Photo submitted by rider Dave Sharpless

The 2007 Eastern Sierra Double Century was another beautiful day of riding with spectacular scenery in and around Crowley Lake, Mammoth Lakes, June Lake, Mono Lake and more! It just doesn't get any better than this!

Congratulations to the following six riders who completed their Planet Ultra Grand Slam at Eastern Sierra: Tom Amerine, Keith Brodsky, Christopher Hanson, John D. Long, Tom Parkes and Scot Wallington.

A huge round of applause for Andrew Melczer and Tim Skipper who each rode Eastern Sierra as their 50th lifetime double century! We're honored that Andrew and Tim chose a Planet Ultra event to reach this milestone. Andrew and Tim will be inducted into the California Triple Crown Hall of Fame in September! Congratulations!!!

Kudos to Curtis Christensen, Kip Evans, Dave Heil, Vance Macdonald and Barry Swan who rode Eastern Sierra as their first double century! Great job! (There may have been others, but these folks let us know.)

A STANDING OVATION and endless thank yous to our amazing staff of volunteers:
Friday Rider Check-In - Brian Bowling, Deborah Bowling, Alan Darnell and Martin Ward
CP#1: Round Valley - Elaine Lauer, Tom Parkes, Chuck Phillips, David Slaton
CP#2: Crowley Lake  - Kathy & Don Parsons, Doug Patterson, Jesse Smith
CP#3: Crestview Rest Area - Nina Bartolai, Saralie Liner, Kathy Twitchell
CP#4: Mono Lake - Deana Cox, Amanda Cox, Elaine Lauer, Chuck Phillips, Susan Rogers 
Sagehen Water Stop: Doug Patterson
CP#5: Sagehen Summit - Kathy & Don Parsons, Jesse Smith
CP#6: Benton - Mary Bailey-Long, Nina Bartolai, Jackie Burneson, Rosanne Giorgio
Chalfant Water Stop: Tom Parkes, David Slaton
Finish Line: Deborah Bowling
Roving SAG: Brian Bowling, Thom Dyson, Liesel Ernst, Tom Parkes, Katherine Sharp, David Slaton, Kathy Twitchell, Timmer Vadheim, Martin Ward
Sunday Staff Ride SAG: Paul Kopit

Here's what some riders and volunteers had to say about their Eastern Sierra experience:

"The Eastern Sierra ride is the perfect double. It's a trek with high drama, from breathtaking granite peaks and alpine lakes to desert pines, tumbleweed and rocky outcroppings. All that plus the challenges of Mother Nature -- mountain elevation, thundershowers, tough-it-out headwinds and liberating tailwinds. The course is the most exhilarating I've ridden. I can't wait for next year." - Michael Collier, Richmond, CA

"One of the nicest rides I have done. Thanks for the great sag support, you guys were always there with cold water and all the best food when we needed it." - Jerry Cowden, Redlands, CA

"Thank you for organizing yet another great event. It was a tough day out there for me mentally and physically, and your wonderful volunteers were much appreciated. The little girls working the lunch stop were just too cute, polite and helpful! They definitely brought a smile to my face. Doug Patterson was in just the right spot with the water and ice between the lunch stop and the Sagehen Summit and I have to say that the smiling volunteers always make Planet Ultra events the best. I look forward to more Planet Ultra events in the future!" - Brandy DeLuca, Huntington Beach, CA

"I want to let you know how truly exceptional the volunteers doing rest stop and SAG were yesterday - a real cut above the usual good standards.  I picked up on both a real espirit d'corp among the volunteers and an unusual spirit of care and concern for the riders.  I have never seen volunteers so mutually supportive of each other and so demonstrable in their concern for the riders." -Jon Kaplan, Cupertino, CA

"I rode the Eastern Sierra Double for the first time yesterday. Great ride, I'll be adding this to the short list of essential rides for next year." -Bill McAuley, Santa Rosa Valley, CA

"Thanks for the great ride. The scenery was spectacular and the weather was perfect. The staff was supportive and encouraging. When I flatted out my front tire, Timmer was there to help me repair it. When my rear tire bubbled 3 miles from the finish, Eric and friends saved my ride by loaning me a wheel. This was my third double and I could not have finished without their assistance. I began cycling last summer and have completed 5 Planet Ultra events since September. Each one has been a wonderful experience. Thank you again." - Rick Swift, Palmdale, CA

"THANK YOU for the opportunity to be an "insider" and help out with SAG on Saturday.  It was an honor, and a privilege, to work with and to serve so many nice people here in my Eastern Sierra neighborhood.
I saw you guys riding the tandem through town on Sunday, and will PLAN to work AND do the Staff Ride in the future. That really looks like a lot of fun, and I can't think of nicer people to go out and ride with." -Timmer Vadheim, Mammoth Lakes, CA

Click here to see photos by pro photographer, Eric Smith. 

Click here to see photos taken by rider John Conrad.

Click here to order the 2007 Eastern Sierra jersey, vest and shorts. Orders must be received by June 11th. Orders received after June 11th will not be processed. We will not be carrying inventory of this gear.

Eastern Sierra Double Century Results
269 registered riders (a new record!)
226 Finishers on Saturday
5 riders did the Sunday Staff Ride: Deborah & Brian Bowling (on tandem),Tom Parkes, Doug Patterson and David Slaton
18 DNF
1 DQ for cutting the course
19 No-showed and missed a fabulous day