☠️ Death Ride // Tour of the California Alps

Californian Mark Schwartz brings us a set of his favourite rides focussed on the Tour of the California Alps otherwise known as the Death Ride. He’s also added in a few of his favourite local loops which really highlight the amazing riding around this region.

The 56-year-old hails from Markleeville and when the event postponed in 2020 he decided to share some of the USA’s best riding with FulGaz.

Now in its 40th year, the Death Ride offers up to 15,000ft/4,500m+ of climbing over 129 miles/207km, and five epic mountain passes.

The common theme through all of these rides is clear, bright blue skies, and seemingly endless mountain vistas.

MONITOR PASS WEST ASCENT

The ride starts at Monitor Junction, where the highways to Monitor Pass and Ebbetts Pass meet, and travels past Heenan Lake, where Lahanton Cutthroat trout are cultivated in order to preserve the endangered species. With approximately 2800 feet of climbing in just over 8 miles, this HC climb is a tough one. It's the first climb of The Deathride, aka the Tour of the California Alps, and with its relentless pitches it sets the tone for the rest of the climbs.

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13.28km
DISTANCE
01:03:26
DURATION
806m
ELEVATION

EBBETTS PASS SOUTH

This climb, the fourth out of five on the Deathride, aka the Tour of the California Alps, is the shortest of them all and is only a Cat. 2. It begins in Hermit Valley and climbs up the southern side of Highway 4 (Alpine State Highway) to Ebbetts Pass. You'll ride past the North Fork of the Mokelumne River, and as you ascend out of the trees, catch glimpses of the surrounding mountains and granite peaks. Rest while you can on this climb so you can tackle Carson Pass next!

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8.54km
DISTANCE
00:40:49
DURATION
503m
ELEVATION

EBBETTS PASS NORTH

Monitor Junction, where the highways that climb to Monitor Pass and Ebbetts Pass intersect, is the start of this ride, up Highway 4 to the north side of Ebbetts Pass. It's climb number three (of five) of the Deathride, aka the Tour of the California Alps, and is the prettiest of them all even though it too is a Cat. HC. Enjoy the views of the East Fork of the Carson River, Silver Creek and near the top of the climb, Kinney Reservoir, as you ascend.

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20.89km
DISTANCE
01:25:52
DURATION
950m
ELEVATION

CARSON PASS EAST ASCENT

The last climb of the Deathride, aka the Tour of the California Alps, isn't the hardest but may very well be the hairiest. With over 14 miles of climbing it is also a Category HC. Combine that with the fast-moving traffic and limited shoulder in some areas and this climb is not for the faint of heart. Still, it is a beautiful ride through Woodfords Canyon, Hope Valley and past Red Lake and you can revel in the fact that you'll soon top out at Carson Pass, at 8580' of elevation.

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23.79km
DISTANCE
01:26:55
DURATION
920m
ELEVATION

CARSON PASS EAST ASCENT

The last climb of the Deathride, aka the Tour of the California Alps, isn't the hardest but may very well be the hairiest. With over 14 miles of climbing it is also a Category HC. Combine that with the fast-moving traffic and limited shoulder in some areas and this climb is not for the faint of heart. Still, it is a beautiful ride through Woodfords Canyon, Hope Valley and past Red Lake and you can revel in the fact that you'll soon top out at Carson Pass, at 8580' of elevation.

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23.79km
DISTANCE
01:26:55
DURATION
920m
ELEVATION

MARKLEEVILLE TO SNOWSHOE

Follow the Alpine State Highway north from Markleeville, CA, the home of the Deathride, to Diamond Valley Road, where you'll ride to the Snowshoe Thompson Historical Marker. With lots of bumps on the way you'll get a bit of climbing in and you'll catch some good views of the backside of the Carson Range, a spur of the Sierra Nevada.

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12.84km
DISTANCE
00:26:19
DURATION
173m
ELEVATION

DIAMOND VALLEY TO MARKLEEVILLE

Head back to Markleeville, CA, the home of the Deathride, from Diamond Valley, via the Alpine State Highway and take in the bumps along the way back to town. Ride through Markleeville, over Markleeville Creek and finish up at the Markleeville library and take note of the flag a flying from your windy day.

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13.63km
DISTANCE
00:34:38
DURATION
206m
ELEVATION

AACC MARKLEEVILLE TT

This course, which connects three iconic passes of the California Alps: Carson Pass, Monitor Pass and Ebbetts Pass, is ridden by the Alta Alpina Cycling Club in its annual racing series. It starts in Alpine Village, CA, near the enclave of Woodfords, CA (once a Pony Express Remount Station) and then heads south on the Alpine State Highway into Markleeville, the county seat of Alpine County and the headquarters of the Deathride. You’ll turn around just past town and head back towards Woodfords but you’ll take in a different view and some rollers, too.

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18.80km
DISTANCE
00:41:26
DURATION
321m
ELEVATION

About the Death Ride /Tour of the California Alps

Celebrating 40 years of this iconic event, the Alpine County Chamber of Commerce holds the Death Ride each year to challenge riders to what’s described as ‘the premier cycling event in California’.The event offers up to 15,000′ of climbing over 129 miles, and up to five mountain passes, this ride is sure to challenge you, inspire you, and leave you wanting more!

 

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