'Death Ride' for bikes this Saturday, July 9

The huge, annual "Death Ride" for bicyclists is scheduled for this Saturday, July 9 in Alpine County, Calif.

That special endurance event will consist of approximately 2,600 bicycle riders attempting to ride over a total of five passes in that California county.

As one of West's premier, endurance cycling events, this year's ride returns those riders to the infamous, five-pass course, which includes: Monitor Pass on S.R. 89 (twice at an elevation of 8,314'), Ebbett's Pass on S.R. 4 (twice at 8,730') and Carson Pass on S.R. 88 (8,580')

Beginning and ending at Turtle Rock Park, two miles north of Markleeville, California, the five pass ride includes 129 miles of biking and a total of 15,000 feet of lung busting climbing.

The Death Ride is co-sponsored by the Alpine County Chamber of Commerce and the Alta Alpina Cycle Club.

Any motorists traveling in Alpine County on Saturday between 5:30 a.m. and dark are advised to exercise extreme caution due to the huge number of bicycles on the roadways.

State Route 89 over Monitor Pass, from the junction of U.S. Highway 395, near Topaz Lake, to the junction of State Route 89/4, will be closed to all traffic, except for emergency, law enforcement and support vehicles from about 5:30 a.m. until 12:00 noon.

State Route 4 over Ebbett's Pass, will be closed to all traffic, except for emergency, law enforcement and support vehicles from about 5:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

These road closures are for the safety of the bicycle riders. Plan to use alternate routes if you are going to travel in those areas on that date.

For information, call either the Alpine County Chamber of Commerce or Death Ride Manager Joe Marzocco, both at (530) 694-2475.