180 km in the San Juan Desert: The Wind Decides, Not the Climbs

The Picture in Thirty Seconds

Two 90 km laps, 180 km total. The official page lists roughly 745 m of elevation gain; the athlete guide shows a different figure, probably partial. Take the profile for what it is: "rolling," meaning no real climbs but no pure flat either. This is the first edition at the full distance, so there are no reference times on this course: our ballpark splits range from 7:15 for the relaxed finisher to 4:55 for the top age-grouper. These are our estimates, not official data.

The Wind Is the Main Opponent

You'll be riding through desert terrain, around a reservoir regularly used for windsurfing and kitesurfing. Where people kite, there's wind, and often in gusts. Even the content covering the 70.3 bike course in the same area describes it as fast but exposed to the wind, capable of making or breaking your race. Translation: the power you put out matters less than your ability to stay aero and stable when a crosswind gust hits. What to do now: schedule long rides on windy days, in your aero position, on the wheels you'll race. If you're not sure you can handle a deep-section front wheel in crosswind gusts, a mid-depth front (40-50 mm) is the safe call. Decide in training, not on race morning while staring at the trees.

Roads: Closed, but Not Right Away

The first stretch on RP 12 is partially closed to traffic up to the junction with RP 38; from there on, the road is fully closed. On the partially closed section, hold your line and watch for service vehicles. It's also the stretch where, on lap two, you'll hit the most race traffic and lapped athletes.

Pacing Over Two Laps

The classic rule counts double on a windy course: first lap under control, second lap equal or slightly faster. In the wind, think in power or perceived effort, never speed: 30 km/h into a headwind can cost more than 38 with a tailwind. Note your split times at the halfway point of each lap so you know early whether it's a fast or slow day, and recalibrate your target without panicking.

Aid Stations: There's a 25 km Gap

Seven aid stations: km 19, 38, 56, 81 (149 on lap two), 106, 120, 135. The critical stretch is between km 56 and 81: 25 km with no resupply. With historic highs reaching 36 °C, do the math: at 30 km/h that's 50 minutes of riding. If you drink 750-1000 ml per hour in the heat, you need to leave the km 56 aid station with at least two full bottles. Set up for 1.5 liters total carrying capacity and test it beforehand.

The Cutoffs Are Unforgiving

Intermediate cutoff at km 125 at 5:34 PM; total bike cutoff 10h30. With the age-group start at 9:00 AM, do the math before race day: if you exit the water in 1:50 and take 10 minutes in transition, you're on the bike around 11:00 AM with about six and a half hours for 125 km. Doable for almost everyone, but a double flat or blowing up in the wind erodes that margin fast. If you ride at slower averages, get into the rolling start early and don't linger at aid stations.

The To-Do List

• Two or three long rides in aero in the wind, on your race wheels.
• Dial in your hydration setup to cover 25 km self-supported.
• Simulate lap two: a 140-160 km ride with the second half at race intensity.
• Calculate your projected arrival times at km 125 under three scenarios: good, average, bad.

There's no history on this course: whoever shows up with a written plan starts ahead of whoever wings it.