The White Mountain Double Century (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 Dyer, there is the hospitality of “Boonies” bar and grill, great sandwiches, mexican Cokes, chips, fruit, cookies, wading pool, and an opportunity to play the “one arm bandit” awaits.
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.
The course runs in a counter clockwise direction. Starts from the Ramada Limit 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 150 mile riders do not go up WMR, instead they continue on Hwy 168.
The course turns around at Schulman Grove descends a narrow, steep, technical section with blind corners, ramps, and decreasing radius switchbacks back to the WGP aid station (mile 48). 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 (mile 68), 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 (mile 91) lunch will be served at the Dyer Community Park.
Then the course continues up the valley, and turns right at the water stop on Route 773. Then it continues through a colorful high desert, and turns right onto Hwy 6. From there it will go out and back to Coaldale Junction, which is our “CJ -Smoothie Station” (mile 123). Riders must exit Hwy 6 at this station, and check-in. Then the course turns around and heads up to Basalt (mile 145), which turns right on Route 360 and right into the “Basalt Popsicle Station”. Then goes back and continues on Hwy 6 into the mountains through the Montgomery Pass, and descends to the Benton, California (mile 163) which is our “Time to Take It Home Station”. Then back to Bishop via Hwy 6 for the well deserved “Finish Line”.
The WMD's climbing is 11,500 feet and the distance of the course to be approximately 200 miles in length. Both the is 23,000 feet of climbing over two 6,000 ft., two 7,000 and two 10,000 ft. summits and approximately 400 miles. The RAWM is 7,700 feet of climbing over two 7,000 ft and one 6,000 ft. summits, and approximately 152 miles. The courses are great whether you are doing first ultra distance or training for an advanced ultra race. White Mountain is an awesome place to ride.
COURSE DETAILS
Schulman
Grove
Grand View Campground
Water Stop
Water Stop
Water Stop
Deep Springs
Boonies
Smoothie
Stop
Gilbert’s
Pass
Basalt
Montgomery
Pass
Benton
Water Stop
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.
The White Mountain Double Double Century is both of the White Mountain Double Centuries in one weekend. It has a start on both Saturday and Sunday, and is completely supported both days. No personal crews are allowed during these events. The ride on both days will have the same great course, vey low traffic, and support stations. The climbs, terrain, and conditions can leave you with the confidence that you are ready for anything! Let the White Mountain take care of your and your friends cycling needs for the weekend!!
The Ride Around White Mountain (RAWM) is a 143 miles using the most direct route around the White Mountain range. It includes 3 of the most popular mountain passes in the area. It's a great relaxing route.
"White Mountain Double 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 were Amazing. Those 15%+ pieces on the White Mountain climb really took my breath away.
~Chuck Bramwell
GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
The lowland route will have the first water stop Route 168 and White Mountain Road, then the riders will continue straight on Route 168, instead of going up White Mountain Road they will continue on to Gilbert Pass aid station. Then at the end of Route 168 the riders will turn right instead of left and head south on Route 266 for about 10 miles to the next aid station. They will exit Route 266 to check in at the aid station. Then the riders will enter back onto Route 266 they will head north toward Dyer, Nevada to connect back up with the original route.
The lowland has about 8500 ft of climbing.
The highland has about 11,500 ft. of climbing.
The following are the approximate amount of climbing for the different combination Double Double routes.
If a rider rides the Lowland Double on Saturday and the Lowland Double on Sunday, they will climb approximately 17,000 feet for both days.
If a rider rides the Highland Double on Saturday and the Lowland Double on Sunday, they will climb approximately 20,000 feet for both days.
If a rider rides the Highland Double on Saturday and the Highland Double on Sunday, they will climb approximately 23,000 feet for both days.
