Planet Ultra: Time Limits

Although we're not racing, lots of riders like to see how they're doing compared to others, so most Planet Ultra events are timed and results are posted within a few days on our awesome website.

All events will have a fixed time limit for receiving support along the route. This time limit will be based on distance and difficulty, and will be calculated based on the earliest starting time.

To be recognized as an official finisher and to receive Planet Ultra Grand Slam Credit and/or California Triple Crown credit, all riders must fully and safely complete the entire course according to the time limit listed for the particular event in question. Our "entry level" doubles, Solvang and Butterfield (under 9k climbing) have a 17 hour limit; Eastern Sierra and Solvang Autumn (10k to 11k climbing) 18 hours; and Mulholland, Heartbreak and ToTF (12k+ climbing) 19 hours. Generally speaking, the time limit for centuries is 10-12 hours. Those completing the entire course after the time limit, but who sign in at the finish line, will be listed as an unofficial finisher in the results. Anyone who fails to check in at the finish line, or does not ride every mile of the designated course, will be listed as DNF. Full results will be posted on the website shortly after each event.

Planet Ultra Time Limits Will Be Strictly Enforced. Here's why:

The time limit listed for each particular event is at least two hours longer than a fit, trained and prepared rider should need to actually pedal the distance. The extra time is built in to consider the weather conditions, potential mechanical difficulties including flat tires, and also allows for time to stop at checkpoints to refuel. Generally speaking, for a double century, the time limit requires riders to average less than 11.5 miles per hour. We believe this is more than fair.

Most sporting events have minimum standards for completion. Meeting or beating the standard gives credence to the accomplishment of those who train and prepare and take the event seriously. Giving finisher credit to riders who don't meet the standard or time limit diminishes the accomplishment of those who do.

And if we did make exceptions, then how much? Five minutes? Is that fair to the riders who are late by 6? or 7? Might as well be 10 then. Or 15 or 20. How about a couple of hours? Where would it stop? So we need to draw a line in the sand. This way, every participant understands what they need to do to successfully complete the event.

For most, wearing the Planet Ultra Grand Slam or California Triple Crown jersey is a statement of their hard earned cycling achievement. Neither of these milestones would be special if they weren't earned with endless miles of training, commitment, dedication, and lots and lots of sweat!

If everyone could wear a Grand Slam or Triple Crown jersey, and there were no defined standard to earn them, then the perception will be that it's no big deal, that's it's not an accomplishment. But riding a double, or any one of the timed climbing centuries should be a big deal. These challenging events require serious commitment and physical training.

There's no entitlement to a Grand Slam, a California Triple Crown, or even an Official Finish. If a rider doesn't make the cut, they simply need to  move forward with a different attitude. Turn the defeat into a learning experience! Train harder! Train smarter! There are endless resources for training tips to help increase speed and endurance.

Finally, take a lesson from Challenged Athlete, Sarah Reinertson. Sarah was born with a deformed leg which was amputated when she was 7. At age 11 she entered a track meet for kids with disabilities and won a 100 meter race. The discovery that she could be an athlete was a defining moment in her life. Sarah became one of the first amputees to test out a new running foot that ultimately resulted in a technological breakthrough in prosthetics. As she honed her athletic skills, Sarah's goal became the Hawaii Ironman. The Ironman is a 2.4 mile ocean swim, 112 mile bike race and a 26.2 mile run - all within a 17 hour time limit. Cut-off times are also applied to the swim (2:20 after the start of the race) and the bike (10:30 after the start of the race).

 In 2004, Sarah went to the Ironman (meaning, spent months, if not years, training, and thousands of dollars on airfare and hotels) and missed the bike cut-off by 15 minutes! She was disqualified for the 15-minute miss, even though she's an amputee and competes with only one leg! There was no special consideration given her, or any of the other athletes with disabilities.

With fierce determination, Sarah re-grouped, re-focused, and went back to the Ironman in 2005. She completed the race in 15 hours, 15 minutes, becoming the first female amputee to finish the Ironman!

Now read what the other California Triple Crown events have to say about time limits:

Central Coast Double Century
"The course will officially close at midnight, a cutoff time will be imposed at the Bradley rest stop (Rest stop 5) which is at the 179-mile point, 30 miles from the finish. All riders will be required to have left this rest stop by 9:45 P.M. or you will be sagged in at that time."

Davis Double Century
"Rest Stop closing times are NOT negotiable. If a cyclist has not reached a rest stop by the stated closing time, the cyclist will be sagged to the next rest stop to continue riding."

Death Valley Double Century
"Double century riders must fully and safely complete the entire double century route within the 17-hour time limit to be recognized as an official finisher and to receive California Triple Crown credit."

Devil Mountain Double
"There are two primary cutoffs. You must make the turn onto Mines road by 12:45. Anyone later than this will be redirected onto the Double-Metric course. All riders must depart the lunch stop (Mile 112) by 4:15 or will be sagged to the top of Hamilton. We will allow you to continue on the course at that point. However you will receive a DNF for the Double-Century. Our primary concern is rider safety. These cutoffs should prevent riders from having to descend Hamilton in the dark."

Grand Tour
"Cyclists take between 12 - 20 hours to complete the double century (depending on his or her experience and conditioning), however, all riders must complete the ride within 24 hours." (The Grand Tour allows 24 hours, because that's how long some people needed back in 1959 when they started their event.)

Hemet Double Century
"The double century has a eighteen-hour time limit. The Route opens at 6:00 AM and closes at 11:00 PM. No double century rider is allowed to attempt or start the second loop after 2:30 PM."

Knoxville Double Century
"Average times for the 200 mile course are about 15 hours The ride starts at 5 a.m. and the finish line closes at midnight.. There's an 11:45 a.m. cut-off at mile 70, along with other intermediate cut-off times along the way."

Mt. Tam Double Century
"Mt.Tam Double Century riders will not be allowed to start the Bay Hill Rd./Coleman Valley Loop if you do not leave to begin the loop from the Valley Ford Rest Stop by 2:30pm. Failure to make this cutoff will result in a DNF for the Mt. Tam Double Century and for California Triple Crown Credit. Any riders on the course behind the rest stop close schedule will be sagged to the next rest stop or to the finish. Entire course closes at 10:00pm. All riders remaining on the course will be sagged in."

Terrible Two
"Mass start 5:30am. The ride officially ends at 10:00 pm (to qualify for an I DID IT! t-shirt), but riders may continue until 11:00 pm to earn Triple Crown credit. Anyone still on the course after 11:00 pm will not be listed as an official finisher. After ten, support on the road and at the finish will be minimal." (That's a 17.5 hour time limit for what's considered the toughest double century in the CTC.)

If, after reading all of this, you still have a concern or complaint, send it in. It won't fall on deaf ears, however we don't expect to change our official policy.

-Minister of Safety