We spent a glorious weekend hosting the Eastern Sierra Century and Double Century on June 14, 2003. We want to thank the record-sized field or riders and record-sized number of volunteers for making this a fantastic experience for one and all!

Bright and early at 515am, 208 double century riders embarked upon what is easily California’s most scenic 200 mile cycling event. They rode a warm-up loop south of Bishop, then began the trek north through CP1 in Round Valley, up the Sherwin Grade, then onwards through Tom’s Farm, CP2 above Crowley Lake, Mammoth Lakes, the Mammoth Scenic Loop, CP3 at Crestview, and then the incomparable June Loop Lake before hitting the lunch stop, CP4, the halfway mark at one-of-a-kind Mono Lake.

There, Subway sandwiches and yet another crew of fantastic Planet Ultra volunteers helped them refuel before heading southbound on 395 to Hwy 120 and then southeast up the infamous and deceptive Sagehen Summit. Surrounded by burned out forest, it was like a moonscape up there. The riders were finally beginning to feel the heat on what had otherwise been a pretty mild day, weather-wise. Thankfully a bonus water stop halfway up the Sagehen climb provided a welcome respite of ice and cold water. Then onwards they rode up to the last high point of the day.

It’s tempting to say that “it’s all downhill back to Bishop” after Sagehen, but that would be denying the handful of good rollies on the way to Benton, not to mention the ever-building headwind of the Chalfant Valley. So it’s still a tough finish for everybody, even with a great checkpoint in Benton and a surprise water stop across from the Chalfant Mercantile on the way home. Pacelines were the order of the day in this home stretch.

Truly, without these checkpoint oases and the good cheer and food and drinks that their volunteers provide, this epic, inspiring, and magnificent course could not be completed.

There were 56 century riders who tackled their 100 mile route, starting at 715am. They also endured the Sherwin Grade in the morning and gazed in awe at the view of Crowley Lake before heading eastbound on Benton Crossing Road to Benton. There they joined the same final headwindy stretch to the finish that the double riders enjoyed.

Altogether, 192 of the 208 double riders completed the course, including Jeff Landauer, Lasse Bjerga, and Dan McGehee (the 1998 Furnace Creek 508 winner) with a new course record of 10:23. Probably pushing the pace on the final stretch back into Bishop even faster than that trio was Red Lantern Award winner John Robbins, who streaked across the line with less than five minutes to spare, clocking a 16:55 finish!

Congrats to everybody!

Special thanks to all the Planet Ultra volunteers and ambassadors for making this event happen!

Round Valley School: Glen Clark and Kari & Phil Marchant.

Crowley Lake: Rick Burneson, Craig McVeay, Jackie Royer and Elizabeth Wood

Crestview Rest Area: Greta Boyer, Kathy Dahlberg and Rhonda Moseley

Mono Lake Park: Caryl Ishizawa, Ryan Jones, Paul Kopit and Rowena Wildin

Sagehen Water Stop: David Lipsky

Sagehen Summit: Glen Clark and Kari & Phil Marchant

Benton Crossing Road (Century): Kino Finch and Kelly Parsons

Benton: Brian McElwain, Dave Penegar, Kim Satterlee and Sara Wolff

Chalfant Water Stop: Nancy Steckley

Finish Line: Doug Bowers, Deborah Caplan, Jeff Landauer, and Frank Neal

Roving SAG: Mike Angelos, Myra Beam, Brenda Bowman, Deborah Caplan, Lorah Gross, Deette Johnston,  Craig McVeay, Frank Neal, Dave Penegar and Eric Smith

Staff Ride SAG: Jeff Warren!

Congrats to more GRAND SLAM OFFICIAL FINISHERS!!! Let's give a standing ovation for Lasse Bjerga, Robert Buntrock, Michelle Kashima, Charles Kaye, Paul Kopit, Thomas Lawrence, Robert Macdonald, Mark Parrish, Brian Rapp, Alan Smith, Bracken Smith, Sean Smith, Mike Sturgill, Bruce Taylor, Cathe Waltmire, Wick Waltmire and Lonnie Wolff who joined the elite group of riders who have completed four Planet Ultra events in 2003!

Congratulations to first time century finishers Rafferty Atha and Cary Jackson! Great job!

Kudos to first time double finishers Dale Dahlberg, Brian McElwain, Wilhelm Schlag and G.M. Rosenblatt. Mr. Rosenblatt not only completed his first double, but did it to celebrate his 70th birthday! Awesome!

Special congratulations to our youngest finishers and their way cool parents: Teenagers Maureen Caragao and Sam Smith both completed the double on tandem with their dads (Roehl Caragao and Bob Smith)!

2003 Eastern Sierra Double Century Results (208 starters; 192 finishers)

Last Name First Name City State Time
Bjerga Lasse Cedar City UT 10:23
Landauer Jeff Fair Oaks CA 10:23
McGehee Daniel Mesa AZ 10:23
Kaye Charles Scottsdale AZ 11:18
Patton Marc Woodland Hills CA 11:18
Pollock Graham Folsom CA 11:18
Roth David San Diego CA 11:22
Wilson Eric Palmdale CA 11:23
Cartwright Donald Berkeley CA 11:48
Boles Mark Roseville CA 11:52
Moon Richard Folsom CA 11:52
Burnett Peter Chicago Park CA 11:55
Phillips Jennie Danville CA 11:55
Woudenberg Timothy Moss Beach CA 12:11
Berkenkotter Eric Fremont CA 12:14
Berg Bruce Berkeley CA 12:15
Kellogg Deby Bakersfield CA 12:15
Moseley Mike Bakersfield CA 12:15
Rapp Brian Long Beach CA 12:15
Rosenthal Joanne Bakersfield CA 12:15
Rosenthal Wayne Bakersfield CA 12:15
Dahlberg Dale Hisperia CA 12:24
McKeague Brad Fairfax CA 12:44
Brown Joe Simi Valley CA 12:49
Way Ron Downey CA 12:49
Borgers Bill 12:51
Schlag Wilhelm Pasadena CA 12:56
Bowling Brian Laguna Niguel CA 13:08
Smith Bob Bakersfield CA 13:08
Smith Sam Bakersfield CA 13:08
Smith Sean Newport Beach CA 13:08
Kern James Sunnyvale CA 13:11
Brenner Marty Lancaster CA 13:13
Caragao Maureen Bakersfield CA 13:14
Caragao Roehl Bakersfield CA 13:14
Lawrence Thomas Mountain View CA 13:14
Schmidt Rob Palo Alto CA 13:14
Meichtry Steve West Hills CA 13:19
Saavedra Jorge Huntington Beach CA 13:20
Thakar Tertius San Francisco CA 13:24
Burke Mark Belmont CA 13:26
Rothell Glen Mariposa CA 13:26
Sturgill Michael Phoenix AZ 13:26
Aydelott Karen Pasadena CA 13:30
Bradbury James San Francisco CA 13:30
Cole Dale Eldorado Hills CA 13:30
Duncan Tim Oakland CA 13:30
Faust Jon Sacramento CA 13:30
Kennelly Daniel Sacramento CA 13:30
Kowallis Reid Burlingame CA 13:30
Jensen Franklin Cedar City UT 13:31
Wolff Lonnie Cedar City UT 13:31
Milton Tom Fairfield CA 13:32
Buntrock Robert Byron CA 13:33
Rieber Tom Venice CA 13:33
Koenig Dick San Diego CA 13:34
Kashima Michelle Irvine CA 13:35
Parish Mark Chino Hills CA 13:35
Eukel Derek Campbell CA 13:37
Levaggi Chris Mill Valley CA 13:41
Axtell John Minden NV 13:43
Horsley Paul Reno NV 13:43
Sokolsky Michael San Mateo CA 13:43
Bayer Michael Saratoga CA 13:44
Stuart Rich Moreno Valley CA 13:45
Browder Christopher Shasta Lake CA 13:50
Alley Ray Escondido CA 13:53
Kain Robert Del Mar CA 13:53
Domini Todd Reno NV 13:57
Holmgren Jack Oakland CA 13:58
Honda Nicole San Mateo CA 13:58
Bartholic Ken Reno NV 14:03
O'Kane Tom Valencia CA 14:03
Rosenblatt G.M. Berkeley CA 14:03
Skipper Tim Castaic CA 14:03
Sohn Jeffrey Cupertino CA 14:03
Warner Steve Valencia CA 14:03
Clark West Salinas CA 14:05
Divins Timothy Hanford CA 14:05
Gunter Mark San Francisco CA 14:05
Mazzoni Darla S. Lake Tahoe CA 14:05
Spano Daniel Zephyr Cove NV 14:05
Speckert Les S. Lake Tahoe CA 14:05
Alleger Dean Sacramento CA 14:13
Sullivan James Thousand Oaks CA 14:16
Warren Mike Santa Barbara CA 14:17
Huber Kerin Pasadena CA 14:19
Pepper Dwayne Phoenix AZ 14:19
Woodhead Mike Santa Barbara CA 14:19
Jones Tim Fairfield CA 14:20
Poulson John Mill Valley CA 14:20
Jonas Charles Piedmont CA 14:21
Pacini Ralph Redlands CA 14:21
Smith Alan Angelus Oaks CA 14:21
Smith Bracken Forest Falls CA 14:21
Taylor Bruce Alta Loma CA 14:21
Weigand David Santa Clara CA 14:21
Batt David Santa Rosa CA 14:23
Gitman Lawrence La Jolla CA 14:23
Middlebrooks Denise San Diego CA 14:23
Fetherston Bob Los Gatos CA 14:25
Johnson Stuart Escondido CA 14:31
Turbeville John Paul Columbia SC 14:31
Larson Kris San Jose CA 14:35
Launspach Juergen San Jose CA 14:35
Cram Med Roseville CA 14:37
Macdonald Robert Lancaster CA 14:40
Coe John L. Redding CA 14:44
DeSantis James Oak Run CA 14:44
Dunagan Scott Folsom CA 14:44
Taylor Mark El Dorado Hills CA 14:44
Peck Duane Studio City CA 14:49
Stewart Anna Susanville CA 14:49
Stewart Rick Susanville CA 14:49
Cammell Russell San Bernardino CA 14:53
Crist Jacqueline Danville CA 14:54
Gifford Micheal San Leandro CA 14:54
Granlund John San Ramon CA 14:54
Holland Timothy Twain Harte CA 14:54
Rhodes Karen San Francisco CA 14:54
Shoemaker Ken Los Altos Hills CA 14:54
Penegar David Reno NV 14:56
Clare John T. Long Beach CA 14:57
Evans Dave Lakewood CA 14:57
Strenfel Philip Morgan Hill CA 15:00
Yrastorza Ligaya Morgan Hill CA 15:00
Beam John Glendora CA 15:03
Elmitt Garry Carlsbad CA 15:03
Katano Lynn Monterey Park CA 15:03
Holmberg Chuck Erick OK 15:04
Benson Mark Redlands CA 15:05
Kopit Paul Sunland CA 15:06
Wildin Rowena Pasadena CA 15:06
Bertholf Robert Carlotta CA 15:07
Wilson Craig Eureka CA 15:07
Warren Jeff Susanville CA 15:09
Wylie Curtis North Highlands CA 15:12
Clemes David Oakland CA 15:13
Gilbert Kristin San Jose CA 15:14
Hollenbaugh Mike San Jose CA 15:14
Parkes Thomas Fountain Valley CA 15:14
Hoffman Roland Alta Loma CA 15:16
Jacobson Susan Oakland CA 15:16
Schmunk Justin Vista CA 15:16
Tigges Michael Oakland CA 15:16
Berry Steve Brisbane CA 15:17
Kenyon Emily Berkeley CA 15:17
Liu Paul Oakland CA 15:18
Young Cheryl Oakland CA 15:18
Goodfellow Dean Gardnerville NV 15:20
Schneider Anne Davis CA 15:20
Etling Ben San Ramon CA 15:22
Socha Steve Fresno CA 15:22
Toews Erik San Diego CA 15:22
Rathmann Thomas Pleasonton CA 15:30
Arnold Michael Los Angeles CA 15:32
Miller Christine Sunnyvale CA 15:32
Pompeani Robert San Jose CA 15:32
Cruz, Jr. Arturo Tres Pinos CA 15:33
Billings Caroline Davis CA 15:39
Boyer Jon Mammoth Lakes CA 15:39
Goodwin Doug Pahrump NV 15:39
Gordon Alfonso N. Hollywood CA 15:39
Lehman Sherri Gold River CA 15:39
Wathen Matthew Albany CA 15:39
Hanson Ron Artesia CA 15:40
McElwain Brian Big Pine CA 15:51
Rash Robert Buena Park CA 15:54
Gross Joe San Francisco CA 15:56
Lichtenstern Fred Moreno Valley CA 16:05
Horton Dennis Coarsegold CA 16:09
Waltmire Catherine Irvine CA 16:09
Waltmire Wick Irvine CA 16:09
Tupper Daniel San Jose CA 16:10
Grantner Richard Santa Ana CA 16:13
Zimmerman Bill Carmel Valley CA 16:14
Long John D. Signal Hill CA 16:16
Tamminga Jeff Long Beach CA 16:16
Hamilton Chris Fresno CA 16:19
Lucich Nick Fresno CA 16:19
Lewis Si Woodland Hills CA 16:21
Rochnik Nikolai San Mateo CA 16:22
Radd Sue San Francisco CA 16:25
Long John A. Vacaville CA 16:27
Smith Nathalie Angelus Oaks CA 16:37
DeSantis Paul Clovis CA 16:39
Elam Richard San Diego CA 16:39
Merki Esther San Diego CA 16:39
Dermer Sharon San Jose CA 16:40
Ries Paul San Jose CA 16:49
Robbins John Pasadena CA 16:55
Castle Scot Glen Ellen CA DNF
Clare John M. Long Beach CA DNF
Clarke Richard Thousand Oaks CA DNF
Ferdig David Woodland Hills CA DNF
Koach Ken San Jose CA DNF
Lieberman Dana N. Hollywood CA DNF
Miklaucic John Santa Rosa CA DNF
Owens John Fairfax CA DNF
Pacini Christine Redlands CA DNF
Revri Anurang San Francisco CA DNF
Sabin James San Marino CA DNF
Scott Gavin Cayucos CA DNF
Steidinger Joan Mill Valley CA DNF
Stewart Gordon Sebastopol CA DNF
Wilson Benjamin Fairfax CA DNF
Fischer Valerie San Diego CA DQ

2003 Eastern Sierra Century Roster (56 riders)

Last Name First Name City State
Alvarado David Corona CA
Atha Rafferty San Francisco CA
Austin James Coronado CA
Baugh Steven Stateline NV
Berka Becky Los Angeles CA
Betonte Gregg Olympic Valley CA
Brodie Bert Mira Loma CA
Brookstein Jane Washington DC
Chapman Michael Placentia CA
Clausen John
Comar Louise Atascadero CA
Corkill John San Diego CA
Currie Michael Long Beach CA
DeBardeleben Dennis Clovis CA
Derecho Jan Santa Cruz CA
Deyarmie Tim Barstow CA
Erwin Mike Elk Grove CA
Finch Trevor Yucca Valley CA
Finch Nick Yucca Valley CA
Fong Jack Santa Cruz CA
French Dorothy Orinda CA
Fry Kenneth Orange CA
Gallagher Joan Tiburon CA
Harding John Truckee CA
Horton Coby
Huffman Bert Sausalito CA
Jackson Cary San Francisco CA
Kim John Glendale CA
Koundouriotis Steve Sierra Madre CA
Koundouriotis Deena Sierra Madre CA
Lewis Robert Albany CA
Lipstadt Aaron Hollywood CA
Meaney Duncan San Francisco CA
Morse Douglas Clovis CA
Niemeier Karen San Mateo CA
Onufrieff Nick Los Angeles CA
Parsons Don San Diego CA
Pumphrey David Reno NV
Rosenblatt Susan Berkeley CA
Roth Kathleen San Diego CA
Ruiz Myriam Monrovia CA
Satterlee Michael San Diego CA
Schroeder William J. Santa Cruz CA
Sjogren Cynthia Riverside CA
Sjogren Steven Riverside CA
Smith Scott Van Nuys CA
Sutherland Beth Ventura CA
Thomas Robert Atascadero CA
Tomita Barbara Orange CA
Tumas Daniel Orinda CA
Wagner Janet Woodside CA
Wallace Tom Swall Meadows CA
Whitelaw Steve Aptos CA
Young Max Upland CA

"Just a quick thank you for the great Eastern Sierra Double. I'm still recovering from the toughest ride I've ever done, but as I type up a ride report for my buddies to read, I find myself smiling and remembering the fine moments of the ride. Of course, I'm also remembering the low points, but that's all part of the experience for me! The volunteers were super (as always), and I'd like to give special recognition to the SAG support. A couple of times, I reached new lows, and just didn't see how I could continue on the ride. The SAG wagons were always there with water, soda, snacks to bring me back to life and get me back on the road. Great support and great camraderie.

Thanks again for a great ride." - Jeff Tamminga

Even though I was pretty toasted at the end, I had a great experience. Many thanks to Deb and Chris and all the great volunteers that made it all possible. Just one thing- I think you guys need to hire a new Minister of Wind, he got the direction backwards in the afternoon." - Sincerely, Kerin Huber

Feedback from an Eastern Sierra rider (and volunteer!) about volunteerism:

"Often people who have become successful become self focused along the way. They forget, if they ever knew, the rewards found in service to others. Volunteerism is not about T-shirts or points for ME. It is about doing good things for others and passing on the good things someone did for you. It is about being the quite example for others to learn from. It is about community. And it is so about not being FRENCH!" - Doug Bowers