“Longest and Fastest Downhill in America” A Bicyclist Challenge

Posted by on Jan 21, 2011 in Bicycle Adventures | No Comments
         Mt. Charleston located just off highway 95, about 25 miles Northwest of Las Vegas, Nevada was recently written up in Bicycling Magazine as the “Longest and Fastest” downhill in America.  They rated this mountain because it has 17 miles of nearly straight downhill with an average of 5.9% grade, a maximum 10% in one section dropping over 4,400’.  For my friends who are unaware of road grades; 3-4% is the norm for highway construction, when you get in mountainous areas you probably have seen warning signs, “trucks use lower gears”, “truck pull-over for inspection” of brakes and equipment and “Runaway Truck Ramp” these hills are normally in the 6-7% grade and sometimes as high as 10%.  When I mention higher percent grades such as 19% or 21% those are the hills you look at and say things like “Wow” or “No Way”!  Back to the magazine article further stated a bicyclist could easily achieve 50-60 mph on a downhill run.  Hmmmm!  My maximum speed so far on a bicycle has been near 50 mph, wonder what it’s like to do 60?  Well so happens, I’m going to be in Vegas in August just might have to give this challenging run a go.

Tuesday August 17, 2010 @ 7:30 AM:
        
Sitting at the kitchen table staring into my cup of strong black coffee contemplating today’s big down hill ride I can feel the adrenaline beginning to rise up within me.  Anticipation of a big event, whether it was a football game, wrestling match, motorcycle race, bull ride, rappelling or some other daring and to some crazy adventure has always pumped me up to where I almost feel like I’m going to explode.  Quite literally too, back a few years ago I was even known to have to keep a second pair of britches on hand in case I didn’t make it to a toilet quick enough, too.  That’s how worked up I get.  Oh, but once a buzzer or gun or whatever goes off, a feeling of exhilaration takes over my mind and body and I’m going for it a 110%.  Damm, whatever happens, happens.  Today is going to be one of those times.
         Just a couple weeks ago in Iowa riding RAGBRAI, there was a hill “Potters Hill” we climbed. Now, there is a hill you could achieve 60 mph on it without any effort in 1.1 mile this hill ascends 1,074’ with a maximum grade of 19%.  In fact, the hill before Potters Hill I recorded 46.6 mph.  I could have gone faster but there were too many riders to maneuver around.  A couple days earlier a guy collided with another rider on a downhill at about 30 mph and lost his life.  This being fresh in my mind, I was quick to feather the brakes anytime I neared another rider.  Won’t have other riders to contend with today but I will have to be alert for critters like wild horses, burros, jack rabbits or even a squirrel darting across the road can cause a nasty crash.  Other possible catastrophes vehicles approaching from the opposite direction, having a blow-out on my bike or throwing a chain could all spell disaster at high speed.  I blew out a front tire last year on a level road doing only 12 mph and it was like suddenly being thrown onto a slick patch of ice.  Lost control and went down in the middle of the street, fortunately vehicle traffic was light and slow as I was in a school zone.  The only thing hurt was my ego but it was a lesson as to how vulnerable and easy it is to crash on a bicycle.  Thinking of all this is giving way more of a rush than when I jumped off the Stratosphere, here in Vegas during our May trip.  The 858’ free fall from the top turned out to be more hype than an adrenaline rush.  They hook up so many safety harnesses and cables to you for the jump takes all the fear and thrill out of it.  I will say the view of the strip was spectacular.
         Well time to leave for Mt. Charleston, with luck I’ll be reporting back to you my feelings and sensations of the “Longest and Fastest Downhill” bicycle ride in America.  Hey, if I’m unable to report know it’s been a good life and I’ve had very few regrets.  Besides if the worse should happen, to use a line from an old Frank Sinatra hit song, know “I’ve done it my way”. 

Starting point for the challenge

Tuesday August 17th at 10:00 PM:
        
Pooh!  The hype of Mt. Charleston’s “Fastest and longest downhill” didn’t match reality.  The scenery was beautiful.  The drive up Mt. Charles did provide spectacular mountain and wilderness views and there were a couple sections along the roadway were if one happened to lose control you could fly for several hundred feet before crashing to earth.  That did heighten the thrill for making this run.

First curve just below Upper Bristlecone

As the bicycle magazine story suggested I began my downhill run from the parking lot for the ski club and Upper Bristlecone Trailhead.  The start was promising as in the first quarter mile my bike odometer jumped to 32 mph and kept climbing.  I did have to feather my brakes on a couple switchbacks at the top due to oncoming vehicles.  Quickly, my odometer registered 42.5 mph I was pumped and ready for the thrill ride of my life but just as quickly the grade slackened and my speed began to drift downward.  Not again for the rest of this downhill would my speed hit even 40 mph.  My average speed by the time I reached the bottom of this mountain run was only 31.2 mph.        

About to drop down 10% grade

I did have a couple of exciting moments; crossing a steel cattle guard at 35 mph gave me goose bumps.  Then the unexpected and not thought of potential danger of a 25+ mph cross wind which would blow my bike two to three feet sideways every once in awhile.  I kept my line downhill close to the center of the road to give myself the most room for maneuvering from oncoming vehicles or critters darting across the road.  Did encounter a wild horse on the side of road but he was content to continue munching on some grass, didn’t even give me a second look.  The wind surges kept me alert.  When a burst of wind would suddenly throw my bike sideways, I’d tell myself relax go with the flow.  It’s when you tense up and take a death grip on a bike you are apt to lose control, learn that the hard way during my many years of motorcycle racing.  Now that I’m 64, I don’t want to fall.  The bones don’t seem to take kindly to such things.  Not to mention pavement rash as those are nasty.  One time I ended up in an ER with a severe case of pavement rash on my backside, took several layers of skin off.  It sure did make sitting uncomfortable for a few weeks not to mention interrupting an otherwise enjoyable vacation.

Arriving at the base of the mountain, disappointed to say the least

         Well this thrill ride ended up being a non-event.  Technically the magazine rating of this “Longest and Fastest Downhill in America” is correct.  I have ridden down the volcano on Maui which is longer but with all the switchbacks and vehicle traffic not to mention being on a paid tour with an Outfitter who kept riders bunched up and slow you didn’t have the opportunity to go fast.  Steepness, as mentioned earlier I was able to go faster on a hill approaching Potter’s Hill in Iowa.  Even here in Vegas there is Red Rock Canyon with some pretty good downhill sections allowing one to go fast.  The downside there you do have to be careful on the switchbacks for other vehicles and critters.  In fact, I’ve had two very very close encounters there once with a jackrabbit and second time with an Irishsetter whose owned let it off its leach just as I was swooshing by.
         I was so disappointed in the Mt. Charleston downhill non-thrill ride, I had my friends drop me off at Red Rock Canyon where I was able to record 47.6 mph on the downhill side of this awesome ride.  To maximize this downhill run, I first ride my bike from the Over-look to the summit a 6 ½ mile ride with a beginning grade of 3% which quickly angles up to a 21% grade, now that will get you huff’ in and a puff’ in and the old heart a thump’ in!

End of run, checking my maximum speed achieved, only 42.5 mph

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