Alta Alpina 8 Pass Challenge

"The World's Toughest Double Century"

This is the ultimate one day challenge and is for riders physically and mentally prepared for this adventure. You'll tackle 20,300 feet of climbing with half of that above 7000 feet of elevation and you'll push yourself to cover 198 miles in less than 19.5 hours (the course record is just over 12 hours). But along the way you'll experience the breathtaking scenic beauty of eight classic Sierra climbs and descents plus panoramas of Diamond Valley and Carson Valley on a course that features some of the best pavement you'll find on any organized ride. Alta Alpina territory is remote and rugged with some steep and windy roads so attention is required at all times. You won't find any traffic lights and there are just a few stop signs.

The Route

From the start at Turtle Rock Park (on CA 89 near Markleeville), riders head north on CA 89 and turn onto Diamond Valley Rd. This is a beautiful rolling road with great views of the foothills. Riders descend into the Carson Valley and take Foothill Road along its perimeter to the Mottsville rest stop at the base of the first pass: Kingsbury grade. This stretch gives everyone a good warm up before the climbing begins.

Kingsbury grade is the perfect pass to begin the ride because it offers very wide shoulders, a steady easy grade all the way to the top, and very little wind in the morning. It's broad sweeping turns give riders an awesome view of the Carson Valley and the Pinenut Mountains and a fun descent. Watch out for cars on this sometimes busy grade!

After checking in at the summit and enjoying a well- earned descent back down Kingsbury grade, riders can refuel at the Mottsville rest stop before returning along Foothill and turning right on Emigrant Trail. This short and easy climb doesn't count as a pass, but it's a good warmup for the pass to come and there are toilet facilities near the top of the climb.

Continuing from Emigrant trail, riders pass through the historic town of Woodfords and up scenic Woodfords Canyon, following the route of the Pony Express trail. Turning right at Picketts Junction, riders will complete a climb to the summit of Luther Pass where they will reach the next rest stop.

Descending Luther pass back into Hope Valley, riders will turn right, and begin their ascent of Carson Pass taking in views of Red Lake and high alpine terrain.

After the Carson Pass rest stop, riders will enjoy the fun descent back down into Hope Valley, turning right onto Blue Lakes Road--one of the best kept secrets in all of Alpine County. Blue Lakes Road will take riders over a series of climbs and through valleys with breathtaking scenery to the next rest stop at the end of the road.

A little bit of climbing and a rolling descent takes riders back out to Hope Valley and then down Woodfords Canyon. Turning right towards Markleeville brings riders back to the start where lunch awaits.

After lunch, the route continues through Markleeville on CA 89. Water is available at the Canyon rest stop at the intersection with CA 4. Continuing on to CA 4, riders will begin the beautiful climb of the heavily forested Ebbetts Pass. A rest stop is located at the summit of Ebbetts Pass before the descent on the back side to Hermit Valley where yet another check point is located at the turn around. Riders then climb the backside of Ebbetts and return to the base of Monitor after a technical descent.

Climbing the front side of Monitor offers riders a few challenging steep grades and sweeping views of alpine meadows and Lake Heenan. A rest stop at the top of the pass marks completion of the second-to-last pass of the day.

The descent to Topaz on the east side of Monitor is a thrill. The road surface is excellent, the grade is sweet, and the turns are fun. Riders must observe turn around times and cut-offs.

Refuel at the Topaz rest stop for the last pass of the day. The climb is long but the grade is steady and this climb is a pleasure. Like the backside of Monitor, the descent on the frontside is fun, but caution is required. From the base of Monitor riders return to the start through the Carson River Canyon on CA 89.

Timing

All riders must observe course opening, closing, and cut-off times, riders must turn around if cut-off times are not met (or wait if approaching a course location which is not yet open).

Riders may choose to start during one of eight start time windows: 3:30am-3:44am (with lights), 3:45am-3:59am (with lights), 4:00am-4:14am (with lights), 4:15am-4:29am (with lights), 4:30am-5:04am (with lights), 5:05am-5:14am (lights not required), 5:15am-5:29am (lights not required), 5:30am-5:44am (lights not required).

There are eleven rest stops and water stops (three are visited twice) plus an optional lunch stop. You must reach each of these locations between its listed opening and closing times in order to collect credit for all 8 passes. Riders headed towards a closed location will be turned around and directed to the next open location (or must wait before proceeding to a not-yet-opened location). The event will be open for 19 hours and 30 minutes. All riders must check in at the finish by 11:15pm.

Finisher Jersey and California Triple Crown

To be an 8 Pass Finisher you must ride all eight passes in the time allowed and respecting all opening, closing and cut-off times and then return to the start having reached all locations on your bicycle. 8 Pass Finishers receive California Triple Crown credit for completing the full Double Century and to earn the right to wear the exclusive 8 Pass Finisher Jersey.

If you are sagged to the start or sagged forward on the course at any time you will lose the corresponding pass credit. Anyone who refuses to abide by the rules or the instructions of CHP, County Sheriff, or ride officials will lose all ride credit and be listed as DQ. These rules are in place to ensure the safety of all participants and to satisfy the requirements of county and state agencies.

If you finish without satisfying these requirements, you will not receive California Triple Crown credit for this Double Century but you will be listed as having finished the number of passes youe checked in for. This is the world's toughest double century so every pass completed is a huge accomplishment.

Logistics

The Start/Finish is at Alpine County's Turtle Rock Park on CA 89 between Woodfords and Markleeville. Rider check-in takes place Friday evening from 6pm to 9pm and starting at 3am on Saturday morning. There are accommodations of every type nearby. We encourage riders not to attempt to drive home after this extreme effort. We provide a dinner after the ride and suggest spending the night nearby to recover. Optionally, a breakfast will be available on Sunday morning with a short family-friendly recovery ride (additional fee applies).

We expect great weather, but this ride covers a lot of remote, high altitude terrain. Everyone should be prepared for any kind of weather at any time.

The Grand Tour and Alta Alpina 8 Pass Challenge are both scheduled for the same date. If you are a California Triple Crown participant and wish to ride both events we can accommodate you in our staff ride. Please contact challenge@altaalpina.org for details.