Southern California - The Death Ride(serious)

I'm considering doing it, I'm on the list but I'm just not sure. I'm now 192lbs with upper body muscle. I havent ridden in like a month and a half, havent done cardio in 3 weeks(at least).

Is it plausible that I can wing this ride?

:):roflmao::roflmao::roflmao::roflmao::roflmao:

Just need to ride a little more: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8EbDmhzRKQ&feature=related

yea but is a month good enough or do you think I can wing it now?

it's in July!!!

Man up! (or give me your registration and I'll do the ride with no more than 1000 miles for the year, just to prove that I climb faster than you...)

:p

Depends on how many passes you are going to try......

http://www.deathride.com/images/photos/elemaplg.jpg

just go for it. Even if you don't make it, at least you tried.

Do the first 8 miles then turn back.

I believe in you.

I wish I'd known about this ride, I'd come down from Oregon for something like that. Sounds like a roadie version of our Cream Puff.

As for the OP... it's in July, you have all kinds of time to get ready for it. Go ride.

I honestly don't see why this ride is supposed to be such a big deal?

I honestly don't see why this ride is supposed to be such a big deal?

+1

Looking at the profile, I'm wondering the same thing.
Is there something I (or we, if it's myself and Enzo) are missing that makes this ride a "death" ride?

I honestly don't see why this ride is supposed to be such a big deal?

Honestly?

Is there something I (or we, if it's myself and Enzo) are missing that makes this ride a "death" ride?Lack of fine dining in Markleeville.

The only actual death so far has been on a descent.

The risky part (where Death may find you) is on the (relatively) narrow roads, where there are riders climbing at 5-7 mph, being passed by riders ascending at 8-9 mph, while on the other side of the (narrow, remember) road, riders descending at 40-45 mph and being passed by riders descending at 50-60 mph.

In both cases, i.e. on both sides of the road, the space between a rapidly descending rider, and a slowly ascending rider can be very small indeed. One minor mis-calculation of road position by either (or both) riders will be a disaster (at the very least).

Suffice to say, The Death Ride is the only ride I've ever been on where a Medevac helicopter was parked at the rest-stop/check-point!

Other than that, no worries. Five long climbs, but none terribly difficult. Tedium was my worst enemy, i.e. climbing slowly for hours on end.

Still, that said, it did feel great to get my 5-Pass stickers which allowed me to purchase a 5-Pass jersey at the finish! Yeah, a fun ride, but due to the road situation noted above, a bit scary at times. Note: Does not apply to Carson pass (the last one), which has plenty of room.

Rick / OCRR

I'm considering doing it, I'm on the list but I'm just not sure. I'm now 192lbs with upper body muscle.

Your upper body means nothing...

Your upper body means nothing...

yea it does its useless...

ok

**** it

i have nothing to lose, going w/ a friend...we'll hang out either way.

wish me luck guys

im nervous...

I guess this will be part of my cutting for the summer.

Sure you can wing it. If you're used to climbing 15,000 ft in a days ride, and you're acclimated to 5-10,000 ft.

I honestly don't see why this ride is supposed to be such a big deal?

Most folks don't ride 300+ miles in a day, that's why it's called the death ride. Just because it's not certain death for you and your wacky friends, doesn't mean it's not certain death for the rest of us. :D

The only actual death so far has been on a descent.

The risky part (where Death may find you) is on the (relatively) narrow roads, where there are riders climbing at 5-7 mph, being passed by riders ascending at 8-9 mph, while on the other side of the (narrow, remember) road, riders descending at 40-45 mph and being passed by riders descending at 50-60 mph.

In both cases, i.e. on both sides of the road, the space between a rapidly descending rider, and a slowly ascending rider can be very small indeed. One minor mis-calculation of road position by either (or both) riders will be a disaster (at the very least).

Suffice to say, The Death Ride is the only ride I've ever been on where a Medevac helicopter was parked at the rest-stop/check-point!

Other than that, no worries. Five long climbs, but none terribly difficult. Tedium was my worst enemy, i.e. climbing slowly for hours on end.

Still, that said, it did feel great to get my 5-Pass stickers which allowed me to purchase a 5-Pass jersey at the finish! Yeah, a fun ride, but due to the road situation noted above, a bit scary at times. Note: Does not apply to Carson pass (the last one), which has plenty of room.

Rick / OCRR

Ohhhhh Rick! You are scaring me....! I am such a big wimp on descents sometimes.......

Sure you can wing it. If you're used to climbing 15,000 ft in a days ride, and you're acclimated to 5-10,000 ft.

i winged Mt. Haleakala...

I've done 15k+ rides before....just not recently.

Ohhhhh Rick! You are scaring me....! I am such a big wimp on descents sometimes.......

it doesnt look like theres much descending compared to the climbing...

I honestly don't see why this ride is supposed to be such a big deal?

I can only speak for myself, but the reason it is a big deal for me is,
Because it is the hardest ride (most milage/climbing) that I will attempt in my less then 2 years of cycling.
It is 129 miles with 15000 ft of climbing, and ALL at altitude.
You have to make cut of times, etc, etc.

Have you done the ride?

it doesnt look like theres much descending compared to the climbing...

Since the start is the same location as the finish, there is exactly as much descending as there is climbing. Funny how that works, but that's the way it is.

Also, KAR3368,
I don't mean to scare you, just to advise you of the situation so you can have a safe ride.

Just FYI, I saved some time by skipping the lunch (long line when I got there), and since you will pass your car on the way to Carson, you can stash some food/drink there if you like.

When I rode The Death Ride in 2005 it took me 11 hours, 45 min. which was about an hour and a half cushion on the time limit.

Rick / OCRR

Lack of fine dining in Markleeville.

:roflmao: :lol: :roflmao:

Yup. That's what kept me from registering..

Have you done the ride?

No, he nor anyone else questioning the difficulty of the ride have. Otherwise, they'd either be bragging about how fast they rode it or making excuses for why they couldn't finish it. ;)

You'll do great, Karen. You are a very strong climber! :)

Not exactly M.E.

My time of 11:45 is nothing to brag about, and I'm quite sure Karen can do much better! I'm sure she'll go up the climbs fast enough that she can be a bit more conservative (safer) on the descents.

Also, lots of fine dining in South Lake Tahoe, which is not very far away (other side of Luther Pass).

Rick / OCRR

Ohhhhh Rick! You are scaring me....! I am such a big wimp on descents sometimes.......

Karen,

You will do fine, none of the descents are as bad as Yerba Beuna was last Saturday. The roads are in good condition and there is no auto traffic on the first 4 passes. If you stay to the right on the way up and down, you won't have any problem.

Not exactly M.E.



Rick - that comment wasn't meant for anyone who ISN'T questioning the difficulty of the ride. ;)

I'm not saying it wouldn't be a hard ride, but I don't think anyone should mentaly make it more than it is. I'm a firm beleiver that if you pace yourself and consume calories/hydrate well, you can pedal forever.

I'm not trying to say it isn't a big accomplishment, but if you go into the ride thinking "holy sh*t this is crazy" you're making it harder for yourself. Go in confident, and it will be easier than you think. If you're not racing, long rides are much more mental than physical.

Whenever I'm doing a longer ride, I always think to myself, "pro tour riders do this every day, at race pace, day after day. I can wing it for one day." :)

I can only speak for myself, but the reason it is a big deal for me is,
Because it is the hardest ride (most milage/climbing) that I will attempt in my less then 2 years of cycling.
It is 129 miles with 15000 ft of climbing, and ALL at altitude.
You have to make cut of times, etc, etc.

Have you done the ride?

I bet you'll be stronger and finish faster than you expect. :) Good luck.

I'm not saying it wouldn't be a hard ride, but I don't think anyone should mentaly make it more than it is. I'm a firm beleiver that if you pace yourself and consume calories/hydrate well, you can pedal forever.

I'm not trying to say it isn't a big accomplishment, but if you go into the ride thinking "holy sh*t this is crazy" you're making it harder for yourself. Go in confident, and it will be easier than you think. If you're not racing, long rides are much more mental than physical.

Whenever I'm doing a longer ride, I always think to myself, "pro tour riders do this every day, at race pace, day after day. I can wing it for one day." :)

k im going to wing this **** and if I die, at least i'll be the best lookin dude that died on this gay ride

k im going to wing this **** and if I die, at least i'll be the best lookin dude that died on this gay ride

How can you die after only 8 miles?:rolleyes:

I'm not saying it wouldn't be a hard ride, but I don't think anyone should mentaly make it more than it is. I'm a firm beleiver that if you pace yourself and consume calories/hydrate well, you can pedal forever.

I'm not trying to say it isn't a big accomplishment, but if you go into the ride thinking "holy sh*t this is crazy" you're making it harder for yourself. Go in confident, and it will be easier than you think. If you're not racing, long rides are much more mental than physical.

Whenever I'm doing a longer ride, I always think to myself, "pro tour riders do this every day, at race pace, day after day. I can wing it for one day." :)

Hey Enzo, just to make it clear - my comments were just ribbing. I do think you would likely not find it all that difficult. But that's due to your obvious enthusiasm for the sport, positive attitude and...well, you're a young buck. ;)

Seriously, I agree with everything you put above. I also think you have a nice style on here. ;)

Hey Enzo, just to make it clear - my comments were just ribbing. I do think you would likely not find it all that difficult. But that's due to your obvious enthusiasm for the sport, positive attitude and...well, you're a young buck. ;)

Seriously, I agree with everything you put above. I also think you have a nice style on here. ;)

Hey ME.... you should come up here and we can go cheer these peeps on! :p

k im going to wing this **** and if I die, at least i'll be the best lookin dude that died on this gay ride

Why don't you try to act more like Enzo, huh? You two are around the same age, I think....physically anyway. :rolleyes::p

I bet you'll be stronger and finish faster than you expect. :) Good luck.

See...classy. Ovo - take note!

Hey ME.... you should come up here and we can go cheer these peeps on! :p

Hey, that's not a bad idea, Trace! We could do our own little ride up there and come cheer and then have cocktails after...you know, to celebrate the Death Ride Riders. :D

Hey, that's not a bad idea, Trace! We could do our own little ride up there and come cheer and then have cocktails after...you know, to celebrate the Death Ride Riders. :D

Yup! Come on ME!!!!!! :p

i'll be the best lookin dude... on this gay ride

He's out, and he's proud!

He's out, and he's proud!

:roflmao: :lol: :roflmao:

I'm not saying it wouldn't be a hard ride, but I don't think anyone should mentaly make it more than it is. I'm a firm beleiver that if you pace yourself and consume calories/hydrate well, you can pedal forever.

I'm not trying to say it isn't a big accomplishment, but if you go into the ride thinking "holy sh*t this is crazy" you're making it harder for yourself. Go in confident, and it will be easier than you think. If you're not racing, long rides are much more mental than physical.

Whenever I'm doing a longer ride, I always think to myself, "pro tour riders do this every day, at race pace, day after day. I can wing it for one day." :)

+1


I bet you'll be stronger and finish faster than you expect. :) Good luck.

+1

Well said, twice! :D Great posts.

I'm not saying it wouldn't be a hard ride, but I don't think anyone should mentaly make it more than it is. I'm a firm beleiver that if you pace yourself and consume calories/hydrate well, you can pedal forever.

I'm not trying to say it isn't a big accomplishment, but if you go into the ride thinking "holy sh*t this is crazy" you're making it harder for yourself. Go in confident, and it will be easier than you think. If you're not racing, long rides are much more mental than physical.

Whenever I'm doing a longer ride, I always think to myself, "pro tour riders do this every day, at race pace, day after day. I can wing it for one day." :)

I wish I had that great attitude! But right around the century mark my butt and my knees start rebelling. :p

I'm not saying it wouldn't be a hard ride, but I don't think anyone should mentaly make it more than it is. I'm a firm beleiver that if you pace yourself and consume calories/hydrate well, you can pedal forever.

I'm not trying to say it isn't a big accomplishment, but if you go into the ride thinking "holy sh*t this is crazy" you're making it harder for yourself. Go in confident, and it will be easier than you think. If you're not racing, long rides are much more mental than physical.

Whenever I'm doing a longer ride, I always think to myself, "pro tour riders do this every day, at race pace, day after day. I can wing it for one day." :)

I totally agree - I really do feel that, with calories and water, there is a certain pace I could maintain forever. That pace is somewhere between posing at starbucks and sitting on the couch.

I totally agree - I really do feel that, with calories and water, there is a certain pace I could maintain forever. That pace is somewhere between posing at starbucks and sitting on the couch.

Awww...you poor thing. How's the arm and leg?

I agree, a lot of it is mental attitude, whether it's posing or doing the Death Ride. I can do the Death Ride because I have the right attitude.

I agree, a lot of it is mental attitude, whether it's posing or doing the Death Ride. I can do the Death Ride because I have the right attitude.

:rolleyes: Knock it off, you poser. :p

Oh! leg is good. Bright pink cast is getting lots of attention.

I was really just trying to be funny. Enzo's right though. Food, water, and a relaxed pace, and I could go for days.

Hey Enzo, just to make it clear - my comments were just ribbing. I do think you would likely not find it all that difficult. But that's due to your obvious enthusiasm for the sport, positive attitude and...well, you're a young buck. ;)

Seriously, I agree with everything you put above. I also think you have a nice style on here. ;)

Oh, I didn't take any offense to it at all, haha. I just wanted to clarify what I said and not sound like a jerk.

I just think a lot of people don't finish rides because they psych themselves out before they even start. People will easily ride 80 miles, but then become intimidated by 100 for no reason other than it's "100 miles." Same thing for this Death Ride. I'm pretty confident anyone who really wants to finish it, as long as their knees don't blow up, can finish it. :)