June 18, 2003 (San jose, Costa Rica) – It has just been announced that Costa Rica's premier international mountain bike race, La Ruta de Los Conquistadores, will kick off November. 14, 2003.

Following the path cut through Costa Rica by Spanish conquerors 450 years before, La Ruta de Los Conquistadores is nothing short of an epic stage race that promises to be one of the most dramatic and photogenic events of the year.

Racing from the Pacific to the Caribbean coast through spellbinding landscapes, competitors will ride (and hike-the-bike) through nine of Costa Rica's twelve microclimates, including rain forest, alpine, and smoldering volcanoes.

Now in its 11th year, La Ruta de Los Conquistadores is open to both professional riders and individuals willing to push themselves beyond their dizzying limits. Race director Rom·n Urbina, who has competed five times, believes that completing La Ruta requires flexibility in the face of adversity, because of the ever changing nature of the race course, including altitude, intense heat, freezing cold, torrential rains, flooding, and mudslides.

Climate and weather aren't the only factors. On the route, riders must do their own bike repairs, though help from other athletes is encouraged. The complex interplay of factors makes La Ruta anyone's race. “Even legends have their good days and bad days,” says Mr. Urbina. “So no excuses!”

Among the riders and teams expected to be at the start line on November. 14, 2003, is the Kona cross-country team, Tinker Juarez, the Costa Rican national team, and Team Pizza Hut, Costa Rica.

Despite the international field of competitors that show up annually, the race has never been won by a non-Costa Rican (not for lack of trying). In 2001, after nearly getting swept down river during a treacherous  crossing, mountain bike legend Tinker Juarez came in second place – the best ever ranking for a non-Costa Rican.

“It's not about how you feel in the beginning; it's about whether you can suffer for so long,” Juarez told Sports Illustrated after the 2001 race. “As far as the races I've done, this is the toughest. The bottom line is I came here  thinking I could win. But that was hard-core.”

As a stage race, the winner of La Ruta is determined by the lowest accumulated time over the three race days. In the spirit of the event, if a racer does not make the day's time cut-off, he/she can continue to ride the next stage though will not be included in the final rankings.

“There's a lot of community on the race course,” says Mr. Urbina, speaking of the spirit of the race. “It's not about seconds or minutes on the course – but the journey. Often people who are too focused on their own race miss the point.”

Individuals as well as teams may enroll, and there is a sliding fee scale based on the number of registrants in the group. The deadline for registration is October. 15, 2003.  Three days, 300 miles, and 30,000 vertical feet of climbing, set in the breathtaking wilderness of Costa Rica. Whether the athletes are pro or just hard working, La Ruta de Los Conquistadores promises to be a dramatic and visually compelling event that should not be missed by cyclists, couch-bound sports enthusiasts, and print and cable media. Add La Ruta to your list of upcoming  events!