The Death Ride is 130 mile ride through the California Alps.  The course is at altitude and begins (and ends) in Markleeville, CA; about an hour south of Reno NV.  The route takes riders through five traditional mountain passes and climbs over 15,000 feet.  After starting with a five mile gradual decent, the course climbs 3000 feet in ten miles over Monitor Pass.  Riders descend the opposite side of Monitor (3300 feet in 10 miles) to the valley below before returning up and over the pass.  The next climb is Ebbetts Pass; 3500 feet in 12 miles.  Ebbetts is different in that most of the steep climbing is in the last 10K.  If you complete these passes, there are more to follow.

The difference between these climbs and GMR (Glendora Mountain Road) is they are unforgiving.  The grades range from 8-15% and there are no plateaus or flat spots.  Once you start climbing, you grind until the top.   For more information on the Death Ride, see www.deathride.com <http://www.deathride.com/> .

How did I get involved in 2007?  I blame Josh Nordell.  Josh sends me an inquiry.  When I read his note, the hair on the back of my neck stood up.  For a moment, I pondered the thought of playing ignorant.  Fortunately, to ride the event, you need to lottery; and so we did.  I disregarded the conversation and gave ourselves little to no chance of getting in.  As luck would have it....

In terms of my preparation (for Ironman Canada), committing to the Death Ride paid dividends.  Josh and I both rode more and climbed often; mostly out of fear.   

We landed in Reno the day before the event, picked up our rental, food, hit the road and fired up NPR; it was Science Friday, my favorite.  That afternoon, I could not get my rear brake to stop rubbing the wheel.  Josh tells me "You're going to be in a world of suck tomorrow if you don't get that fixed."  "Thanks Captain Obvious (I thought to myself).  Bike in hand I headed to Carson City where I found The Bike Smith Bike Shop.  Rob Smith the owner was very nice. Once he knew I was doing the Death Ride, he put my bike on the stand ahead of others and within 10 minutes, I was good.  For a second I thought "could you check my derailleur" but said nothing.  This I would regret.  There was no charge.  Reciprocity set in so I bought a few CO2s, bars, and an energy drink.

Up at 3 AM, fed and on the road by 4 AM we headed to the start.  We loose each other at the ride start and begin at different times; Matt (Josh's friend) starts at 5:15, Josh at 5:30, I look for Josh and loose another 15 minutes starting at 5:45.  The first climb felt great.  I hooked up with this guy wearing "Arizona State Champion."  We start to work together and settle into a great pace passing anyone near us.  The only communication with each other was an occasional caveman like grunt.  Not long after, I lost my 26 (easiest cog).  Then my next easiest cog goes.  Not good.  I'm climbing well but in too hard of a gear. I have no choice.  With 1/3 left to the crest, I pull over to have the rest stop mechanic fix me.  While he gives me the gears I need, I strip the excess clothes, down a bar, and half a bottle.  With in 10 minutes, I catch my Arizona buddy.   We crest the hill and he was gone.  He was a fearless downhill cyclist.

I come up on Matt and swing around.  The view of the mountains was spectacular, picturesque, amazing!!!  Breathtaking!!!!.  We were so high and descending so quickly that it felt like we were descending from the sky.  It was a gorgeous morning, the temperature was perfect, and the road was a pleasure to ride.  This is a cyclist's dream ride.  I'll post pictures on the message board soon.

After regrouping at the bottom, we headed back up Monitor.  Within minutes, I again loose the ability to shift into my climbing gears; this time, it was the top 4 cogs.  I wave Josh and Matt off to go ahead as I headed back down in search of another mechanic.  Not wanting the guys to wait at the top too long, I ride with a sense of urgency.  It was a lot fun and reminded me how much I love to climb.  Descending revealed an abundance of fast and studly riders.  I found it interesting (and funny) how the ratio quickly reversed itself when heading up hill.  By top of Monitor pass, my left IT band started talking.  Pictures, refuel, Ibuprofen, and we were headed towards Ebbetts.

We started up Ebbetts at our own individual paces.  With 10K left the grade separates men from boys and women from girls.  The Ibuprofen was at work and I was still passing people.  With 2K left, I felt a sharp pain up the side of my left knee.  I backed off immediately and took the opportunity to soak up the beautiful scenery.  Individual riders started showing up on the side of the road, helmets off exemplifying a look of total exhaustion.  I couldn't blame them; it was 95 degrees.  As we reached the top, individuals turned to groups.  The rest stop at the top looked like a Civil War medical tent.  Riders were scattered everywhere like dead soldiers.  They would lie anywhere there was shade or a place to lie down.  Spirits were low and there were many hanging heads.  None the less, this was impressive.  These soldiers would get back on the wheeled horses and continue.  This was their Judgment Day, their Ironman equivalent, and were not about to quit. 

My game was over.  I didn't know what type of damage I had done but was not taking any more chances.  The Death Ride and I just don't appear to get along.  This wasn't my judgment day.  I told the guys I wasn't going jeopardize my Canada training to finish this.  I will still get in a very difficult 6 hour ride; more time than I plan to do at IM Canada.  At 2:40 PM, Josh and Matt come by the car with 34 miles still to ride.   I have a passion for cycling...but.....this goes beyond passion.  The people who complete this are very inspirational, impressive, strong willed, and courageous.

I wouldn't say never again to this ride anymore.  But I also wouldn't do it in a year where other events are pending.  If you do this ride and are new to climbing, consider a triple.  Even with a 12/26, I was struggling on some of the more difficult grades. Also consider shipping your bike and getting it tuned on the other end so as to ensure no issues. And lastly, climb your #@% off !!! Josh and must have done GMR 12 times in the past 6 weeks and could have used more. Maybe in ten years,....maybe.