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 Rules

Breaking any of the Race Rules WILL result in forfeiture of all awards as well as any additional penalties to be determined by the USAC Head Official and the Everest Challenge Race Director. We are not trying to be unreasonable here, but we are committed to your safety, and to the continuation of the Everest Challenge! Do not come to this race unless you can abide by the following rules-especially the safety rules.
 
ALL USA Cycling Rulebook Rules Apply. Make sure you are familiar with the rulebook if you register in a competitive category. We know the rules, and we will assume that a racer with a USAC license knows the rules.
 
REGISTRATION AND CANCELLATION POLICY
  • Note: registration fees increase after August 1, 2009, so register early!
  • Online registration is available through BikeReg.com. Online registration closes at midnight, September 9, 2009, two days before the event.
  • Or you may register in person at Race Headquarters (Tri-County Fairgrounds, Sierra Ave [one block west of 395], Bishop) on Friday, September 11, 2009 from 12:00 - 6:00 pm, at the pre-race checkin. In-person registrants pay the late registration fee of $160, payable in cash only.
  • Cancellations received prior to August 1, 2009 will be refunded, but not the BikeReg.com processing fee. No refunds after August 1, 2009. Late cancellations can apply their registration fee to the Everest Challenge 2010 entry.
  • Category Changes can be made when you check in Friday, September 11, 2009.
     
    SAFETY GUIDELINES
  • Stay as far to the right as safety permits at all times. When climbing, you can be close to the edge of the pavement to allow cars to pass. Stay single-file except to pass. Riding two or three across is reasonable on a small club ride, but annoys the local drivers, who sometimes write angry letters. Help us keep the locals happy by staying to the right! Riders will be climbing and descending at the same time. Therefore, ascending riders must stay in single file, as far to the right as possible so as not to force ascending vehicles into the path of the fast moving riders in the descending lane.
  • Keep your head up, and do not stare at the ground or your front wheel. Looking ahead helps you stay to the right, and may give you a psychological boost when climbing. Look where you want to go, which is UP!
  • Be careful on the descents. The descents during the timed portion are fairly wide open with good visibility and good surfaces with the exception of the first mile on the first descent of Stage 1, from Mosquito Flat - the road narrows down to one lane, with loose rocks and washboards. The shadows cast by trees impair visibility. Be especially careful in both directions along this stretch.
  • There also is one sharp, steep corner on the same descent about a mile up from Tom's Place with some washboards. These will be marked with chalk. The narrow 9% descent from Glacier Lodge on Stage 2 has a 1,000' drop off most of the way. Pay attention and stay on the road!
  • For the safety of the riders, all climbs are closed to Support Vehicles. This map (coming soon) indicates acceptable routes and parking areas for Support Vehicles. Violation of this WILL result in disqualification. There is simply no room for vehicles moving at race speed on these long, narrow climbs.
     
    CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL AND RACE TRAFFIC
    Mono County requires CHP presence due to problems with too much race traffic and litter related to support vehicles in 2007. All Support Vehicles must follow the rules set out by Mono and Inyo Counties and the California Department of Transportation. The CHP presence cost the race nearly $1000 last year. This means that we have to be on our best behavior, as the CHP is watching to make sure we are all following the rules we have agreed to obey.
     
    The race takes place on public roads-all public traffic rules and regulations apply. There are nine (9), Stop Signs on Saturday and three (3) Stop Signs on Sunday-including those crossing US395. You must stop at ALL of these stop signs. It has been pointed out that if one rider runs a stop sign, all of the other riders have to run it also to keep up. The agencies that approve permits for the Everest Challenge can and will deny our permit applications if we have flagrant violations. The competitive advantage gained by running a stop sign will not improve your finishing position in such a long and difficult race, so just STOP. Please.
     
    CHECK-IN & PACKET PICK-UP
    All racers must check in with the race staff between 12:00 noon - 6:00 pm Friday, September 11 at the Race Headquarters (Tri-County Fairgrounds, Sierra Ave [one block west of 395], Bishop).. Bring your USA Cycling license. We will have goodie bags, race numbers, maps and cue sheets, USA Cycling annual and one-day license forms, the local weather report, maps of the race route showing allowed areas for support vehicles, and in general all race related information. We will also have Everest Challenge jerseys, shirts, socks, and stickers available!
     
    PRE-RACE MEETING
    The brief prerace meeting will be held from 7:00 pm – 7:45 pm at Race Headquarters (Tri-County Fairgrounds, Sierra Ave [one block west of 395], Bishop). Attendance is mandatory for all riders. We will discuss safety issues, race rules, roads open and closed to follow vehicles, last minute contingencies, and a few other things of interest to all racers. This is a chance to meet the other racers and the race staff and ask any questions about the race that you like.
     
    Bring an envelope to the race meeting with your name on it to indicate that you have read and understand the Race Rules. More information about the mysterious envelopes can be found at the end of these Race Rules.
     
    RACE NUMBERS
    All racers are provided Race Numbers to wear on their jerseys during the race. Black numbers are assigned to timed categories, and red numbers are assigned to non-timed categories (Public / Tourist / Noncompetitive). Check points are at the top of each climb. It is your responsibility to ensure that your number is recorded at each check point, and that you get a sticker placed on your race number at each check point. Racers with black numbers on course before their start time WILL be disqualified.
     
    Race Numbers must be placed correctly: On your back, on the right side, above the pockets and below your arm. Numbers are to be vertically oriented with the bottom of the number at the side seam of the jersey. The idea is for the number to be readable by an observer on the side of the road when you go by in an aerodynamic position. (Insert image here)
     
    COURSE MARKING
    Turns are marked with arrows on small wooden sign posts, and the road is marked with chalk. Sometimes these can be hard to see, so make sure you have read the cue sheet which lists road names and mileages between turns. It is your responsibility to stay on course.
     
    RESTROOMS
    Saturday: There are public restrooms next to the gazebo inside the Millpond Recreation Area, at the Start / Finish. You will pass Millpond between the second and third climbs at mile 82. There are six restrooms along the first climb, and two at the top of the last climb.
     
    Sunday: There are porta-potties at the start-you pass by these twice during the stage, at mile 26.2 and again at mile 43.4. There are public restrooms at the junction of Hwy 168 and US395 (SE corner, in the campground), at the top of the first climb at mile 13.1, and at the top of the last climb at mile 65.
     
    AID STATIONS
    We provide FIFTEEN AID STATIONS. The best feature of our aid stations has got to be our amazing, dedicated volunteers. They can fill your bottles, get you a snack or two, and even peel you a banana. Aid station volunteers will tell you that you are doing a great job, and encourage you to get back on the bike and keep climbing. Aid station volunteers will also remind you to pull off of the road, out of the way of vehicle traffic, when stopped. 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 foods (saltines, goldfish crackers, pretzels). The folks at Hammer Nutrition and Clifbar sponsor the Everest Challenge each year, and if you use their products, you know they work! If you are not already using Hammer and Clif products in your daily training, we recommend you try HEED and Clifbars before race weekend. It is not usually a good idea to try unfamiliar food and drink products for the first time at an important event. We will have lots of good things at the aid stations, but please note that we WILL NOT have Advil, Tylenol, etc. If you think you will want some of those, you will need to bring your own. Make sure you eat enough and have enough water and HEED to make it to the next aid station! It is better to still have some water when you arrive at the aid station than it is to run out and become severely dehydrated. It is the Race Director's experience that it is difficult to recover from even mild dehydration during a ride, especially when constantly climbing. We will have a sign at each aid station listing the mileage and elevation to the next aid station so you will know what to expect on each leg. We will also have the opening and closing times posted so you know how long you have to get there. We will enforce the posted cutoff times as per our CalTrans permit. The cutoff times are also on the cue sheet.
     
    APPROXIMATE TIMES BETWEEN AID STATIONS
    Stage 1 (Saturday)
    Aid StationOpen TimesFastSlowerCutoff Time
    Rock Creek ES8:00 - 10:001.5 hours2.5 hours
    Mosquito Flat9:00 - 11:151 hour1.5 hour11:15am
    Rock Creek ES8:00 - 10:00< 0.5 hour0.5 hour
    Base of Pine Creek10:00 - 12:00< 0.5 hour0.8 hour
    Pine Creek10:45 - 1:30< 1 hour1.5 hour1:30pm
    Millpond Start / FinishYour car is here
    Buttermilk Road12:00 - 2:30< 1.5 hour1.25 hour2:30pm
    7,000' Pipeline12:20 - 3:450.5 hour1 hour3:45pm
    Bishop Creek Lodge12:45 - 5:000.5 hour1 hour5:00pm
    South Lake Summit1:00 - 6:000.5 hour1 hour6:00pm
    Millpond Start / Finish2:00 - 7:000.5 hour0.8 hour7:00pm

    Stage 2 (Sunday)
    Aid StationOpen TimesFastSlowerCutoff Time
    Glacier Lodge7:30 - 10:001.25 hours2 hour10:00am
    Death Valley Rd/168Your car is here< 0.5 hour0.5 hour
    Waucoba Canyon9:00 - 11:300.5 hour1 hour11:30am
    Death Valley Rd/168Your car is here< 0.5 hour0.5 hour
    6000' Spring10:00 - 1:00< 1 hour2 hour1:00pm
    8000' turnout10:45 - 2:151 hour1.5 hour2:15pm
    Schulman Grove Summit11:30 - 3:300.8 hour1.5 hour4:00pm

     
    FEED ZONES
    Racers with support personnel may resupply, but only in designated areas. To be really clear about this, you may ONLY give riders food and water handups, clothing, et cetera from one of the five Feed Zones. Only pedestrian handups are allowed, meaning no handups from vehicles. Vehicle handups violate our permits, and you WILL be disqualified for this. We know you can do window handups safely, but our permits allow us only pedestrian handups.
     
    SATURDAY FEED ZONES
    1)The pull-off on US395 above (North of) Lower Rock Creek and about ½ mile before (South of) the turn at Tom's Place/Upper Rock Creek. Please drive up US395 to get to Tom's Place. Support vehicles are NOT allowed to drive up the narrow, winding "Old Grade" along Lower Rock Creek that the racers use. CHP officers will be along Lower Rock Creek and we WILL disqualify you for driving up Lower Rock Creek. Again, our permits allow us no private support vehicle traffic on Lower Rock Creek. This FEED ZONE is at mile 22.5.
    2)The corner of Round Valley Road and Pine Creek (base of Pine Creek climb). This FEED ZONE is at mile 59, and again at mile 75.
    3)In front of Millpond, which is the Start / Finish. For racers with no support vehicle, your car is parked here! Race Staff will be present at the start / Finish at all times. This FEED ZONE is at mile 82.
    4)The 7,000' aid station up Highway 168. This FEED ZONE is at mile 92.

    SUNDAY FEED ZONES
    1) The only hand-ups allowed are on the first 1/4 mile of Death Valley Road (either side is fine for riders going up or down), which is the Start / Finish. Unsupported racers resupply from your cars. Watch for fast riders, especially coming down from Waucoba Canyon. Race Staff will be present at the Start / Finish at all times. This FEED ZONE is at mile 26.2, and again at mile 43.4.
     
    SUPPORT VEHICLES
    All Support Vehicles must complete, and sign this form (coming soon). The safety of every racer is the highest priority and our number one concern for this event. Therefore, PRIVATE SUPPORT VEHICLES ARE PROHIBITED ON ALL CLIMBS. This map (coming soon) shows acceptable routes and parking areas for Support Vehicles. Violation of this rule WILL result in disqualification. There is simply no room for vehicles moving at race speed on these long, narrow climbs.
     
    START LINE PARKING
    Saturday: Stage 1 starts 5 miles west of Bishop, California. Travel 4.3 miles northwest of Bishop on US395, turn left on Ed Powers Road for 0.2 miles, then right on Sawmill Road for one mile. Turn left into Millpond Recreation Area. The CHP and Inyo County allow us to park our automobiles along the shoulder of Sawmill Road-as long as we stay well clear of the entrance to Millpond and DO NOT LITTER. We will have Race Marshals there in the morning to help you find a place to park that will keep the people who issue permits to run the race happy. An even better place to park is inside Millpond. Again, we can help you find a place to park.
     
    Sunday: Stage 2 starts just north and 2.5 miles east of Big Pine, California. From Bishop, travel 14 miles south on US 95, turn left on Hwy 168, then go 2 miles to the junction of Highway 168 and Death Valley Road. The CHP and Inyo County allow us to park our automobiles along the shoulders of Death Valley Road - but NOT on Hwy 168! If you park there, you WILL find a parking ticket on your windshield, and they may tow your car. When you see how narrow Hwy 168 is, you will not want to park your car there anyway!
     
    COAT BOX AT START
    Bring windbreaker, coat, gloves, tights, and head warmers for your final descent. Put your things in a paper or plastic bag, taped shut, with your name written on it. We collect these at the beginning of each stage, and take them in the "coat box" to the finish for you. Every year there is a lot more clothing being taken up to the summit on Sunday than on Saturday. Be smart and come prepared on Saturday. If you do not collect your clothing at the summit, we can mail it back to you for a small fee. Even when it is hot at the beginning of the stage, it can still be quite cold at the finish!
     
    FINISH LINE PARKING & RIDER PICK-UP
    There is no parking at either timing finish, which is the last summit each day. There is simply no place to park more than a handful of vehicles, and the race staff will need those. Riders may NOT be picked up on the final descent of either day. This is a gross violation of the Race Rules because Support Vehicles are not allowed on the climbs this year. Riders may be picked-up at Highway 168 on Saturday or at the 8,000' Aid Station on Sunday. Support Vehicles are allowed at the five (5) Feed Zones.
     
    SAG WAGON
    There will be roving neutral SAG (Service And Gear) support throughout the race. But the race will be spread out over many miles. Therefore, the support will be spread out too! SAG vehicles will carry spare tubes, a pump, and some tools. We will do everything possible to get you back on the road, but we cannot be everywhere. We recommend you carry at least a spare tube and a pump or CO2 inflater. In the event of injury or catastrophic equipment failure, the SAG vehicle can give you and your bicycle a ride to the Start / Finish. But the SAG vehicles are not a taxi service, and you are expected to get back to the Start / Finish under your own power except in the case of a medical emergency or if your bicycle is not rideable. SAG drivers are part of the Race Staff. If you are behind the cutoff times, you must turn around if so instructed by a SAG driver or you will not be allowed to return. If you fear that you will not make cut-off times, ride in the Tourist/non-competitive class and start at first light, which is about 6:20.
     
    GEARING RECOMMENDATIONS
    Race Founder Tom Reid's recommendations to maintain ~90 RPM on the climbs:
    CategoryGearing
    Pro39/25-27
    CAT 1-239/27-30
    CAT 334-39/34
    CAT 4-530-34/34
    Public / Tourist26-30/34

  • If you're a great climber, you may get away with higher gears.
  • If you're NOT a good climber, go LOWER. You will have a lot more fun if you are spinning than if you are stomping just to stay upright!
  • If you don't mind grinding out the climbs at 40 RPM and thrashing your knees you can probably get away with 42/21.
  • Seriously, each day finishes with a 20+ mile monster climb to over 10,000 feet. This is at the end of a long day of climbing.
  • So, unless you train on a steady diet of tough climbs, think about bringing lower climbing gears.
     
    "My only regret is not having mounted a triple" - Gilberto Simoni.

     
    AWARDS & AWARDS CEREMONY
    Awards will be presented at the Schulman Grove Summit timing finish on White Mountain at the end of Stage 2. There will be a brief awards ceremony for each class with podium photos. Bring your own umbrella girls and champagne. Everest Challenge Awards the following:
     
    All USAC Categories and USAC State Championship Medals
     
    CASH PRIZE LIST TOTAL (Actual awards depend on field size)
    CategoryPrize
    PRO/I/II$1,350 - $2,000
    Cat III$450 - 825
    Cat IV$450 - 825
    Cat VMerchandise
    Women PRO/1-4$200 - 425
    Women 40+$200 - 425

     
    OTHER CATEGORIES
    Everest Challenge Jerseys and various merchandise.
     
    Winners may purchase Voler State Championship Apparel

     
    MYSTERY ENVELOPES
    To show that you have read and understand all of the Everest Challenge Race Rules:
  • bring an envelope with you to the Prerace Meeting
  • write your name and Race Number on the front of the envelope.
  • Insert a $1 bill (or more!) into the envelope.
    (The money will be donated to the Northern Inyo Hospital Foundation, which is one of our partners in putting on the Everest Challenge. In fact, they are responsible for the amazing Finish Summit food on both Saturday and Sunday. We are really grateful for their support, and know you will be too!)