Local team sets record at Furnace Creek 508
Battling 40 mph winds and brutal heat, a team of local cyclists overcame the elements to set a course record for a four-woman relay team at last weekend's Furnace Creek 508.

Team Hammer Frogs included Lori Cherry and Jeanine Spence of Fresno, Rebecca Rising of Sanger and Jennie Phillips of Danville. Pedaling nonstop from 9 a.m. Saturday to 5:30 p.m. Sunday, they finished in 32 hours, 39 minutes.

The 508-mile endurance cycling race traverses Death Valley National Park and is held every October.

Events

Cycling the Sierra

When: Saturday

Where: Exeter Water Tower Park

Autumn is a great time for a bike ride, so join Southern Sierra Cyclists for their annual tour through the foothills. Options include a Metric Century (actually 70 miles) and a 42-mile tour.

Registration for both rides is $40 and includes rest stops and SAG support. Details: www.sscbike.org.

Bass Lake Powerhouse Double Century

When: Saturday

Where: Clovis Veterans Memorial

Cyclists looking for the ultimate endurance test will be hard-pressed to top this 200-mile ride through the Fresno County back roads, part of the California Triple Crown Series.

Late registration is $100 and includes SAG support and rest stops. Details: www.fresnocycling.com.

News & notes

Boreal Mountain Resort, located west of Truckee along Interstate 80, will become the first California ski area to open its slopes. The resort has been making snow for more than a week and received 3-5 inches from recent storms.

In response to a court order, the Department of Fish and Game last week released a Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement for its fish hatchery program. The report can be viewed at www.dfg.ca.gov.

Some campgrounds and resorts in the Sierra National Forest are closing for the season, including the Vermilion Valley Resort (Edison Lake) on Sunday. Mono Hot Springs will be open through Oct. 25.

Waterfowl hunting season opens Saturday for 23 days in the Southern San Joaquin Valley Zone, which includes Tulare and Kings counties and portions of Kern County.

Learn how to tune skis and snowboards in a free seminar at Fresno's REI store at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Details: (559) 261-4168.