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

The third annual KING OF THE MOUNTAINS CENTURY CHALLENGE is off to a great start! A record 398 riders headed to the hills and were treated to an epic day of cycling - with the added challenge of temperatures in the high 80s - low 90s. Just like summer! Those who stuck it out in the heat, toughed out over 12,500 feet of climbing in 109 miles - with both long, meandering hills as well as super steep, thigh-busting grades.

Kudos to our youngest finisher, Sam Dubin, who's 15 years old - and to our oldest finisher, Ken Orr, who's 73 years young.

As before, 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 with the extra challenging conditions.

We will, however, comment briefly on the results as it pertains to the fifteen minute time penalty given to fifteen riders who either failed to stop for stickers at any one of the five 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 is a 2008 exception; and, after thoughtful consideration by the Planet Ultra event production team, a decision was made that beginning in 2009 the penalty for violating any rule will be a DQ in the results.

Speaking of DQ, 15 riders were disqualified for traffic violations in violation of the California Vehicle Code. Shame on everyone who ran lights and stop signs, or otherwise disregarded the law, whether you were caught doing so or not. One rider was DQ for private SAG. One rider was DQ for having a friend ride the event for him. (From now on, ALL riders will be required to show I.D. at check-in.)

Heartfelt thanks to the wonderful volunteers who helped make this event the best ever!
Rider Check-In (PM):  Deborah & Brian Bowling, Mike Green, Ted Trubenbach, Martin Ward
Rider Check-in (AM):  Joy Aoki, Linda Bott, Deborah Bowling, Tom Parkes, Timmer Vadheim
Sticker/ Water Stop on  Mulholland: Chris Hedberg, Dominque Michaud, Chuck Phillips
Peter Strauss Ranch -  Linda Bott, Deanna Hare, Ken Kistinger, Frank Neal, Judy Whitlock
Little Sycamore - Joy Aoki, Bill Meadows, Rick Ruotolo, Timmer Vadheim
Deer Creek -  Paul Haussler, Teddie McClung
Decker - Rick Ruotolo, Matt Ruscigno, Julie & Colin Stokes
Peter Strauss Ranch. - Ron Hanson, Lynn Katano, Ken Kistinger, Frank Neal
Top O' Stunt: Terri Boykins, Cathi Lindstrom-Johnson, Chuck Phillips
Roving SAG: Clem Bartolai, Brian Bowling, Paul Haussler, Dominque Michaud, Doug Patterson, Stephen Patterson, Tom Parkes, Chuck Phillips, Judy Whitlock
Finish Line: Deborah Bowling, Angella Kelemen, Kevin Kelemen

Thank You to our product sponsors: Bonk Breaker, Clif Bar and Hammer Nutrition

Totally unsolicited, but greatly appreciated, rider feedback:

"Thank you for putting on a great event and for taking such good care of "us riders" at the SAG stops! Even with the brutal heat I felt taken care of". -Keevin Blue, Huntington Beach, CA

"Thanks for a first class event and support. Plenty of food, water and spaced just right." - Jim Campanile, Oak Park, CA

"I just wanted to send you guys a HUGE thank you for the amazing event you guys put on this past weekend. Being the youngest rider I was quite intimidated by all the other riders who were much bigger and "looked" stronger than me. However with all the support you guys had on the ride, I was able to make my goal of riding the course in under 10 hours. Another huge thanks to your staff and volunteers. I wouldn't have finished without them. Keep up the good work!" Sam Dubin, Beverly Hills, CA

"Wanted to thank you for the wonderful support on the 2008 Mulholland Challenge. Did a fantastic job!" - Larry Elfenbein, Calabasas, CA

"I want to thank you for all the hard work you and all the volunteers did on such a hot day Saturday.  I really appreciated all the work everyone did.  Having ice at some stops was great and I really needed it at the top of Decker." - Vern Ellicott, Moorpark, CA

"Thank you one and all for making this a fantastic event.  I am a relatively new cyclist and this was my second century and first real timed century event.  All of your staff and volunteers made this a wonderful experience.  Special kudos to the lady with the braids at the top of Stunt road. Without her encouragment I am certain I would not have made it back to the finish.  I am now looking forward to the next 2 KOM events!!" - Sharon Ignarro, Beverly Hills, CA

"Also, many thanks for putting on a great event. I know you guys couldn't control the weather but you did a great job with making sure all the rest stops were stocked with plenty of food, drinks and ICE (thank God). The volunteers were great by encouraging the riders in a fun and friendly manner." - Kris Jones, Aliso Viejo, CA

"My heartfelt thanks to Brian for stopping and replacing my carbon rear wheel on the Mulholland Challenge day." - Richard Leh, Arcadia, CA

"I am just writing to thank everyone who participated on the Mulholland Challenge. The event was perfectly organized and everyone in your team (at registration, sticker and food stops, ...) was extremely kind, helpful and encouraging. This was my first Century and definitely not the last one.  Please thank and congratulate all your team members for their efforts and for making climbing 12,000ft at 100 degrees a pleasant & unforgettable experience." - Mauricio Leon de la Barra, Brentwood, CA

"You guys are the best!! Unfortunately for me, I had stomach issues and vomited during the first part due to antibiotics I was taking and had to pull out.  A first for me and I had good legs on Saturday.  Total bummer, but I would like to say that it was an amazing day, with beautiful weather.  Your support crew did a stellar job and I appreciated the SAG ride back to the start.  I'll see you all at the Breathless Agony and the Heartbreak 100 under better health conditions!" Andrew Markham, Canyon Country, CA

"Thank you for organizing and running an incredible event on Saturday.  It was a tough ride in challenging conditions.  I really appreciated the efficient and well-stocked rest stops run by very friendly people." -Chris McAllister, Goleta, CA
 

"I just wanted to say "thank you!" for providing such a well-run event.  It was a very rough day, but we got through it and I am very satisfied with accomplishing this difficult feat.  Never thought I'd be so happy with 263rd place! I returned to riding a year and a half ago, and have been progressively more involved since then.  This series has become my goal for this year, and it feels great to have come this far.  I am really looking forward to the rest of the series. And, finally, I wanted to add my voice to support your efforts to keep the rides fair and legal.  I appreciate that you have rules for the riders, both
for our safety and for the future of these rides.  It's sometimes hard to do the right thing, but worth it." -David Scott, Los Angeles, CA

"By the way, thanks for an awesome event.  You guys rock.  I had the best time, with the best volunteers, and I didn't even melt - which was a real victory in itself." -Michelle West, Santa Monica, CA

Click here to read a report on Fifteen Rides Blog.

2008 MULHOLLAND CHALLENGE RESULTS:
STAGE ONE OF THE KING OF THE MOUNTAINS CENTURY CHALLENGE
Ride Stats:
445 Registered Riders for the Mulholland Challenge (A new record!)
398 Started the Challenge
280 Completed the Challenge
15 Riders DQ
104 Riders completed distances other than the full Challenge
47 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".

19 Women - General Category

9 Women - 50+

164 Men - General Category