Northern California - Eastern Sierra Double Roll Call : 6th June

Who is in for the Sierra Double ?

http://www.planetultra.com/images/profileshow/images/ESProfile.jpg

In a moment of madness I entered it today. Doctor says I am not allowed to ride my bike till this weekend but that still gives me a couple of weeks to get my act together before the event.

Signed Up So far:

rumbutter
uspspro & ruthness (tandem)
springineer
DanteB
ygduf
AsanaCycles

I'm in.

Count me in.

Will be my first attempt at a double.

Judging by whose signed up, this is shaping up to be a fast double.

Judging by whose signed up, this is shaping up to be a fast double.

So I read all the ride reports from last year, and 1 from 2007, and I can't get a handle on the weather. What were the temps you were seeing? I'm thinking of just over packing layers and being annoyed all day at the extra bulk...

So I read all the ride reports from last year, and 1 from 2007, and I can't get a handle on the weather. What were the temps you were seeing? I'm thinking of just over packing layers and being annoyed all day at the extra bulk...

They will usually take your extra layers/lights and transport them for you in a bag.

So.... ahhhhh. What is the actual total climb? How does this compare to the Davis?
Do you guys spend the night Friday AND saturday?

If... if.... if.... if...... i were to want to go what are the chances of bumming a ride, and perhaps getting in on a room share.

Just wondering....

Climbing = a little over 10,000 feet, but all of it is higher than 4000 feet above seal level.

Lodging - We are staying Friday and Saturday night in Bishop. We are making a long weekend out of it and staying in Yosemite on Sunday night.

Three of the passes are over 8,000'. The weather is usually cool in the morning and it can get warm in the afternoon, mid 80's, with winds in the late afternoon, early evening. I usually go up Thursday and come home Sunday. I like having all day Friday to just lay around.

I was dressed in shorts, short sleeve jersey with armwarmers and was comfortable all day, It got a little warm for the last couple of hours and it was pretty cool above 5000ft.

I had a newspaper down my jersey top for the first hour.

Even though there is a serious amount of climbing I will be riding my recumbent.

I'm in too

at Davis i was wearing a "Monterey" jersey.

So.... ahhhhh. What is the actual total climb? How does this compare to the Davis?
Do you guys spend the night Friday AND saturday?

If... if.... if.... if...... i were to want to go what are the chances of bumming a ride, and perhaps getting in on a room share.

Just wondering....

Much Tougher than Davis terrain wise (Altitude, climbing and a some mentally very challenging road surfaces) but cooler temps make it feel nicer and the air is so fresh. I actually found last years Davis in the heat to be a harder ordeal.

Much less crowded than Davis(usually around 200 riders).

My Garmin reckoned is was 10,800 ft of climbing. Last year we were lucky and had a huge tail wind for the last 20 or so miles. I was unable to hang onto a tandem at this point (spinning out my 50x12).

Scumbag receptionist in the Motel Six ripped off my credit card last year so I definitely wont be stopping there.

We got lodging:

Elms Motel
http://www.bishopelmsmotel.com/motel.html

$55/night, half a mile from the start.

We got lodging:

Elms Motel
http://www.bishopelmsmotel.com/motel.html

$55/night, half a mile from the start.

I booked at the same place. Yeah, I'm a copy cat.

If you've got time to waste, here's a wacky Eastern Sierra Ride Report from 2 years ago, including a certain picture, which you've got to see.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=304953&highlight=Eastern+Sierra

If you've got time to waste, here's a wacky Eastern Sierra Ride Report from 2 years ago, including a certain picture, which you've got to see.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=304953&highlight=Eastern+Sierra

you know me too well...

anyone selling a registration?

Have you checked the weather report for the ESD? :eek:They're calling for rain/snow showers and high of 42 on the June Lake Loop. The rest of the ride they're calling for isolated T-storms.

Have you checked the weather report for the ESD? :eek:They're calling for rain/snow showers and high of 42 on the June Lake Loop. The rest of the ride they're calling for isolated T-storms.

Guess I will add long-fingered gloves to the bag. :notamused:

Credit where credit's due, Chris: when you go, you certainly like to go all the way. Hard man! :thumb:

Credit where credit's due, Chris: when you go, you certainly like to go all the way. Hard man! :thumb:

It's all mental! I'll bring a garbage bag, just in case.

The weather around Bishop looks really nice for Saturday. High 70s and partly cloudy.

Oh boy. Where's the glory if there's no suffering? Be sure to take pics!

Oh boy. Where's the glory if there's no suffering? Be sure to take pics!

ahah. not stopping if it's 40 degrees for anything short of catastrophic equipment failure.

And, should that happen, just let me freeze to death, please.

Anyway, I only talk tough so I will be motivated to not quit. In reality, 40 degrees will have me curled up in a ball crying for SAG. :innocent:

Thunderstorms in the afternoon ????? Gulp

Thunderstorms in the afternoon ????? Gulp

I think the forecast usually says that this time of year. Usually scattered and low % chance.

I think the forecast usually says that this time of year. Usually scattered and low % chance.

All I know is that I'm doing this ride because the scenery is supposed to be GREAT. Just like the descent towards the ocean from Occidental.

All I know is that I'm doing this ride because the scenery is supposed to be GREAT. Just like the descent towards the ocean from Occidental.

:lol:

Chris you should really stay home... You have a well established track record of turning known scenic rides into rain soaked nightmares.

I blame you for the heat on W. Alpine last time too :lol:

:lol:

:rolleyes:

Who's side are you on anyway? ;)

:rolleyes:

Who's side are you on anyway? ;)

The only thing that beats the misery of a cold/rainy 200k would be a greater distance on a colder, rainier (snowier!) day.

It will be fine! Besides, a little snow/rain/lightning storm is why I bought CF.

I'm going up there Thursday, do you want me to let you know what the weather is like?

I'm going up there Thursday, do you want me to let you know what the weather is like?

Definitely ... probably won't be leaving the Bay Area till noon Friday.

Definitely ... probably won't be leaving the Bay Area till noon Friday.

I am leaving Friday too. Hope there wont be snow on Sonora Pass.

does it look like there is going to be a headwind on the way back into Bishop?

Oooh, I really like how wind speed and direction are represented on the same graph. Where'd you generate this plot from?

PS - If you guys are taking HWY 120 near Priest Grade.

Check out this stretch of road:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=CA-120&daddr=CA-120&hl=en&geocode=FXUBQQIdYTfU-A%3BFZL_QAId2tDU-A&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=15&sll=37.818802,-120.281839&sspn=0.023121,0.038624&ie=UTF8&ll=37.82443,-120.279951&spn=0.046238,0.077248&z=14

I have driven down that section, and it is CRAZY! Steep and twisty. I was thinking how bad @ss it would be to descend that thing on my bike.

PS - If you guys are taking HWY 120 near Priest Grade.

Check out this stretch of road:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=CA-120&daddr=CA-120&hl=en&geocode=FXUBQQIdYTfU-A%3BFZL_QAId2tDU-A&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=15&sll=37.818802,-120.281839&sspn=0.023121,0.038624&ie=UTF8&ll=37.82443,-120.279951&spn=0.046238,0.077248&z=14

I have driven down that section, and it is CRAZY! Steep and twisty. I was thinking how bad @ss it would be to descend that thing on my bike.

Bikely says 3600 feet in 6 miles :twitchy:

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Priest-Grade

PS - If you guys are taking HWY 120 near Priest Grade.

Check out this stretch of road:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=CA-120&daddr=CA-120&hl=en&geocode=FXUBQQIdYTfU-A%3BFZL_QAId2tDU-A&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=15&sll=37.818802,-120.281839&sspn=0.023121,0.038624&ie=UTF8&ll=37.82443,-120.279951&spn=0.046238,0.077248&z=14

I have driven down that section, and it is CRAZY! Steep and twisty. I was thinking how bad @ss it would be to descend that thing on my bike.

And you think Priest Grade is impressive... Try Old Priest Grade, that's the real stuff!

You better have great working brakes on that one.

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Old-Priest-Road

Up Old Priest Grade, down new Priest Grade. Repeat as desired :)

Up Old Priest Grade, down new Priest Grade. Repeat as desired :)

One day I will have to try this :thumb:

PS - If you guys are taking HWY 120 near Priest Grade.

Check out this stretch of road:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=CA-120&daddr=CA-120&hl=en&geocode=FXUBQQIdYTfU-A%3BFZL_QAId2tDU-A&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=15&sll=37.818802,-120.281839&sspn=0.023121,0.038624&ie=UTF8&ll=37.82443,-120.279951&spn=0.046238,0.077248&z=14

I have driven down that section, and it is CRAZY! Steep and twisty. I was thinking how bad @ss it would be to descend that thing on my bike.

I was planning on taking 108 north around the park. The ESD forums suggest that route.

I was planning on taking 108 north around the park. The ESD forums suggest that route.

Yeah, I'll be taking Sonora Pass (108) out there too. Just wondering if some would be heading through the park, since it's a good chance to take in the views of Yosemite.

I'll be heading back on 120 though, since we are staying in Yosemite on Sunday night :)

Who is in for the Sierra Double ?
In a moment of madness I entered it today. Doctor says I am not allowed to ride my bike till this weekend but that still gives me a couple of weeks to get my act together before the event.

Signed Up So far:

rumbutter
uspspro & ruthness (tandem)
springineer
DanteB
ygduf
Rick@OCRR
AsanaCycles

I'm in! I'll be in Bishop Friday afternoon.

Rick / OCRR

I'll be heading back on 120 though, since we are staying in Yosemite on Sunday night :)

Perfect chance for you to have Ruth drive and you can race her. Priest Grade vs. Old Priest Grade.

I'm sure we all just got the email, but man, does this suck.

Bishop - high 73
Mammoth Lakes - high 52 with 30% chance of rain
June Lake - high 37 with 30% chance of rain
Lee Vining - high 54 with 30% chance of rain

Let me tell you about 30% chance of rain in Santa Rosa...

Looks like I'm shopping for a jacket again.

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so when is everyone starting?

I know:

Marco & Ruth - 5AM
Chris - 4 AM
Ron - 4 AM
????

The CP 2 and 3 time limits are actually pretty quick at 10.44 mph for CP2 and 10.59 mph for CP3.

The particularly tough one is CP2. There is not much descending, and I am not sure of the grade on the climb to Crowley Lake. The key is to not spend too much time at CP1, and if needed more time at CP2. IOf you make CP2, CP3 should be no problem since there is a good descent before getting there.

10.44 mph is not that fast, but that is pretty much all climbing. FWIW Ruth & I pulled a 90 minute on the dot climb up Diablo as part of the DMD. 90 minutes up Diablo is an avg speed of 7.3 mph.... Our fastest time up Diablo is 77:30, which is 8.52 mph. On Hamilton, we average around 9.5 - 10.5 mph (longer and less steep).

If we average (on Eastern Sierra) around 15 mph for the first 32 miles or so, and then the remaining 16 miles (the climbing) to the checkpoint at 8 mph, plus let's say 7 minutes stopped at CP1 The resulting elapsed time would be 4 hours and 15 min, and the avg speed would be 11.29 mph, giving you 25 minutes to spare.

If you spent 20 min at CP1, you would be cutting it pretty close, same thing if your avg speed was 7 mph on the climb.

I still want to start at 5am, but the CP2 cutoff will ensure I keep the pace at a good speed.

****, I might need to get some new toe covers :lol:

Marco & Ruth - 5AM
Chris - 4 AM
Ron - 4 AM
????

10.44 mph is not that fast, but that is pretty much all climbing. FWIW Ruth & I pulled a 90 minute on the dot climb up Diablo as part of the DMD. 90 minutes up Diablo is an avg speed of 7.3 mph.... Our fastest time up Diablo is 77:30, which is 8.52 mph. On Hamilton, we average around 9.5 - 10.5 mph (longer and less steep).



If you spent 20 min at CP1, you would be cutting it pretty close, same thing if your avg speed was 7 mph on the climb.

I still want to start at 5am, but the CP2 cutoff will ensure I keep the pace at a good speed.

I'm starting at 4 because I want to ride with Ron and have company for the day. I'm more worried about getting to the CPs before they open.

The first big climb looks to be like Hamilton in ascent, but over more miles (30 vs. 18 if I had to guess), so it shouldn't slow you down as much.

I just hope, nay, HOPE, that 30% precip does not mean "steady m?@#$f@#$*ing rain all day" like at WCC.

Guess I will throw down for a pain of leg warmers and a jacket, and hope to be carting them around all day for no good reason.

Also, if it's cold at all (like below 60) I'm not able to sit at a CP for more than a few minutes before I start getting violently cold. I'd prefer to eat lunch on the bike and stop only long enough to fill bottles/gel flasks and grab some bars.

Marco & Ruth - 5AM
Chris - 4 AM
Ron - 4 AM


5AM for me. I really cant believe its going to be that cold :(. It was roasting last year.

Will have to check my Garmin when I get home but I think I averaged 25MPH+ to CP1. The lead group was just like a road race. Took me 12h09minutes including stops and the lunch stop was pretty long.

I'm leaning towards 5AM, we'll see.