely!!

 

We are continued to be amazed how difficult but beautiful the Breathless Agony course is.  It’s more difficult than any stage of the Tour de France that we’ve been able to see.   You can see how the pros climbed Oak Glen in the 2007 Redlands Bike Classic Results at Velonews.com where they wrote:

 

"Climbing 1690 feet in about 8km at an average grade of 6.7 percent, Oak Glen is a hard climb for March."  Of course, on the Breathless Agony, the Oak Glen Climb is only Pass 2 … it just a warm up for the longer, endless climbs to follow.  The Breathless Agony is truly agonizing with most of it's climbing in the 30 miles from the Mill Creek Ranger Station to the top of Onyx Summit ... a "brute of a climb that just goes up and up."  From the start in Redlands, you’ll be climbing over 12,000 Feet in 114 Miles!!

 

Thanks for coming out for this most amazing cycling challenge.  We're looking for your suggestions!!  We hope to see you next year!!

 

Robert (Bossman) Kahler at www.CyclingPros.com

Jill (Mr. Jill) Kahler at www.MrJills.com

Chuck (Bramster) Bramwell at www.CalTripleCrown.com