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I participated in and completed my first Death Ride last weekend, and it was pretty cool. If you are pressed for time, I’ll summarize the details for you:
· One-day, 129-mile bicycle ride
· Start in Markleville, CA ~ 6,000’ Elevation
· Climb a total of 15,000’ over 5 mountain passes
· Completed in 12.5 hours
I left work around noon on Friday and drove to Sacramento through Winters. I stopped at mom’s house to play with the puppy, and then I was off to Markleville. The traffic was pretty light the whole way, which is why I left so early in the day. I found a great parking spot just past the entrance to Turtle Rock Park. After parking I walked up to the registration table and got my materials. I went back to the car to get a water bottle and then filled it with Cytomax – one of the main sponsors of the event. Then it was back to the car to settle in for the evening.
I had been getting up earlier and earlier each day the previous week. So even though it was early, I was pretty tired. I read a little and then tried to get some sleep. In the mountains it is really hard to stay hydrated, so even though I drank a bunch of water I slept through the whole night. That still was not much, because people started getting up and actually riding the course at 3:00am.
I was under the impression that we were not allowed on the course until 5:30am. After an hour or so of trying to sleep through the commotion I gave up and started getting ready myself. My first task was the port-o-let, chamois butter, sunscreen, and bike clothes. Next, I ate some cereal, drank a little coffee, pounded some MotorTabs, and had some Sport Beans. Then I prepped the bike for take-off by inflating the tires and making sure I had some spare tubes and tools. I took the bladder out of a Camelbak and used it as a little backpack, which worked great. After several final checks there was nothing left to do but start.
At just after 5:00am I set out down the highway, which by this time had many other cyclists on it. We all had lights, and the road was closed to vehicular traffic, so this was safer than it might initially sound. Within just a few miles we reached the base of Monitor Pass and began the first long climb. From a low of about 5,500’ we rode all the way up to the top at 8,314’. I was so excited that I forgot to stop and take any pictures. I climb really slowly, but I descend like nobody’s business. So, I was looking forward to the long downhill that lay ahead. I flew down at a nice clip and reached the bottom to collect my second sticker.
You get the even-numbered stickers at the bottom of the pass, not the top. That ensures that everyone rides the entire course – no turning around halfway down! These first two climbs were harder than anything I had climbed before, and I probably went a little too hard. My form started breaking down, and I was using too much back and not enough leg. If only I knew. Monitor, it turns out is the easier of the climbs!
Up Monitor for the second time, I remembered to get a picture at the monument marker. Then I got another great downhill before riding to the base of Ebbett’s Pass. Ebbett’s is longer, steeper, and higher than Monitor, and it was a real challenge. I was seriously considering stopping after three passes. My back was killing me, and I had to ride past the lunch spot without stopping – that was hard because I was so hungry.
Once I reached the top of Ebbett’s the first time I decided to re-evaluate my pace and strategy. I was clearly riding at a pace that I could not sustain for the duration of the event, so I had to slow down. Since I left so early I had lots of time before the cut-offs, so I decided I could actually rest at the rest stops instead of refueling and riding on. Also I was aware of my poor form, so I decided to focus on staying in good form. Plus at this point, tired as I was, I knew the fourth sticker was only six miles down the back side of Ebbett’s. If I could just do these three things for the six miles back up I would be a Four-Pass Finisher instead of a Three-Pass Finisher.
So that’s what I did. I flew down to Hermit Valley, took 1,500 mgs of ibuprofen, stretched, and started the climb back up. I kept decent form, and when I felt tired I just stopped in the shade. It turns out I was only a half mile from the summit. Hearing that motivated me, and I kept riding after just a little break. Plus the descent down the front of Ebbett’s meant that I was close to lunch.
Lunch was great. At this point I was still debating the last pass. Despite having finished 75% of the climbing I had only completed 2/3 of the actual distance. Monitor and Ebbett’s are close to each other, so you get them out of the way quickly. Carson, however, is on the other side of the valley. In addition to the 43 miles of distance and 3,500’ of climbing that remained I would have to ride right past my car and keep going. I was still in pain, but it was not getting any worse. I decided that I could do the distance, and if I rested when needed I could slowly complete the last climb. Plus I am just too competitive and proud and stubborn to get that close to finishing and not actually finish.
I pace-lined with a few people back to Markleville, which was a lot of fun (even though it was probably a waste of energy). I got back to the car pretty quick. I shed my backpack and all the warm garments it was now stuffed with. That made me a lot more comfortable and lifted my spirits for the final push. The climb up Carson is about 18-20 miles. Though it is not the steepest, the length makes it quite challenging – that and the fact that it is at the end of grueling all-day ride. I rested twice on my own on the way up and once at the actual rest stop.
But none of that matters, because I made it. I got my sticker, my 5-Pass Finisher pin, my ice cream bar, and signed the huge print at the top. Within a few minutes of reaching the summit, the clouds that had been building started delivering hail – yes hail! Most people huddled under the tents, but I was tired and exited and wanted to be finished. I strapped on a garbage-bag-poncho, hopped on my bike, and headed off down the hill. When I got low enough in elevation the hail turned into torrential downpour. It was probably a bit dangerous riding down from Carson Pass at 50+ mph with standing water on the road, frothy road grime, and low visibility. But who cares? I was almost done, and it was a blast.
During the last five miles the weather partially cleared, which allowed me to dry out and warm up a bit. Unfortunately there was about four ounces of water in my rear hub and cog-set. I may have to get that looked at. I took the extra time at the end of the ride to purchase my 5-Pass Finisher jersey – a perfect, albeit expensive, memento of the day. I pounded my Fluid recovery drink and slammed down some food at the dinner. Then I got on the road. I just had a short drive to South Lake Tahoe to see my God-son and his parents.
I slept like a log that night. It was the best night’s sleep I had gotten in weeks! The next morning we boated across the lake to Zephyr Cove Lodge for breakfast – it was so good. Now that the pain is mostly gone the idea of participating again next year is not as repulsive. So this may just be the first Death Ride for me – we’ll see.
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