WMD Course

The White Mountain Double CenturyCentury (WMDC) is truly an unique ride. It goes all the way up and completely around the White Mountain range. The WMDC is a very majestic and remote ride. It starts with a good section to warm up on from Bishop before tacking one of California’s most challenging high altitude climb up to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest. This is a breathtaking piece of cycling by going all the way up to a 10,100 foot summit. The reward at the summit is seeing the oldest pine trees in the world, and viewing the beauty of the Sierra’s from some awesome view points.

Then the descent off of the summit contains a highly technical downhill section for a few miles, and it requires advanced descending skills. After the technical section, there are just miles and miles of fun downhill to Deep Springs. Next will be a quite serene climb up to Gilbert Pass, the views from here are amazing. The vastness of the desert valley makes you feel very small, and the remoteness is something to experience. Then more fun downhill right into one of the most isolated areas that California and Nevada have to offer called Fish Lake Valley.

At this point on the course the route goes through the open range with grazing cattle and wild horses. Next, there is welcomed section of flat road that rolls into Dyer, Nevada. In the Dyer Community Park, great sandwiches from Esmeralda Market (local), bottled Cokes, chips, fruit, cookies, and a wading pool.
The second half of the course cruises through the Fish Lake Valley, with constant views of White Mountain and Boundary Peak, the brilliantly colorful Volcanic Hills, the eerie salt marshes along Highway 773, this is usually a hot stretch to the best smoothies in the world, next the course climbs up over the Montgomery Pass back into California, and the final descent into the green valleys north of Bishop – almost 50 miles of descending and flats.

This ride is very special in its remoteness, lack of traffic, and fascinating geology and scenery. It is interesting because it does a circumnavigation of the White Mountain Range.
No personal crews are allowed during these event. The climbs, terrain, and conditions can leave you with the confidence that you are ready for anything!

“White Mountain Double Century is truly a different and most difficult ride. The climb is epic. Like Colorado’s Mount Evans epic. What a challenge!! Your support was so impressive. You and your support team were everywhere and most appreciated by me and by everyone I rode with. So Thanks!! Lots of the course was amazing. Those 15%+ pieces on the White Mountain climb really took my breath away.
 ~ Chuck Bramwell

** New Course Changes**

The Lowland course has change to a three mile out and back on White Mountain Road instead of a 10 mile out & back to Palmetto, which gives the riders a taste of what the Highland course has to offer, and it allows the Highland riders to which to the lowland course at anytime.

The backend of the route has change for both courses.  The out & back to Coaldale Junction (Smoothie Station) has replaced by the Volcanic Hills Triangle, which really increases the elevation, safety, scenery, and smoothies.  The route uses the Dicalite Cutoff get over Pinchot Creek (Route 264 & Hwy 6) where the Smoothie Station has been relocated. Route turns right onto Hwy 6 and goes down Pinchot Creek to Route 773 turns-right and returns to Route 264 and then back for a second smoothie, and then the route turns left on Hwy 6 toward Bishop.

Course Details

Both the Highland and Lowland courses fall within the guide lines for California Triple Credit.

The course runs in a counter clockwise direction. Starts from the La Quinta Inn in Bishop and heads south down Hwy 395 to Big Pine, turns east onto Route 168. Then starts climbing at the Owens River with some rollers, and then climbs up Route 168 to the Westgard Pass (WGP) and turns left at White Mountain Road (WMR). The first station-WGP (mile 28) is at the corner WMR and Route 168. Then it climbs up the Grand View Campground (mile 33 & restrooms), continues the rest of the way up to Schulman’s Water Station (mile 38) at an elevation of 10,100 ft. Riders must check-in at this station.

The course turns around at Schulman Grove descends a narrow, steep, technical section with blind corners, ramps, and decreasing radius switchbacks back to the Westgard Past aid station. Then it heads east over Westgard Pass descending through the Mollie Gibson Canyon to the Deep Springs. Then climbs to the Gilbert Pass – Aid Station, and descends down to Route 266 turning north through a farming area, which is a very long flat section, and into Nevada (the road then becomes Route 264 through the Fish Lake Valley area. In Dyer, Nevada lunch will be served at “Boonies”.

Then the course continues up the valley to the end of Route 264 through the Dicalite Cutoff over Pinchot Creek (Route 264 & Hwy 6) where the Smoothie Station is located. There is a hard time cut-off at 3:45 pm for arriving to the Smoothie the first time.  If a rider does not expect to complete the course in under 16 hours, it is recommend to start at 4:00 am.  Route turns right onto Hwy 6 and goes down Pinchot Creek to Route 773 turns-right and returns to Route 264 and then back for a second smoothie, and then the route turns left on Hwy 6 toward Bishop. Riders must exit Hwy 6 at this station, and check-in. Then goes back and continues on Hwy 6 into the mountains through the Montgomery Pass, and descends to the Benton, California. Then back to Bishop via Hwy 6 to the “Finish Line” back at the fairgrounds.  The route is a 202 miles and 13,526 ft of climbing per Ride with GPS.

White Mountain Double – Highland
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/15425272

The lowland route is the same as the highland route except it turns around after 3 miles on White Mountain Road at the Pinon Picnic area, instead going all the up to the Bristlecone Visitor Center. This is the only differences in the route between the “Highland and Lowland” courses. You may switch between the lowland and highland, both courses meet the requirements for California Triple Crown credit. The lowland route is a 188 miles and 10973 ft of climbing per Ride with GPS.

White Mountain Double – Lowland
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/15517848