We are so excited to announce that Episode 1 of the documentary series is LIVE!
It is up on Bikepacking.com along with some beautiful words and photos by director and friend (and stagecoacher) Gregg Dunham. We’d be honored if you checked it out. To catch the following episodes which will be released leading up to the Grand Depart this spring, you can subscribe to Gregg’s channel, Sandstone Pictures.
Thank you again to everyone who has been a part of the Stagecoach 400, and to everyone who donated to help us get the final editing done to complete the series. We reached our fundraising goal in the last few hours of the campaign. You are the glue that keeps this together!
Hi everyone! This spring will bring another rendition of the ever-so-special Stagecoach 400 route. Stay tuned… it’ll be based on the classic original loop, but with some add-on options that will inspire some exploration off the beaten path, where we will learn more about the region’s diverse history and unique features. This spring, simply riding the provided loop is an adventure in itself, but each additional option you ride to will not only enrich your mind (and legs), but will positively affect your finishing position.
The route has seen many changes over the years due to weather, fires, and new road construction/trails, and it is still the case that we will no longer be recognizing an FKT for the route, but we will continue to record the yearly finishing times from trackleaders. There is classic touring version of the route for those looking for the classic experience, but the Grand Depart will continue to change somewhat year to year.
We have a cap for the Grand Depart as we do every year, and after that there will be a waitlist. Registration includes a $30 minimum donation to an advocacy group. Here’s the link!
The 2025 Sideshow and Grand Depart were wonderfully successful. Both group starts had an eclectic mix of riders who indulged in their self-supported journey to the fullest.
The Grand Depart route returned to a 400 mile epic, with an additional twist to the route for some new scenery and a bit of added mileage and elevation. The riders started as usual out of Idyllwild, but veered over to Julian and down through the Cuyamaca mountains before reaching San Diego in a nod to the original clockwise version of the route.
As they followed the coast northbound and turn east, the route took a less traveled cut through past Eagle Peak to return through the mountains, and then dropped into the desert on the ever recognizable path, passing through the usual haunts in the Anza Borrego Desert.
The riders enjoyed beautiful singletrack in and out of Idyllwild that has been reopened after a decade of closure due to fire. For the first time in years, we had incredible weather, and the conditions were typical for a year with less rainfall in Southern California.
The first rider to reach Idyllwild was Zachary Morvant, but sleep deprivation, dehydration, and everything else that comes along with that got the best of him toward the end, and he ended up on a different climb off route. These things happen! He messaged me to let me know- so his finish is recorded with an * next to it.
This means the title of the first finisher of the entire route is Jocelyn De la Rosa, who came in shortly after!
Emma Missale was the next rider in, and the first woman to finish. She was stoked on the desert.
Frances Hacker was the first non-binary rider in, enjoying all the birds on the route.
Al Parks was the first singlespeeder to finish, and they loved the tailwinds dropping into the desert!
Gregory Ruben is our lantern rouge, holding it down as one of the most regular riders to complete the grand depart each year.
Thank you to everyone who came out. Look forward to a thoughtful reflection from Brendan, with some photos that he shot along the way.
Top Finishers (inc. Men):
*Zachary Morvant (first in but with deviation, got lost and took wrong dirt climb) 46:28 Jocelyn De la Rosa 46:57 (first finisher to complete entire route) Emma Missale 49:51 Alex Shultz 52:05
Women: Emma Missale 49:51 Sarah Didier 53:45 Hannah Simon 59:29
Non-Binary: Frances Hacker 54:54 Al Parks 58:02
Singlespeed: Al Parks 58:02 Eric House 59:24 Drew Raney 82:40
Hi all! The 2025 Stagecoach 400 Grand Depart will be April 4th. There will be a Sideshow one week prior, rolling out on March 28th.
The Grand Depart registration will open sometime around the new year. It will have a cap as always, and after, a waitlist. Look forward to some fun changes in the routing, TBA! Just a reminder, as the route has been changing yearly due to weather and trail routing alterations, no FKT will be recorded from here on out. On the topic of route changes, I’ll have a backup version in case of inclement weather- so the event will be rain or shine as always, but may have significant differences in routing to accommodate for heavy rain/snow or extreme heat.
The Sideshow will go the clockwise direction around a slightly modified classic Stagecoach route, focusing on the ride being a self-paced tour where riders can really soak in some of the favorite spots, such as Iron Door Bar, Agua Caliente Hot Springs, the Pub at Lake Cuyamaca, maybe even dip your toes in the ocean at Blacks Beach during low tide. The Grand Depart riders will eagerly await conditions reports from this group.
Hi everyone, the 2024 Grand Depart registration link is now posted here. We have a cap as we do every year, and after that a waitlist. *waitlist is full as of 1/21*
If you’re interested in an ITT with Trackleaders on a different date not overlapping the Grand Depart, send an email to stagecoach400@gmail.com anytime.
Hey all! 2024 grand depart date is March 29th in Idyllwild.
Registration for the grand depart will be posted in January.
There will be a Stagecoach Sideshow going the other direction, clockwise, a week before (so on March 22) that will be *self-organized* but with the same camaraderie and shenanigans as usual, but without registration.
We have a cap as we do every year, and after that there will be a waitlist. Registration will include a donation to a good cause (will be options).
If you’re interested in registering for an ITT on a date that doesn’t overlap with the grand depart, feel free to reach out: stagecoach400@gmail.com
This late winter storm that just passed through California left over 50″ of snow in Idyllwild, with huge amounts of snow and rain in the region. Any touring riders this month should definitely keep an eye on the weather, and check in about any reroutes or closures.
stagecoach400@gmail.com
Brendan shared these photos from Idyllwild yesterday.
And yet, the projected forecast in the desert end of next week? Almost 90 degrees!
Goodmorning all, and happy new year! If you’re interested in registering for the 2023 Grand Depart or the Stagecoach Sideshow with Brendan, the registration link is now posted here. We have a cap as we do every year, and after that a waitlist.
If you’re interested in an ITT with Trackleaders on a different date not overlapping the Grand Depart, send an email to stagecoach400@gmail.com anytime.
Hey all! 2023 grand depart date is March 24th in Idyllwild. Registration will be posted sometime the first week of January- highly recommend keeping an eye out each day for the link. We have a cap as we do every year, and after that there will be a waitlist. Registration will include a donation to a good cause (will be options).
ALSO- excited to share that Brendan will be leading a Stagecoach Sideshow ride one week before the GD, rolling out on Friday March 17th! It will be social/fun-focused, but with long hard days and big miles, and some minor route changes (scenic additions) & highlights TBA from Brendan. If you are looking to make friends, have done stagecoach half a dozen times, aren’t really into the “racing” vibe, or maybe you can’t make the GD for whatever reason, you can register for the SC Sideshow so we can get more new faces in for either group start. It will also have a cap and separate waitlist. It will be self-paced, self-supported, and follow the same rules of the grand depart, so you’ll be an official finisher under those guidelines as well, if that matters to you. It will also be on Trackleaders.
We love when people register for an ITT, or a few people do and roll out together, as long as it’s not overlapping with our GD due to parking and other conflicts. Email me if you’d like to do an ITT: stagecoach400@gmail.com
This all being said- the Stagecoach 400 is simply a mountain bike route. It’s not a race, and you can ride it almost year round any way you’d like. Please respect the organizer and riders and do not poach the event- this puts it at risk for a multitude of reasons. Thank you!
SoCal Bikepacking 