Ride the West: Up to Donner Pass Down into Truckee

Day 4

Wednesday, June 6, 2018

Auburn to Truckee, CA

Climb to Donner Pass

73.9 Miles

7 hours, 33 minutes

8,530' climbing

3,439 calories

9.8 mph average speed

43.2 mph maximum speed

No other way to put it. This was a tough day. Made just a skosh more interesting because my shifting mechanism in my rear cassette wouldn't hold in the easiest gear. It kept popping out.

We had an early start which was good. We took on the Norton Grade, a 9 mile piece of wooded switchbacks at a 10% grade with some added spice of some 17% grade sections - short, but they stung. Following that section we hopped on I-80 for 18 miles straight up with a consistent 6% grade.

Not horribly steep as tractor trailers have to negotiate these climbs, but mentally exhausting. It just wouldn't let up. About 16 miles into the climb I realized I felt like sleeping, couldn't keep my eyes open as I willed my legs to turn over and over. I knew I was in trouble.

At that point I saw an exit, took it to a truck stop/rest stop and found a convenience store with 1) Air Conditioning, and 2) a refrigerator case of cold drinks. I copped a Monster triple espresso drink and a PayDay candy bar. Soon after consuming both, my mind returned to my body. I lit back out on the highway and ground my way to the top of Donner Pass. It was an emotional moment. I did get a visitor to take a shot for me included below.

An 11 mile seemingly unending descent into Truckee followed. Although it wasn't my best performing days in the saddle, the weather was spectacular, and the ride won't soon be forgotten.