L'Etape de California

[Tokie]

Hi So Cal TE'ers - I am looking for a decent (not ritzy) motel to stay Friday before the Mt Baldy century (L Etape) this May 6th. The Doubletree in Claremont is a bit pricey and they are demanding a 2 night stay. Can you recommend a local motel that is close enough to ride to the start of the century ride? (I think this ride is going to wipe me out already with 10,000 feet of climbing, so I don't want to add too many miles to that) Thanks! tokie

[tangentgirl]

Ontario Airport is about 5-10 miles from Claremont - there should be a lot of hotel/motel options there.

[Tokie]

There do seem to be lots of motels and hotels around. But it's hard to imagine how the traffic/freeway access/or direct ride-ability is from a map. I'll keep looking. Thanks for your response - I wonder if anyone else on TE is doing this ride. It does sound hard! (and I am something of a hill slug/overall slug as of today!) http://www.letapeducalifornia.com/maps/ tokie

[tangentgirl]

Ah, I misread your post - you want to ride to/from the hotel. Your best bet is probably one of the cluster of hotels near the 10 and Indian Hill Blvd on this map: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sour...,0.153637&z=13

In that area, you'll be heading south from the end of the ride. Nothing's flat around there, but usually, south=downhill (somewhat). The 10 is only a mile or two from the Claremont colleges, where it looks like you are starting.

That looks like a really fun, pretty, challenging ride. If I was ready, I'd be there for sure. Maybe next year. Good luck!

[Tokie]

Hi and thanks! that is exactly what I needed to know! Just back from the Sea Otter in Monterey (huge mt and road bike festival) and catching up with the real world (laundry,groceries,work,broken stove....) Yes, the LeTape (sp?) looks like quite a challenge. My friend assures me that there are "bail-outs" on the climb, should I decide that I'm done before the ride is! tokie

[tangentgirl]

How'd it go, Tokie?