2010 Tahoe Sierra Century

Climbing Tahoe Donner

I signed up for the September 25, 2010 Tahoe Sierra Century because I've always wanted to ride in Tahoe. If you've never been there or ridden (or hiked) in Tahoe, you've gotta go! It's amazing... the beauty, the fresh air, the nice and relaxed people, and the view from every mountain... just can't get enough. 


Just to acclimate a little for the ride on Saturday the 25th, I borrowed my client's condo in Squaw and drove up on Wednesday. The air is definitely thinner.... climbing the stairs within the condo just to put my bags down? I felt like I needed an oxygen mask and possibly even a nap. Thursday I did a 30mile cycling sightseeing and on Friday I did a 6 mile hike along Tahoe Rim Trail then met up with some other cycling friends for a little 15 mile ride. Ok, that was a little much... Despite the delicious pasta carbo load at Pizza & Pasta in Squaw Valley Village, I did pay for all that fun activity during the 100 mile... ok, 98.28 miles (according to my handy Garmin Edge) Century ride.... ouch....

The Tahoe Sierra Century is a local Tahoe fund-raiser with all proceeds benefiting the Music Programs at North Tahoe Middle and High Schools. 

Morning temperature: 40degrees F.... Cold! The minute I put my cycling glasses on my face, it shattered.... RIP sunglasses... you did good.... Luckily for me, the condo was only 2 miles from the Start/Finish point at Squaw Village so I pedaled back to my car and rode in style with "normal" sunglasses. Starting at Squaw Village, we rode along the Truckee River down to Tahoe City, fingers freezing, earlobes burning, toes numbing.  First rest stop, Kings Beach. We start to strip down a little because there's a hill to face. Hill = Heat and the temperatures were expected to climb into the 80's. 


Brockway Summit wasn't so bad. Roads were freshly paved and gorgeous. Mostly 5-6% incline did go on forever. The downhill was quite exhilarating, especially since there were no cars at that time of my descent. My top speed was 44.86 mph - probably could've gone faster if a little prairie dog-squirrel type rodent didn't play chicken with me until it decided to make a u-turn after getting to about 300 yards from me. 


After a second rest stop at Donner Camp Picnic Area, the torture begins. Ski Slope Way. I tried not to pay attention to how much more hill was left of the 8 mile strenuous climb, but I did look frequently at my computer at the hill grade. 9%, 10%, 9%, 10%, 10%, 10%... seriously?! It was getting hot and people were peeling off layers, sweat dripping, heavily breathing, quads burning, cadence slowing... 2000' of elevation gain. However, whatever goes up, must come down.... Down to Donner Lake Rest Stop #3.  Did you know that V8 vegetable juice is the best thing EVER?! Oh, it was the star of the rest stop. 


Hwy 40 was closed to motorists for a few hours and that was nice!!! The climbing on the other hand, painful, again. The vista point made up for it. My pic at the top of this blog post? That's the view... can't beat it. The incline grade wasn't horrible... between 5-7% grade but when it goes on forever, that's when you do a little self talk motivation. I even spoke to my Diva, my bicycle. No, not delirious. You gotta do what you gotta do to get through the urge to quit. I blame myself for having too much fun the days prior. :) Went over Donner Summit and then into Cisco Grove for lunch. Food tastes so good at mile 67. 


With a full-ish belly, time to take bambi legs back up to Donner Summit for the final rest stop. Oranges! YUM! Fig newtons... delicious! There could've been liver and it probably would've tasted fabulous, or not. Well, it's downhill back to Donner Lake and then back to Squaw Village. YES! Done with 98.28 miles, 7146' total elevation, of beautiful Tahoe Sierra mountains with sore sits bones, exhausted quads, and PB&J overload. 


Participants were greeted with Jazz music from a local high school and food and beer. Did I mention beer? It came with the meal.... I don't drink beer and it was insanely delicious! I think it was Sierra Nevada... how appropriate!  The hardest part of the day? Getting back on the saddle again to ride back to the condo.... yep, my butt was sore. Well worth it.