Peak 2 Peak 2000 Photos

Annual bike ride from Bear Mountain to Mammoth Lakes in support of the U.S. Adaptive Recreation Center

Day 1 - Bear Mountain to Barstow (58.6 miles)

We were all outfitted more like Nordic sportsfolk than cyclists - most in multiple layers and heavy gloves, with warm headgear squeezed under helmets. The slight uphill grade to the east end of Big Bear Lake was appreciated as it generated some body heat before the descent. With a 16% grade, the tortuous drop from 7,000 to 4,000 feet in the Lucerne Valley was chilly and rapid. By the rest stop at 25 miles, it was finally warm enough to shed the foul-weather gear. The sun shined brightly; however clouds built as we headed north - fighting a northwest wind. During this stretch we encountered our first of many climbs - a gradual 5-miler that warmed up everyone… for a cool 2-mile descent to lunch at mile 45. For the final leg of the day, the road coursed to the west, so the last 15 miles into Barstow were wind-aided. As we approached the campsite at Dana Park, the sun broke through.

As riders straggled in, and the gear trailer was unloaded, a tent city emerged in impressively rapid fashion. After refreshing and restorative hot showers at the fire station across the street, we were treated to the first of a series of excellent hot meals - chicken tortillas. Even with the approaching full moon, it was plenty dark and tired for crawling into the tents by 9:30 PM.

Day 2 *** Day 3 *** Day 4 *** Day 5

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