|   Tahoe Saturday: Death Ride on Dirt | Biking Viking
Jul 16, 2002 12:19 PM | | So the roadies rode their organized version on the same day. They climbed 16K ft in 129 miles on their 18-pound roadie rigs with plenty of water stops and feed stations along their way. We climbed 7,000ft on our 28-32 lbs trail bikes and carried food and water ourselves. 36 of our 46 miles were on rocky singletrack trails with countless technical sections that you had to power through. I think the efforts are comparable.
Fourarm had looked at the official Saturday ride and come to the conclusion that there was too much shuttling and not enough climbing in that ride. So he designed his own ride which merged with the official gathering ride in the end. For those who know the area, here's what we did:
From the Ag Inspection Station on Hwy 50 to the Christmas Valley Trail. Up Christmas Valley to Round Lake. TRT down to Hwy 89, then TRT up, up, up to Freel Pass. Meet the group here, turn around and go back to Toads. Paul J and I accepted the invitation. It was an insane ride I'm totally convinced that it was designed as revenge for my little ride project 16 days ago:
.and it worked.
The torture meister showed up with fresh legs and set a pace that could have killed anybody. I have no pictures after Freel pass, where we met the rest of the riders, as planned, then turned around. There is one climb on the way back to Toads, and I bonked harder than I've done in a long time. At the top of the climb I felt a strong urge to lie down and sleep, not a good sign. My bike handling skills were deteriorating terribly, and I found myself going all over the place. I was pissed, because I'd been looking so forward to Toads and in the state I was in, I would not be able to enjoy it. I would have been a danger to myself.
I analyzed the situation.
These sudden bursts of energy that you have to apply all the time to get through the technical climb sections makes you burn more carbs than you usually do. I therefore suspected that my condition was due to glycogen deficiency, but I was out of GU. At the start of Toads, I asked Paul J for a gulp of the maple syrup he always carries in a GU flask. It worked like magic. Like Popeye on Spinach, I returned to my normal self within fifteen minutes.
The five (or six?) pints of Belgian Wheat Beer at the brewery was all I needed for a full recovery.
BV |
| A peaceful moment by Round Lake | Biking Viking
Jul 16, 2002 12:20 PM | | Bastard. |
| JRA a meadow | Biking Viking
Jul 16, 2002 12:21 PM | | I've spent a lot of time with these two guys lately |
| Fourarm goes BMX | Biking Viking
Jul 16, 2002 12:21 PM | | For those who've ridden with him before, you can barely make out "the face"
Despite inflating his cheeks almost to the point of bursting, he didn't clean it. |
| What? | Roger
Jul 16, 2002 2:20 PM | | He didn't clean that? He must have been worn out climbing up Xmas valley. Beautiful meadow behind you. I love that ride. |
| Tried twice | fourarm
Jul 16, 2002 4:16 PM | | I have cleaned it in the past but just couldn't seem to manage the crank coordination this time. The bush on the left as you approach also seems to have grown bigger.
As you leave the meadow just past that bridge there is a trail on the right...any idea on how long it goes? |
| Bummer | Roger
Jul 17, 2002 6:16 AM | | yeah, I know the bushes keep getting bigger and bigger coming the other way and launching off the bridge I always seem to partially end up in those bushes.
Never gone that way, I always head toward xmas valley. What condition is xmas valley in by the way, haven't been there yet this year? |
| No facial shot here either | Biking Viking
Jul 16, 2002 12:22 PM | | This is what I normally get to see on these rides. Good thing the scenery is marginally tolerable. |
| Niiiiice. | Finch Platte
Jul 16, 2002 5:59 PM | | Good job, BV.
Geary |
| At least we met the others @ Freel Pass | Biking Viking
Jul 16, 2002 12:25 PM | | Jilm still in search of that O2 now completely in the wrong place. |
| Passionistas accumulating on Freel elev. 9,600 | Biking Viking
Jul 16, 2002 12:26 PM | | This just before the thunderstorm started moving in. |
| Six hours later | Biking Viking
Jul 16, 2002 12:27 PM | | Jilm has arrived the brewery - still hydrating. |
| Egad! What an ugly MoFo!....Good Pics BV (nm) | jilm
Jul 16, 2002 2:24 PM | | |
| A rare shot | Biking Viking
Jul 16, 2002 12:28 PM | | Finch looks like a normal, reflecting human being.
To the left: My designated minivan driver for the night. |
| THAT'S where my quarters went! | Finch Platte
Jul 16, 2002 5:56 PM | | Sh!t, that was about $10 in quarters I left for a tip. I left the casino when I had recouped my $$, so I know how much was there. Then Marvin hits me up for a campsite and I didn't even stay there!
No wonder I didn't have any money when I got home :0(
fp |
| Very Nice | Yeti_Rider
Jul 16, 2002 12:28 PM | | I've got to get up there and ride sometime. All the great pictures are fantastic!
Michael |
| What's wrong in this picture. | Biking Viking
Jul 16, 2002 12:32 PM | | Beer, pizza, good company and they look like they've been through a death march. What's up with that? Maybe Finch just told a joke.
Clockwise from bottom left: Finch, Suzy, Starvin Marvin, JFR, bigboulder, Fast Eddy |
| Great Pics....One helluv.. | WarrGuru
Jul 16, 2002 1:10 PM | | That looks like it was one hell of a tough ride. I usually start bonking around 25 miles and 4000ft. I can't imagine climbing 7000ft. You all must have passed out after those beers.
Good Riding! |
| Not enough climbing on the organized ride? Yipes! | wg
Jul 16, 2002 1:11 PM | | One heck of a ride you had there.
I agree with the lack of carbs causing issues. I definitely started making fatigue mistakes before toads. A couple folks powered down some gummi worms at the beginning of Toad's. That may have helped them. I did not partake of the offered worm.
Nice pics and post. Thanks
Werner |
| Gummi worms are the key! | derek
Jul 16, 2002 2:20 PM | | I offered them to everyone and you turned them down! At least you partook of the offered ibuprofen. Hope the shoulder heals quickly.
-Derek |
| I thought about a sugar bonk and figured I'd make it......WRONG! | wg
Jul 16, 2002 2:58 PM | | Should have taken you up on it. |
| you must have meant Hwy 80 (nm) | CHP
Jul 16, 2002 1:38 PM | | |
| you must have meant Hwy 80 (nm) | Paul J
Jul 16, 2002 2:11 PM | | No, we parked on Hwy 50 at the agcriculture check station. It's right past the golf course......
There is one on Hwy 80 as well. |
| And the roadies got free massages on top of Ebbets Pass... | Zignzag
Jul 16, 2002 2:15 PM | | Pussies!
Looks like another weekend, another epic for BV. Looks like you guys had a fun gathering. I still think we should ressurect the early October Tahoe gathering that Slartibartfast used to put on. The weather is still nice and the crowds are gone then. |
| I'm there........................ | Paul J
Jul 16, 2002 2:29 PM | | Just say when. |
| The traditional date was the first weekend in October... | Zignzag
Jul 16, 2002 3:04 PM | | That would be the 5th and 6th this year. Did I mention the Fall colors? |
| Sounds like a good idea. Great time to be up there. | wg
Jul 16, 2002 3:00 PM | | |
| Killer ride..... | sheebo
Jul 16, 2002 2:35 PM | | No disrespect, but the Markleeville Death Ride probably tops even your monstrous ride. Few complete all 5 or 6 mountain passes,(some extend the ride to approx 145 miles) and the weather is always something to deal with. A few years back there was a massive snow storm and the ride still took place. This would have to compare to mtn bikings Leadville 100. Just my 2 cents. Once again, many great pics and a ride to be proud of. Cheers. |
| Nah | Kra$h
Jul 16, 2002 4:01 PM | | The DR ain't that tough - lots of casual riders make all five passes. A lot really does depend on the weather, but the MTB ride described covers the same mountains and goes higher. If the weather goes bad you're on your own. Technically speaking this section of the rim trail is much more demanding.
Events like the Climb to Kaiser, the Terrible Two, the Devil Mountain Double, and the Everest Challenge make the Death Ride look like a tea party. |
| I don't think casual riders make all the passes...just hard core | sheebo
Jul 16, 2002 4:11 PM | | |
| A big Yep to your last sentence. | Zignzag
Jul 16, 2002 4:37 PM | | Here's my ranking:
1. Everest Challenge (a 2 day event, don't know if this counts)
2. Cascade Creampuff
3. Devil Mt. Double
4. Terrible Two
5. Death Ride
6. Leadville Trail 100
I haven't done Climb to Kaiser yet, or the Dinky Double variation. |
| Oh I dunno | Kra$h
Jul 16, 2002 3:54 PM | | Apples and oranges really. Some of the roadies couldn't handle the trail riding and vice versa. Having done both the DR and the "Hella XC" (my name for it) it kinda depends on how fast you ride. I've felt about as wrecked from both of them. We started near the bottom of Kingsburry Grade and tore through the main gaggle by Star Lake and completed in 5:20. We were the two riders from Santa Cruz and it's pretty much our normal style - go long and hard - which is only possible if you keep the group small. I always carry more fuel than I think I'll need. You never know when you or a couple of your buds could have a really bad day. Bonking is no way to live.
The DR is kind of a circus complete with safety nets, porta-pottys, and kleenex. The Hella XC is a whole different animal - you're pretty much on your own adventure and there's really only two bailout points. The DR is an event, the Hella XC is an epic. I actually discourage a lot of less experienced people from doing this route - you don't want to arrive at the top of Mr. Toad's all cashed and trashed. |
| I'm glad I was in Thailand... | elperro
Jul 16, 2002 6:19 PM | | Or you would have had to medivac me down! That sounds JUst unbelieveable! I still owe the BAC (Bay Area Crew) another trip down. If you guys get that october Tahoe gathering, Hmmmm.
Thanks BV,
_El Perro |
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