Gallery - Eastern Sierra Double Century 2009
06/06/09
the route!
not the usual one, altered because of
snow
not pictured, wind blowing South from Benton
the group assembles - 150 started, 50 finished
heading out of Bishop in the dark
early morning paceline as the sun comes up
note clouds :(
checkpoint 1 - 29 miles
the Sierras make for a beautiful backdrop
here we go - off to Death Valley
climbing Waucoba mountain - from 4,000 to 7,000 ft at 6%
... the climb goes on and on and on ...
after the snow flurries, checkpoint 2 - 55 miles
it was
so cold
here, brrr...
the road down from Waucoba, frozen riders arriving
continue on and you reach Death Valley
Bob Snyder, fellow CVC rider... John McIntyre also made the ride
more than half frozen
climbing back up Waucoba - 3,500 to 7,000 ft, this time at 7%+, ouch
the plateau along the top; it was pouring here earlier
snow dusts the nearby hills
Bob made it back up too, whew
don't know how I was able to smile
(just as cold as it looks, brrr...)
back down (yay!), and enjoying the views to the West
in Big Pine, heading back to Bishop
the Owens Valley Radio Observatory dishes
back in Bishop, and the sun is out
not quite where I live :)
checkpoint 4 - 102 miles (halfway!)
up route 6 we go
next stop, Benton
not pictured, massive headwinds - the road goes on and on
yay, Benton! - now the turn onto 120
heading UP to Benton Hot Springs
climbing up to Black Lake
not really fun on a tandom - or is it?
yay, the turnaround point!
last checkpoint - 35 miles downhill and downwind to the finish
self portrait
the sky is amazing
many miles of flat powering to go
one happy guy - made it!