Epic climbing camp in sierras
i have done this a few times, its coming up in a few weeks, the climbs and descents are epic - i used it for training for "The Everest Challenge"
its put on by cyclingescapes
its put on by cyclingescapes
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This website offers a definitive list of road cycling climbs in the US. Note that 3 of the top 10 are in Hawaii (!) The West side of the Sierras is clearly a hotbed of significant climbs.
https://www.pjammcycling.com/u.s.-top-100.html
I did the Everest Challenge Stage Race in the Sierra Nevada and White Mountains several times. rich strauss did it at least once as did Rich Sawiris of Wheelbuilder, and other friends. I trained extensively and specifically for months leading up to the race each year
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here is summary of the race we did from an old race report of mine:
the Everest Challenge Stage Race is the California and Nevada - State Climbing Championship and THE HARDEST TWO DAY U.S.C.F. / USA Cycling RACE!!!.
the EC has three eastern sierra climbs each day with gains of 2,600’ to 6,200' each
Saturday - day 1 - 120 miles, 15,465’ of climbing. Sunday - day 2 - 86 miles, 13,570’ of climbing.
total - 206 miles, 29,035' of climbing (the elevation of Mount Everest).
everest challenge - day 1
Day One starts outside of Bishop, Ca at Millpond Park, 4,425'.
The first climb is up to Mosquito Flat. At 10,250' it is the highest paved road in the Sierras. The run in is 11 miles long. The first 8 miles is neutralized. The climb is 22 miles, average grade is 5%. Maximum grade lower half 9%, upper half 11%.
Back down to Round Valley for a short climb up Pine Creek to 7,420' in 8 miles, average grade is 7%, max is 9%, extended sections of 8%.
Then past the start/cars and up Bishop Creek to South Lake at 9,835' in 20.4 miles, average grade 6%. While this is not the highest spot or most vertical gain, the last mile has two short sections around 15% grade. the bottom half has extended sections of 8-9% grade, max grade 9%. this was a hard climb at the end of a hard day
Total climbing for Day One is 15,465' in 120 miles (excludes decent from top of 3rd climb back to cars - another 20+ miles - this was a great decent if you had the energy)
everest challenge - day 2
Day Two starts outside Big Pine with a climb up towards the Palisade Glacier. Starting elevation 3,940' finishing elevation 7,800'. The run-in is 4 miles long. The first 3 miles are neutralized and marshaled through the first stop sign and across the Highway 395. The actual climb is 9 miles with an average grade of almost 8% (max is 11%). There are extended portions of 9-10%. Then riders head back across the valley past the original start.
Next we head up the Death Valley Road/Waucoba Canyon to 6,545' in 8.5 miles, average grade 5% (max just touches 12% in the roller in the "narrows", 11% in one corner before that).
Back down to the cars/start and then we go up to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest at 10,100' in 21 miles, average grade 6% (max in the lower half is just touches 14%, max in the upper half just touches 17%). There are dozens of 9-12% rollers in the bottom third. The last 3 miles averages 10% grade. this was also a hard climb
Total climbing for Day Two is 13,570' in 86 miles (excluding the 21+ mile decent from the top of the third climb ). This brings the two day total to 29,035' (the elevation of Mount Everest) in 206 miles (excludes the decent from the top of the third climb back to cars - both days - another 41+ miles)
From the road up to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest (ABPF) you can see most of the fourteen thousand foot peaks in California including Mount Whitney (the highest peak in the lower 48). You can see Telescope Peak (the 11,049' peak that looms over Badwater, Death Valley, at negative 282', the lowest spot in the U.S.)
my goal was to climb at 200w - 220w which based upon my FTP of 280 (at the time) is approx .714 if - .786 (if) and maintain a cadence of > 70 rpm's on the climbs.
i expected that my actual power would drop over the course of each race day due to the altitude (climbing up to 10,000' elev), strenuous grades which would tax my legs, cumulative fatigue, loss of mental focus, and the heat, (particulary on the last climb of each day. i also wanted to pace day 1 so i would be able to ride day 2 at close to my projected race pace. most of the decents were done between 30 mph and 50 mph, sometimes down grades with 1000'+ drops!,
the majority of riders in the Everest Challenge are USCF/USA Cycling racers with several former Cat 1/2 riders riding in the Masters 55+ age group. i was pleased with my performance and think i accurately reflected my fitness and ability. i was also pleased that i was able to recover reasonably well to ride day 2 close to my my overall race pace goals. total time 16:02:09, day 1/2 temperature range - 49 deg - 90+ deg