Comments on: First Post & Death Ride News

By: Daryl

Daryl — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 02:21:39 +0000

Having ridden the ride seven times before - I offer my observations on the differences this year.

OK, the low sodium V8 was a miss, but at least every stop was stocked with (regular) V8 this year (first time). And the volunteers were as usual, cheerful and enthusiastic.

But we noticed two other big misses:
1. While every stop had lots of Clif Bars, there were no Clif Shot gels on the ride at all. Those are absolutely essential to surviving this type of ride - especially at Pickett’s. How could that mistake be made?
2. Unlike the other rest stops, Ebbetts had no one making peanut butter bagels for the riders. There was a tray of dried out sliced bagels with a bunch of little restaurant service packs of peanut butter and a plastic knife. Riders have a hard enough time just staying on their feet by Ebbetts, let alone having to deal with that level of support. It was a truly disappointing moment in the ride.

Can the ride be restored without Alta Alpina’s help?

By: Georges Pelpel

Georges Pelpel — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:28:05 +0000

I just rode the DR and was also shocked by the low sodium V-8. I like V-8 and something was really odd when I chugged my first one. Yes we need salt during such a ride.
Anyway it was my first DR so I cannot compare the support level to previous years. I found it pretty good actually when compared to the various centuries I have ridden, not the best but not the worst either.

By: Steve P

Steve P — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 23:46:26 +0000

Well, I figured there was some cycling experience missing from this year’s DR. I didn’t know the AACC was not involved until I read this post today.

The tip-off was at Hermit Valley. I grabbed a couple cans of V-8 - chugged the 1st one and almost spit it out - LOW SODIUM - I went back and asked for the regular V-8 and was told that it was all low sodium because it was healthier…. Incredible!!

People were still freindly and supportive but there was some cycling experience missing.

Another example was the requirement to STOP at the bottom of Monitor before turning left on Hwy 4 towards Ebbetts. Last year that was a free swinging left turn with no loss of momentum.

By: Steven

Steven — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 17:04:35 +0000

I am looking for good/moderate level MTB rides in the Reno/sparks/carson city area.

I travel there for biz and need to find safe entertainment for the non working hours.

anybody have some recommendations?

Thanks.

Steve

By: xdscott

xdscott — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 15:39:00 +0000

who knows, maybe if they figure out how much work it is to do on their own, the chamber of commerce might end up inviting them back for ‘09.

By: Terry

Terry — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 20:18:49 +0000

Mark this as the year that the Death Ride caught a cold that later turned into the flu and then the pneumonia that finally killed it. If you compare centuries that are run by a bike club to centuries without, there is no comparison. Without a bike club involved, there is no passion and it shows. I’ll be sorry to see the Death Ride go.

By: Jeff P

Jeff P — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 05:35:40 +0000

Didn’t AACC originate the DR?

By: Marcus M

Marcus M — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 23:40:05 +0000

Well, I did register for the ride. I did do the ride last year and it was a fabulous event. I am sad to hear the news. It makes me wonder what happened in that relationship. My first guess is that the Chamber of Commerce got greedy and wanted to host it themselves. No comments were posted on the Alta Alpina Website that I saw. If it does turn out to be a sucky event, their are several ” copy” events that are going on all over the place.