deCycles Pacific Mountains 2010
Journal Entry
Date: June 25
Day 13: Friday
Departure: Lake Tahoe/Stateline, NV
Arrival: West Point, CA

Distance: 85 miles
Highlights: Zigzag route through the majestic Sierra Nevada mountains.
Description: This morning was the most challenging morning on a deCycles trip. We departed the Lake Tahoe basin with temps moderate and cloudy skies. In 10-miles, things got ugly. It started to rain and little did we know, it would continue raining through our climb in the Sierra mountains. Within 60-minutes, we climbed several thousand feet with the rain getting heavier and colder. By the time we reached the summit, we were all frozen to the bone. The worst was yet to come……the downhill. Normally downhills are the reward after the climb. In this case, the downhill bordered on killer coldness. Rain pelting us felt like little needles. Brakes were less effective. Going faster only meant getting colder. No one could hardly clamp down on the brakes or shift with their hands and wrists. This was really a dangerous and futile situation. We’re up in the middle of nowhere with no shelter and small towns dozens of miles away. The riders shivered uncontrollably. The best solution was to keep pedaling. That was the only thing keeping us warm. Finally we found the Kirkwood Inn near Caples Lake and took over the place. They served food and it gave the riders a chance to get warm and get something to eat. The fear of an all-day cold weather blowout seemed unescapable.

But after lunch, the skies cleared a little and the road dried. Halleluia!! We’re saved! Getting on the other side of the mountain saved the day the the final 40-miles was essentially downhill to West Point except for the last few miles. We were treated to a wonderful supper by this church community. This also saved our day. Thanks so much to these kind people. There was one mishap today with Stephanie Weatherall locking her brakes on a downhill and sliding out resulting in roadrash on several areas of the right arm and left hip. She trashed the right shifter but was still in good spirits as she arrived at the overnight location. She’s fortunate that injuries were only minor.

During our challenging morning of climbing in freezing cold in the remote mountains of the Sierras, we eclipsed 1000-miles. This group is amazing.
Climate: Cloudy, cold, rainy in am. Clearing in pm.
Overnight: West Point Community Church