The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC) is the second oldest motor sports race in America. This annual automobile and motorcycle hill-climb, also known as The Race to the Clouds, starts at 9,390 feet and ends at the 14,110 foot summit of Pikes Peak in Colorado. The course covers a distance of 12.42 miles on paved and dirt/gravel sections. Racers must negotiate 156 turns — many of which are lack guard rails — as they climb nearly 5000 ft to the finish line.
We spoke with Alan Heffernan about his bike, his race preparations, and about what he’ll do after the race is over.
