Northern California - Eastern Sierra ... now time to get my straitjacket

Yes, I am nuts ... I am actually contemplating this! With Davis Double on 5/16, and Memorial Day Weekend the week after (probably won't be able to get much riding in), and one open week before Eastern Sierra, not sure if I'll have enough to do this ride. I worked it out so that I can take off early enough from work on Friday, to drive out to Bishop, so I can do the ride ... but the big question is .... do I take the plunge?

Before you all say "do it, do it" ... I know how beautiful it is out there. My biggest concern is whether or not I will be able to make the cut-off times.

I think the last like 50-60 miles are mostly downhill!

We can't wait for this one.

Looking forward to this one too for my first double of the year (second ever).

If I wanted to ride a double that would be the ONE. The area is beautiful, actually very beautiful.
I checked it in previous years (you can tell I am tempted), the ride seems to have most of the climbing in the first half and most of it is on long, steady, but not steep grades. The second half from Mono Lake back to Bishop is mostly downhill except for a couple hills.

You want your California Triple Crown jersey, don't you?

DO IT!

Have you read my write up (http://www.tandemhearts.com/wordpress/es20007/) about this ride?

It is NOT all downhill after Mono Lake.

Veronica

Have you read my write up (http://www.tandemhearts.com/wordpress/es20007/) about this ride?

It is NOT all downhill after Mono Lake.

Veronica

I looked at the elevation profile, and it didn't look like it was all downhill. Just wondering if I'm biting off more than I can chew. My big big worry is not making the cutoff time.

You want your California Triple Crown jersey, don't you?

DO IT!

I already have one ... from 2 years ago ...

I already have one ... from 2 years ago ...

I has expired. No longer valid.

You crave for a new one.

The year I rode it, they were letting riders start up to an hour before the official start time. I finished with a total time of 16:03.

You've got nothing to lose for trying.

Veronica

The last 40 miles from Benton to Bishop downhill, but are normally into a 25mph hot and dry headwind.

I was lucky and had a 25mph tailwind 3 years ago, did the last 40 miles in just over an hour. :)

It's a very pretty ride to the Sagehen pass turn off, the turn to Benton. You have 3 passes over 8,000' to climb, but remember you start at 4,500' +/-. On the way down Sagehen, the last big climb would be fun if the road didn't have major tar lines across it. It's like runnung over railroad tracks, without the street crossing just the tracks. It's a very doable ride.

We are leaving on Friday, probably right after lunch.

Friday night - staying in Bishop

Saturday - Ride

Sat. night - staying in Bishop (same place as Friday)

Sunday - Going to Yosemite and staying the night in a tent cabin.

Monday - drive home.

Should be an awesome weekend.

It is NOT all downhill after Mono Lake.

Yup.

While I have never ridden the double start to finish, I have ridden all these roads at different times. As you skirt Mono Lake, you begin the climb up to Sagehen Summit. A great descent ensues down to Adobe Flats, but at the bottom and for a long while on the flats there are helacious chip-seal joints. They start to hurt after a while. Then, a few big rollers and the Benton climb.

From there one it is mostly downhill, but only a -1/2% grade or so. If you get the usual headwinds, it takes the downhill away - and then some.

Sherwin Grade is a lot more fun going the other way - north to south. Fantastic descent with unparalleled scenery.


I've ridden the century several times, and the rest of it free-lancing around on various trips out there. My absolute favorite place to ride.

Your biggest problem will be riding at the higher altitude in thinner air. Make sure you get recovered early in the week so you are at your best.

The year I rode it, they were letting riders start up to an hour before the official start time. I finished with a total time of 16:03.

You've got nothing to lose for trying.

Veronica

i say why not. go for it.

I did the Eastern Sierra a couple of years ago. Beautiful ride. During the ride I met a few riders that were from the same place as me. They were going to do the Terrible Two, which at that time occurred on the following weekend. Somehow they convinced me that it would be a good idea to do the Terrible Two. Prior to the Eastern Sierra, I hadn't even considered the Terrible Two. Bottom line is that I took it very easy in the week between the rides and was able to ride fairly strong on the Terrible Two. I think that if you are even considering it, you are probably strong enough to do it. I say go for it.

I'm going for it, but I am taking the web site's suggestion of starting early ... 4 am :eek:

I'm going for it, but I am taking the web site's suggestion of starting early ... 4 am :eek:

I see a new CA Triple Crown jersey in your near future!

That ride looks amazing. I am starting to think about the High Sierra Fall Century in Sept., which I think covers many of the same roads.

Leg Injury is healing nicely. Very tempted to enter this one. I really enjoyed it last year (apart from the 20 miles of expansion joints after the last climb which nearly drove me insane). There is also a long section of expansion Joints just after mammoth lakes. I Would be looking to ride steady with mucho gear twiddling on the climbs. The climbs arent so bad just very long. I nearly crashed twice last year on the descents when suffering from some brain fade and the dreaded tar snakes.

The June Lake Loop is breathtakingly gorgeous too.