Photo by Victor Cooper

An unseasonal, unexpected winter-like storm with high winds, rain, sleet, snow and all-day temperatures in the low 30s made it impossible to ride the standard double century route on the high altitude mountain roads of Crowley Lake, Mammoth Lakes, June Lake and Sagehen. By the middle of the day snow was falling and blanketing the landscape up on Sagehen Summit, making the road impassable. Planet Ultra staff, along with riders local to the Bishop, Mammoth and Lee Vining areas agreed that the standard route could be very risky and dangerous -- so a very last-minute decision was made to change the route. 

Mother Nature packed a punch - and snow fell even in the White Mountains...

Only the toughest, most determined, and properly dressed riders carried on through the cold, the rain, the sleet, the snow. But hey, the road was beautiful and quiet - and something NEW for most of the riders. The second part of the day was warmer, drier, and windier. But all the riders who struggled to Benton in the headwind were very much rewarded with an absolutely smokin' tailwind all the way home. At the end of the day, those who finished completed about 190 miles with nearly 12,000' of climbing. Way to go!

An enthusiastic round of applause for our fastest rider of 2009, Jerrold Oser, who successfully defended his 2008 title. He was fastest last year too - on his very first double century! Great to have him back!

Congratulations to the following ten riders who completed their Planet Ultra Grand Slam at Eastern Sierra: John T. Clare, Steve Dickey, Ole Eichhorn, David Elsberry, Richard Frederick, Dave Holdeman, Tony Martinez, Bob Snyder, Tim Sullivan and Craig Wilson.

Our hats off to Anna & Rick Stewart who, riding tandem, finished Eastern Sierra as their 50th lifetime double century! We're honored that Anna & Rick chose a Planet Ultra event to reach this milestone. Anna & Rick will be inducted into the California Triple Crown Hall of Fame in September! Congratulations!!!

Kudos to Mike DiPardo and Jim Swarzman who rode Eastern Sierra as their first double century! Great job! (There may have been others, but they let us know.)

Good-Samaritan Awards: Bruce Carroll and David Elsberry stopped and helped make sure their fellow riders were tended to after a pace-line related crash. Greg Robinson not only stopped to help, but abandoned the ride to make sure his friend was ok. 

A STANDING OVATION and endless thank you to our amazing Eastern Sierra staff who stood out for hours and hours in the cold and wet weather:
Friday Rider Check-In - Brian Bowling, Deborah Bowling, Alan Darnell and Yvonne Darnell
CP#1 / CP#3: Nancy Baisch, Craig Cramer, Ed Spradlin, Martin Ward
CP#2: Jon Shellenbarger, Keith Vandevere
CP#4: Deborah Bowling, Terri Boykins, Mark Kaufman, Cat Spradlin
CP#5 / CP#6: Lee & Linda Scott, Jon Shellenbarger, Phoebe Zimmerman
Finish Line: Deborah Bowling, Terri Boykins, Mark Kaufman
Roving SAG: Brian Bowling, Terri Boykins, Susan Bump, Mark Kaufman, Keith Vandevere, Phoebe Zimmerman

Your Planet Ultra Production Team  thanks each and every one of the riders and staff for understanding the need to change the route; and for their patience and perseverance on a very challenging day. Here's what some of them had to say:

"I wanted to thank you for the adventures and memories for the Eastern Sierra. I know that a lot of effort went into the route change, marking the roads and the fantastic support. ... I am looking forward to future Planet Ultra events. I will spread the good word of what you did for the participants." -Susan Bump, Redwood City, CA

"This was my first double and it was a great experience. Thank you for the wonderful support. GREAT volunteers! I learned a lot and look forward to riding more of your events." -Gary Cornwall, Reno, NV

"Luke and I would like to thank you, and all the volunteers who helped out during the Eastern Sierra Double Century! Brian, without your assistance with my front tire, and the warm clothing, I wouldn't have been able to average over 26 MPH from Benton to Bishop, and thus.... Beat Sunset." - Gary Emerson, San Diego, CA

"Thanks for an awesome ride. I was really worried about the re-route but loved the course. I would say one of my top 5 memorable rides since the early 90's." - Steve Meichtry, West Hills, CA

"Thanks to you and the rest of Planet Ultra for a very memorable and challenging event this weekend!" - Jose Mendez, Playa del Rey, CA

"I want to thank you for a great ride all the support was fantastic." - Omar Spina, Oak Park, CA

"Kudos for putting on such a terrific event in the face of truly awful weather conditions north of Bishop. Your alternate route selection was spot on, and offered a very challenging "mystery double" with nearly 12,000 feet of climbing. We were very impressed with how quickly you switched gears and pulled it all together. Thanks for a great day on the bike!" -Anna & Rick Stewart, Janesville, CA

"I know you had difficult circumstances to deal with, and tough decisions to make, on this year's ESDC.  This was my first double century, although I've done a number of longer brevets/randonneuring events.  I had been looking forward to the gorgeous scenery of the normal route, but in the end was very happy with the reroute you put together.  Yes, riding over to Eureka Valley and back was cold and difficult, and with it being steeper than I was expecting, I could have used lower gearing (had a 39 x 23).  But the conditions made it "epic" and a ride that we'll all still talk about a few years from now.  The scenery was unique, and it was through an area I never otherwise would have traveled.  ...  So bottom line is, I wanted to thank you for pulling off an epic ride.  ...  Per perseverantia nos victum -- By perseverance we overcome -- my motto." -Jim Swarzman, Encino, CA

Click here for a ride report and great photos by Victor Cooper.
Click here to see photos taken by rider Steve Meichtry

Eastern Sierra Double Century Results
176 Starters
101 Finishers
75 Did Not Finish