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

The KING OF THE MOUNTAINS CENTURY CHALLENGE is off to a great start! And what a day it was! Riders were treated to perfect climbing weather- cool temperatures under cloudy skies. And climb, they did! Over 12,500 feet in 112 miles - with both long, meandering hills as well as super steep, thigh-busting grades. Maybe "Challenge" doesn't do it justice... this ride is a DOOZY!

We're not going to comment now on the standings, as some riders may or may not be riding Stage Two, Breathless Agony. But heartfelt congratulations to all of the riders who completed this super tough course - especially Jon Tanklage, who set a new Course Record of 6 hours 58 minutes.**

(**Legendary mountain bike National Champion Tinker Juarez's 2005 Course Record of 6 hours and 35 minutes, will also stand. Tinker's time was based on the route which climbed Mulholland Highway from the coast, instead of Decker Canyon.)

A big round of applause for first time century riders, Carlos Lara, John Peel and Marc Pierrat! They sure picked a tough one!

Special kudos to George Hurlbert, who got back on his bike, trained for and completed the Mulholland Challenge, after having both of his hips replaced. We're inspired by George's come-back from his surgeries. Great job, George!

Special thanks to the wonderful volunteers who helped make this event extra spectacular:
Rider Check-In:  Deborah & Brian Bowling, Judith Gustafson, Martin Ward
PB&J Crew: John Canning, Judith Gustafson, Bobbi Leith, Tracey Lynn White
Saturday Morning Time Keepers: Joe Awe, Julie Gildred, Judith Gustafson, Tracey Lynn White
CP#1 -  Susan Caldwell, Mel Cutler, Bobbi Leith, Saralie Liner, Mariceia Munoz, Chuck Phillips
CP#2 - Brian Bowling, Bobbi Fisher, Ken Kistinger, Tim Knight, Judith Rayburn
Mini CP - Morgan Beeby, Jim Cook, Tracey Lynn White
CP#3 - Jackie Burneson, John Long, Kris O'Kubo, Chuck Phillips
CP#4 - Dave Evans, Ron Hanson, Lynn Katano
Top O' Stunt: Linda Bott, Judy Mullins
Roving SAG: Joe Awe, Susan Caldwell, Carlos Carbajal, Bobbi Fisher, Julie Gildred, Tim Knight, Bobbi Leith, Frank Neal
Finish Line: Deborah Bowling, Angella Keleman, Saralie Liner, Tracey Lynn White 

Thank You to our product sponsors: Clif Bar, CytoSport, E-Caps/Hammer Nutrition, and Snickers Marathon Bar

Ride Stats:
347 Registered Riders
249 Completed the Challenge
8 Riders earned KOM credit by completing the Mulholland Double Century: 205 miles with over 16,000 feet of climbing!
65 Riders completed distances other than the full Challenge
25 Riders had all kinds of excuses as to why they didn't start

*Accumulated gain is estimated based on averaging climbing results provided by various riders using various devices.

Totally unsolicited, but greatly appreciated, rider feedback:

"Thank You for the excellent and extremely challenging event. The course planning was awesome. The support was superior. The brownies at the top
of Stunt were delicious. Planet Ultra is a class act all the way." - Tony Berquam, S. Pasadena, CA

"Many thanks for yesterday's ride. As usual the Planet Ultra Team was all over it. ... At the end of the ride, you couldn't wipe the smile off of my face."
-Skip Nevell, Los Angeles, California.

"Thanks for being such excellent hosts for my first century. I wasn't sure I could ride that far, but your staff assured me it was a simple task of staying on the bike and spinning the crank. Your checkpoints were well placed and well staffed, and I was well fed along the way."
-Marc Pierrat, Westlake Village, CA.

Click here to view some really great photos of the ride by Chuck Bramwell.

Attention riders who, at the event, wrote a check to Planet Ultra for either the entry fee or for retail products: Our van was vandalized late Saturday night and our office box with all the checks was stolen. Please stop payment on your check. We'd appreciate if you'll re-issue your check to Planet Ultra, minus the cost of the stop payment. Thank you.

2006 MULHOLLAND CHALLENGE RESULTS:
STAGE ONE OF THE KING OF THE MOUNTAINS CENTURY CHALLENGE