MAY 3, 2025
The GRIM REAPER awaits you at Onyx Summit!
Limited to 300 Riders!

“KING OF THE MOUNTAINS” CHALLENGE – STAGE #2

105 total miles with 11,300′ climbing…
but the clock stops at mile 65 and you may get picked up on the way down if you wish!

Click here for 2024 results.

General Information and Ride Rules – Please Read before you sign up!

E-bikes are welcome; but will not be riding for time or listed in the results.

Click here for Breathless Agony 1997-2016 historical data maintained by Chuck Bramwell.

2025 Entry Fees *:
Until April 26th: $148.73 ($139 + RunSignUp processing fees, which you may avoid by paying offline).
Late entry: $150 cash at check-in with online reservation. You must sign the waivers online!
Please do not show up without registering or making a reservation online. All riders must execute the online waivers.

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.

Entry includes a date with the Grim Reaper; automatic participation in King of the Mountains Century Challenge (if you completed Mulholland Challenge and plan to ride Heartbreak Hundred); 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; drop bag delivery from start to Onyx Summit; refreshments/light lunch at Onyx Summit; finisher gift.

Please read our registration and cancellation policies.

Please read our general ride rules and our cancellation policy before registering. Event specific rules are below.

Use the SignUp bottom to register now!

Start/Parking Location:  Don’s Bicycles 700 E. Redlands Blvd, Suite B1 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 ride at least one mile down from Onyx and have someone to pick you up from a legal, safe pullout.

Ride Description:
This iconic event is for the cyclist who loves to climb. The timed course is just over 65 miles with about 10,000′ of climbing. Ride back down and you’ll cover 105 miles with 11,300′. You may, if you wish, get picked up instead of ride down (see below).

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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 the course will not be marked. 
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.

Check In:  
Friday evening from 5pm to 7pm at Don’s Bicycles, 700 E. Redlands Blvd in Redlands.
Saturday morning from 6am to 7:45am at Sylvan Park.

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.
Firm cut-off at Angelus Oaks at 1pm. If you arrive past 1pm you’ll be asked to turn around from there.

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. If you arrive at Angelus Oaks aid station even 1 minute past 1pm, you must agree to turn around and not continue to Onyx Summit.

5. You may opt to skip the ride back to Redlands if you have someone to pick you up. You must ride at least one mile down from Onyx Summit to meet your vehicle. Your driver must be in a legal pullout/parking area, completely off the road.

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.