Tioga Pass

Another great day in the Eastern Sierras. The area between Lone Pine and Bridgeport is quite possibly one of the most beautiful areas in the U.S.

To the west of Highway 395 lies the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. There are a number of passes crossing the Sierras including Tioga Pass which is the Eastern gateway to Yosemite National Park.
The road to Tioga Pass starts in the small town of Lee Vining which lies just above the world famous Mono Lake.

Cyclists from all over the world come to the Sierras to test themselves on some of the toughest hill climbs on earth.

The Tioga Pass climb is moderate by Sierra standards but is still a great ride. The ride goes for 11.8 miles and climbs 3129' to Tioga Pass at 9945' above sea level. Along the way are some absolutely beautiful scenes.

The pass itself lies at the eastern entrance to Yosemite.

Like I said, another great day in the Eastern Sierras.

Big Bear Opening Weekend

For most Southern Californians, opening day at Snow Summit comes sometime during November or December as soon as there is enough snow to open the lifts for skiing and snowboarding.

For mountain bikers, opening day comes in May when the snow has melted and the trails are open for a summer of lift assisted downhill riding.

This weekend was the first time I've ridden the trails at Big Bear in at least ten years. I used to ride here a lot. Between the races and leading group rides for clubs, I spent quite a bit of time riding the trails at Big Bear.

I was living out of the area and country from 2001-2005 and missed the season and accident that led to the management of Snow Summit closing the trails within the ski area. Since then for some reason I just didn't make it up to the area to ride.

I was invited by some friends to join them for opening weekend and ended up having a blast. I explored trails I haven't ridden in years, rode the old cross-country courses from when I used to race and reaquainted myself with an area that has so much mountain bike history.

There is something special about riding in real mountains.

The smell of the pine trees, riding down steep, rooty, rocky trails all make it a special experience.


Sure the ski area is closed to riding, but here's the real secret of Big Bear, the best trails were never on the Ski Area, they are out in the National Forest waiting for a whole new generation of riders to make their own history.

And maybe we'll never get a bike park built like Mammoth, Northstar or Whistler, but that doesn't mean we can't have fun riding with our friends in a beautiful alpine environment.

Big Bear is and always will be a great place to ride. Get out there and have fun.