June 28th, 2008 Climb to Kaiser

Date

Start: Saturday, June 28, 2008 @ 5:30 AM

Address

Clovis High School (Note location change)
1055 Fowler Ave. corner of Fowler and Barstow Clovis, CA

Brief Description

The Fresno Cycling Club invites all riders to take the challenge at this year¹s 32nd Annual Climb To Kaiser on Saturday, June 28, 2008. We offer 3 different rides to choose from: The traditional Climb To Kaiser, rated as one of the 10 toughest rides in America by Bicycling Magazine; The Tollhouse Century; and the Millerton Metric Century. Climb to Kaiser registration limited to 300 riders. Tollhouse Century and Millerton Metric registration closes June 23rd.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS:

All rides begin and end at the Clovis High School in Clovis, CA. The Climb To Kaiser has a mass start at 5:30 a.m. The Tollhouse Century and the Millerton Metric start at 6 a.m. All three routes will head east out of Clovis to the foothills of the Sierra’s. You will encounter your first climb of the day on WILDCAT GRADE.

DESCRIPTIONS:

After a good warm-up on this climb you will have a chance to recover at the Wildcat Rest Stop and then it’s time to descend down towards Burrough Valley. CTK and metric riders will turn left and begin a moderate climb on Burrough Valley Rd. before continuing up to the town of Tollhouse for the second rest stop. Century riders will do an 8 mile out and back on Maxon Rd to the Trimmer Work Center before returning to Watts Valley Rd. and climbing Burrough Valley Rd.

MILLERTON METRIC:

The metric starts at 6 a.m. with the century riders and follows the same course as the other rides up Wildcat and Burrough Valley to the Sierra rest stop. The metric then travels west on Lodge Rd. to Prather and down Auberry Rd. to the Millerton Store rest stop before a flat 12 miles to the finish.

Tollhouse Century-100 Miles/8,000’:

After a well-deserved rest stop at Sierra Elementary School, the century riders will continue to follow the Climb To Kaiser route up the 7-mile climb of the OLD TOLLHOUSE GRADE. The last quarter-mile is a real whopper!

Changes to Century course

2 changes have been made to the Century route. First, as riders descend Wildcat, Century riders will continue straight on Maxon Road for an 8 mile out and back to the ranger station. They will then turn right on Watts Valley Rd. and continue up Burrough Valley to the Sierra School rest stop. Second, at the top of Tollhouse Rd., Century riders will go straight across Hwy 168 to the lunch stop in Alder Springs.

Climb To Kaiser-160 Miles/14,000’:

Upon leaving the Sierra Elementary Rest Stop, the fun begins! Starting with a 7-mile climb up the OLD TOLLHOUSE GRADE, you will turn onto Hwy 168 and continue to climb up into the resort town of Shaver Lake. (SINGLE FILE PLEASE)

Climb To Kaiser- Shaver to Huntington Lake

As you leave Shaver Lake, you will have a couple more small hills and then it’s down to BIG CREEK. Watch your descent on this hill, as you can get carried away. You will be able to refill your bottles in the town of Big Creek. Now it’s time to take on the challenge of the Big Creek Grade. After you have conquered this climb it’s on to HUNTINGTON LAKE for a well-deserved lunch. Enjoy the scenery, but don’t stay too long!

Climb to Kaiser- Huntington to Kaiser Pass

After lunch, you will be ready for the climb up to the top of KAISER PASS at 9,200 ft. After a short recovery at the top, you will have a beautiful descent down from the top of the pass. Just make sure to watch your speed at the top of the mountain.

Climb To Kaiser-Summit to finish

After you have descended the mountain, you will have a little more climbing to do up to TAMARACK RIDGE before a long descent and return to Shaver Lake for another rest stop. (You must leave before 6:30 p.m.) As you leave Shaver Lake, you will be rewarded with some nice downhills through Alder Springs to Auberry. (WATCH THE CORNERS!) Continue descending through Auberry and Prather down to the last rest stop at the Millerton Store. The last 12 miles are relatively flat.

SUPPORT:

The Fresno Cycling Club provides unparalled support, plentiful rest stops, SAG support, and the after-ride meal.

NO PRIVATE SAGS ALLOWED-STRICTLY ENFORCED:

Private SAG defined: Non-staff vehicles providing asistance and/or motivation to any rider. If you have a private sag, your number will be pulled and you will be considered disqualified from the ride. This is for your safety and that of your fellow cyclists. This ride takes place on narrow, mountainous roads with little traffic. If you would like to volunteer to SAG ALL riders, contact the event coordinator at kaiser@fresnocycling.com or 559-355-0534

RECOMMENDATIONS:

Climb to Kaiser is not an easy ride. How much you suffer will depend on your training in the months prior to the event. Riders should be able to complete a century with 8,000 -10,00 feet of climbing in 8-10 hours. We suggest that each rider have a bicycle in excellent condition, carry 2 water bottles, and tools . Wear hot weather clothing and a helmet (mandatory) and carry extra money. Be prepared for cool weather on Kaiser Pass. A 39X27 or triple is highly recommended.

LIGHTS (Climb To Kaiser Riders Only)

If you expect to finish after dark, you are required to have lights (front and back). Riders without lights will be pulled from the course after sunset. . (NO EXCEPTIONS) Lights may be dropped off at registration. Please have lights in a paper grocery bag with your name and ride number listed. All bags will be taken to the Shaver Lake rest stop. It is each rider’s responsibility to pick-up their lights or pay shipping and handling for the return of their equipment.

ENERGY DRINK DROP-OFF(Climb To Kaiser Riders Only)

Fresno Cycling Club strives to meet the fluid and electrolyte needs of endurance cyclists. There will be energy drinks at all Rest Stops. If you would like energy drink powder brought up to Shaver Lake, place your containers in a brown paper bag with your name and number listed. Energy drink not picked up will not be returned.

OVERNIGHT ACCOMODATIONS:

Best Western Clovis Cole Hotel, 415 Clovis Ave, Clovis,CA 93611 (559)299-1547 AAA Discount Available Rodeo Lodge,1616 Clovis Ave, Clovis,CA 93611 (559) 298-0775 Super 8 Motel, 2655 E. Shaw Ave, Fresno,CA 93710 (559)294-0224 Comfort Suites Clovis 143 Clovis Ave, Clovis, Ca 93612 (559)299-9992 /1-800-4-choice AAA Discount Available

REGISTRATION AND CHECK-IN:

Preregistration is the only way to register for this event. You can register at Active.com or download a registration form at www.fresnocycling.com or by contacting John Craft at kaiser@fresnocycling.com. Confirmation of your registration will be e-mailed to you. Entries are non-transferable and fees are non-refundable. NO REFUNDS WILL BE MADE AFTER REGISTRATION IS RECEIVED. Entries may be deferred to the following year or to the Bass Lake Powerhouse Double Century.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE and DISCLAIMERS

LATE REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE ON JUNE 25rd at 12:00 a.m. Pacific Time. There is no on site registration Friday or Saturday. Event takes place rain or shine, 60 degrees or 115 degrees- NO REFUNDS. Derferals to another Fresno Cycling Club event will only be given if registrar is notified by June 23. Train or pain rule.

CHECK-IN

Check-in will take place on Friday, June 27 from 4-8 p.m. at the Clovis High School multi-use room, corner of Fowler and Barstow in Clovis. Check-in on Saturday morning will start at 5 a.m. at Clovis High School. Riders who do not check in prior to starting the course will be disqualified. Riders showing up early on Friday may be put to work.

SHOWERS

We will have showers available at Clovis High School.

HELMETS AND BIB NUMBERS MUST BE WORN AT ALL TIMES:

For liability reasons all riders must wear their helmets at all times during the ride. Riders not wearing helmets will be disqualified and pulled from the course. Any rider not wearing their bib number will be disqualified and pulled from the ride. This is for liability reasons and to insure that there is adequate support for those riders who have registered.

AFTER THE RIDE: STARTING AT 4:00 PM

We will have an after-ride lunch/dinner for all paid participants. Additional meal tickets are available for purchase for guests (Pre-ordered only). The meal will not be served until 2:00 p.m.

TRAINING

If you are planning on doing the Climb To Kaiser, you should be comfortable with completing a century with 8,000 to 10,000 feet of climbing in ten hours or less before attempting this ride. See the following web sites for more information: http://www.geocities.com/czcorner/C2K.html http://felixwong.com/news/2003/07/climb-to-kaiser/ http://home.comcast.net/~wymanburke/ClimbtoKaiser.html

T-SHIRTS AND FINISHER'S JERSEY

T-SHIRTS: T-shirts are available to order for all participants at $15 each. These are by pre-order only and must be ordered before June 12th. FINISHER’S JERSEY: -The finisher’s jersey is available to anyone who has ever completed the Climb To Kaiser. You will be able to order your jersey on the day of the ride. If you order and DNF or are DQ'ed, your money will be refunded. All jerseys will be MAILED to confirmed finishers IN SEPTEMBER.

More Information

Click here to view the event organizer's website

Photos