General Information and Ride Rules – Please Read!
Click here for Breathless Agony 1997-2016 historical data maintained by Chuck Bramwell.
2024 Entry Fees *:
Until April 27th: $139. Late entry: $150 cash with online reservation.
Entry includes a date with the Grim Reaper; automatic participation in King of the Mountains Century Challenge (if you also completed Mulholland Challenge); route sheet and downloadable RWGPS files with use of all advance functions; chip timing with overall and age category results posted online; fully stocked checkpoints along the route with a large selection of snacks and drinks; roving SAG support; refreshments at Onyx Summit.
Please read our registration and cancellation policies.
If you’re able to recruit an event volunteer to assist at an aid station or as a SAG driver, please email us before signing up and we’ll give you a coupon code to use during registration for an instant 40% off.
Event jersey, made by Blackbottoms Cyclewear – $99. Jerseys ordered before February 26th (our order date) are guaranteed for pick-up at the event. Thereafter, if we didn’t order enough in your particular size, we will re-order AFTER the event and mail it to you.
Please read our general ride rules and our cancellation policy before registering. Event specific rules are below.
Use the SignUp bottom to register online and pay by credit card (which includes a small service fee).
Please note: If your 2024 goals include our King of the Mountains Century Challenge, the registration site has an option to sign up for all 3 events at once, with a discount of $44. That said, the cancellation insurance is not offered with the bundle.
Start/Parking Location: Sylvan Park, 601 N University Street in Redlands. Please carpool if you can.
Finish Location: The clock stops at Onyx Summit, along with course support. You’ll celebrate and fill your bellies at the top, then you may ride back to your car at your leisure. As was the rule in the early Breathless years, you don’t have to ride back to Redlands. While we cannot allow extra cars on Onyx Summit, you’re welcome to just ride down to Angelus Oaks if you have someone to pick you up. It’s mostly downhill!
Check In:
Friday night from 7pm to 8:30pm at LOCATION TBD.
Saturday morning from 6am to 7:45am.
START TIMES:
Expected finish in 8-9 hours: 7-7:15am
7-8 hours: 7:15-7:30am
6-7 hours: 7:30-745am
5-6 hours: 7:45-8am
Under 5 hours, or vying for top places in KOM Challenge: 8am mass start
Time Limit:
9 hours – based on the earliest start at 7am. All riders must reach the summit by 4pm. Aids stations have opening/closing times noted on the route sheet.
Event Specific Rules:
1. No cheating. Yeah, sadly, we do have to say this. What we really mean is, “don’t be a jerk.” Lot’s of folks take seriously their efforts and finish times on these super challenging timed events. It’s a big deal to climb to Onyx Summit. So be a great sport. Ride every inch. And do it under your own power. Do NOT bring unregistered/bandit pacers. Everyone on the course must register and sign the waivers. And don’t break the law.
2. Hang your number plate from your handle bars facing forward and not touching your frame. Then start when and where you’re supposed to, and ride single file through the start and finish chutes.
3. We’re riding by rules of the road on an open course and there will be some vehicle traffic. No more than two abreast (if there’s room), and single up when appropriate. Abide by all traffic controls. Be courteous to both cars and your fellow cyclists.
4. You may opt to skip the ride back to Redlands if you have someone to pick you up. You must ride down to Angelus Oaks to meet your vehicle. NO participant pick ups at Onyx Summit.
Ride Description:
This iconic event is for the cyclist who loves to climb. The timed course is just under 70 miles with over 10,000′ of climbing. Ride back down and you’ll cover 105 miles with 11,300′.
Bring gears! Some of the roads have steep sustained climbs of 9-10%.
Starting in Redlands, you’ll enjoy some rolling hills as you cruise along to Beaumont and your first SAG stop. Then the suffering really begins… Miles of 8-10% grades up Oak Glen will get your heart pumping; and you might just glimpse the Grim Reaper on the way up. A fast and fun descent to Mill Creek Ranger Station and you’ll reach SAG Stop #2. Then up, up, UP you go… Grinding up the steady grades of Damnation Alley and then reaching the forest where you’ll continue your ascent to Angelus Oaks and SAG Stop #3. The climbing continues as you make your way past Jenk’s Lake to a short but sweet downhill reprieve. Then the final push to Onyx Summit will surely leave you breathless as you ascend to 8443′ above sea level. The Grim Reaper will greet you there! The clock stops and the party begins! Celebrate your victory over the toughest 70ish miles in Southern California! The Agony is rewarded with an 38-miles of mostly descending back to Redlands. Or arrange a ride from Angelus Oaks and nap in the car on the way down.
Route Sheets and GPS Files:
Though not anticipated, last-minute routing changes may be required. Links to the RideWithGPS.com course is below; but subject to change.
Please note that advance route sheets and gps files are provided as a courtesy and you use them at your own risk. Planet Ultra doesn’t guarantee accuracy. Please further note the following very important caveats:
- A few days before the event, Planet Ultra will email an invitation to the RWGPS “event” with the final route. The link in the invitation allows you to use subscription-based functions even if you only have a free account.
- Never depend solely on a bike mounted GPS. Use the RWGPS app phone app on your smart phone as backup; and bring your paper route sheet or have a photo of it in your phone.
- GPS batteries on many “bicycle” GPS units may not last for a century. Make sure you’ve arranged for additional power.
- Click here to view the intended route.
Routing and Navigation:
Planet Ultra route sheets include lots of information to help riders navigate the course: Stop sign (SS), traffic light (TL) or T-intersection (T-int). We know riders prefer course marking; however, many of the towns/cities/counties specifically forbid it and in some areas traffic makes it unsafe.
For these reasons we no longer mark courses at our events.
We trust that as a seasoned endurance rider, ready and willing to ride the more challenging events, you’re proficient at reading a route sheet and/or you’ve invested in a GPS based cycling computer into which you can upload the route (and we strongly advise that you use one). Your entry fee includes access to RideWithGPS downloads for your Garmin (or other GPS devise) or your smart phone.
Personal SAG Vehicles:
Not allowed between start and Onyx Summit! If you bring one, you’ll be DQ from the event without warning. Personal SAG is any vehicle (motor or otherwise), anywhere on the route, operated by someone other than Planet Ultra staff, that is providing any type of aid, assistance, or motivation, or taking photographs, or simply out cheering. Our permits limit event-related motor vehicles on the roads or at the checkpoint locations. Extra cars create traffic and can become a serious liability. If you’re bringing someone who wants to be out on the course, please have join our volunteer staff. They can send us an email or use this link and scroll down to the Volunteer tab in the menu.
That said, you may avoid riding back to Redlands by having someone pick you up at Angelus Oaks on your way down. Non-staff vehicles may park and wait in Angelus Oaks after 1pm.
Volunteers:
We always need volunteers! Click here for info about available positions.