Biking Through the California Alps: Are You Ready for Death Ride 2011?

This years California Death Ride is scheduled for July 9. The Death Ride covers 129 miles and and 15,000 feet of lung busting climbing. This includes the climbing of five passes. This will be the 31 year of the ride.

The Death Ride is located in the California Alps. It is a super challenging course that includes five climbs that attack both sides of Ebbetts Pass, Monitor Pass and the East side of Carson Pass. The race begins at 5:30 am and ends at 8 pm. There are cutoff times for beginning different stages of the race that are strictly enforced. You can check their web site for times as well as rules.

The ride begins and ends in Turtle Rock Park. Many bikers take advantage of the park, by camping there the weekend of the race.

In 2010, the ride began with 3500 riders. The youngest being the age of 10. The oldest rider was 85. The event has become so popular, that there is a cut off on entrees. Nineteen countries outside of the US had riders in it. The riders, to complete all five passes, was over 2400.

Many individuals enter the event for several reasons. It is physically challenging and requires a high degree of fitness. The visual experience is awesome. The challenge of completing all five pass climbs is present. The camaraderie of all the riders is an experience in itself. Most riders do not enter with the idea of winning. They enter to challenge themselves.

If you think that this is a simple day of biking, you are mistaken. To participate in this event, you need to take your training seriously. The majority of the riders in this event have the right bikes and training to compete.

Competitors need to have entry tickets to ride. This years cost is $125 per rider or $238 for tandem riders. The fee is worth it. Besides the Death Ride, you get a patch. water bottle, free food and drink at stations, sponsor giveaways, medical support, hot showers, participant numbers and a post Fajita dinner and free music.

If you didn't get a ticket this year for the event, you can still get a chance to ride by volunteering, through sponsoring or by working at a summer bike camp. Check the web site for details. If you fail to participate this year, you can always begin to register for future rides.

Note; Death Ride officials stress safety because of the fast descents from the California Alps. Rules are strictly enforced. This includes proper conduct and the use of foul language.

The Death Ride is an event you will talk about for years to come.