Northern California - Mammoth Lake Ride Report - Ride #3

I've gone north, I've gone east, and west is a dead-end, so I was going to go south this morning and head down 395 towards Bishop via Round Valley. However, the girls decided they wanted in on today's action, so we did a reprise of the June Lake Loop.

This time, we parked at the north junction of 158/395, and climbed up to the south junction of the 158/395 loop. We did this as it got the big climb out of the way, a 6 mile run up 395 that is in full sun (and wind) later in the day. It turned out to be a good call.

Arriving at the junction, we turned in and began the scenic loop. We got maybe 2 miles in before being stopped at a construction area, and had to wait for the pilot vehicle to shepherd us through. After a bit of a wait, the pilot arrived and gave us the run-down. He wanted us right behind him, and to be able to maintain about 20 mph. No problem as it was all downhill, and we were going to split off two thirds of the way through to grab lunch at the Tiger Bar. We took off right behind him, and Katherine got a nice lesson in drafting a car. She really enjoyed that.

After a delightful lunch, we finished the rest of the loop, and descended back down towards Mono Lake and our car. Thinking ahead, I had parked next to a nice creek with a good swimming hole, so we got a nice refreshing dip and then changed our clothes and headed for home.

22 miles and about 2,000' of climbing. A very good day!

Initial climb, looking down at the girls:
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t267/jd6572/2008%20rides/Mammoth%20trip%20ride%203/thegirls-1.jpg

Drafting the pilot car:
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t267/jd6572/2008%20rides/Mammoth%20trip%20ride%203/pilotcar-1.jpg

Powered by Chili Fries:
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t267/jd6572/2008%20rides/Mammoth%20trip%20ride%203/katherine.jpg

A nice scenic shot:
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t267/jd6572/2008%20rides/Mammoth%20trip%20ride%203/meadow.jpg

Mom chasing daughter:
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t267/jd6572/2008%20rides/Mammoth%20trip%20ride%203/chasing-1.jpg

Descent towards Mono Lake:
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t267/jd6572/2008%20rides/Mammoth%20trip%20ride%203/monodescent.jpg

Descent towards Mono Lake - my view:
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t267/jd6572/2008%20rides/Mammoth%20trip%20ride%203/monodescent-1.jpg

The girls:
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t267/jd6572/2008%20rides/Mammoth%20trip%20ride%203/thegirls-2.jpg

Me:
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t267/jd6572/2008%20rides/Mammoth%20trip%20ride%203/me-1.jpg

The bikes:
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t267/jd6572/2008%20rides/Mammoth%20trip%20ride%203/bikes.jpg

Excellent! Lovely pictures and family.

Looks like another nice ride! Thanks for sharing. :)

You always have teh best photos.
Look lie a fun ride. How long did it take to get to your ride start?

When I lived in Mammoth (1984-93), I used to cycle north on US 395, go around the June Lake Loop (CA 158), and return to Mammoth. During the mid 80s, US 395 over Deadman Summit was a narrow two lane road, making it into a 4 lane divided road with a shoulder really made cycling more pleasant.

Back then, Kittredge Sports had a little ski rental outlet/fishing shop in June Lake, I worked there a few days a week when I wasn't selling ski stuff at the main store in Mammoth Lakes. Sometimes if I was tired of brownbagging and feeling extravagant, I would splurge on a burrito for lunch at the Tiger Bar. Thanks for bringing back the memories!

You always have teh best photos.
Look lie a fun ride. How long did it take to get to your ride start?

Curtis,

Thank you - from you I take that as very high praise, indeed.

The first June Lake junction is about 15 or so miles from our condo at Mammoth, and the second junction is about 6 miles past that - so, it was about a 21 mile drive to the start. Normally, I would ride from Mammoth north, do the June Lake Loop, and ride back. That is something like 50-55 miles, with two major climbs in thin air. Today, since I had the little one and the wife with me, we elected to do just the loop.

The route on 158 thought the June Lakes Loop is about 15 miles, and the 6 mile climb on 395 to close the loop is another 6 miles. Rush Creek crosses under 395 at the northern 158 junction as it tumbles down to Mono Lake. It is a small creek, but there is a swimming hole that is large enough for a soak and fooling around with the dog and family. So, we started there to get the only major climb over with before heat and wind came up, and the rest of the ride is a beautiful glide though the lakes basin, with a cool creek to jump into at the end. It was perfect for the family ride.

When I lived in Mammoth (1984-93), I used to cycle north on US 395, go around the June Lake Loop (CA 158), and return to Mammoth. During the mid 80s, US 395 over Deadman Summit was a narrow two lane road, making it into a 4 lane divided road with a shoulder really made cycling more pleasant.

Back then, Kittredge Sports had a little ski rental outlet/fishing shop in June Lake, I worked there a few days a week when I wasn't selling ski stuff at the main store in Mammoth Lakes. Sometimes if I was tired of brownbagging and feeling extravagant, I would splurge on a burrito for lunch at the Tiger Bar. Thanks for bringing back the memories!

When I lived in L.A. (till 1982), I used to frequent the area a lot. I wasn't a cyclist then, but fishing and skiing were my thing. I was up there all the time, from Lone Pine to June Lake. I remember the road, and I remember Kittredge Sports. The Tiger Bar is a long time local favorite, but I also love to eat at The Silver Lake Lodge. Mmmmmmmmm...... :)

The swimming (dunking) hole on Rush Creek:

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t267/jd6572/2008%20rides/Mammoth%20trip%20ride%203/dam.jpg

This shot reminds me of the Grape Nuts Commercial that ran a few years ago:
Scene: BR riding up to female rider....
BR: "Why, Mrs. Bossman...I thought you were Missy Bossman!"
Mrs. Bossman: "That's Ok, Benjamin, Lot's of people get us mixed up.."
Mrs. Bossman: "Little do they know, my secret food is Grape Nuts in the morning"
Big Bossman rides up...
Big Bossman: "Whats going on here?"
Mrs. Bossman: "Oh, honey, Benjamin thought I was Missy"
Big Bossman: "Don't worry Benjy, that always happens, now that she is eating her Grape Nuts"
BR: "Wow, I'm going to tell my mom to start eating Grape Nuts. All she ever eats in the morning are Little Chocolate Donuts"


[QUOTE=bigbossman;7319570]
The girls:
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t267/jd6572/2008%20rides/Mammoth%20trip%20ride%203/thegirls-2.jpg

This shot reminds me of the Grape Nuts Commercial that ran a few years ago:
Scene: BR riding up to female rider....
BR: "Why, Mrs. Bossman...I thought you were Missy Bossman!"
Mrs. Bossman: "That's Ok, Benjamin, Lot's of people get us mixed up.."
Mrs. Bossman: "Little do they know, my secret food is Grape Nuts in the morning"
Big Bossman rides up...
Big Bossman: "Whats going on here?"
Mrs. Bossman: "Oh, honey, Benjamin thought I was Missy"
Big Bossman: "Don't worry Benjy, that always happens, now that she is eating her Grape Nuts"
BR: "Wow, I'm going to tell my mom to start eating Grape Nuts. All she ever eats in the morning are Little Chocolate Donuts"


:roflmao2: Hold on, that could not have been part of the commercial! I was following the dialogue until that last part, and my coffee is now on my keyboard. :roflmao2:

The bikes:
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t267/jd6572/2008%20rides/Mammoth%20trip%20ride%203/bikes.jpg

BigBoss,

Beautiful bikes. I've been afraid to start on my build-up because I just know it won't come out like yours, and anything less just won't do!