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I finished my first Saddle-sore 1000 Sunday. It was as good, and much tougher than I thought.
I planned to leave Pasadena, ride through the Mojave Desert at night, arriving Yosemite near dawn. Cross the Sierras at Tioga Pass, cross back over Sonora Pass, and go up 395 to Reno Nevada. Then cross the Sierras at Donner Pass, to Sacramento and then down I-5 back home.
It started out well. Leaving 12:40 AM, traffic was minimal. I made short work of the ride to Mojave. Gassing up, I headed on up 14 to 395. After Mojave, I was the only person on earth. I don't remember seeing three cars in either direction. Covering the distance was fast, all the way to Independence. I found the gas stations leave their pumps on, unattended for credit card users!
Dawn was beginning to glow over the horizon when I reached Lee Vining, the turnoff to Yosemite. Mono Lake reflected the pinkish glow of the sky. Again, the pumps were on, and the restroom was open! I climbed the winding highway up Tioga Pass. This guard rail-free ribbon clings to the side of the pass, daring you to look away at the stunning rock cliffs across the canyon. Before I know it, the gates of Yosemite appear. It is early, so there is no one to collect admission, just a friendly message on a chalkboard, to pay on the way out..
I am alone in Yosemite, or so it seems. Except for a few parked campers, there is no sign of human life. I almost regret my schedule. I could have parked for hours and enjoyed the solitude and beauty of Yosemite at dawn. I must come back. Deer watch me pass by them, coyotes cross the road. As I left via the Big Oak exit, the Ranger was startled to see me exiting. Paid my $10. "Come back, its good for a week" she said. I wish I could. A number of BMWs passed by as I changed to my dark face shield and ate a powerbar.
I met a nice couple taking pictures at the entrance sign. I took theirs, they took mine. He was on a big 'wing, she was on a H-D.
I was now in Gold country, passing through Jamestown and Sonora. After some winding highway, Sonora Pass got serious. "Trailers and long wheelbase vehicles not advised" sign announced the beginning of tight twisties and grades of 10 and 12% up and down! It peaked at 9560 feet! A truly amazing road in excellent condition, especially considering the amount of snow it gets.
Now the hard part started. It was HOT! Temps were in the high 90s. Traffic also got ugly, with lots of small towns and stoplights for miles. For the first time, I was behind schedule. Arriving in Reno, I holed up in a Subway sandwich shop, drinking water and lemonade.
This lasted until Santa Nella. I needed abreak. I parked in a Carl's Jr. for an hour. It was 6 PM. I figured I could spare an hour, trading the time for cooler sunset temperatures. I drank about a gallon of iced tea, and a light meal.
With 350 miles to go, I felt better. With darkness and temperatures in the 80's, things improved. One more mountain pass, over the Grapevine. Speed picked up, and I was home with 1:30 to spare.
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