Peak 2 Peak 2000 Photos

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

Day 2 - Barstow to Ridgecrest (83.7 miles)

Early to bed induces early to rise, and the tent disassembly started at the crack of dawn. Following a high-calorie breakfast, we pedaled off under clear skies with temperatures in the low 60s. The day's route wound through downtown Barstow and out the back roads past an entrance to Fort Irwin - home of the World War II Mojave Anti-Aircraft range, and now site of the Department of the Army National Training Center. In short order we were headed west on Route 58 - the Las Vegas to Bakersfield truck route - to endure 30 miles of direct headwinds and big-rig blasts.

As we turned right on route 395, the rest stop was a welcomed break. After fortification with Red Bull, sundry high-energy bars, fruit, and chocolate chips, we attacked another 15 miles of rolling highway before lunch, with the wind now shifted slightly to the northwest. Riders were somewhat subdued at the lunch stop knowing that Red Mountain had to be conquered in the 40 miles before the day's destination. A sinister misnomer on the route slip, Highway 395 passes west of the mountain, without significant climbing, as it passes through the desert mining towns of Randsburg and Johannesburg - named for the South African towns from which the silver miners hailed. The "real" climb came soon enough… after a steep descent to a dry riverbed. It was a difficult, long grind, up to the "false summit," that quickly changed relief to resolve. Once over the top of the actual crest, it was a rapid ride into Ridgecrest and the Desert Empire Fairgrounds.

It was pleasantly warm and sunny as we staked out campsites, recounted the day's adventures, and awaited dinner. The evening meal was a cyclist's delight - four choices of lasagna and stuffed cabbage with a garden salad… complemented by 1997 BV Cabernet Sauvignon. The carbo-loading dessert was a choice of cheesecakes with cherry topping. All retired spent from the ride but equally contented from the cuisine.

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Day 1 *** Day 3 *** Day 4 *** Day 5

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