America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride

[bikergal]

Hi! My husband and I are training for AMBBR in June. I was wondering if anyone knows what the total amount of climbing is for this ride?
With all the rain that we have been having, I haven't been able to get as much hill training as I would like. We are doing the Primavera 100K this weekend and I'm hoping that will be a similar amount of climbing.

Shelley

[Bike Goddess]

Probably about 3000 feet total elevation gain. I've done this ride (on my own with another friend). It's not terribly difficult- perhaps the hardest part is getting up to the top of the Emerald Bay peninsula. That's short and steep. the Spooner Grade is long and gradual. Other than that it's mostly rollers.

The Primavera metric century should be fine for training. You'll get in some mileage. If you can do a metric, you can for sure do 72 miles!

I'll be doing the Primavera century ride. Not sure what I'll be wearing, but I'll be riding a black Scott bike. Not hard to miss as there aren't many of these bikes around (yet!). What about you and DH?

[SadieKate]

I've ridden the Tour de Tahoe version which is the same route.

Based on the info from http://www.bikethewest.com/AMBRR.html the climbing totals 4,400. It's not a difficult ride. If you take your time and drink lots you won't even notice the elevation. If you are training with hills, you'll do just fine.

The 72-mile America’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride circumnavigates the highways clockwise around Lake Tahoe in both Nevada and California. It includes a challenging 800 foot climb to a rest stop overlooking Emerald Bay and a 1,000 foot climb to Spooner Junction. There are also many short rolling ascents and descents totaling over 2,600 vertical feet of elevation gain! The altitude ranges between 6,300 feet and 7,100 feet above sea level and the ride is recommended for conditioned recreational bicyclist, not for beginners.

[SadieKate]

Bikergal, I was just thinking. Are you doing the full 100 or the 72 mile version? Mailloitpois probably knows the additional climbing for the Truckee leg but but my best guess is the Primavera is about the same or more.

[Veronica]

We did the full 100 mile version in June of 2002. I show just over 4200 feet of climbing.

Personally I didn't think the leg out to Truckee was that great. We were on a bike path for a large portion of it. With so many riders a bike path is a dicey proposition. However, if a century is what you want, it's a nice one to do.

It was very cold when we started, below 30 degrees, so bring layers and full fingered gloves.

V.

[bikergal]

Nancy, I'll probably be wearing my red Tierra Bella jersey and I ride a blue specialized bike. DH rides a red specialized bike. I'll look for you. I'll probably be the one pushing my bike up the wall!

We are going to do the 72 mile ride. I heard that the out and back to Truckee was not that great so we decided to stick with the 72. Thanks for the info everyone!

Shelley

[maillotpois]

On DH's HAC 4 (my battery died - in 5 years of doing this ride I am apparently destined to never do AMBBR with a functioning cyclocomputer - a long story involving crashes and other issues!) it showed 4400 feet last year.

Not a terribly tough ride - you'd think there'd be more climbing than there is but there are only 2 notable climbs and a lot of rollers. Wind was a HUGE factor last year - made it very tough at the last 40 or so.

This is our first year in 5 years not to do this ride! I am doing the ESDC and DH has a father-daughter trip. Kinda sad. But we'll be out in Tahoe soon enough for the Death Ride...

V is right about the bike path - be careful and stay RIGHT. Do NOT pass anyone unless you can see VERY far ahead of you. As a TNT coach this is always my most stressful part of the ride. Also watch those poles that divide the "lanes" of the bike path. You THINK they take them all out but sometimes they don't. That killed cyclocomputer no. 2...!

[Bike Goddess]

AG- I'll look for you! IF the weather isn't too cold, I'll have my Benicia Bike Club jacket on (yellow- can't miss).

The Primavera metric should be a good start on your training esp since we all have to do the "calaveras wall"! Really, the 72 mile version of the ride will not be hard for you!

[bikergal]

DH and I finished the ride around Tahoe and it was more fabulous than I thought possible. A TNT coach that I know had me convinced that I wasn't ready for the ride and I was in a near panic by Saturday night. Luckily I have some good friends who calmed me down and convinced me to go for it.

DH and I started out at 7:00 and the temperatures were a warm 42 degrees. Our goal was to take it very slow and conserve energy for the climbs. By the time we hit the road closures(about 9 miles), we stopped to remove as many layers as we could. It was turning out to be a lot warmer day than we thought it would be. The first climb wasn't as bad as I had worked it up to be in my head. I had to stop a couple of times to bring my heart rate down and I made it up without to much trouble.

Being a TNT event there were many people along the roads and up the hills cheering us! After the first climb there was a long stretch of rollers which I didn't seem to have a problem with. I actually expected there to be more rollers. We met the woman who sold me my bike and some people from my husbands old TNT ride group at rest stop 2. It was nice to know so many people!

The Spooner climb gave me a little bit of problems. The elevation was starting to effect my breathing and I had to stop and rest a few more times on this climb. I was so happy to finish this climb, only 12 miles to the end!
The last 12 miles were not so bad. Gusty winds while descending Spooner. At one point I was peddling as hard as I could and only going about 16mph. A few more rollers and we were done!!

When we crossed the finish line I was so happy I started to cry. This was the most miles, most elevation I had ever done in cycling and I never imagined I could actually do it. It will definately be on my list for next year!
Now that I have finished this next step is a full century!

Shelley

[SadieKate]

Congratulations! Another big goal accomplished this weekend.

[cindysue]

When we crossed the finish line I was so happy I started to cry. This was the most miles, most elevation I had ever done in cycling and I never imagined I could actually do it. It will definately be on my list for next year! Now that I have finished this next step is a full century!

Shelley

nice report Shelley - and congratulations!

[Trekhawk]

Wow good for you. I feel tired just going up those climbs in my car.

Give yourself a big pat on the back....you deserve it.

[tprevost]

Wow! Excellent Job Shelley! Dontcha just hate it when people tell you what you can't do! UGH! See, you did awesome!!!!

Great Job!!! Any pictures???

Tracy