138 miles with 16,600 feet of elevation gain*
Locate ride on interactive map.
[Interactive Course | enlarge]
[Route Profile]
Son of Death Ride - Counties Visited:
Tulare County and Inyo County
Son of Death Ride - Cities/Towns Visited:
Kennedy Meadows
Son of Death Ride - Climbs:
Mile 0 (HC), 25 (cat. 4), 45 (cat. 3), 69 (cat. 1), 94 (cat. 3), and 119 (cat. 4)
Son of Death Ride - Stops (Semi-Supported):
Mile 16 (Sherman Pass), 32 (Blackrock Station), 45 (Kennedy Meadows), 59 (9 Mile Canyon), 79 (9 Mile Canyon), 93 (Kennedy Meadows), 105 (Blackrock Station), and 122 (Sherman Pass)
Son of Death Ride - Description:
The Son of Death Ride crosses the Southern Sierra in both directions, passing through Sequoia National Forest and leading into Mojave Desert. Even though the official event was canceled, some riders showed up in Kernville.
The out-and-back course starts about 18 miles north of Kernville, before Johnsondale Bridge. The first 15 miles wind up Sherman Pass, at 9,200 feet the highest point. On the way to 9 Mile Canyon, Blackrock Station and Kennedy Meadows are passed. The turnaround point is Highway 395 in Mojave Desert, at 3,000 feet the lowest point.
The difficulty of this ride depends a lot on the temperature during the ascent from Mojave Desert, which in our case was 117 degrees (in August at noon).
That which does not kill us makes us stronger...
Son of Death Ride - Pictures:
[Top of Sherman Pass]
[Bottom of 9 Mile Canyon]
[9 Mile Canyon]
[Finisher's Medal]
Son of Death Ride - Personal Notes:
Having spent almost two hours in the extreme heat riding up 9 Mile Canyon, my core body temperature was elevated, and the continuation of the ride became questionable. At the Kennedy Meadows general store, I applied ice packs and consumed ice cream and cold sodas, which helped me to recover and finish the ride.
From start to finish, I rode with Jim M. from San Diego, who had also completed the KoM Century Challenge. It turned out that, after over 20 hours of riding, his total time was only one minute slower than mine - what a coincidence!
Special thanks to Beatrix S., Chelsea R., and Wade R. for providing SAG (Support and Gear) service!
Son of Death Ride - Current Weather:
See also Top Bike Climbs in California and Top Bike Climbs in the United States.