Turning off at the Tioga Pass.

In the summer of 2006, when I was 60 years old, I cycled solo from Eugene Oregon down to Santa Barbara in southern California. The usual and natural route that cyclists follow from the Pacific northwest into California is down the Pacific coast. I had made pacific coast ride many years ago and really wanted to do something different. I decided to cycle down the eastern side of the Sierras. I made the trip riding a road bike and towing a small one wheel trailer loaded with my gear.

I started out from Eugene cycling down through central Oregon and up the Umpqua River to Diamond Lake. I then cycled past Upper Klamath Lake and into Klamath Falls. I passed through the Klamath Basin and crossed the Modoc Forest until reaching Susanville. On the 4th of July, I cycled the hard and hot 80 mile across the desert from Susanville to Reno. I got into trouble with cramps and dehydration making that crossing. I then followed the old road through Reno and Carson City and back into California until I reached Lee Vining near Mono lake.

My original plan was to cycle across the Mojave Desert and through the Los Angeles Basin to the pacific ocean. Cycling the long distance gave me time to re-think about my route. The prospects of riding through the crazy traffic and the gang mentality insanity of the Los Angeles area troubled me. Besides, I really was not sure of the best route to take. I did not like the idea of getting lost in that megalopolis. I had started from Eugene in mid June, By the time I reached the desert, it was July and Hotter than blazes. I wasn't to sure where I could find water and other facilities out on the Mojave Desert.

At Lee Vining, I turned off of Highway 395 and went west over Tioga Pass, over the Sierra mountains and Through Yosemite National Park. I decided that I would exit Yosemite on Highway 140. This would put me in a position to cross the California central valley and head for Monterey.

I started my assent up the Tioga pass in late morning. The Town of Lee Vining is at about 5000 feet in elevation. It was mid July and hot, the grade up the pass was steep and the traffic was fast and crazy, but there was some road shoulder at the lower elevation of the pass. At the 8000 foot level, I found a place and flopped for the night near a stream. Everyone said not to drink any of the water in the park or the back country, but all during the ride I treated the water with germicidal tablets, and

• 1
• 2
• 3
• next page >>

---

Add your voice

Know something about Travel experiences: Road trip horror stories?
We want to hear your view. Write now!