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california bicycle & cycling camps

5 Days • 280 Miles • 40,000' Elevation Gain • $495.00

You don't have to travel to Italy or France to find big climbs with fantastic scenery! The Southern Sierras tower above the California desert and their craggy peaks hide some of the longest and steepest climbs in North America. In this 5 day cycling camp we climb all the classic passes around Bishop, Big Pine, Independence and Lone Pine.

The climbs in this area range from 8-22 miles with grades averaging 6-8% and sections of 9-17%. Each day we offer up one main climb with an optional second climb if you haven't had enough. Don't let the mileage fool you! These are big climbs.

Read about these Classic Climbs at Bikecal.com

The $495 Climbing Camp includes all our great SAG support during the ride, a lunch stop, route slips and van support if you need it. Our support trailer is fully stocked with snacks and drinks, GU's, Bars, Gels, all brands of Energy Drinks, Fruits, etc. All the same support we offer on our week long Tours.

Check out our Santa Monica Mountains Cycling Camp

Choose your own basecamp for the week. Treat yourself to a nice hotel or camp at one of the many surrounding campgrounds. See the hotel and camping links on the sidebar to plan your week. The camp starts in Bishop and ends 59 miles south in Lone Pine. We ride 2 days from Bishop, one from Big Pine and two from Lone Pine. So you can easily stay 3 nights in Bishop and two in Lone Pine.

If you are arriving from out of state, we recommend flying into either Reno, Las Vegas or Burbank, renting a car for the week, and driving to Bishop. Reno is a little over 4 hours away and the more scenic drive. (Scroll Down for Route Profiles and Descriptions)

Day	Weekday		Route (Click for Profile)	Miles	Elev Gain	Avg Grade	Max Grade	Max Elev
1	Sun		Meet in Bishop, CA	---	---	---	---	---
2	Mon		Rock Creek/ Pine Creek (opt)	64-82	9,200'	5-7	12	10,200'
3	Tue		South Lake / Sabrina Lake	46	6,800'	6	17	9,835'
4	Wed		Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest	46-63	8,900'	7-8	15	10,100'
5	Thur		Horseshoe Meadows / Whitney Portal	45-63	10,200'	6-8	15	10,000'
6	Fri		Onion Valley Rd	27	5,300'	8	12	9,200'
.	......		Depart Fri or Stay over		---	---	---	---
...	.		Total	280	40,000'	---	---	---

Bishop Area Climbs

Lone Pine Area Climbs

Scroll Down for Route Profiles

Day 1 - Rock Creek / Pine Creek

Riding from Bishop, on the first day we climb the highest paved pass in California, Rock Creek Rd. It tops out at Mosquito Flat at 10,250'. You'll probably feel the elevation on this one! If you ride just this climb for the day the elevation gain is 6,700'. Most riders stop right there, but if you throw in the optional 2nd climb, Pine Creek, the total for the day is 9,200'. These are also the first two climbs in the "Everest Challenge" race.

66-81 miles / 6,700-9,200 ft. elevation gain

Day 2 - South Lake / Sabrina Lake

Today we climb up to South Lake (7,939') and Sabrina Lake (9,200'). The entire ride is only 46 miles round trip, but with 6,800' of elevation gain. The views at both lakes are stunning. It's like being in the Alps. Don't forget your camera!

46 miles / 6,800 ft. elevation gain

Day 3 - White Mountain (Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest)

Day 3 could be considered one of the hardest climbs anywhere. White Mountain has long streches of 8-10% and then hits you with 13% after 18 miles of climbing. This is the only day we ride east of the Sierras. At the summit of White Mountain is the Bristlecone Pine forest, home to the oldest living things on earth. The first climb gives you 6,300' in elevation gain. Add in the Second climb, Death Valley Road, for a total of 8,300' for the day.

46-63 miles / 6,300-8,300 ft. elevation gain

Day 4 - Horsehoe Meadows / Whitney Portal

Today is the biggest day. The Horseshoe Meadows climb by itself is 22 miles with 6,400' of elevation gain topping out at 9,850'. If you have the legs after 4 days of climbing, add in Whitney Portal, which has a solid mile of 11%, for a total gain of 10,200'.

45-63 miles / 6,400-10,200 ft. elevation gain

Day 5 - Onion Valley Rd

Day 5 we climb Onion Valley Road. With it's many switchbacks, this climb will remind you of the climbs in europe. It's only 13 miles to the summit, and 5,300'.

26 miles / 3,800 ft. elevation gain

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