Lone Pine, CA — Population: 2,000. Elevation: high-ish. Energy: unhinged but polite.
If you’ve ever wanted to punish your legs, test your soul, and possibly hallucinate a coyote whispering encouragement—all while biking through the high desert surrounded by jagged peaks and people in jorts—welcome to the Whiskey Tango Fondo.
Held in April, the Whiskey Tango Fondo is part endurance test, part desert fever dream, part boutique dirt party disguised as a gravel race. It’s about 60 miles of climbing climbs, semi-sketchy descents, and just enough whiskey at the aid station to make you forget how bad your are hurting. Maybe.
You will climb. You will curse. You will drink.
👉🏼 4/27/25 : Sign up here.
What Is a Gravel Fondo?
“Fondo” is Italian for “foundation,” but in American cycling, it loosely translates to: ride your gravel bike far, suffer a little, pretend it’s fun, then realize it kind of is. Whiskey Tango takes that vibe and blasts it full of Lone Pine sun, scenery, and chaos.
The course varies year to year, but you can count on this: around 60 miles and over 5,000 feet of climbing. It starts at 3,700 feet in town and tops out around 6,500 in the eastern Sierra foothills and Alabama Hills—where traction is a myth, shade is nonexistent, and washboard gravel is your main option.
This isn’t just punchy rollers. It’s sustained climbing. Long, soul-grinding stretches that make you wish you’d done literally any training. Real riders have called it “way harder than I expected” and “relentlessly uphill for the first half.” Add in 90-degree heat, minimal breeze, and zero trees, and you’ve got the kind of Type 2 fun you’ll brag about all year.
No Shade
There’s no tree cover. There’s no gentle breeze. Possibly gnarley winds. No easy wins. What there is: stunning views, cursed gravel climbs, and a mid-ride whiskey stop because—balance.
You’ll pass ranchland, dirt roads, possibly a confused jackrabbit, and absolutely someone riding a single-speed while destroying your will to live. A guy in cut-offs and a straw hat will casually fly past your carbon frame like it’s nothing. You’ll fix a flat with a granola bar and rage.
You’ll also fall in love with it.
Gravel Meets Punk Rock Rodeo
This isn’t your polished fondo with matching kits and branded gels. It’s DIY, local, and kind of magic. Riders show up in thrifted jerseys, neon helmets, fringe, jorts—whatever survives the desert gets to ride.
The post-ride scene? Coolers. BBQ. Dusty high-fives. Cowboy hats on sweaty heads. That deep, cracked-out glow of shared suffering and strange triumph.
Lone Pine doesn’t throw many events like this—and that’s why it rules. It’s not corporate, it’s not crowded, and it feels like something special you almost weren’t cool enough to hear about.
It might be a Cult
Gravel racing is having a moment. Whiskey Tango Fondo isn’t chasing that moment—it’s doing its own thing, high up in the desert, and it super weird.