Climb to Kaiser report (non-yak)

A couple of you asked me to post something about this dang thing- mostly since i've been whining about not fishing and being stuck on a bike for 8 months. Well, here's a "report".

I did it.

Background
I've done the Death Ride half dozen times or so, and late last fall was thinking of doing something harder, something to help me with my BLOTY goal. DR is 129 and 16K of climbing. CLimb to Kaiser is 155 miles and 13.5K climbing. Its almost an out and back-- the summit being 82 miles in, with only 3K of climbing left at about 100 miles. Sign me up. I trained, trained, and trained more...i'm in the best shape of the last decade for me- tapping out 100+ mile rides every saturday since early may.

The Ride
First thing i noticed in the starting line up was that there's only like 200 people, and not one of them is at all fat. On most centuries (even DR) you see folks that you think, "no way". Here they were all thin, wiry, and looked fit as all get out. Hmmm...maybe this is gonna be hard!
The ride begins at 5:30 with a mass start- police escorted through the streets of Clovis. Pretty quickly the pace picks up to about 20-25mph as a couple of local pro teams lead us out. 30 min in and the peloton splits nicely into three groups. An hour later we start the first little climb, and we split further. I got a flat about midway up. TollHouse grade is the first real climb, 6% or so for 7 miles gaining a few thousand feet, at the top you hang a right and climb another couple thousand to a rest stop. Somewhere along the way i think i've lost a contact...bummer at least i can see the bike computer and far away!
After that rest we wander along a beautiful lake, then do a bit of descending to The Climb of the day...Big Creek. Its almost a legend - 18% grade or so for 4 miles, gaining 2700 feet. Much harder than anything on DR. At this point i had been feeling pretty good.  Midway up this climb i realized that- a) i needed my "emergency gear" and b) i should have trained standing out of the saddle more...actually had to get off for about a minute and just stand there (at least i got a pic). Back on the grade eased to an unreasonable 13-14%  and i was back in the saddle grinding away. Faster than i thought i hit hte top, then rolled along to lunch. 70 is miles in, I was at least an hour ahead of schedule!
I managed to find my contact- pasted up under my eyelid - at lunch, and had my first bit of bother- a bit of stomach issues that lasted about 5 min. Up here at 7000 feet the weather was cool...only 12 more miles to the summit and the turnaround. About 1:30pm i started the final real climb up to Kaiser pass
The climb up to Kaiser pass started off easy-- 6-10% grade for a half dozen miles, then kicked in raising quickly into the teens for the remainder. Head down and grind-- riders flying down, yelling three more miles, two more miles! One more! 2000 meters! 500 meters...then it was done, I was at the summit. The amazing volunteers held my bike, filled my bottles, washed my glasses, and tracked down more sunscreen. Down a V8, then off DOWNHILL...first real downhill in 8 hours.
Sadly, 20 minutes into the downhill it was interrupted by the final climb of the day Tamarack Ridge...which is really just a series of giant rollers that gain a thousand feet or so. I was feeling good again! The backside of Tamarack was 40mph downhill, and it went on and on and on. A quick water stop and i was back off- 50 miles left. The support staff telling me i won't need lights, and only a couple of hours left.
I caught a woman from Mill valley on the descent, and we screamed down into the pizza oven. There was one corner where we came around, looked into Fresno far below, and ran into a wall of heat. The temps jumped from 86 - 106 in a few hundred meters!
we stayed together knowing that there would be a strong headwind in the flats, and two riders would be faster than one.
Soon we were into the rollers that would lead to the final flat 12 miles. we traded pulls, but i had to stop and grab a bite- Bonk was rapidly approaching. Quick bite and drink and we were back on it...but I quickly fell off the back! I'd hit the wall- only 30 miles left, and i was bonked...totally bonked. i struggled on in the headwinds. 20 min later and I had to pull over-- the heat was working me. I found a patch of shade and stepped off- dry heaving and dizzy. Holy crap, only 20 miles or less to the finish and i'm cratering!  The heat and 11 hours of exertion are killing me. A few minutes feeling sorry for myself was enough, i jumped back on and only a couple of miles later was at the final stop. The volunteers herded me into a chair, produced a dripping ice cold towel. Ice. Ice cold V8, Ice cold towel on my head. Pretzels...and an ice cold Coke. I'm baaack. Luckily everyone else at the stop looked just like me. The volunteer told me only 12 more miles. Twelve. Less than one hour!
I packed two bottles of ice water, one for my head, one to drink. Within 10 minutes the one in front was all water, 20 minutes and that water was warm, but by then it didn't matter,it was flat and i was nearly done.
Then it was all over. A ton of people were cheering and ringing cowbells...I checked in and it was done.

One a side note a new course record was set the same day. Two guys did it in 8:04 shaving nearly half hour off the previous record. They left from the summit about the same time i was starting Big Creek.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/7680460

Incredible, Steve. Congrats, finishing that ride is an accomplishment. 

Wow...very impressive. I crap out after doing my 30 mile weekend rides. I can't imagine how hard (and painful) it is to do 155 miles in those conditions. Your hard work and conditioning for the ride paid off.

Props to you Steve, and congrats on the finish!
You going to do DR now?

Al

You going to do DR now?

Al

I'm not sure i'll do the DR again, if i did it would be just the 4 passes- since the roads are closed.  I'm half heartedly thinking of a few longer rides- one NCKA legend has a California Triple Crown to his credit as well... 3 200 mile rides in one year

Only a strange type of human would want to endure such pain and misery. Now I know why I like you so much.

our own iron man!! Yea Steve you are looking kind of pudgy these days, I think you should do a little trip like this EVERY week.

(I was even feeling a bit nauseous there with your description)

You da man!!

Allen

Steve... CONGRATS on conquering the Kaiser!

The major thing that separates great cyclists from the rest of the pack is their ability to endure super harsh punishment.  You've proved that for sure.

I'm half heartedly thinking of a few longer rides- one NCKA legend has a California Triple Crown to his credit as well... 3 - 200 mile rides in one year

And who might that be?  

I think the guy's last name is under "E" --
http://www.caltriplecrown.com/02winnam.htm

Go for it Steve.  If anyone can do it, I know you can.  You're one bad-ass cyclist.  I bet you can pedal a Hobie to the Farallons and back in half-a-day.

Thanks for the great ride report and pics!

I think the guy's last name is under "E" --
http://www.caltriplecrown.com/02winnam.htm

 

who are YOU calling a bad ass?

I think the guy's last name is under "E" --
http://www.caltriplecrown.com/02winnam.htm

 

who are YOU calling a bad ass?

Dang, no kidding! That's frickin' awesome, Chuck.  When you do somethin' you don't mess around!

I think the guy's last name is under "E" --
http://www.caltriplecrown.com/02winnam.htm

 

who are YOU calling a bad ass?

Dang, no kidding! That's frickin' awesome, Chuck.  When you do somethin' you don't mess around!

Chuck - good for you. However, IMNSHO, doubles are just a longish bike ride when you train for them. I dare you to do your next one from off the couch

Scott

holey crap! great ride! 
you are aware that the drive to kaiser kills dozens of cars every year...  When we lived in Clovis I always thought that ride was one of the most ridiculous things EVER!  Here I am trying to get my friends to ride 50 miles in a weekend with small hills, thinking that 85mi out of Truckee was special....


 

Dude your a stud ! I race and ride rec all the time . Have you ever heard of the Everest Chalenge . Its 196 miles and 24000 feet of gain . Maybe thats next for you .Keep thre rubber side down . One more thing do you own a Hobie ?

no hobie for me...not yet...my old prowler 15 has to die first.

I've heard of everest challenge...I think the next one in my future is Lone Ranger of Auburn Century, and next year probably the "Son of death ride/That Which does not kill us.."
for now i've got to work on my pace -- 11.5mph (including rests) is really too slow for the longer rides 12.5 would be more like it

Unbelievable!!! That is an amazing ride.I have driven Kaiser in a truck before and that isn't easy.You da man! 

Good job coach!  Now get out of shape so we can go ride sometime together. 

Seriously, though, how hungry were you after finished? Do you develop weird food cravings after sustained activity?  Every bonk i recall having is preceded by MASSIVE desire for a pasty, chocolate donut with rainbow sprinkles.