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 base of the first climb: 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 reaching the summit and enjoying a well- earned descent back down Kingsbury grade, riders head back north on Foothill and turn 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.

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.

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 Carson Pass, 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.

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. Continuing on to CA 4, riders will begin the beautiful climb of the heavily forested Ebbetts Pass. After completing the climb of Ebbetts East, riders descend and then climb the west side of Ebbetts and then return to the intersection of CA 89 and CA 4 after a technical descent.

Turning right onto CA 89, riders start up the west side of Monitor Pass. This climb offers 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.

Monitor East is the last pass of the day! The climb is long but the grade is steady and this climb is a pleasure.

Like the east of Monitor, the descent on the west side 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 regular rest stops plus an optional lunch stop. You must reach each of the turn-around points and each support location 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.