Wild Sierra riders received this email a couple days ago on the course. The 8 Pass ride is definitely the most popular section so far with a lot of late entries.

Congrats to the Eastern Sierra Double riders, wow what a rugged day it was over here too. This Saturday is looking pretty good so far. Hope I can do this at age 60!



Dear Wild Sierra Rider,

Here are a few notes on how to have an enjoyable day riding the Alta Alpina Challenge:

First of all, please familiarize yourself with the maps of the route. While we will set up directional signs on the county roads (Diamond Valley, Foothill, Emigrant Trail, and Blue Lakes) and in Nevada, we can't put signs out on California state highways. So it's important you follow your cue sheet on ride day, and pay attention to state highway signs.

In particular:
Luther - follow highway signs for Lake Tahoe
Carson Pass - follow highway signs to Jackson or Kirkwood
Returning to Turtle Rock Park from Luther/Carson Blue Lakes, follow the sign to Markleeville (the same sign says Highway 89 and Highway 4).
Ebbetts - is Highway 4.
Other than that, it's well signed, but do refer to your cue sheet for every turn.

Weather and Clothing (or, Summer in the Mountains)
- The start will be very chilly, most likely temperatures will be in the mid-30's overnight. And the majority of the first 8 miles or so is at least slightly downhill - dress accordingly.

- In the last 2 weeks we've had a lot of thunderstorms and rain. It looks like that weather system has finally passed through and everything is looking beautiful right now, but there are no solid predictions for Saturday yet and thunderstorms are possible, so you should probably be prepared for some rain during the day.

- Last year our test ride was on a typical June day, and the temperatures at the top of Monitor plummeted as the sun set, and the wind picked up - some riders were VERY cold. We've moved everything up by a couple of hours which should improve things but plan on having warm clothes (e.g. jacket, leg warmers, glove liners, etc.) to maintain body temp. This applies to both the climb UP to the top of Monitor from the Topaz side (Monitor East) as well as the descent when returning to the start from the top of Monitor.

Drop Bags
You can fill drop bags with lights and warm clothing at the start or at the top of Kingsbury, but be warned you won't see them again until the top of Monitor, and drop bags won't come back to Turtle Rock Park until pretty late at night after the ride is over. Keep as much warm clothing as possible with you for changeable weather conditions.

Cut-off Times
See <http://www.altaalpina.org/challenge/webimages/CourseTimes.png> for all cut off times, which will be strictly enforced.

THE ROUTE

If you haven't already reviewed all the map, profile, detailed route description, and all the videos that review the route we urge you to do that now: wwww.altaalpina.org/challenge/8pass/index.html

Kingsbury
The Kingsbury rest stop will not open before 5:30, and the Nevada Highway Patrol does not want to see any riders there before 5:30 , so if you think you might get to the top before 5:30, slow down a bit. Bag drop is for lights, leg warmers, long-fingered gloves, booties, etc, but please keep your arm warmers and jacket in the case of inclement weather, possibly rain, later in the day.

Woodfords Canyon
There's a short stretch of climbing in Woodfords Canyon (on your way to Luther Pass) where there's no shoulder - please stay as far to the right as possible, ride single file, and think twice before passing another rider.

Carson Pass
For the most part, we have great pavement throughout the route. But spring in the mountains bring rocks on the roadway, and the section near the top of Carson Pass is one of those areas. Watch for rocks and cracks in the pavement as you climb and descend around Red Lake.

Ebbetts
As you pass by the bottom of Monitor on your way to Ebbetts, please hold up your wrist band so the course marshals can see (non 8-Passers on our ride will not be riding Ebbetts). Those volunteers will be enforcing the cutoff times. After a mild, gradual climb, you'll come to a cattle grate which is where the real climbing starts on Ebbetts, it's the steepest you'll see all day. Gear down, pace yourself accordingly, and you'll be thankful for saving your legs for the rest of the day. (And remember where that Cattle grate is when you're coming back down.)

Descending Ebbetts West (a.k.a. Hermit Valley)
This descent is very sweet, but there are a few hard-to-see divots in the pavement, which are especially hidden in the shade of the trees, and can really jar you. Have fun but maintain a safe speed and be cautious.

Climbing Monitor West
Depending on how long you've been on your bike when you hit the west side of Monitor, this could seem like the hardest climb of the day. If it's a warm day, the climb may feel downright hot. At the top, if you have a drop bag, gather your warm clothes for the next leg.

Monitor East (a.k.a. Topaz)
The grade on Monitor East is pretty even and never terribly steep. But it will be getting to be late in the day as you climb back to the top, and can get very cold. Have enough clothing with you to avoid exposed skin - you don't want to be pre-chilled for the ride down the west side.

Descending Monitor West
Did I mention that this descent will be cold? Dress WARM. You can really pick up some speed on this hill in the daylight - ride cautiously, look for rocks in the road, and be careful. Some recent construction near the bottom left four badly filled trenches that could throw you if you're going too fast.

FIRST AID
There will be 2 first aid stations out on the , for most of the time that riders will be in the vicinity. Each one is downhill from the tops of the passes, to make them as easy to get to as possible. Volunteers on the can help you locate them, and if you see a parked emergency vehicle, it's probably at our first aid station.
The first one will be on the way from Luther pass to Carson pass near Pickett's Junction (where CA89 meets CA88).
The second will be at the intersection of Highways 89 and 4 - the bottom of Monitor West.
There will also be first aid at Turtle Rock Park.

THE FINISH
PLEASE check in at TRP at the end of your ride, regardless of how much of the you completed so we know that you're off the course. This is a tough ride completing six or seven passes is tougher than other double centuries. We'll be listing the number of passes completed (stickers you finish with) for everyone. For Finisher's Jersey and Triple Crown credit, show your bib with all 8 stickers. And keep your wrist strap on to show you've paid for dinner.

Jennie Hamiter

P.S. Stay tuned for more information on last minute preparations, route maps, and more over the next few days.

--
Alta Alpina Challenge: Riding the Wild Sierra
June 13, 2009