MULHOLLAND CHALLENGE RIDE REPORT
109 miles - 12,500 feet of climbing*
One of the toughest events in Southern California

The fourth annual KING OF THE MOUNTAINS CENTURY CHALLENGE is off to a great start! A record 429 riders headed to the hills and were treated to an epic day of climbing on a perfect day for cycling, with sunny skies and cool temperatures.

*A last-minute course change due to road construction made the route just a tad shorter, but with nearly as much climbing (reports came in from 11,000' to 12,600').  Instead of climbing Stunt and descending Piuma at the end, we saved the steepest climb for last. The route was the same from the start to the super steep and curvy descent on Deer Creek to the coast. Then, we made some changes: Riders tackled the 7-mile climb up Mulholland, then bombed down Encinal back to the coast before making the often dreaded climb up Decker. The route ended with the rolling hills on Mulholland all the way to Las Virgenes and the finish in Calabasas.

Heartfelt thanks to the wonderful Planet Ultra volunteer staff who made the Mulholland Challenge the best ever!
Rider Check-In (PM):  Nabil Abu-Gazaleh, Brian Bowling, Deborah Bowling, Alan Darnell, Ted Trubenbach
Rider Check-in (AM):  Brian Bowling, Deborah Bowling, Bill Meadows, Tom Parkes
Start Line Time Keepers: Bill Meadows, Hal Roseman, Renee Smith, Roger Zaitlen
PB&J prep: Deborah Bowling, John Clare, Alan Darnell, Yvonne Hardt, Alex Phoenix, Rob Phoenix, Bill Meadows, Ted Trubenbach
Water Stop on  Mulholland: Yvonne Hardt, Paul Haussler, Chris Hedberg, Tom Parkes
CP#1 Peter Strauss Ranch -  Lynn Katano, Bill Meadows, Rob Phoenix, Hal Roseman, Roger Zaitlen
CP#2 Little Sycamore -  Nabil Abu-Gazaleh, Clem Bartolai, John Clare, Mark Kaufman, Ira Kucheck, Renee Smith
Mini CP Deer Creek -  hosted by our friends at Bicycle Johns: Marcus Edvalson, John Fries, Candis Marko
CP#3 Triunfo Park - Linda Bott, Judy Mullins
CP#4 Bardsdale - Chris Hedberg, John Long
CP#5 Decker - John Clare, Ira Kucheck, Frank Neal, Hal Roseman, Roger Zaitlen
CP#6 Peter Strauss Ranch. - Nabil Abu-Gazaleh, Aaron Bluhm, Kermit Ganier, Lynn Katano,Bill Meadows
Top O' Stunt: Nancy Baisch, Terri Boykins, Karla Johnston 
Roving SAG: Brian Bowling, Paul Haussler, Mark Kaufman, Tom Parkes, Rob Phoenix, Doug Patterson, David Slaton
Finish Line: Deborah Bowling, Yvonne Hardt, Tom Parkes

As usual, we're not going to comment now on the standings, as some riders may or may not be riding the 2009 Stage Two, Breathless Agony. But heartfelt congratulations to all of the riders who completed this super tough course.

We will, however, comment briefly on the results as it pertains to the 15-minute time penalty given to ten riders who either failed to stop for stickers at any one of the six sticker stops (each of whom had someone vouch for their having ridden every mile), or who failed to check out with the time keeper, in violation of the event rules. Our general policy is to DQ riders who violate the rules; not to be harsh, but in fairness to those who play by them. That said, the 15-minute penalty was an exception in 2008, which we'll extend to 2009 only because we had to change the course at the last minute which may have caused some confusion. Starting in 2010 and beyond, the penalty for violating any rule will be a DQ in the results. We do expect riders who participate in Planet Ultra events to read, understand and agree to abide by all of the rules.

We know some folks think the sticker stops are silly. But the truth is, they're absolutely necessary; because a few folks will cheat if we don't impose the sticker rule (and in fact, some folks cheat even with it). The King of the Mountains jersey would have no meaning if we didn't make a big effort to ensure that only folks who actually finish the rides are recognized as finishers who earn and may wear the jersey. Successfully completing the three super challenging events is a huge accomplishment for those riders who set this goal and work hard for many, many months to achieve it. The King of the Mountains jersey is a symbol of great achievement - and we want to keep it that way! We're genuinely proud and impressed with the effort extended by the riders who earn it, and think they should be proud too!

That said, some riders listed as DNF came to the finish with one or both stickers missing from Decker.  A few of them did have 6 stickers; but instead of each sticker being a different color, 2-3 of them were the same color. Those riders claimed that a couple of the sticker stops ran out of the designated color and used another color. That was a blatant lie - as only one color sticker was sent to each checkpoint (with 2 to Decker: One color designated for the first visit and the other for the second); and we do have leftovers of each color. Those riders probably took stickers from their friends at the end. One rider actually had the gall to come to the finish with a couple of dark green stickers-- and we didn't even use green this year! We used pink, blue, teal, black, red and yellow. Other riders insisted that the red sticker earned from climbing Decker must have fallen off.  But the Planet Ultra staff member at Decker who gave out stickers reported that he only gave red ones to riders he personally witnessed coming UP Decker; and that several had tried unsuccessfully to mingle in and get the red sticker even though it was clear that they hadn't done the climb. One rider at the finish who was very insistent (and indignant) that the red sticker fell off, had her Garmin photographed by a witness outside - which proved the rider completed only 90 miles. The cheaters should have been listed as DQ; but we're not going to call anyone out. They know who they are - and should be ashamed of their cheating behavior.

It may not be a perfect system; and yes, we're aware that when a rider's number gets really wet from sweat the stickers don't adhere as well. But many riders came in with their numbers in pretty bad shape; yet the stickers were there nonetheless! Lots of riders reported that the volunteers pushed the stickers on really well to assure they wouldn't come off, and did a great job with that. And still, some riders finished with their numbers looking brand-spankin' new... and still claimed the stickers fell off. Honestly, considering how few riders finished without all the stickers (including those who came in to report themselves DNF), we just couldn't buy that most of the time.  Regardless, we're going to come up with something 100% reliable for next year.

A huge thank you to Hammer Nutrition for providing the great products - Sustained Energy, Heed and Endurolytes - that helped riders do their best on this tough course!

Totally unsolicited, but greatly appreciated, rider feedback:

"What a bike ride!  If there is any better way to spend a day I would be hard pressed to find it.  The scenery was stunning, even outrageously beautiful and was matched only by the ferocity of the climbs.  Paired with the flawless organization of the ride and superb support we received at each of the SAG stops from the generous volunteers it made for the most sublime of experiences.  I am honored to have been able to ride the Mulholland Challenge.  I cannot thank all of you who made it possible enough...but thank you!!"  Michael Barbour - Queen Creek, AZ

"Just a quick note to say that the Mullholland Challenge was just a beautiful event! You guys put it on so smoothly that it really makes it a joy to ride. The course was fun and interesting with the Caltrans dictated change. Most importantly, the staff volunteers were truly helpful, rushing to fill water bottles and encouraging even the most tired riders. They must have good guidance from the management team!" Bill Birrell, Santa Monica, CA

"Thank you for organizing an incredibly beautiful ride.  The SAGs were great and the people working the SAGs were wonderful. Thank you, too, for keeping it an 'honest' ride and for acknowledging how hard most of us had to work to train for that ride and to finish it!!! Looking forward to the other 2 KOM rides." - Fern Kissel, Oceanside, CA

"Thank you for a organizing and holding Mulholland Challenge 2009.  Tremendous job!" - David Tartt, Dana Point, CA

"Another epic event that provided an adequate amount of suffering amid some of the most spectacular views in the country. Very well organized, great food, volunteers etc. You put on a great ride as usual! Thank you and I look forward to next years event!" -Lauren White, Oak Park, CA

Click here to view photos taken on the course by Brian McGovern of Pixareus.com.

Click here to view photos by the guys at RockStorePhotos, who were out there to photograph speeding motorcycles, but who were kind enough to take shots of us too!

2009 MULHOLLAND CHALLENGE RESULTS:
STAGE ONE OF THE KING OF THE MOUNTAINS CENTURY CHALLENGE
Ride Stats:
477 Registered Riders for the Mulholland Challenge
428 Started the Challenge
388 Completed the Challenge
41 Riders completed distances other than the full Challenge - and are listed as DNF
48 Riders had all kinds of excuses as to why they didn't start
Riders are listed by the age they will be at the end of the year. That's how it's done in all "racing".

31 Women - General Category

14 Women - 50+

217 Men - General Category

126 Men - 50+

41 riders completed distances other than the entire Challenge: