Oh Death Ride is one phenominal ride. Over the years the course has changed.

Start and finish hasn't changed. Start at Turtle Rock. You can even camp out at the starting place. The roads are closed off with exception of Carson Pass.

So you camp out at turtle rock. Beautiful deep blue night sky. you can clearly see the Milky way spanning across the sky. and you gently fall asleep in the alpine meadow of Turtle Rock. Make sure you're bundled up cause "baby, it's cold outside."

You used to be rudely awakened to the sound of roosters crowing, and cows mooing followed by the sound of locomotive. And they add that extra touch. For a patriotic feel, they blast Jimmy Hendrix version of Star Spangled Banner over the PA. I think the lousy PA adds to the effect. Maillo says they have become more genteel these days.

so now you are blarey eyed but awake. You get dressed and hop on your bike. you follow others like the lemmings. You turn right out from the camp ground follow the American River for a while. Mostly downhill to lossen up and warm up (NOT) You come to a fork!

Like a lemming you follow others in front of you. You turn left. and the fun starts. Start climbing to the top of Monitor Pass ele 8400 feet. mind you, you are only at 5,000 feet?? When you think you've had it, I often have seen a skeleton drawn on the road with a quote "Having fun yet?"

Anyway, it is a beautiful scenery, High Sierra at its best (or its worst well that's another story 800+ of us SAGed one year due to hypothermia me included at top of Ebetts pass, sleet in mid July)

At top of each pass there is a rest stop where you can get more water, banana, boiled potato, oranges... And everybody is so friendly.

The best climb I think is Ebetts pass. Why? Is it because it has sections with 15% or greater grade. maybe? or is it the view toward carson pass maybe? or is it the view of a spectacular waterfall maybe? or is it because the summit is the highest point of the ride at 9,000 feet elevation. Makes you light headed?? Also you've completed just under 10,000 feet of climb with two to go.

Now I've never ridden the backside of Ebetts. Thats something "new".

The fun part is you get E ticket ride back down Ebetts toward Turtle rock (I've hit 62MPH) and a little town of Markleeville where you get to have your lunch. yes you do three mountain passes before lunch time .

If I recall there was a cut off time over at Carson. And I heard that if you get there kind of late and looking exhausted. They ask you questions. You must answer them correctly to continue on. (Personally I don't remember this aspect)

What!, is your name?
What!, is your favorite color?
... (I think they copied Monty Python's Holy Grail)

If you can answer them correctly you get to continue on up Carson and Luther pass. At this point you're so tired you not really paying much attention to anything. I sure wasn't.

You get back to turtle rock. Oh its an uphill to Turtle Rock When you finish, you show all the colored dots you've collected along the way. And if you have all of them you get to sign your name on a poster. yipee!!!

A very fun day.

If you do go, take a camera and take lots of pictures. Oh so beautiful. Maybe I should put my name on the lottery. It would be 16 years since the last time... OMG I'm getting old.

Fond memories...
Smilingcat