The suffering in the Davis Double is a fading memory and its time to start thinking about the next one :-)

https://www.planetultra.com/easternsierra/index.html

Who is signed up for the Eastern Sierra double ? I notice that the awesome tandem couple that I have have managed to bump into on just about every event this year have signed up (Brenda and Robert on the funky green flamed Comotion...I owe this pair several beers!) but I dont recognise any others from here.

The weather for this one could be a real lottery. I have experienced everything from hail storms, to 100+ heat, to close to freezing temperatures in the mammoth/ Bishop area in June. The one thing I have always experienced there is strong winds and by strong I mean strong enough to induce a brown trouser moment on a motorcycle.

I think the Sierra Century (Murphys, CA) that day will be suffering enough... 100 miles and 12,000 feet of climbing. Lots of it at 10-20% incline.
I'm good.

Eastern Sierra century a truly unique and beautiful ride--as long as no thunderstorms (last year thunderstorms the day before, but weather perfect the day of the event.) Guarenteed that you will have better support on the Sierra Century out of Murphy's--though a complete and utter shame that ride taken out (booted out) of Amador-El Dorado county--maybe the best course of all time. What a great weekend of cycling.

Anyone find it ironic that after the Davis Double winter (OK late fall) has returned to Northern California?

Cytoman is in, still recovering from the Davis Double. Look for me and my brother Ed on Specialized Roubaix Elites, tennis ball containers on the back rather than seat bags.
John
Fresno Cycling Club
Climb to Kaiser Coordinator

This should be an interesting one to try to dress for. Day time temps in the Bishop area in the mid eighties (around 60-70 at higher elevations). Overnight lows in the 30's round Mammoth and mid 40's in Bishop. Sounds a whole lot nicer than Davis.

I bet it is pretty cold at 5am.

You can read my write up about last year's ride here.

https://www.tandemhearts.com/wordpress/es20007/

I started off with a bolero over my sleeveless jersey and knee warmers. Once I took them off, they never went back on.

Veronica

Ride report:

This was a very enjoyable double century with literally breathtaking scenery and some wonderful riding partners. Doubles are horrible on the mind and body but you really do seem to meet a special type of person on such rides. The only really bad part of the ride was the 15 mile section down to Benton with expansion joints every 20 feet. This section was so bad that cattle grids were actually a welcome relief.
I actually had two pretty scary moments on this ride. One was on a descent to lee vining on the 395 where I lost concentration and hit the rumble strip. The vibration was so bad I couldnt see where I was going and was sure I was going to bin it . The second big moment was on the descent down into Benton (chasing the tandem) where I hit a rock on a fast turn and the bike jumped sideways dramatically followed by two further step outs as I hit the evil expansion strips. Two very scary moments and both of them at over 40MPH.

I was really impressed by the volunteers who offered to take your bike for you, fill your bottles and feed you with whatever you fancied. Good job Planet Ultra.

I said hello to Cytoman on the climb up to Mammoth Lakes after spotting his unusual saddle bags.

This ride completed my first triple crown

Stats:

Total Time including Breaks :12h07m
Distance: 197.08
Feet of climbing: 10,300ft
max Speed: 52

Good Bits:

The scenery (especially the June Lake loop) was fantastic.
The last 30 miles with a galeforce tailwind
Friendly tandem riders
The subway at the lunch stop.
Very Friendly volunteers
People who ride doubles.
Mass start road race format was fun for the first 15 miles

Bad Bits:

Compact cranks when your are trying to hang onto a tandem downhill or with a tailwind.
Drafting a recumbent down hill
The road to Benton with the huge expansion joints every 20 feet was hell on wheels.
Rumble strips on the 395
Freezing cold strong head/cross wind for the first 80 miles. Crosswinds until mile 160 !

You call that a double? I'm gonna have to report you to the triple crown folk.