Alta Alpina 2013 'Game Three, The Final Meltdown'

[Carl Sanders]

Coming in third at Terrible Two, after completing the second of three CA Triple Crown Stage races, and after having raced across 400 miles of road and climbed just over 30,000', I was now only five minutes behind Robert Choi, the reigning CA Triple Crown Stage Race Champion. Just 20 minutes behind me was Maximiliano Mehech, a consistent endurance racer breathing down my neck. Just behind him, holding forth position was Marc Moons, the SRCC Belgian powerhouse.

Alta Alpina remained the final challenge in the Stage Race series. Starting near Markleeville, south of Lake Tahoe, the course would cross eight High Sierra Passes with over 20,000' of climbing across the final 200 miles.

The 5:06 AM start window had many of the Stage contenders at the ready. A fast pace of twenty or so riders zipped along toward Kingsbury Pass on the backside of Heavenly Valley. The downhill start, mellow rollers across the foothills and rising Sun over eastern Sierra made for a fine start to the day.

I held onto to the lead group of Rob, Max and Marc as we reversed course at the Kingsbury Pass Aid, just past mile 27. The four of us screamed back down into the warming eastern Sierra and motored along the rollers back toward Luther Pass. Climbing into Hope Valley, three hours into the game, I desperately needed to empty the bladder. I called out for a piss break, but got left behind as the lead three riders pedaled on toward the Pass, as I let go along the roadside. Frustrated about getting dropped, I pushed hard to catch Robert at the Luther Pass Aid near mile 59.

Marc and Max pushed ahead, creating a good gap between Robert and I up to the Aid at Carson Pass around mile 72. I stuck on Rob’s wheel, knowing that he was the man to beat. I just couldn’t let Max get more than twenty minutes ahead us.

Rob and I caught Marc at Blue Lakes at mile 91 as the temperature began to climb. Max, passed us going the opposite direction near the Aid and appeared to have gained at least five minutes on us. He seemed on fire.

Marc, Rob and I make another screaming fast descent back toward and past the start/finish at Turtle Rock. Rob and I blast past this Aid and lunch stop at mile 115. We know every minute counts. Marc pulls in as we roll on. Max is somewhere out front.

Up and over the grind toward Ebbetts Pass, Rob and I struggle to cool off in the triple digit weather conditions. We take full advantage of both water stops along the climb, dumping as much water over our head as into our bottles. As the grade increase near the pass, seemingly, so does the temperature.

I try to make my move and gap Rob on the decent into Hermit Valley. Near the bottom, I see Max grinding his way back up in the scorching heat. I guess he has at least ten minutes on us now. 

Up and over Ebbetts again from the south the thermometer continues to climb and bake our backsides. A glance back over my shoulder shows only an empty searing road. I seem to have gotten a slight lead on Rob by mile 167.

Thankfully, the Ebbetts Pass Aid volunteers provide ice, cold towels and head dunks to sooth the ailing riders pilling up under the scant shade trees. I try to maintain my slight lead over Rob, screaming back down the north side of Ebbetts Pass toward HWY 89 and the final assault on both sides of Monitor Pass.

Heading up the Monitor from the west at mile 160, my body begins to crack. As the grade increases, I seem to loose all power, unable to push the pedals round while seated and too damn tired to get off the saddle for more kick. Rob easily catches and overtakes me, methodically cranking his bike up the steep grade with the energy that he so smartly held in reserves until now.

The Sun continues to bake us as we traverse this totally exposed rocky expanse. Past old mines, across treeless ridges, I struggle to push on. No amount of will power can overcome my failing pace. Fatigue is getting the best of me. I cannot get my bike up the hill any faster, as my body and mind falters. My lower back and legs begin to quiver and cramp. The dry air, altitude and exertion make for an unquenchable thirst. My heart rate and speed plummet. I'm done racing by the time I roll into the Monitor Aid at mile 167.

Over Monitor Pass, with a re-fuel and extended rest at the final Aid, I drop into the exhilarating 45+ mph descent down toward Topaz on HWY 395. The thrill of this ride is dampened, with the knowledge that once I reach the bottom, I will have to turn around and climb back out over the entire 2,000’ drop.

Near the bottom at mile 176, my Garmin records oven temps at 106 degrees inside the rocky canyon bottom. The agonizing slow climb back up toward Monitor Pass grinds on at 3-4 MPH. I struggle to stay on the road, wobbling back and forth, alternating between seated and standing positions. I just can’t seem to muster the will to go further. 

Another extended rest stop at the Monitor Pass at mile 187 provides much needed relief, as I gulp soda, gobble chips and crunch pickles. I stumble back on to the bike and bomb down the final descent into Markleeville. Only one last kicker remains before the finish at Turtle Rock. Although only a mile long, I curse the grade in front of me, as I try to summon the power to finish strong at mile 199. No use.

I roll slowly back into the finish/final Aid and dinner stop, totally spent, with a time of 13:21, putting me in third place for the Alta Alpina race and in third position overall for the CTC Stage standings.

Rob took the win again at AA and the Stage with a blistering time of 12:35. Max came in second at 12:47. Apparently, Rob caught Max near the top of the final climb up Monitor.

 It was an honor and pleasure to race with each of these seasoned endurance riders. I’m already beginning to contemplate what I can do better next season…

 

High Cascades 100 up next in two weeks!

[Jim Hewett]

Great job in brutal conditions.  Get some rest!

[Paul Montgomery]

Thanks for the write up... SUPERHUMAN!