When summertime hits Mammoth Mountain, skis are traded in for golf clubs, especially among the less adventurous. The adventure junky, however, will prefer the exhilaration of two wheels shooting down the Mammoth Mountain Kamikaze Bike Run. If you've never heard of the Kamikaze run, it is a dirt service road that is transformed into a super high speed bike trail every summer in Mammoth from July 1st through the end of October.
While July 1st may sound a bit late to kick off a mountain biking trail, you have to remember that the altitude of Mammoth Mountain allows it to stay open to skiers through the early part of summer. This year for instance, thanks to prodigious amounts of snow (41 feet), the slopes are scheduled to be open through July 4th, 2010.
The Mammoth Mountain Kamikaze bike run has been around since the early 1980's, and is just as fun today as it ever was. To begin with, you either huff your way up the mountain by your own steam (which could take awhile depending on your conditioning and stamina), or pay to enjoy a leisurely ride up the mountain via the gondola. The best part is, once you reach the top you can let gravity do the rest, as it is all downhill from there.
While the Kamikaze is primarily known as a high speed bike trek, propelling thrill-seekers to speeds in excess of 60 mph, it can also become a scenic, 3.2 mile stroll/coast down the mountainside with the proper application of brakes. For thrill or leisure, the Kamikaze Bike Run is what summer at Mammoth Mountain is all about.
