We had to brag, so we rode back to the park to show off our ice cream.


Molly and I and Ice Cream

We now had a serious headwind in front of us. We had a big group, though, and we were able to paceline through it pretty well. When we got to Highway 120, we turned away from the headwind and got a pretty good tailwind again. Poor Molly had another 20 miles of headwind to get back to Mammoth Lakes.

As for the rest of us, we fairly scooted along Highway 120 with a nice little tailwind. Along the way, we skirted Mono Lake … a beautiful ancient lake with the famous tufa towers … formed by calcification fresh water percolating up through highly alkaline water. It is amazing to behold at sunset and sunrise.


Mono Lake along 120

From there, we climb Sagehen Summit. It’s an odd climb .. terraced. You climb up a fairly steep but short section, then it levels off. Lather, rinse, repeat, and soon enough, you’re at the top. From the top, there is usually a great tailwind and some pretty empty roads. One particular section of note goes through a narrow canyon. Many people do their highest speed ever in that section (me included … 57.5 MPH). That particular day, I went 49, and it didn’t feel that fast. I think what makes it so fast is that the road is in great shape and the canyon walls shelter you from any side winds. In any case, it is a hoot.

At the bottom we swing southward into Adobe Meadows … famous for an old stage stop, wild horses (very shy … I’ve only seen them once), and enormous whoop-de-doos.


Wiggly Road

It’s typically headwindy here, but not today. We had mild crosswinds, and scooted through here pretty quickly too.


Our Group on 120

Next, a small climb to Black Divide and a wonderful descent down to Benton.


David on Black Divide

What a view! As your’re snaking down the asphalt, you are looking at 14,000 peaks, mere miles away. I love this descent … many do. Margaret is enjoying it here.


Margaret and Montgomery Peak

It is also typically headwindy for the next 38 miles to Bishop, so we organized a good-sized pace line. There were a few that needed some instruction in technique, but we all got it down pretty quickly and had a great time.


Pacelining

Curtis had a slow leak in his tire, and we stopped to fix it. Dee made a friend at a farmhouse in the Chalfant Valley.


Dee Makes a Friend

We got in at twilight. OMG, what a great time.


Finishing Shot

The ride includes a BBQ dinner at Holy Smokes … which was great as usual. OMG, what a great time.