Mormon Lake was a lot of fun this year. We prepared for the usual monsoons and rain, but the weather couldn't have been better. It is rumored that the riders who ventured off the planned route were pelted with hail. Maybe they should have reconsidered before going off on their own.....
Most
of us arrived in the late afternoon. We set up our tents, and then
wandered in small groups to the Mormon Lake Lodge for dinner. A
few ride veterans brought stoves and coolers. They settled in for
their own home cooked steak dinners.
Everyone was up bright and early Saturday morning. Some of the more prepared campers made coffee, others stared longingly at the steaming pot of coffee and knew that they would have to wait until they reached the restraunt at the lodge.
Some
riders had a full fledged eggs and bacon breakfast cooked to order
by community chefs at the campsite. Don displayed a lot of hash
brown flipping expertise, and more than one hungry camper was
appreciative.
The ride was scheduled to go off at 8:00 am. We
assembled at the end of the campsite road for maps, profiles and
final instructions. 
There were several riders on new bikes as well as several new riders.
Dick arrived with his shiney new cruiser. He was like.... well, like a kid with a new bike, but older.
Riders
headed off up the hill toward the rest stop at varying speeds.
There were riders who enjoyed the ride at a comfortable 12mph
cruise as well as those who used the altitude to their training
advantage and pounded it out at race pace.
The
rest stop was 15 miles into the ride at the Stoneman Lake turnoff.
Mountain bikers could take the turnoff and head down to the lake.
Roadies continued on to the coffee shop at Clint's Well about 20
miles on down the hill.
We
all made it down AND back up the hill. After the ride, a few
people and canines stuck around the campsite to welcome the last
of the riders. Most of the riders went down to the Mormon Lake
Lodge to shower and refuel.
We built campfires and made S'mores Saturday night. Some beer gremlins got into Don's cooler and decorated his van, but the evening was generally quiet.....
Unless
you were with Grant and Ruth. As a veteran rider, Grant assumed
the responsibility of seeing that his friens, Ruth had a first
ride to remember. They headed down to the lodge for one too many
White Russians. Ruth was a bit off kilter Sunday morning, but she
was still smiling!
We
started our Sunday ride at 8:30am. It gave the happy campers a
little extra time to repair and refill equiptment from the day
before and to pack up so that we could ride until check out
time.
A few riders were having such a nice time in
the cool pine forests, they decided to stay another night on their
own. Other riders knew that they had to get back, but opted to go
for lunch and the best pie in the state by taking the scenic route
to the Strawberry Lodge before getting serious about going
home.
Mormon Lake Tour 1998 was a big success. Riders all said that they had a great time, and that they would plan on returning the next year.
