Everest Challenge - The Hardest 2-Day USAC Race and Ride ... EVER
      September 12 - 13, 2009
        The undisputed, hardest 2-day USA Cycling Race & Ride!
 
      The California-Nevada Climbing Championship
Everest Challenge Course Description
 
START TIMES are for BOTH Saturday AND Sunday:
Non-competitive/Tourist6:20 a.m.
Masters 55+, 65+, all USAC Women, Juniors6:30 a.m.
Public, Tandems6:40 a.m.
PRO 1/27:15 a.m.
Cat 37:20 a.m.
Masters 35+, 45+7:25 a.m.
Cat 4/57:30 a.m.

 
NEUTRAL STARTS
Saturday: Stage 1 will have a neutralized start from Millpond until the left turn onto Lower Rock Creek / Old Sherwin Grade at mile 8.3. The race field will be led out by an official race vehicle at a moderate pace. Racers are not allowed to pass the leadout vehicle until the left turn at mile 8.3. The car will pull away from the field before the turn, and racing begins after the turn. It is a long race, so take it easy and watch out for each other. We will also have a follow vehicle in case of flats or other problems. This "rolling enclosure" is the only time during the race that riders can be two or three across. Once you are onto Lower Rock Creek, you will be expected to ride in single file at all times except when passing.
 
Sunday: Stage 2 will have a neutralized start from the junction of Hwy 168 and Death Valley Road to the right turn onto Crocker Road on the west side of Big Pine at mile 2.7. The race field will be led out by an official race vehicle at a moderate pace, and marshaled across US395 in Big Pine. Each peleton will cross US 395 in a single bunch. Racers are not allowed to pass the leadout vehicle until the turn onto Crocker at mile 2.7. The car will pull away from the field before the turn, and racing begins after the turn. It is a long race, so take it easy, watch out for each other, and keep your eyes and ears open along US395 in both directions.
 
RIDE DETAILS
Saturday: Stage 1
(insert map & elevation chart - coming soon) Stage 1 starts outside of Bishop at Millpond Campground, 4,425'. The first climb is to Mosquito Flat. At 10,250', it is the highest paved road in the Sierras. The approach is 11 miles long, with the first 8 miles neutralized. The climb is 22 miles long, with an average grade of 5%. Then, back down to Round Valley for an 8 mile climb up Pine Creek to 7,420', average grade 7%. Then past the start/cars and up Bishop Creek to 9,835' in 20.4 miles, average grade 6%. While this is not the highest spot nor the most vertical gain, the last mile has two short sections around 15% grade that will certainly test your strength and endurance and desire to stay on the bike.
 
The Timing Finish is at the summit after the turnoff to the boat ramp. Riders are expected to ride down to the Start / Finish and check in for an Official Finish. This effectively neutralizes the last descent so that you can enjoy the view from the summit for a few minutes, eat and rest up a bit, and bask in the unfiltered sunlight and rarified atmosphere. Descend carefully, as you will be tired and the descents deserve your full attention!
 
Stage 1 Climbs
START / FINISHMillpond Recreation Area (4425')

 
FIRST CLIMB (Red line on map)
 
Mosquito Flat (10250')
22 miles long, ave. grade 5%, max. grade 12%, total elevation gain 5825'

 
SECOND CLIMB (Green line on map)
 
Pine Creek (7425')
8 miles, 7% ave. grade, 11% max. grade, total elevation gain 3000'

 
THIRD CLIMB (Blue line on map)
 
South Lake (9835')
20.4 miles long, ave. grade 6%, max. grade 17.5%, total elevation gain 5410'

 
Total elevation gain for Stage 1
 
15,465' over 102 miles
Yes, that leaves 1230' of climbing in between the climbs, doesn't it?

 
Sunday: Stage 2
(insert map & elevation chart - coming soon) Stage 2 starts East of Big Pine with a climb up towards the Palisade Glacier, the most southern glacier in North America. Starting elevation is 3,940', finishing elevation is 7,800'. The approach is only 4 miles long. The first 3 miles are neutralized and marshaled through the first stop sign and across US395. The climb is 9 miles with an average grade of almost 8%-max is 11%. Then riders head back across the valley past the Start / Finish. The second climb heads up Death Valley Road through Waucoba Canyon to an elevation of 6,545' in 8.5 miles, with an average grade of 5%. The maximum just touches 12% in the rollers through the "narrows" and 11% in one corner before that. Finally, back down to the Start / Finish, and then up White Mountain to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest at 10,100' in 21 miles-average grade 6%. Maximum grade in the lower half is 14% while max in the upper half is 17%. There are lots of 9-12% rollers in the bottom third. The last 3 miles average a 10% grade.
 
From White Mountain on Sunday you can see most of the 14,000' peaks in California including Mt. Whitney, the highest peak in the lower 48 at 14,405'. You can also see Telescope Peak-the 11,049' peak that looms over Badwater, Death Valley-the lowest location in the U.S. at - 282'.
 
The Timing Finish is at the high point about ½ mile before the Visitors Center. Riders are expected to ride down to the Start / Finish and check in for an Official Finish. This effectively neutralizes the last descent. Eat and relax a bit at the summit, and be careful on the descent!
 
Stage 2 Climbs
START / FINISHHwy 168 and Death Valley Road (3940')

 
FIRST CLIMB (Red line on map)
 
Glacier Lodge (7800')
9 miles long, ave. grade 8%, max. grade 12%, total elevation gain 3900'

 
SECOND CLIMB (Green line on map)
 
Waucoba Canyon (6545')
8.5 miles long, ave. grade 5%, max. grade 7%, total elevation gain 2600'

 
THIRD CLIMB (Blue line on map)
 
Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest (10100')
21 miles long, ave. grade 6%, max. grade 15%, total elevation gain 6160'

 
Total elevation gain for Stage 2
 
13,570' over 65 miles
Including another 900' of climbing in between the climbs
Total climbing for the two days is 29,035' (the elevation of Mount Everest from sea level!) in 206 miles.