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 F.A.Q.
Q: Just how hard IS the Everest Challenge?
A: Both days are long miles with a lot of climbing. But if you have done a double century, or even a metric double, with a good amount of climbing included, you should be able to do this ride. But you don't have to do both days or even all three climbs each day. The most important consideration is gearing, as in LOW, and pacing yourself. As someone who has had knee problems since age 10, the Race Founder usually rides with an 11-34 XTR cogset in back and has been known to put on a triple. (And he is a good climber - current Race Director) Details about the climbs are here.
 
Q: How does the stage race format work?
A: The Everest Challenge is a two-day timed USA Cycling stage race. Each stage is timed, and placings are based on the least total time for the two stages.
 
Q: So this is a USAC stage race. Do I have to be a USAC racer?
A: It definitely is a stage race for the racers, but you do not have to be a racer to enter. We have many categories for tourists or randonneurs to enter. In the noncompetitive categories (Public/Tourist/Non-Competitive), riders are allowed to start at first light as they are not timed. This is much more like a brevet or a fun ride for riders in those classes. A brevet with a LOT of climbing. And lots of fully stocked aid stations. And breathtaking mountain scenery.
 
Q: I want to race in a USAC category, but I do not have a USAC license. Do I need to get a license before I register for the race?
A: You can get a one-day license at the registration and checkin on Friday, September 11, 2009 at Headquarters Hotel (TBD) from 12:00 noon - 6:00pm. One day USAC licenses are $10 each day, which is $20 for both days of the Everest Challenge. We have the forms you need.
 
Q: How long will it take to complete each stage?
A: Stage 1 is 102 miles long to the timing finish, with 15,465' of climbing. The race record is about six hours, but it will take you a bit longer. The cutoff time for Stage 1 is 6:00pm at the South Lake summit, so plan your day in the saddle accordingly. If you are riding in one of the noncompetitive/tourist categories, this gives you as much as twelve hours for Stage 1 if you leave at first light. Limiting the time spent at each aid station will help you get to the finish ahead of the deadline. Fill your bottles, grab something to eat, and eat while you are on the bike when you can. A lot of riders find that they are more successful when they ride a little below their maximum effort for the first two climbs and save something for the final ascent. The cutoff time for Stage 2 is 4:00pm at the Schulman Grove summit. Stage 2 is only 65 miles to the timing finish, which is considerably shorter than Stage 1. But at 13,570', it has over 37% more climbing per mile! Again, you may start at first light to give you the maximum time on the course. If you stay on the bike, there is plenty of time to get it done. We will have cutoff times posted at each aid station, so you can measure your progress against the remaining time. Cutoff times will be strictly enforced, so pay attention to the time if you are climbing near the minimum speed. We will have a sign at each aid station listing the mileage and elevation to the next aid station so you will know how hard you have to ride to make the cutoff time.
 
Q: Where are the aid stations located?
A: The aid stations are shown on the Race Route and Cue Sheet available at registration and checkin from 12:00 noon - 6:00 pm on Friday, September 11 at Headquarters Hotel (TBD). Here is a map to HQ.
 
Q: Can I get a route slip?
A: Route sheets will be available at registration and checkin on Friday.
 
Q: Do I understand correctly that the timing finish is at the top of the last climb each day, but that we have to ride back down to the "Official Finish"?
A: YES. You will understand when you see the race route. The tops of the climbs are very narrow and 200 people driving up to the timing finish to get their friends would be impossible (and we wouldn't be allowed to do the event again). There also is hardly any parking. The final descent is over 20 miles each day. But it is all downhill except 100' Saturday and about 350' Sunday. The descents are truly awesome. Just be careful. Racing downhill at 70 mph is not smart.
 
Q: Will there be wheel support?
A: Yes, the neutral support vehicles (SAG) will have a few neutral wheels that belong to the race. These will be Shimano and probably 11-32 or 12-27 9-speed. They will have tubes, pumps, patches, and some tools. We recommend you carry at least a spare tube and a pump or CO2 inflater. You are welcome to bring your own wheels and put them in the support vehicle of your choice. Make sure you label your wheels so the SAG crew knows who they belong to.
 
Q: Is each climb timed individually (six mini stages)?
A: No, just one stage each day from the start to the top of the third climb. There is a traditional award for whoever is first to the top of the first climb of Stage 1, since it is the highest point of the race at 10,250'.
 
Q: How should I recover from Stage 1 to be able to complete Stage 2?
A: The current recommendation now seems to be drinking your body weight (in kg) in grams of carbohydrate with 1/4 your body weight (kg) in grams of protein during the first fifteen minutes after the ride. More than this apparently can slow down uptake. I usually duplicate this in another 30-60 minutes, so another one when you get to the hotel. A nap if you can. Massage, self (even while biking down and driving to the hotel, and in the bath) or professional probably helps. Stretch. Riding easier than you can the first day will help for the second day. The neutralized start (if you are racing) will help for the second day. Keough's Hot Springs (hours of opening to follow), 7 miles north of Big Pine on the West side of US395 (click for map) may be another great way to recover. They have a 102-ish degree pool and a 92-ish degree pool. No chlorine, free flowing, and showers.
 
Q: Are awards given for each day individually?
A: The Everest Challenge is a stage race, so the major awards are given out only for the cumulative two-day time. We will have a little something special for the Stage 1 leaders in each category, though. Placings will be listed for each stage individually and a DNF - did not finish - on Stage 1 doesn't preclude racing Stage 2. It just means you won't win an award in the stage race.
 
Q: What is available at the aid stations?
A: Our generous sponsors have made it possible for us to stock each aid station with water, Hammer Nutrition HEED energy drink, ClifBars, ClifShots, Hammer Gel, Hammer Nutrition Endurolytes (electrolyte replenishment), bananas, and salty snacks (goldfish and pretzels). You can survive and thrive with either the sponsors' products alone or personal support handoffs in neutral areas. If you prefer a specific product that we do not have, you might want to bring your own.
 
Q: Can I buy an Everest Challenge Finisher t shirt?
A: We will give you an Official Finisher shirt right at the finish line Sunday. Official finishers may purchase another shirt if we have extras, but they are only available to Official Finishers. We do have another shirt design that is available to anyone who wants one. Take a look at the t-shirt designs in the online store.
 
Q: All I have is a mountain bike. Can I ride that?
A: Any diamond frame bicycle, even a MTB, is legal for USAC races as long as it does not have bar ends or aero bars. But that is a lot of extra weight to ride up this many hills. If you can beg, borrow, or rent a good quality road bike, you will be happy that you did!
 
Q: How long does it take to drive from Bishop to Big Pine? Can we stay in Big Pine or Bishop and drive to both starts? Where is the best place to stay?
A: It takes 20 minutes to drive from bishop to Big Pine. View a Bishop to Big Pine Map. Bishop and Big Pine are both good places to stay. It is about 15 minutes from Bishop to the Stage 1 Start / Finish at Millpond, and about 5 minutes from Big Pine to the Stage 2 Start / Finish at the Hwy 168 / Death Valley Road junction. Everest Challenge Headquarters is at the xyz motel, so it is the most convenient place to stay.
 
Q: Are the town and the people friendly to cyclists? Are the roads safe?
A: Yes, this is a tourist oriented town with lots of skiing, rock climbing, mountain biking, road cycling, fishing, hiking, backpacking, mule packing, rodeos, photography, boating, arts and crafts, music/arts/film festivals, etc. On some days, on some climbs, less than one car per hour will pass. Some are busier. But I always feel safe around here. Bishop is truly a world apart from the roads down south or around the Tahoe Sierra. Here are links to the Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau, and the Big Pine Chamber of Commerce.
 
Q: I am X years old and have never raced in a USAC race. What category do I race in? Or should I just do the noncompetitive ride? A: You may race in Cat 5, a USAC age group category (Masters 35+, 45+, 55+, 65+), or Public. Or you may ride in the non-USAC Noncompetitive category.
Do you like the "racing scene"? Do you want a competitive placing and an official time? Then race in one of the USAC categories. Do you just want to set a goal, accomplish it, have a good workout, push your personal limits, have a good time, and get a t-shirt? If this is more your style, ride in the noncompetitive category. You will still get an Official Finsher t-shirt if you finish both days, but not an official time.
 
Q: Of course, there will be a lot of USAC racers riding the Everest Challenge, but do you expect the kind of riders that do century rides? Double centuries? RUSA brevets? The Furnace Creek 508? RAAM?
A: We do get plenty of USAC racers, but we see a very wide spectrum of non-racers as well. The Everest Challenge is offered as a USAC race, but you can ride it at your own pace without racing or worrying about being competitive. Lots of riders who have ever done a race come for the mountains, the camaraderie, and the scenery every year. And the finish line food. Everything tastes better at 10,000 feet! Especially when you got there under your own power.
 
Q: Do you have a question that you would like to see answered in the Everest Challenge FAQ?
A: Send us a question!