By Lynn Boulton

As a fundraiser for the Sierra Club, Phil Gaimon, a well-known cyclist, and his team put on a cycling event in the Owens Valley on April 29th. This was the first 100-mile cycling event put on in the Owens Valley and drew people from as far away as Canada and Washington state to take on the challenge. There were 500 entrants and three course options that started in Independence and went as far as De La Cour Ranch and Diaz Lake: 100-mile, a 70-mile, and a 50-mile course. 

It was a beautiful day with a snowy Sierra backdrop. But it was also a very hot day and a tough course with long sandy sections. The riders wouldn't have survived without the support of the 12 Sierra Club volunteers who manned the aid stations and kept the coolers full of ice water and electrolytes and passed out snacks and Cokes. A big thank you to those who helped from the Range of Light Group. We are very grateful!