Sunday, October 7, 2012

View the entire Google Web Album

WATCH THE RACE VIDEO HERE!

Lisa and Jason are back on the tandem for their last stage of this race-they’re going to Kelso! The course stays on Kelbaker Rd for the 35 miles into Kelso. About half a mile in, they enter the Mojave National Preserve; it seems pretty hot and dry out there!

They climb 2500′ in 21 long gradual miles with an average grade of 2.4% on very unforgiving pavement. It’s going to be a long BUMPY ride! There are nice desert views of the Joshua Tree forest and the of the surrounding mountains.

The mountain peaks provide a beautiful backdrop to the expansive Mojave Desert.

After crossing several cattle guards, they descend from the summit at 3600′ for the next 11 miles to the desert floor.

The main attraction in Kelso is the restored Spanish style train depot; it’s a gorgeous building with a cafe/restaurant. This ghost town has an old abandoned post office, an outdoor jail and other remnants of a town that once was.

Tim and I are ready for the baton pass as soon as we see Lisa & Jason cross the RR tracks to the time station.

STATS:
Start time: 10:54
Miles: 35
Elevation: 2920′
Arrival at Time Station #6-Kelso: 13:36
Elapsed Time: 28:06:00
Time from last time station: 2:42:00
Avg Speed: 12.94
Miles into Race: 417.6
Temps: Mid to high 80’s-sunny blue skies

Click here to continue on to Stage 7

Click here to view the route map & profile

This is the route for Stage 6: