LA Tourist Race photo gallery: A rare rainy day in Southern California

The LA Tourist Race has become a SoCal favorite thanks to its build-your-own route design. Checkpoints are given only a few days before the race, and this leads to a bombardment of messages and route ideas for the following days. While the routes are normally between 60-100 miles, due to the inflow of rain and snow, checkpoint locations were limited.

With only about 50 miles on tap for the second race of the year, it was the rain, fog, and mud that made this seemingly “easy” race challenging. As well as the extremely steep climbing, with most routes packing 7500 ft of elevation into around 21 miles.

Photographers Stephanie Ortega and Traece Craig captured as much of the race as a spectator could and truly highlighted the challenge of the race while capturing the community and comradery that the race offers.

Stephanie Ortega

Steph pulled double and triple duty between photos, registration, and checkpoint verification. Did we mention she is also a shredder too?

Diana followed by her crew of two. Photo:Stephanie Ortega

All smiles after a big climb. Photo:Stephanie Ortega

The road before the mud Photo:Stephanie Ortega

Third place Tiffany followed by first place Sarah. Photo:Stephanie Ortega

The gate into the fog and more climbing. Photo:Stephanie Ortega

Troy T. crushing a downhill on a broken rim and rear flat. Photo:Stephanie Ortega

Also Read: 2023 LA Tourist Race #2: riding the mountains of Los Angeles

Traece in his natural habitat. Photo:Stephanie Ortega (Photo: Stephanie Ortega)

Traece Craig

Traece is normally a participant in the grueling fun but was planning on working a local ride day demo that got postponed due to trail maintenance. Equipped with his camera and e-mtb, chased after the racers looking for a bit of fun while grabbing these great shots.

(Left) With a day of varied terrain ahead for LA Tourist riders, bicycles from decades ago, modern carbon rigs, category types, wheel sizes, and tire widths could be seen. (Top right) Jordan Haggard does one last check of his gear before embarking. (Bottom right) Travis Engel chats with Carson Blaker to see how the trails they both build and manage will hold up. Each work closely with Lowelifes Respectable Citizens’ Club who restore and maintain trails in Angeles National Forest, California. Photo: Traece Craig @toc_photo

(Left) Kent Hammond keeps his head down with the eye on the prize before coming back to this very parking lot to take another win at LA Tourist Race. (Center) Ara Movsessian contemplates his decisions on food supply for the day. He is no stranger to bonking, this marked his 12th time participating in a LA Tourist event. (Right) Jason Diaz taking on his first LA Tourist Race with no idea what to expect. Photo: Traece Craig @toc_photo

The howl during roll out of 300 riders had everything from a full enduro rig, gravel, and road bike with, hopefully, above 32mm wide tires roaring pavement to the first checkpoint. Photo: Traece Craig @toc_photo

Racers make their way up La Tuna Canyon, pushing onward to the mountain for a taste of dirt. Photo: Traece Craig @toc_photo

(Top right) With dirt closer in sight, racers push on as the going only gets steeper. (Left) Alex Gokan had the heater turned up and utilized the mist to his advantage. (Bottom Right) Erik Price leads the way for the remaining racers to snag their first pages. Photo: Traece Craig @toc_photo

With battle wounds to show, Sean Goodwin, carved the moment for grilled hamburgers awaiting all racers when (if) they make it back to the shop. Photo: Traece Craig @toc_photo

Finished but not yet done. Still lots of calories to consume and bikes to clean. Photo: Traece Craig @toc_photo

Stories of the day are shared into the night as racers come in from any direction to the parking lot. Photo: Traece Craig @toc_photo

After pedaling on road from Burbank, the steep first section of dirt is steep, loose, and loaded with rain ruts. (Top Right) Chase W. pushed through the mist on Haines Canyon Road with Peter Sutcliffe holding pace at the front. Photo: Traece Craig @toc_photo

(Top right) Kyle Fuller pulls around a bend of Rim of the Valley Trail on his way to Blue Bug. (Left) Travis Engel throws style and keeps it fun on his way back down from a checkpoint. (Bottom Right) Traffic going up and down, but that all depended on which route racers chose to take. Photo: Traece Craig @toc_photo

(Top) Racers congregated all for snack time before hiking down to tear their page number. (Center) Jonathan Lee flips through the book at Blue Bug with more checkpoints to cross off after his hike back to his bike. Photo: Traece Craig @toc_photo

Gary W.’s bike has seen better days, yet he made it back to his car for a change of clothes and several cold beers to celebrate at Let’s Ride Cyclery. Photo: Traece Craig @toc_photo

Stephanie Ortega greets racers as they check in their pages. (Right) Mike Kalenda, owner of Let’s Ride Cyclery is a master of stoke and stoking the fire for racers to warm up. Photo: Traece Craig @toc_photo