"Possible Hypothermic-Friendly" 2020 Stagecoach 400 Race Preview
Stagecoach 400 Race Highlights
Start time: March 13, 2020, 8AM Pacific
Locations: Idyllwild, CA
Distance: 400 miles
Elevation gain: 30,000 feet
Participants: ~50 riders
Stagecoach 400 Race Details
The Stagecoach 400 bikepacking adventure race is set to kick off on Friday, March 13th 8AM from Idyllwild, CA. Around 50 riders are registered for the route, including three Gravelstoke Development Team riders Matteo Pistono, Shelly Peppe-Nani & Martin Rodriguez. A self-supported event, participants are required to carry all of their own gear, food and water for the duration of the race. The commitment level is very high and the course can be extremely demanding at times. Adding to the complexity is an approaching storm that is likely to bring rain and potentially snow at higher altitudes. Riders have been asked to prepare for temperatures that could approach the mid 30s (1-3ºC).
The Stagecoach 400 stands out among peer events for highlighting Southern California’s geographic and cultural diversity, with a course that features the area’s unique proximity to mountains, desert, and ocean. You can follow along on the adventure via our embedded SPOT Live Tracker below.
“While the Stagecoach 400 used to be considered a potential shakedown for Tour Divide riders, we now feel the route, and ride experience stands in its own category. While the route’s terrain can be highly technical, the ride is an intense test of gear system, resupply habits, and exertion.”
Stagecoach 400 Spot Live Tracker
The Route
The 2020 Stagecoach 400 course starts and ends in Idyllwild, CA. From the San Jacinto Mountains riders will make their way to the California Riding & Hiking Trail to Lost Valley, Warner Springs, and Lake Henshaw, on to Pamo Valley, San Pasqual Valley, on out to the Pacific Coast. After descending to the coastal city of Del Mar, riders will head south to downtown San Diego, and out through to the Lagunas on a mix of doubletrack and singletrack trails. From the Cuyamaca Wilderness, the route drops into to the Anza Borrego Desert, through long stretches of beautiful landscape to Borrego Springs. The route climbs from Borrego Springs to Anza by way of Coyote Canyon, and makes its way back through Garner Valley, up to Idyllwild for the finish.
Rider Spotlight
Matteo’s 2020 Stagecoach 400 Race Setup
Dev Team rider Matteo Pistono is back after experiencing the Stagecoach 400 for the first time last year. You can see his 2019 race recap here. Here are a few words from Matteo as he prepares for a Thursday departure for Idyllwild:
“It was my intention to shave a day off my time from last year but the weather is making it into something else so it may be like doing the Stagecoach for the first time. “Move Forward” was my motto last year, and this year it might be “One Step At A Time” because of the pushing the bike through clay. All good. Probably 4+ days of pedaling!
Same bike as last year, different wheels, same size tires. Gear is more dialed and I’m super appreciative of support from Gravelstoke, Patagonia Cardiff, Rapha DC, and Spinergy Wheels.”
More updates to come on our various channels and stay tuned for a full race recap here at Gravelstoke.com. Stay up to date on all of our news by signing up for our newsletter here.