Happytime

Well, the thread title did refer to a double

Scootcore

dang...you leave for one freakin' hour and things just degenerate!!!

roadfix

.....but you've got to admit, that was a hot entry....

spingineer

Wake up!

Happytime

Huh? Whadda do now?

Cripes I am so misunderstood around here...

::: shaking head :::

Scootcore

perhaps i have jumped to conclusions....please...continue!

DanteB

I just did some weather scouting and here's what I found. Bishop 95/53, Mammoth Lakes 71/40 30% chance of isolated T-storms, June Lake 56/35 30% chance of isolated T-storms, Lee Vining 74/40 30% chance of isolated T-storms and Benton 87/54. Ok how are you going to dress?

Brandy

Thanks for the scouting! As for how to dress...shorts/shortsleeve...arm warmers/legwarmers? Covers pretty much all of the bases.

jpconrad

I'll probably go bibs, jersey, arm warmers/leg warmers, and bring my lil Optik jacket. Maybe a thin baselayer... if I remember to pack one that is...

Scootcore

bibs, wool jersey, arm warmers, knee warmers, and maybe a super light jacket....

Rick@OCRR

Thanks for the update!

For me: Shorts / Short Sleeve Jersey, Arm and Knee Warmers, Light Jacket (and maybe a base layer).

See you in Bishop!

Best Regs,
Rick / OCRR

adxm

Since the collegiate racing season is over - and I could use a weekend off from crits - , I just decided to do this ride...will be my first double in a while. I last did this course in 2005. Some things I remember for those who wanted course info:

-The course has long sustained climbs, but they're stacked nearer the beginning, and are all well-graded. You also get a nice 40 mi flat warmup. I found Sagehen to be by far the hardest climb, even though it's never steep. It comes at what for me is the nastiest time in a double - around mile 130. The thing lasts forever. I saw some mention of 15% grades...I don't think so - the difficulty in the climbing will come from their length and the altitude, not from steepness.

-As mentioned before, there are some ridiculously bumpy roads descending down from Mammoth Lakes - and then 395 after that is a pain if you don't want to ride on the actual highway, because of the rumble strips on the shoulder.

-I was chilled up near Mammoth - it was kinda cold, but I think the altitude makes it seem worse. Over the course of the day, arm warmers, bibs and jersey did fine for me

-The June Lake loop, after coming down from Mammoth, frikking rocks

-After descending down from Sagehen, there's a section with annoying rollers that was into a very stiff headwind when I rode it. You then descend to the last rest stop in Benton. After that, its a flattish run into Bishop. Even though you descend 1000 ft, it's over 40 miles and you don't notice the descent. When I did it, it was into a headwind (it's currently an 18mph S wind...i.e. headwind... in Bishop) - I imagine because of the fast times last year, that this was a tailwind then. This seemed like an intolerably long, monotonous section when I did it. You will be SO happy to see the road curve to the right and into Bishop after nearly 2 hours of that...

-Though this is definitely one of the easier doubles as judged by terrain - and is a very fast double because of the mild ascents - the dryness and altitude affect everyone differently and can have unexpected results. I ended up puking out my guts for a few hours after finishing. It sucked. Take endurolytes, or get sodium somehow, and drink enough fluids!

It's a fast and beautiful course. I'll be in the blue UCSD kit...say hey if you see me!

jpconrad

The weather forecast is still holding, it's gonna be hot.


I'll be leaving sometime today if I can get this work stuff taken care of.

Stupid job...

ronjon10

adxm, you really know how to sell a ride

Good luck all, can't wait to read the stories from this epic. This ride is high on my list should I ever be looney enough to seriously consider a double.

jpconrad

Yous looney enough and sounds like you're already considering it!

DanteB

John, I'll see you in Bishop later this afternoon. Time to leave, well maybe I've got a couple of stops to make before I leave.

merider1

Dante/John/Bill - I know you guys are leaving early, so I'll go ahead and wish you safe rides and great experiences out there over those 200 miles. You guys will do great and have a blast. Please take a few pics if you get a chance and I look forward to your ride reports.

And this stands for all the Eastern Sierra riders heading out tomorrow as well. Have a blast, guys!!!!! And most importantly - be safe riding!

tprevost

+1 (hope you don't mind me tagging onto you post M.E.)

Have a wonderful and safe ride everyone!!!

DanteB

Thanks, the weather is nice up here. Let see it's 91 and a 10 mph wind. Now if I can just remember which button to push on the camera.

VanceMac

We're going to be suffering, aren't we?

merider1

You're going to do just fine, Vance. Lots of water and fueling, and try to duck behind Dante...

ronjon10

Isn't that why you do these rides? I can't think of any other reason to get on a bike for 200 miles in a day.

VanceMac

I agree with you. I honestly have no interest in doubles. I was taken advantage of, and talked into this silly self-flagellation!

merider1

Welcome to the silly self-flagellation club, Vance!!!!! You'll be so delirious when you finish that you will actually convince yourself that you want to ride another double, and thus the sickness begins.

Happytime

You guys will be awesome this weekend and do BF proud.

Oh, and you'll suffer, too!