Thought I'd go ahead and pass this biking adventure along from my FB blog:


After taking this photo during the "winter" season, I'd been chomping at the bit for months for the passes to open like a gun on the starting line! Time to step to the line and put the mind to the test before it gets any hotter!
Thursday... I took less photos as the day grew longer... "The Link-Up" Tioga Pass + Sonora Pass Loop - aka Mission Mobil to Mobil - 211 miles, 21,794 ft. elevation climbing, 20 hours even. My idea of seeing a tough day through. Twice Trans-Sierra via the 2 highest passes by my own power from the valley lows to the top and down again for my first double century ride. I am so done!

My body wants to fire my brain. From finger numbing cold in the dawn hours in Yosemite to boiling heat at elevation 800 heading down from Groveland.This is the hardest thing I could think of and a final confidence check before 24 hour racing next month.

After the first 150 miles, with 34 miles of climbing on Sonora Pass to go, 1 remaining hour of daylight, 2 hours maybe remaining on my headlamp, and the both most technical descent/steep climbing of the day ahead of me, I was near the point of despair of letting all go! Find the nearest open door or possibly endure a long dark night at 10,000 feet hitch hiking/huddled over a survival fire?

While deeply contemplating all and winding along up the base of Sonora pass (Is there a base? Hah that's pretty funny!? I've already been chugging for 40 miles from Sonora!) my friend and angel, Shellybell Morriss showed up out of nowhere with no notice unable to contact me, but aware that I was doing the route and passing by the house along Sonora Pass that evening! She came out to check on me, gave me a Gatorade, and the mental psych supporting boost I needed to push on hard one more time through the steepest climbing and descending. The following truck lights kept me safe and everything fully visible for riding. I originally set out to do the ride self supported, but I could not turn this down! We are going to do this baby!

Pushing big gears up the 26% grade at 9000 feet 180 miles deep in at 10 pm is probably the hardest thing I've ever done. What was I thinking? After all this biking this pass alone is hands down the hardest one I've done yet to date even if I had been totally rested. (Ryan's brain you are officially fired!) Wow! I suited up for the cold winding descent and Shelly followed me with brights down the steep grade at the fastest speed we could safely navigate (Hey we are doing this yeah!) to 395. I tucked into Aero position and cranked it down the valley to Bridgeport with all I had left for 211 miles.

Originally I had wanted to finish the loop, but at 1:30 in the morning on 395 with a dieing headlamp and speedy descents to go on the highway I didn't care about 25 more miles. There comes a time when enough is enough! I'm keeping `em in my pocket till next time! I had made my double century, twice Trans-Sierra to valley, and over 21k climbing. Who is ready for 300 miles next month?! Bring it on Four Horsemen of the Solstice and Everest Challenge this year! This Bishop boy is ready for anything! I can't thank Shelly enough for being there for me on a whim at the exact moment! I got your back any day!

Highlights:
1. Having a reason to ride down Old Priest Grade on my bike!
2. Drafting RV's across Yosemite at full speed
3. Starting and finishing the day with the full moon set and moon rise
4. Ice Cream and Coca Cola (seriously this stuff is magic crack for enduro events)
5.Kicking @$$ at 10pm on 26% grade

Doing hard things! Impossible is attractive! PS I didn't shave my legs for this!


Special thanks to my friend Kevin Passmore at UpSki for sewing the custom mini bike frame bag and bottle holders for my racing bike to enable me to self support food and riding clothing without pannier bags or backpacks! I'm not affiliated with DiNotte, but the retina searing Day Time Red light with a 24 hour running battery is the right tool of the trade to keep visible at all times on the highway for this special kind of adventure. (Sorry Shelly had to wear night time sunglasses even with it on the extra lowest setting!)