Tour Summary
Duration
5 DaysDistance
280-320 milesElevation Gain
35,000-40,000 feet2013 Dates
May 27 - 31Sept 9 - 13
2014 Dates
Apr 21 - 25Apr 28 - May 2
May 12 - 16
May 19 - 23
June 2 - 6
Sept 1 - 5
Sept 15 - 19
Got Two Weeks?
Cycling Camps:Santa Monica Mtns
Classic Tahoe
Classic California
2013 Price
Climbing Camp Only: $495.00 includes Full Ride Support, Route Slips, Lunch, SAGDinner & Breakfast on your own
Book your own Hotel (see Lodging below)
Rider Limit
20 Rider LimitBike Rental
$245.00Highlights
Bikecal.com ArticleMount Whitney
Mammoth Lakes
Ancient Bristlecone Pines
Lodging
Bishop - (Sun-Tue)Creekside Inn
BW Holiday Spa
Comfort Inn Bishop
Days Inn Bishop
Holiday Inn Express
Lone Pine - (Wed, Thr)
Best Western Frontier
Comfort Inn Lone Pine
Camping:
Inyo National Forest
Bishop Creek Canyon
Nearby Campgrounds
Dining
Bishop Dining
Start / Finish
Bishop, CALone Pine, CA
Airports
Reno - 4 hr driveLas Vegas - 4.5 hr
Burbank, CA - 4.5 hr
LAX, CA - 5+ hrs
This was my first time with Cycling escapes and it was a blast! I highly reccomend this to anyone that wants to improve thier climbing skills, don't be intimidated you can go at your own pace and choose the amount of climbing for each day. The staff were the best. Excellent tips and suggestions, the ride support was also great! I will def be back.
- P.C., Napa CA
* 2012
Not only was I prepped for the BTC climbs, I was also in shape enough to do all 5 passes of the Death Ride without additional training. Very cool. Going again in April. Goodbye winter fat. Hello Malibu hills!
- Diane S, CA
* May 2011
* Santa Monica 2011
* Glacier 2012
We had an excellent trip. The routes were challenging, flexible and have amazing views. Everyone received lots of personalized attention and accomplished their goals. Highest recommendation possible for the trip, company and guide. The quality could not have been better - well worth the time, effort and every single penny!
- Lynn S, CA
* May 2011
Have used Cycling Escapes for 3 camps and have found them always looking to make a better trip than the last one and they have!! Look forward to my next trip to meet great people and fun adventures.
- Bob W, AZ
* 2010, '11, '12
Cycling Climbing Camps
Classic Climbs of the California Sierras
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. On this 5 day Cycling Camp we climb all the classic passes around Bishop, Big Pine, Independence and Lone Pine.
The climbs on this California Cycling Camp 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.
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 |
||
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' |
--- |
--- |
--- |
(Scroll Down for Route Profiles and Descriptions)
This California Cycling 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.
Read about these Classic Climbs at Bikecal.com
Check out: Classic Climbs of Lake Tahoe & Sierras North
Check out: 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 3 days from Bishop and 2 from Lone Pine. So you can easily stay 3 nights in Bishop and 2 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.
Bishop Climbs
Lone Pine Climbs
Cycling Camp 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
Cycling Camp Day 2 - South Lake / Sabrina Lake
Today we ride 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
California Cycling Camp Day 5 - Onion Valley Rd
Day 5 we ride 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
Check out our San Gabriel & Santa Monica Cycling Camps. Got the legs for back to back Camps?