Death Ride®Course
Located in the stunning California Alps, the Tour of the California Alps – Death Ride® course three Sierra Nevada mountain passes, for a total of six highly categorized climbs. Included are both sides of Monitor Pass, both sides of Ebbetts Pass, and both sides of the Pacific Grade. Cyclists will register and finish at Turtle Rock Park, located two miles north of Markleeville, CA.
Course route, water and rest stop locations are subject to change without notice. The official ride starts at 5:00 am and ends at 6:00 pm; all participants must be off the course by 7:00 pm. Cut-off times are strictly enforced. Segment cut-off times indicate the latest time that a rider will be allowed to begin each segment. Riders attempting to begin a segment after its cut-off time will not be allowed to proceed.
Road Closures on July 13th:
5:00 am – 7:00 am: Road closed to traffic from the Markleeville Courthouse to the junction of Highways 89 & 4.
Monitor (Hwy 89), & Ebbetts Pass and the Pacific Grade to Lake Alpine (Hwy 4) will be closed to vehicular traffic starting at 5:00 am.
Monitor Pass (Hwy 89) reopens to vehicular traffic at 12:00 pm.
Ebbetts Pass/Lake Alpine (Hwy 4) reopens to vehicular traffic at 4:00 pm.
Highway 89 from Woodfords to the Markleeville Courthouse will remain open. Please adhere to posted speed zones and early morning parking crews.
Course/Rest Stop Details:
Start/Finish: The ride starts and finishes at Turtle Rock Park, two miles north of Markleeville on Highway 89. While some parking will be available on the roadside (Hwy 89 and Airport Road) near the turnoff to Turtle Rock Park, parking is limited. Plan ahead for a warmup ride to the event from Markleeville or Woodfords, or arrange for a ride to drop you off.
Rest Stops/Aid Stations: The 103 mile course includes 9 rest stops to ensure a fully supported ride experience:
1. Heenan Lake Quick Stop: Water/quick energy/tech support (Mile 11.8)
2. Monitor Pass: Full support/SAG/1st Bib Stamp (Mile 14.8 & 34.4) The cutoff time passing this point heading eastbound is 10AM, and the cutoff time for riders heading westbound is 12PM noon.
3. Topaz Turnaround: Full Suport/SAG/2nd Bib Stamp (Mile 24.6) Cutoff time is 11AM
4. Half Monitor Quick Stop: Water/quick energy (Mile 28.7)
5. Wolf Creek Lunch Stop: Full Support/SAG/LUNCH/SAG (Mile 44.3 & 93.4) The lunch stop is open 9AM-4PM, and the cutoff time for riders heading west to Ebbetts is 12PM.
6. Scossa Cow Camp Quick Stop: Water/quick energy/tech support (Mile 46.5)
7. Ebbetts Pass: Full Support/3rd Bib Stamp (Mile 55 & 82.7) Open 9AM-4PM and the cutoff time for riders heading west to Hermit Valley is 1:30PM.
8. Hermit Valley: Full Support/SAG/4th Bib Stamp (Mile 60.1 & 76.5) Open 9AM-4PM, and the cutoff time for riders heading west to Pacific Grade/Lake Alpine turnaround is 2PM.
9. Lake Alpine Turnaround: Quick Stop/SAG/Water/Quick energy/5th Bib Stamp (Mile 68.3) Open 10AM-4PM. Cutoff to riders heading east to finish the ride is 2:45PM.
10. Finish at Turtle Rock Park: 6th and final bib stamp for full course riders. Ice cream, complimentary dinner for all participants, Expo, music, sponsor booths, and official poster for signing by the all-pass finishers.
NOTE: Rest stop cut-off times are subject to change upon direction from public safety officials, CalTrans, Alpine County, and the Course Marshall. Final cutoff times will be posted at packet pickup.
