The DEATH RIDE 43rd Edition is Fast Approaching

The DEATH RIDE 43^rd Edition is Fast Approaching

Markleeville’s Iconic Death Ride – Tour of the California Alps® is slated for July 13th.

Registration has been, and is still open, for the 43rd riding of the Death Ride – Tour of the California Alps in Markleeville, Calif. this July. The 103-mile road cycling tour includes more than 14,000 feet of climbing on Sierra Nevada roads, traversing both sides of Monitor Pass, Ebbett’s Pass, and Pacific Grade. Nearly 90% of the course is closed to vehicles, and the ride is fully supported with aid stations, a lunch stop, SAG vehicles, and medical support.

Turtle Rock Park is the site for all the action, registration, start/finish line and EXPO. This year, the Expo is planning a party like environment to celebrate the finished rider with live band and local food for riders and the public. The Expo will also feature bike vendors, demonstrations, raffles and massage booth. Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Platinum Sponsor, will be returning for the fourth decade providing the proper Sierra suds for after the ride, funds and charitable donations will go to Alpine County non-profits.

Five-time Deathrider Steven Pollock says: “This is my favorite ride of the year by far! Very challenging, sometimes compounded by searing heat; there’s a real sense of accomplishment when you finish all six climbs. We all love that the roads are closed to cars so we can descend quickly without that worry.”

The event was canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19, and then in 2021 due to the devastating Tamarack Fire. 2022 was the first time the tour made its way over the west slope of the Sierra to the Lake Alpine/Bear Valley area. “

This year’s Death Ride will continue building on that east slope-west slope interaction,” says Alpine County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Meghan Wolff. “The event has become a decades-long ritual for many volunteers and first responders in Alpine County, too. With the new(er) course, shorter distance, yet almost the same amount of climbing, many riders tell us that the route is just as challenging, if not more so, than previous years.”

Cyclists have from sunrise to sunset to complete the entire course, and Class 1 and Class 3 pedal assist E-bikes are allowed.

Due to the size and scope of the event, Highway 89 from Markleeville to the Highway 89/Highway 4 junction will be closed on July 13th from 5am to noon, and Highway 4 from Markleeville to Lake Alpine is closed from 5am to 4pm.

Event information, registration links, and sponsorship opportunities can be found online at www.deathride.com. Questions can be directed to info@deathride.com or (530) 694-2475. Follow the Death Ride® on Facebook @DeathRideOfficial and Instagram @tourofthecaliforniaalps.

Check out the Finisher’s Page to read some short stories from previous riders.