Oh sign up for the Kaiser is already open? wow!

The start out of Clovis is very fast with police escort . 23-25MPH and you'll be at the back of the pack. Don't fret. Just take your time to the first rest stop at toll house grade. Lot of cat 1 & 2 men are riding. I rode at 25MPH and I was one of the last dozen or so to check in at the first rest stop.

They all say that you should be out of the plains by 10:00AM at the latest or else you'll burn up from the heat in the central valley. You have to be going really slow to be in the valley at 10:00AM.

The short ride from Big creek rest stop (elev 5280 ft according to GPS) to Huntingto lake is un-improved road. It's broken up black top with hard dirt surface. climb is around 3000 feet in about 6 miles? 1/2 mile section averages over 15/18% grade. Think really hard about using a compact double. And do fill both water bottles up for that section.

How long are you planning to ride time wise? oh at the top of kaiser pass elevation 9,000ft+ (2600m+), it's bit cool up there. 60F-70F while the valley may be in the 100F

enjoy your ride.

As for the death ride. I been cooked by the heat and frozen from late season winter storm. Sleet did me in SAGed along with abot 900 people only 100 or so finished that one year.