spectacular Eastern
Sierra terrain. Many riders from more densely populated
areas were amazed to find no stoplights and just one stop
sign on the entire course!
The High Sierra Fall Century began at the Whitmore
Ball Fields, just east of Highway 395 on the Benton
Crossing Road. For the riders doing the full course (a
shorter option was also offered), the morning started by
riding north on Highway 395, then up the first long climb
of the day to Deadman Summit at 8,041 feet.
From there, riders had a little respite as the road
rolled over some small hills before descending into the
Mono Basin, offering the first view of Mono Lake for the
day. And oh, what a view: the lake ahead, the Mono
Craters on the right, and the foothills of the Eastern
Sierra on the left lit up with fall colors. After turning
east at mile 27 onto Highway 120, riders had just a few
more miles until the second rest stop of the day, where
Committee Executive Director Frances Spivy-Weber and
other MLC staff greeted them with smiles, food, water,
and tidbits about Mono Lake. Ready to roll again, riders
passed the Mono Mills historic site on their way to the
top of Sagehen Summit at 8,139 feet.
The riders had a long, fast descent into the meadows
of Adobe Valley, but then were smacked with a tough head
wind as they traveled to the second lunch stop at mile
66. After eating turkey and roast beef sandwiches, some
of the riders decided to relax for the rest of the day
and get a ride to the pool at the finish.
| Those who kept riding climbed The Wall up to
Wildrose Summit at 7,650 feet and then pedaled
off into the wind. It was a tough afternoon, but
cheers, food, and a poolside party awaited
riders—including Committee co-founder Sally
Gaines—at the finish line. The ride next
year will be on September 12th, and will be
another way to celebrate the Mono Lake
Committee’s 20th Anniversary. There will be
surprises at the rest stops, and a party hosted
by the Mono Lake Committee at the finish. So
start training!
And … we promise we’ll put our
request for no wind in earlier!
|
Leaving Mono Lake
behind, riders climb through the Jeffrey pine
forest. The next ride is on Sept. 12, 1998.
|
The 1998 High Sierra Fall
Century will be on September 12! If you want to
be part of the Century as a sponsor, volunteer, or rider
please contact Kay at kay@monolake.org
or (760) 647-6595.
Kay Ogden is the Committee’s Marketing
Director. She cycles, but she doesn’t bike.
Return to Winter
1998 Newsletter
spectacular Eastern
Sierra terrain. Many riders from more densely populated
areas were amazed to find no stoplights and just one stop
sign on the entire course!
