EPIC TRAINING SYSTEMS
Endure, Excel, Acheive
2006 Death Ride-- Ride Report
July 8, 2006

129 miles and 15,000 feet of climbing  (207 km 4572 meters)

TOTAL TIME: 9:15
Gearing 53x39 and 11-27 cassette

I guess being prepared and training specifically for an event really works.  That
was supposed to be funny but there is some truth to it as well.  Allow me to
explain.  By all accounts, the Death Ride is reported to be an extremely difficult
event.  When you look at the numbers 129 miles and 15,000+ feet of climbing-  
they are quite impressive.  I on the other hand, found it to be a great ride and not
all that difficult.  Maybe it was the Palomar Mountain repeats (in the heat) or the
outstanding support from the ride organizers, but I have suffered much more on
my Double Centuries than I did on the Death Ride.

More on the support

Because of the masses of riders (3,000) the organizers go to great lengths to have
what appears to be hundreds of volunteers.  As you pull into the rest stops people
are willing to take your bike, rack it for you, fill your bottles for you, offer
sunscreen and just take care of you.  I remember a couple of the stops had
teenagers willing to run down the hill grab your empty bottles refill them and do a
running hand off so you would lose the least amount of time at the aid stations.
Now tell me isn't that AWESOME?  At the aid stations you will find the usual fare:  
bagels, fruit, bars, Clif products and Cytomax.

Gastrointestinal Issues (GI)

If you ride you know what this is, if you don't ride then it is an upset stomach.  A
couple of hours into the ride I started to experience this gurgling bloated feeling.  I
don't use Cytomax in training and it just didn't agree with me during the ride.  I
spent more than a 1/2 hour off the bike in the porta-potty.  I easily could have
done this ride in Sub 9 hour finishing time.  Even with all the time off the bike
I was just barely over 9 hours.  My suspicion is that when they mix it in 5 gallons
jugs the mixture isn't right or it could be just me.  Either way it hampered my
performance.   

Overall

By the way, I rode on Friday and previewed Monitor and Ebbett's Passes.  I rode
about 50 miles and did 6500 feet of climbing  (SEE BELOW) and I felt great no
altitude sickness.  Which was interesting coming straight from seal level the night
before.  The climbs aren't that high but they are over 8K elevation.  

On Saturday, day of the event,  I felt even better. The scenery was fantastic the
other riders were great and the support was top notch.  There a lot of significant
others willing to cheer you on as you ride by them.  I remember coming through
Markleeville, after pass #4 and heading towards Carson, the town was full of
people along the roadside, on the grassy banks, all over cheering as you went by.  
A great ride, if you can get in, DO IT!!
Monitor Pass 8314 Elevation
Pass 1 & 2

West Side  8.7 Miles 2632 feet (14.0 km 802 meters)
East Side    9.8 Miles 3257 feet (15.8 km 992 meters)

I found the West side of Monitor Pass to be one of the harder climbs.  It is the
first climb in the morning and you aren't warmed up yet.  It has sections that are
over 9% -10% momentarily with about a 2 mile section averaging 8.8% near the
bottom.  Once you are warmed up the climb is the most consistent grade of them
all.   There were water stops half-way up and at the top of each climb.  I was able
to refill my bottles at the top and bottom of every climb (great support).

Both descents on Monitor are extremely fast with nice smooth blacktop.  You
must remain cognizant that others may not descend as well as you.  But I easily
reached speeds over 50-55 mph.  
Ebbett's Pass 8730 Elevation
Pass 3 & 4

West Side 13.8 Miles 3050 feet (22.2 km 929 meters)
East Side    4.3 Miles 1642 feet  (6.9 km 500 meters)

Ebbett's West (#3) side gives you plenty of time to get your legs back after the
wickedly fast descent down Monitor's East side.  But then about 5 miles into it
you begin a series of 10-12% pitches.  They may catch you off guard because
you have been spinning for a little while.  All of the sudden you have to get out of
the saddle to keep your momentum.  And eventually, momentum gives way to
grinding out your easiest gear ratio.  This could be a problem if the early starters
who are not good climbers are in front of you.  I had people dismounting in front
of me and they weren't as far right as they could be.  

Steep hairpin turns get your attention but it's redeeming value is that I
would say this pass is the most scenic.  Some where above 7500 feet there is a
lake that is just out of a postcard.  I wish I would have stopped to enjoy it.

Coming back up the East (#4) side all you keep thinking is "...when I get to the
top of this I can cruise until Carson."  And that is the right mindset to have
because once you finish the 4.3 mile climb you will have a lot of downhill and
some rolling terrain to the foot of Carson. You crest your second time up Ebbett's
at mile 70 and don't begin climbing Carson, out of Woodfords, until mile 94.
Carson Pass 8580 Elevation

15.8 miles 3140 feet (25.4 miles 957 meters)

"Conserve for Carson should be your mantra."  I felt great all day.  As a
matter of fact, I kept telling myself "save some for Carson".  Many times I
would have to back off the intensity because I felt so good.  Aside from my GI
issues, my legs felt fine and I wasn't experiencing any loss of power due to the
altitude. It wasn't until the last 3 miles of Carson pass that I started to feel tired
and both my big toes were hurting so bad I wanted to pull over.  But I was
making good time and didn't want to stop.  Those cheering "fans" along the
roadside played a big part in me not stopping.  It felt great for someone to be
there encouraging me. Complete strangers applauding and cheering us on all the
climbs but more so on Carson.   

When I got to Carson Pass I didn't partake in the customary ice cream but I did
have a Coke and a smile (yes I know corny),  got my sticker and my pin and
headed back down.  On the descent, I hit two big potholes, one of which
launched one of my bottles--it is a good feeling to know "that's ok I won't be
needing that".    Although, it was still very scary since it happened as I was
quasi-drafting a car at over 60 mph.
Ok well, put a check in the block for this one.  I probably will do it again. Why
the reservation?   Getting in to the event is via a lottery, lodging and
travel are an inconvenience so these factors preclude me from scheduling it
every year but I would like to do it again and get under 9 hours.  








                           
                                 Death Ride Elevation Profile
July 7,  2006

58 miles and 6500 of climbing.








Blogging remotely from Carson City, NV


What does an Ultra Cyclist do the day before a 129 mile 15,000 ft
climbing day (Markleeville Death Ride) ? He rides his bike of course.


I wanted to pre-ride Monitor Pass without the masses of other cyclists
on the road. Derek Baggerly and I noticed a few riders out but the
scenery was and is spectacular in this part of the California. Starting
elevation for Turtle Rock park is around 5700 feet (Markleeville is
5510 ft). As we rode up towards Monitor Pass we caught glimpses of
streams and wide open green spaces. The climbs in Southern California
are so devoid of romantic scenery. The lack of rain and the proximity to
the desert heat keeps everything well... brown.


The descent from Monitor Pass (8314 ft) is very fast. Without being in a
full tuck I reached speeds of 55 mph. It was thrilling. I say you haven't
lived until you feel that rush as you carve down a mountain side. At the
turnoff, Derek went back to the start and I climbed Ebbett's Pass.





This climb was gentler but then it would have 10-12% pitches with
hairpin turns. This climb was even more scenic than Monitor. A stream
ran alongside the road and I went over several creeks. Then as I
reached 7,000 feet or so I began to see snow along the road. It was in
the mid 70's but there was still snow-- must be in the shade most of the
time. Ebbett's Pass was 8730 feet. I then went back to the start and
checked in and recieved my "goodie bag".





I feel great and I think tomorrow is going to be a fantastic day for
climbing. The weather today was perfect-- cool in the morning, warm in
the afternoon and yes hot (95F) at the "lower elevations" (5500 feet).