40th anniversary of Death Ride Saturday, expect some road closures

The famous Cycling Tour of the California Alps, also known as the Death Ride, returns this year after being canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic. Not for the faint of heart, as many as 2,500 cyclists from around the world will participate in the endurance event by covering over 103 miles, six highly categorized climbs, and over 14,000 feet of vertical climbing over three mountain passes. And all of this will have in just one day, Saturday, July 17.

Originally coined the “Markleeville Alpine Challenge” in 1978, the ride has been recognized as one of the most challenging endurance steeped in cycling history. Based in the mountains of Alpine County, Calif. the annual ride has threaded its way through several different routes over the years. This year organizers are unveiling the newest route featuring Monitor Pass (8,314’), Ebbetts Pass (8,730’) and the Pacific Grade (8,050’).

Starting and finishing at Turtle Rock Park in Markleeville, the 103 mile course begins at 5:30 am and covers both sides of three mountain passes: Monitor Pass (Hwy 89), Ebbetts Pass (Hwy 4), and the Pacific Grade (Hwy 4).

Drivers will find road closures in both Alpine and Mono counties from 5:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on July 17. The course will be closed to traffic from Markleeville through all sections of climbing, with a turnaround point at Lake Alpine where participants will head back to the finish at Turtle Rock Park. Highway 89/Monitor Pass from Markleeville to the junction of Highway 395 in Coleville will be closed from 5:00 a.m. to noon, and Highway 4/Ebbetts Pass from Markleeville to the eastern end of Lake Alpine will be closed from 5:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Those who complete all of the climbs and return to the finish line within the 13-hour timeframe may purchase the sought-after Death Ride® - Tour of the California Alps 40th Anniversary Finisher's Jersey. All athletes, their families, and spectators are encouraged to join up at the finish line festival for food, photos, comaraderie and to visit the expo booths and sponsors.

For more information, visit https://deathride.com/ or on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DeathRideOfficial/.