Although La Ruta is an individual 4 day race retracing the route of Spanish explorer Juan De Cavallon, the experience is much more fullfilling if tackled as a team. Team MonaVie-Cannondale demonstrated the greatest team performance in the 17 year history of La Ruta and along the way enhanced the experience of each individual rider.

Alex Grant 2nd Overall Open: We have known for a long time that Alex has what it takes to be one of the best mountain bike stage racers in the world. 2nd place overall at La Ruta and possibly the best performance by an American in the races 17 year history is only the beginning! His easy going nature and attention to detail help him thrive when the going gets tough and definitely are qualities that helped him conquer La Ruta and raise the level of the team!

 Jeremiah Bishop 5th Overall Open: This is JB’s 3rd La Ruta experience, and although he had some bad luck with navigation and mechanical issues it was definitely his best. He came back this year with the goal of exercising the demons that have haunted him since his life threatening crash on stage 3 in 2006. This year he used his interntaional racing experience to raise the level of his teammates and with better luck  would have won stage 3 and stage 4. Most importantly he was able to descend the 10,000 foot volcano in the pouring rain, safely crossing the finish line,  and conquering his own “La Ruta.”

Ben Sonntag 7th Overall Open: The German diesel started La Ruta with some serious  bad luck. On day one he broke off his rear derailleur while trudging through the thick jungle mud, requiring him to run 8km to the nearest feed zone. On day 2 he threw his chain into the spokes requiring a major disassembly.  Anyone else would have caved under this kind disappointment but not the “The German”, he thrived andwent on to ride himself back into the front of the race finishing each stage in the top 10. Then after completing “The hardest mountain bike race in the world” he went on to shatter the cyclingdirt.org “Sit Up Challenge.”

Bart Gillespie 10th Overall Open: In 2007 Bart experienced some bitter disappointment after sustaining a knee injury during stage 1 that would not allow him to continue the race. His primary focus this year was to ride safe, get to the finish, and support his rock star teammates. As a “working man”  he often finds it difficult to compete with the horse power of the highest level competitor, but once again he proved that smooth and consistent riding pays off and he was able to round out the top 10 while helping to raise his teammates to an even higher level.

 Bryan Alders 16th Overall Open: Two days prior to the start of La Ruta Bryan was called by the team director with a request that would forever change his life. The member of the team that was originally scheduled to race had come down with the Flu and Bryan was needed to fill in at the last minute. Despite Bryan’s lack of preparation for the grueling race his enthusiasm for adventure never faltered and he demonstrated an “off the couch” endurance seldom seen in someone so young.  Bryan will surely be one to watch in La Ruta’s of the future!

Tinker Juarez: You know a guy loves bike racing when he gets back in the saddle day after day even though he is no longer in contention for the overall prize. Tinker had a navigational disaster on day 2 that combined a couple of flats made it so he could not complete the stage and be considered in the overall classification. Tinker did not sulk very long and bright and early the next morning Tinker went on the attack up the 2 hour Irazu Volcano climb and demonstrated his passion for racing while putting on a show for his fans. After all the years and all the races Tinkers passion has never been stronger and I can garuntee,  no one signs more autographs!

Matt Ohran: What does it take to organize a team of 7 riders to conquer the hardest mountain bike race in the world.  You better ask the director because until now no one has ever put together the logistics needed to make a team assault on La Ruta. Matt also competed himself but encountered some knee trouble on Stage 3 requiring an early withdrawal. Despite this dissapointment he remained positive as he knows his example is followed closely by his team.

Off course a team is only as good as it’s support and gear, and Team MonaVie-Cannondale has some of the best. Jazier our Costa Rican insider was crucial to understanding the details of the race and also helped keep Engin (mechanic) from getting lost in the jungle. Unfortanelty he was not able to help Engin with the driving and they found themselves flailing off the road into a field, don’t worry no one was hurt.

Due to the insane amount of climbing, most competitors come to La Ruta with a hardtail mountain bike. Team Monavie-Cannondale chose the Cannondale Scalpel full suspension as it’s weapon of choice and could not have been more pleased with it’s performance and durability.  It gives up nothing on the climbs due to it’s light weight and full lockout but has a decisive advantage on the rough downhills and miles of rough railroad tracks. Combined with Stan’s wheels and Kenda tires it has proven to be the ultimate La Ruta bike!

So  Team MonaVie-Cannondale has conquered La Ruta, what now?

Were going to make a difference!

Please stay tuned as we roll out the Costa Rican Coffee contest which will raise funds for the San Jose Children’s Cancer Shelter and provide you with an opportunity to join the Team next year in conquering La Ruta de los Conquistadors, the “hardest mountain bike race in the world.”

And then when the going gets tough you just have to remember these big brown eyes…

I guess the challenge I’ve  had in the past with indoor riding is the lack of realism, it always felt like a completely different sport. The Rock and Roll trainer takes realism to a whole new level and is the only trainer I have seen that delivers natural side-to-side motion. The heavy flywheel also provides the most realistic ride and coast-down I have ever experienced and actually feels similar to the road. The resistance unit provides a very smooth  and repeatable workload and is so quiet I could watch Seinfeld at a normal volume. Set up was solid and easy and with the Riser Ring that was provided for the front wheel I felt comfortable doing a couple Chipolini interpretations.

So I am the first to admit I am no trainer expert. I don’t have the expereince of some I know who watch multiple full length DVD’s while riding indoors. I am not a convert to indoor training and have no plans to abandon skiing as my means of winter exercise. In fact, I only rode this one for about 30 minutes and only because I needed to be on the bike before a big event. But, I must say it was by far the most realistic indoor trainer session I have ever had and I am no longer afraid to mount up the bike indoors in fear of boredom.

Now, I just need to resist the pull of the mountains for one more day…

-Bart