Northern California - High Sierra Fall Century 2009

Registration is open. This ride sounds amazing.

Check out BBM's great report and pictures from last year: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=228308&highlight=high+sierra+fall+century

Anyone else planning to go?

Another good report with pictures: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=343874&highlight=high+sierra+fall+century

The scenery sounds spectacular and with only 5500 feet of climbing, it doesn't sound as brutal as some of the other rides in the Sierras.

Registration is open. This ride sounds amazing.

Check out BBM's great report and pictures from last year: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=228308&highlight=high+sierra+fall+century

Anyone else planning to go?

Yes,
I'm planning to go. In fact, I may be planning a BF RV trip if anyone is interested.

Hey - ex-californian here... that ride is worth doing - best century i've ever done. 100 miles, no services, no stop lights, no cars except the Hwy 395 part, insane scenery.

Hey - ex-californian here... that ride is worth doing - best century i've ever done. 100 miles, no services, no stop lights, no cars except the Hwy 395 part, insane scenery.

Meh - it's ok, if you like that sort of thing.

Yes,
I'm planning to go. In fact, I may be planning a BF RV trip if anyone is interested.

I want to do this one as well and would be interested in joining you. I'm trying to talk Bossman into going too, although he's headed up with the family next week to ride many of the same roads.

MarkoPolo

I am currently toying with the idea. Does anyone know how fast the registration typically fills up?

Valygirl is right....go do it. We have been for years. A member of our club produced it for a long time and has turned it over to Eastside Velo of Mammoth/June Lakes. They will do a super job.

We usually camp at Convict Lake and ride from there.

Mt. Morrison coming down from Convict

http://www.sagebum.com/BikeForums/Morrison.JPG

The food and support is the best, about 400 riders makes it cozy and fun. About 6000 ft of moderate climbing with only one short steeper ramp at Wildrose Summit where there will be folks in tuxedos mixing energy drinks for you in a martini shaker.

Boundary Peak, highest point in Nevada.

http://www.sagebum.com/BikeForums/Humphries.JPG

You will hardly see a car from 395 to the end.

Long Valley Caldera

http://www.sagebum.com/BikeForums/Caldera.JPG

I have registered many times at Footloose Sports Friday eve before the ride. I don't recall it ever filling.

It is a great eastern Sierra riding event.

I am currently toying with the idea. Does anyone know how fast the registration typically fills up?

It doesn't fill up. I've always registered the evening before with no issues.

Another good report with pictures: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=343874&highlight=high+sierra+fall+century

The scenery sounds spectacular and with only 5500 feet of climbing, it doesn't sound as brutal as some of the other rides in the Sierras.

It is probably the best organized century in CA, and certainly the most scenic. There are 3 passes that are over 8,000' in elevation - Deadman Summit, Sagehen Summit,, and Wild Rose Summit. So, you'll be in some relatively thin air. :) The dscent from Sagehen to the Adobe Flats rest stop is one of the best roll-outs you'll probably experience, and if there is negligible headwind you easily go 50+mph just coasting along. the caveat is that, unless they've repaired the roads recently, the flats after the descent have horrible cracks and chip-seal, and you will get beaten up pretty well for a few miles.

Also, it is worth noting that the last 20 miles or so can be brutal. The wind comes off the east slope in the afternoon, and if it is howling you'll be in the teeth of it for the last stretch. Not a lot of fun.

ROJA are you planning to do it on the Cannondale tandem?

I want to do this one as well and would be interested in joining you. I'm trying to talk Bossman into going too, although he's headed up with the family next week to ride many of the same roads.

MarkoPolo

I'm going but will be driving the car up on early Friday Morning so if you'd like to share expenses, I'll drive.

I'm going but will be driving the car up on early Friday Morning so if you'd like to share expenses, I'll drive.

I will be in Mammoth all next week - let me sniff around and see what I want to do for the century. If I can get that Friday off, maybe I'll join you to for the festivities. I may be able to snag a condo for us - depending on availability.

I will be in Mammoth all next week - let me sniff around and see what I want to do for the century. If I can get that Friday off, maybe I'll join you to for the festivities. I may be able to snag a condo for us - depending on availability.

Sounds great! However, if memory serves me well the last time we stayed somewhere there were a bunch of girls staying at the same place. :D

Sounds great! However, if memory serves me well the last time we stayed somewhere there were a bunch of girls staying at the same place. :D

Well - if you want that, it costs extra. :innocent:

I'm going but will be driving the car up on early Friday Morning so if you'd like to share expenses, I'll drive.

Sounds like a plan. I'm in. Now we just need BBM to join us and line up the condo (girls are optional).

Well - if you want that, it costs extra. :innocent:

How much?

Looks like it might be pretty chilly for the start of the HSFC (low of 43 in Mammoth Lakes):

http://weather.yahoo.com/forecast/USCA0661_f.html

Just for information's sake, it is often much colder in the Long Valley (where the ride begins) first thing in the AM than it is in Mammoth Lakes.

It'll be frosty to start, but the ride immediately heads uphill, and it should warm up fast.

Still considering the Benton to Bishop rollout, BBM?

How much?

Looks like it might be pretty chilly for the start of the HSFC (low of 43 in Mammoth Lakes):

http://weather.yahoo.com/forecast/USCA0661_f.html

Just for information's sake, it is often much colder in the Long Valley (where the ride begins) first thing in the AM than it is in Mammoth Lakes.

It'll be frosty to start, but the ride immediately heads uphill, and it should warm up fast.

Still considering the Benton to Bishop rollout, BBM?

Heh - caught me pimping out your condo. Ooooops. :) Mike and Mark, say "hello" to Vic, our host and the nicest guy in the whole wide world. :D

Anyway, not sure about going off-reservation and riding solo down the Hwy 6 back-stretch. I've been riding like crap lately - one day a dog, the next ok. We'll talk about it Friday. I'll be starting from the condo for sure, and will probably do a detour around June Lake Loop - too pretty to miss.

Yea, we can discuss it when Brian and I arrive. FWIW, the rollout to Bishop through is sweet and typically a lot easier that climbing Wildrose and Watterson. But I can always finish of the ride by riding up the Sherwin Grade and back down again. Or maybe even accompanying you all up Watterson and Wildrose, snarfing down a burger or two at Whitmore, and heading down to Bishop and back again. All TBD, I guess. Anyway I look at it, it will be a long day in the saddle for me.

It looks like there will be 6 of us at the condo ... you three, Urban Knight, Rob, and myself. UK and I will be driving up late, unfortunately, so look for us to arrive at about 9-10PM. It's gonna be a little crowded, so we're probably best leaving the bikes in the cars for this one.

To tell the truth, I'm ready to leave now. After this weekend, it's taper time. :love:

[QUOTE=Biker395;9635461]To tell the truth, I'm ready to leave now.QUOTE]

I'm ready to leave now too even though I just got back after 2 weeks vacation up in Crater Lake and Mt. Shasta. I'm ready to ride the whole enchilada!:D

It looks like there will be 6 of us at the condo ... you three, Urban Knight, Rob, and myself. UK and I will be driving up late, unfortunately, so look for us to arrive at about 9-10PM. It's gonna be a little crowded, so we're probably best leaving the bikes in the cars for this one.

To tell the truth, I'm ready to leave now. After this weekend, it's taper time. :love:

Hi Vic - thanks for sharing your digs for the weekend. It's much appreciated and I'm looking forward to it. Sounds like we won't be seeing too much of you on the road though, although given the wicked fast pace that BBM and I set :rolleyes:, we probably wouldn't see much of you even if we did the same route!

Well hello you guys.

The HSFC should be a lot of fun. Looks like we should have better weather than we did for the Eastern Sierra Double.

I'm thinking of doing another ride Sunday before we head home. If you guys are game, be thinking of where you'd like to go.

Well hello you guys.

The HSFC should be a lot of fun. Looks like we should have better weather than we did for the Eastern Sierra Double.

I'm thinking of doing another ride Sunday before we head home. If you guys are game, be thinking of where you'd like to go.

Thanks for having us and I'm always game for a ride on Sunday. We're looking forward to the friendship and the ride.

Thanks for having us and I'm always game for a ride on Sunday. We're looking forward to the friendship and the ride.

Mike - be careful of accepting a ride invitation from Vic. He will grind you into dust.

Vic - seeing as how Mike and Mark have never rideden there before, I'm thinking we'd be derelict in our hosting duties if we didn't show them the June Lakes Loop. What say on Sunday we park down at Rush Creek, and "do the loop"? Perhaps even grab a bite at The Tiger Bar or The Silver Lake Lodge?

You aren't doing the JLL on Saturday?

Remember that friend that had the cabin behind the Tiger Bar? He'll be waiting for us there with refreshments Saturday morning.

Oh, and BTW, there was one HSFC 2008 jersey left ... in XL. :cry:

It will be waiting for you and your sorry ass at registration. Only $25, you lucky sot.

You aren't doing the JLL on Saturday?

Remember that friend that had the cabin behind the Tiger Bar? He'll be waiting for us there with refreshments Saturday morning.

Oh, and BTW, there was one HSFC 2008 jersey left ... in XL. :cry:

It will be waiting for you and your sorry ass at registration. Only $25, you lucky sot.

God Bless You. Mike, wanna buy a jersey? Only $50........ :D

I was planning on the JLL on Saturday, but I can hold off and wait till Sunday. Or, I can do it twice. :) :)

Mike - be careful of accepting a ride invitation from Vic. He will grind you into dust.

Vic - seeing as how Mike and Mark have never rideden there before, I'm thinking we'd be derelict in our hosting duties if we didn't show them the June Lakes Loop. What say on Sunday we park down at Rush Creek, and "do the loop"? Perhaps even grab a bite at The Tiger Bar or The Silver Lake Lodge?

I accept all invitations and if I get ground into dust, so be it. :lol: The loop sounds good but the bite to eat at "The Tiger Bar" sounds even better. I went to a place named that before but it was a "Tittie Bar" :roflmao2:

Ground to dust?! Are you kidding? I'm planning on getting up at 3-4AM Saturday morning and riding 250 miles or so before calling it quits.

Come Sunday morning ... just call me Dusty.:D

Biker395, so is it official that we're doing JLL Sunday before heading home?

God Bless You. Mike, wanna buy a jersey? Only $50........ :D

I was planning on the JLL on Saturday, but I can hold off and wait till Sunday. Or, I can do it twice. :) :)

Well, it turns out they had a large after all.

Now, all I have to do is gain a few pounds and grow a few inches. :p

Biker395, so is it official that we're doing JLL Sunday before heading home?

Well, I think I need to do some kind of ride before heading home. Whether that include the JLL or something else is TBD. We could also ride up to the Mammoth Lakes Basin or Red Meadow, or even do all three, if our respective better halves are willing to oblige. If we start early we can be done pretty quick.

Are you game?

I told my better half not to expect me for dinner. Obviously don't want to burn the midnight oil too too much with work the next day, but I'm pretty open.

......sounds good but the bite to eat at "The Tiger Bar" sounds even better. I went to a place named that before but it was a "Tittie Bar" :roflmao2:

Pssst...... we're not in Thailand, Mike.


I told my better half not to expect me for dinner. Obviously don't want to burn the midnight oil too too much with work the next day, but I'm pretty open.

Work? Just find a dark corner and take a nap. Work is over-rated, anyway.


.... We could also ride up to the Mammoth Lakes Basin or Red Meadow, or even do all three, if our respective better halves are willing to oblige. If we start early we can be done pretty quick.

Are you game?

Are We Not Men?

Work? Just find a dark corner and take a nap. Work is over-rated, anyway.

lol I'm a middle school teacher. There's no such thing as a slow day at the office.

Are We Not Men?

The Miscreant took my man card.

The Miscreant took my man card.
What's my excuse?

lol I'm a middle school teacher. There's no such thing as a slow day at the office.

Send 'em to Study Hall for an hour. :) (not sure if schools have that any more........)

UK's typical student would have the school burned down in no time.

Is it time to leave yet?

Speaking of which ... what time do you intend to arrive? Rob will probably be up there as early as 1 PM Friday, and UK and I probably won't arrive until 10PM or so.

I dunno how much I'm going to be able to ride with you guys or how we'll hook up. I'll keep a cell and have it on, but you know how good coverage is out there once you leave US395. Any ideas as to your start time, so I can plan when to leave Bishop? :speedy:

Hmmm ... nifty emoticons ....

The plan is to leave my house at 7am-ish. Since I am not driving, I cannot warranty the drive-time. Depending on how much of an old lady Markopolo is on the roads, we will be there in about 5-6 hours. Sound like we might collide in the parking lot. :)

----------------------------------------------Mammoth
Los Angeles :trainwreck: San Francisco

Maybe we could do some sort of word problem out of it, like in high school algebra. UK, make it so....

I'll have my cell phone, and I have your cell# and the number of the condo. I'm packing my crap right now, and will be giving the bike a once-over momentarily.

Maybe we could do some sort of word problem out of it, like in high school algebra. UK, make it so....

If BigBlossom leaves San Francisco at 7:00am with 280 miles to drive at 65 mph, and Rob leaves Los Angeles at 6:30am with 310 miles to drive at 65 mph, who has the nicer bike?

If BigBlossom leaves San Francisco at 7:00am with 280 miles to drive at 65 mph, and Rob leaves Los Angeles at 6:30am with 310 miles to drive at 65 mph, who has the nicer bike?

Bigblossom. :D

Isn't "BigBlossom" what Bush used to call Karl Rove? Oh, no, that was "Turd Blossom". That's probably a more appropriate moniker for BBM anyway.:eek:

And by the way... you'll be happy to be driving with this old lady in his wife's old lady car (or is that my old lady's old lady car?), so shut up and go clean your bike! :love:

.... and go clean your bike! :love:

Funny you should say that. Better bring sunglasses.

^ Shouldn't you be sleeping?

^ Shouldn't you be sleeping?

I'll sleep in the car, while my driver gets me where I need to be.

^ Yea, right. Now you're up at 5AM. Anxious?:D

I'll sleep in the car, while my driver gets me where I need to be.
Great idea, right Biker395? :D

^ Yea, right. Now you're up at 5AM. Anxious?:D

Last-minute polishing of the bike. Can't ride for sh*t, but at least I'll look my best hanging around. Now...... where the hell is my driver?

James!

Any thoughts on whether you want to do the loop from Benton to Bishop and drive the Dragon Wagon back to Mammoth?

I was checking the weather and looking at some alternate routes. The news:

Cooling trend starts Saturday. It will be partly cloudy, with highs in the low 70s and lows in the low 40s.

Predicted afternoon winds are 20MPH from the South (!). I don't believe that one, though. It would make the windy section near Crowley a lot more palatable than usual, eh?

Biker395

I enjoyed viewing your website. Great work, just beautiful photography.