Rapha Prestige on for 2021

[cgolvin]

Very surprised to see that Rapha has green lit two US Prestige events for 2021, one for east coasters and one for west:

Mt. Riga in September
Santa Barbara in October

At present there is only a short survey to register interest, no information on vaccination or other requirements. Usual setup though -- team of 4, time based on all members' finish time.

I have a rough idea of what the SB route will be, incorporating Gibraltar, Figueroa, and Refugio (dirt side), but don't hold me to that.

Info (such as it is) here: https://www.rapha.cc/us/en_US/stories/prestige

[dbnm]

thanks for posting.

[ltwtsculler91]

I hope this goes off. I'd love to do the Mt Riga event being new to the CT side of the Hudson.

Even if it doesn't I'd love to find a weekend to ridge the route and it's a good excuse to justify a new "all road" bike

[mhespenheide]

Whoof. The dirt (north) side of Refugio can have deep soft fine dust that time of year. Like powdery sand 2-3" deep.

[cgolvin]

Originally Posted by mhespenheide

Whoof. The dirt (north) side of Refugio can have deep soft fine dust that time of year. Like powdery sand 2-3" deep.

It's just a guess, Mark, I'm trying to get more details this weekend.
I attempted to map the route on RideWithGPS but it won't go beyond the end of South Refugio, which I assume is where the dirt starts?

[chicagorider]

Any idea what surface the Mt Riga edition might involve? I only have a road bike so...

[R3awak3n]

Originally Posted by chicagorider

Any idea what surface the Mt Riga edition might involve? I only have a road bike so...

I have ridden Riga multiple times and a lot of the roads around there. Id say be more fun on a gravel bike but could be done with a road bike if you have nothing else.

[okayku]

Originally Posted by mhespenheide

Whoof. The dirt (north) side of Refugio can have deep soft fine dust that time of year. Like powdery sand 2-3" deep.

I just did the triple crown (Gibraltar, Figueroa and Refugio) this past weekend which I'm guessing will be the SB route. Refugio was not sandy at all but still pretty rough with those gravely 12%+ kickers

[cgolvin]

The SB one sold out in less than a day. Surprising (to me, anyway).
Apparently folks are really hungry to do events in this vein.

Originally Posted by okayku

I just did the triple crown (Gibraltar, Figueroa and Refugio) this past weekend which I'm guessing will be the SB route. Refugio was not sandy at all but still pretty rough with those gravely 12%+ kickers

I'm really hoping that it's OSM/Painted Cave instead of Gibraltar, that's my preference.

[R3awak3n]

haha yeah they are. people want to ride with other people.

I do the riga ride at least 2-3 times a year, Angry Scientist and I have been trying to get out this year but have not yet, its a fantastic ride,

[Nick12]

I'm quite keen to the the Riga ride, but in the same boat as having only a road bike. I saw Rapha recommended minimum 35mm tires for the Aspen ride, so would the Riga ride be the same?

[verticaldoug]

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/7785819

This was the old Litchfield Continental in 2014. A lot of dirt but totally doable on a road bike in 25s.

The worst part is probably the long descent in gravel along Mt. Washington Road - mile 35-40, depending on the condition of the road, it can be a bit sketchy.

[R3awak3n]

Originally Posted by Nick12

I'm quite keen to the the Riga ride, but in the same boat as having only a road bike. I saw Rapha recommended minimum 35mm tires for the Aspen ride, so would the Riga ride be the same?

I don't know the exact route but I imagine its similar to the one I have done multiple times and you would be fine on a road bike, not as fun, specially the descents but it would be fine. I would not recommend on 23s but 28s it would be ok.

[chicagorider]

Thanks for the tips! I currently run 25mm (measures 27mm) but just got a new frame that prob has cleanrence for 28mm (measuring 30mm probs?). Now I gotta find two more people willing to form a team!

Ticket costs 200 but I presume that's for the whole team right?! (Rapha website is quite unhelpful...)

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

[cgolvin]

Originally Posted by chicagorider

Ticket costs 200 but I presume that's for the whole team right?! (Rapha website is quite unhelpful...)

Yes. If you click "sign up" and scroll down to the "details and materials" section you'll see it says "Entry for teams of four"