CAMINO REAL DOUBLE CENTURY
FEBRUARY 13, 2021

Outdoor recreation, for the purpose of facilitating physical and mental health through physically distanced outdoor exercise.

The best of Orange County and surrounding areas! Kick off the new year!!
About 11,700′ of Climbing! New “lowland” option* with about 8800′ climbing!
17 hour time limit

*This event will be offered LIVE for local cyclists and those willing to travel to Orange County. We will implement strict rules for safety, sanitation and good health, including social distancing and face coverings (except while pedaling).

The live event will not be timed. This will avoid congestion/gathering/rushing at the start/finish and at aid stations. We will assign start times to avoid morning gathering.

Mindful of the current COVID situation, and California recommendations for travel and safety, we will have a “virtual” option for CTC credit. Anyone who feels uncomfortable attending in person may ride “virtually,” on the same day as the actual event. Click here for Virtual DC event information.

California Triple Crown this week finalized updated/new rules for Virtual DC credit. Access that information, and the link to register for Camino Real Virtual DC, by clicking here. CTC rules for Virtual DC credit are set in stone. Please read them all before signing up; as Planet Ultra has committed to enforce them with vigor.

As of January 10th we have permission to host our aid station locations and to start/finish at the Staybridge Suites in Lake Forest (see below). We’re SUPER EXCITED TO SEE YOU IN PERSON!

*Lowland option for “tourist” riders only. 4am start required.

General Information and Ride Rules – Please Read!

Click here for 2020 timed results; and here for results including untimed finishers.

Click here for results from prior years.

2021 Standard Entry Fees:  $135. 
Late entry : February 1-10: Make an online reservation and pay $160 at the door.
Very last minute entry: Thursday before event to Friday 5pm: $200.
Please read our registration and cancellation policies. For 2021, entry will not include a post-ride meal as there is no restaurant willing to handle a potentially large group while COVID take-out-only restrictions are still in place. Instead, you’ll get a super nice, cycling-related but not event specific, tech tee.

* If you’re planning to ride this event and know you can bring along someone to help out, you may email us in advance of signing up and we’ll give you a coupon code to use during registration for an instant 20% off.  By helping at the event, the volunteer you bring earns an entry to a future single day event for only $40.  If the volunteer is a non-rider then YOU can have the entry. So you get two nice deals: An instant discount for promising to bring a volunteer, and a $40 entry fee for your next event.

For the live event only:
Use the SignUp bottom to register online and pay by credit card (which includes a small service fee). Click here to view the registered rider list. To pay by check, Venmo or Zelle, download and mail or email this form. Your mail-in form and check or volunteer voucher must be received no later than February 1st. Please read our new cancellation policy before registering.

CLICK HERE FOR SPECIAL COVID RULES FOR THIS EVENT.

Before you sign up, please note that these rules, especially regarding social distancing and face coverings at aid stations, will be strictly enforced. Failure to comply will result in DQ.

Start/Finish Location:
NEW:  Staybridge Suites, 2 Orchard Rd, Lake Forest, CA 92630.  Please, please, please, make your reservation in our group block and not via online booking app. It’s important to build a relationship with our host hotels. When they know you’re there because of the event, we’re welcome back the next year.  This is especially true this first year; as they are bending over backwards to welcome us, especially non-hotel guests, during Covid.

Call (949) 462-9500 and ask for Planet Ultra group rate as follows:

$99 for standard studio suite with queen bed and sofa sleeper
$109 for one bedroom with king bed and sofa sleeper
$119 for one bedroom with two queens and sofa sleeper
$199 for two bedroom, two bath suite with three queen beds and sofa sleeper (sleeps 8)

You can also book online by clicking here. Please note that the booking link doesn’t show our group rates until after you select your room choice and go to the next step.

Special rate expires February 2nd. Rooms include fully equipped kitchen to either prepare meals or bring in take out from the many local restaurants. Rate includes full hot breakfast on Sunday (you’re starting before breakfast on Saturday), dinner on Thursday if you arrive a day early, free high-speed internet, outdoor heated pool and spa, BBQ grill and sport court.

Parking:
If you’re not staying at the Staybridge, please be mindful of parking. Closer in time to the event we’ll provide specific information in this regard. Please make an effort to carpool.

Everything below is subject to change based on Covid safety practices for this event. Participants will receive via email specific instructions a few days in advance; as health guidelines are constantly changing.

Check-In:
Friday  7:30-9pm, and Saturday 5:15-6am. If you’re planning to start at 5:30am, please check in Friday night. We’ll be at the early start about 15 minutes early for roll call and to give pre-ride announcements; but there won’t be a lot of time to check riders in.

Start Times:
4:00am: NEW! All riders doing the Lowland Option (available only to riders who need 15+ hours to complete the course, even with less climbing)

5:30am: Riders who need than 14-17 hours. If you start at 5:30am, please remember that the checkpoint opening and closing times are based on the 6:30am start and are calculated using an average speed of 11-20 mph.
6:30am: Riders expecting to finish in 14 hours or less.
NEW! Riders needing more than 17 hours may opt for the Tourist division during registration and start as early as 4am. Please familiarize yourself with the Tourist rules.

Time Limit:
The course has rolling closures from aid station to aid station.
Aid station closing times are listed on the route sheet. Once an aid station closes, so does support end along the course prior to that aid station.
Finish line closes at 10:30pm.
Total time allowed to complete the course with an official time: 17 hours based on the 5:30am start unless you choose Tourist rather than Timed. 
Tourist riders who finish before before midnight will get Grand Slam and California Triple Crown finisher credit, so long as the total elapsed time does not exceed 20 hours.

Twilight, Sunrise, and Sunset:
Twilight begins at 6:09am; Twilight ends at 18:03. Sunrise is 6:34; Sunset is 17:38.

Lights and Gear Drop:
If you leave your lights at the start, your bag will be waiting for you at San Onofre. If there’s any chance that you’ll be out past sunset, you MUST have both a headlight and a taillight attached to your bicycle, and you MUST wear a reflective ankle band on both legs. If you start in the dark, plan on carrying your lights all day. We do encourage you to carry your lights yourself. That way if you need them, you’re guaranteed to have them. Rest assured that it is a MYTH that an extra pound on your bike will slow you down in any significant way for this type of riding.

Lunch Bag Drop:
Because we know some folks have special dietary needs (or are very particular about what they want), you may bring two lunch-sized brown paper bag (like the ones you took to school in 2nd grade; and absolutely no larger) filled with your special foods. Drop the bag off at the start, and we will deliver one to the San Onofre stop (which you visit two times) and one to the lunch stop. These bags will be discarded when the aid stations close. So please make sure you pick up your bag, or don’t care that you won’t get it back.

PLEASE NOTE: THE COURSE WILL NOT BE MARKED. We trust that as a seasoned endurance rider, ready and willing to ride double centuries, that 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.

Routing and Navigation:
Planet Ultra route sheets include lots of information to help riders navigate the course. For example, we tell you if a turn is at a stop sign (SS), traffic light (TL) or T-intersection (T-int).
Due to both permitting restrictions and traffic safety, we will no longer mark double century routes. Many of the towns/cities/counties specifically forbid it. More importantly, this route is super urban with a lot of traffic and rarely a safe location to pull over and put down arrows. This is the type of route where a GPS with turn-by-turn capabilities will come in handy; 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.
Please understand and take responsibility for navigation.

Route Sheets and GPS Files:  Route sheets are available in excel format to registered riders if requested via email no later than 2 days before the event.

You may also download a map and GPS file from RideWithGPS.com. Please note that advance route sheets and gps files are provided as a courtesy and you use them at your own risk. Planet Ultra does not guarantee accuracy. Please further note the following very important caveats:

1. The ROUTE SHEET is gospel. Whenever the route sheet and the GPS unit disagree, the route sheet is correct.
2. A GPS can (and will) route a rider over a cliff. There’s really no substitute for the human brain, so please use yours.
3. Never depend solely on a GPS. Bring your route sheet, and know how to follow it.
4. GPS batteries on many “bicycle” GPS units may not last for a century. Make sure you’ve arranged for additional power.
5. Click here for links to both “highland” and “lowland” double century maps including elevation profiles and GPS downloads.

Route Description:
Caveat: This is a very urban route with lots of traffic lights, stop signs and sometimes heavy vehicle traffic. The locals love it — but if you’re from out of town and are expecting quiet roads and lots of amazing scenery, you might be disappointed. Just being honest.

The Camino route is shaped like a dog bone, with loops on each end of an out-and-back course. Beginning in Lake Forest, you’ll head to the coast via the rolling hills of Irvine and Turtle Rock and get your first view of the Pacific Ocean as you blast down Newport Coast and hang a left on PCH. After riding through a bit of Newport Beach and Laguna Beach on PCH, you’ll hang a left and head back inland, meandering up Laguna Canyon Road. Hang a right on El Toro, and make your way through Aliso Viejo and Laguna Niguel, then blast down Crown Valley to the Coast and Dana Point. From Dana Point you’ll be on the coast through San Clemente, and along the bike path through San Onofre, all the way to Oceanside. From there, you’ll head inland, heading towards Bonsall and lunch at the All Seasons Campground. The climbing starts again after lunch, with a beautiful loop out towards Fallbrook. You’ll wind up back in Bonsall, and repeat the course back to the coast, and north through Dana Point again. The final leg is has the lion’s share of the climbing, up from San Clemente to Antonio Parkway, through Trabuco Canyon, across Santiago Canyon and then a fun downhill finish on Jamboree to Portola then a bump of climbing to the finish line.
Please note: This is a particularly urban route- but in the best and safest parts of Orange and San Diego Counties. Because it’s urban, it’s impossible to provide checkpoint locations evenly spaced at perfect distances. That said, there are countless mini-marts and gas stations along the course where you may get water and snacks, if necessary. If you’re running low, and find yourself a good distance from the next checkpoint, please stop at one of the many conveniences along the route and refuel/re-hydrate. Highland Route: 193 miles with about 11,570′ climbing. Lowland Route: 194 miles with about 8,670′ climbing. (Riders on either route who opt to go through Pendleton will climb a bit more, and end up with an additional 3.4 miles).

Personal SAG Vehicles:
Not allowed- except for 4am “tourist” riders, and only after mile 150 (and provided any SAG signs our volunteer waiver). If you bring one, you’ll be disqualified from the event without a warning. The definition of a 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. Please understand that our permits simply don’t allow dozens of extra vehicles on the roads or at the checkpoint locations. Imagine the traffic from all those cars! If you’re bringing someone with you who wants to be out on the course, please have them contact us and join our volunteer staff.

Volunteers:   We always need volunteers! Click here for info about available positions.