KNOXVILLE DOUBLE-2006

CRASH

After self supported century I was feeling great. Looking forward to doing another self supported century and then going into Knoxville Double in the best shape all year--no hand, back or foot pain. Don / I coming off of a 35th on Mt. Tam Double. My climbing coming around and though I'm one of slowest Diablo Cyclists descending, all the times up and down to the Junction of Diablo (usually 3-4x a week) paying off. Usually Diablo Cyclist mid week ride ends in a wild sprint down Diablo Blvd.--I get more of a benefit for the doubles for holding a high speed for as long as possible and just now getting close to holding 28-29 mph for a 1/4 mile until our sprinters launch. Life is good. Only negative, Don had fallen when his chain slipped 3 weeks before but seemed to be recovering OK. So one nite I'm coming down Diablo with Ward--we already went down the technical (narrow South Gate) side, another beautiful nite, but unfortunately twilight is setting in. Wouldn't be able to ride Diablo after work for long. I'm trying to talk Ward into doing a double next year, enjoying the warm weather, and telling him that I finally feel GREAT. Now going down North Gate which is wider but has some blind hairpins. I'm taking turns nicely to the outside and cutting back in. Not to many cars on Diablo that night as Summit is still closed. Come to biggest hairpin, not going that fast (at least for Ward) move outside, close to yellow line OH SHIT, A CAR RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME. He's close to yellow line too, I'm on it, I see I'm going to hit so I go in to car to take hit on my thigh--then get tossed in the other direction. Keep hands on bars but land squarely on bad knee. Lots of bloody cuts--bike wheel taco'd....

Motorist nice guy who lives on mountain who is po'd about gravel trucks riding all over the road. Get lift back to my car by park worker who makes sure construction crews don't run over endangered species. I'm shaking like crazy. Fast forward--next day home and slept all day. Could barely walk as thigh and knee banged up (and multi cuts on left shoulder and elbow.) Email work that I'm going to try riding easily on Sunday (in two days) as I have a double in a week-and a half. They think I'm nuts. So I miss Saturday potential self supported century. Sunday rolls around and I can't even think of getting on bike for an ez ride--hell, I still gotta takes stairs like little kids--2 feet on before going to next step. Ice packs always on knees and thigh. Great being a member of Diablo Cyclists as I hear from many people in the bonus miles gruppo--even get an email from Don (who has a secret email address/ phone number--rumor he is a spy.) Real nice, but I think Knoxville is going down the toilet. I give myself until Wednesday nite as the drop dead date to cancel motel etc--will need 3 successful trainer sessions to go through with Knoxville. On Monday nite I can't stand on pedals and can't spin a 39x15 more than 66rpm. Now, I already have a shitty cadence but this is absurd. On Tuesday I go on for another hour and can keep a 39x14 to 70rpm. Also can stand for 100 pedal strokes. Lots of ice afterwards but things are coming around. Wednesday I can stand for some of my favorite standings songs (Bush "Little Things")--4 minutes and can turn 39x14 at 80rpm. Good improvement, not near what I'd want coming into a hard ride, but now possibly doable. Unfortunately Litespeed is in shop so will take heavier GT with rack--heck, can use it to carry thigh wrap I wore for most of week with me if needed. As Thursday, two days before an event is an off day, I wish I had one more day before the event to train and return to near normalcy but I don't. I decide what the hell, in the year of doubles I'm going to do Knoxville. It is not timed, should be fun, and I may actually finish... .

(September 16, 2006) KNOXVILLE DOUBLE 201 Miles, 11,900' Climbing With Don (10th double of the year), Jack and Steve 5:35-8:35 , 15.4 mph 6th Double Finished + 161 Miles for the Year

15 Hours-but KNOXVILLE was over way to quickly as end of doubles season. Here the crazy folks of the Diablo Cyclists ready to leave at 5:30am. Later, on gentle climb of Knoxville Road--just like the Death Ride I should look much happier, and didn't think I was hurting THAT much, but my face shows too many body parts hurting from injuries. Don, Jack & I, and Steve. Thanks to Nevada Doug for early morning photo and Redbike Photos for closeups on Knoxville Road. Kitty also on the course so we had 5 Diablo Cyclists on this ride.

If this had been a timed double, usually run on a real hard course, I would have dropped out but this is supposed to be an easy/ friendly double that the Quackcyclists put on to make up for their demonic Devil Mountain Double earlier in the year. Funny though-- Knoxville "only" has 11,600' of climbing, and Mt Tam Double has +3,200' more, and both years came in well before nightfall on Mt Tam while was in the dark for 1/2 hour last year on Knoxville. But as Mt Tam timed I'm super motivated to ride hard all the time and try to get out of rest stops quickly, while last year I was screwing around on Knoxville. Knoxville also starts 30 minutes later than Mt Tam, and sunset now comes about 30 minutes earlier. But I figure that even if I ride MUCH slower than last year--if I don't vacation at rests stops (last year got a mid-ride massage and looked for a clean restroom, and waited for teammates) I should finish about the same time. And apart from excessive rest stops last year I couldn't recall why it took so long last year--I mostly remembered a few gentle/ short climbs and the long uphill on Knoxville Road, which is 20 miles of nothingness but it usually goes up a gentle 3-4%, and then some real short series of long rollers at the end.

The nite before, at dinner with Don and Steve, I told Steve that after lunch Knoxville course was relative flat and I fully expected to see him go flying by on his aero bars. The ride description confirmed my selective memory. "2/3 of climbs in the morning, nothing quite gets to 10%" This was the OLD ride description. Due to "winter rains" the bumpy Big Canyon descent, which was now worse than usual, was taken out and a smooth Cobb Mountain descent was substituted in. Of course this necessitates 3 additional miles and 400' additional climbing "featuring some 10-12% stretches." But the middle section offered "some relief," final part "sheltered by trees" and downhill traffic "light-moderate, but not an issue."

(1)Beautiful park checkin area where the next night we'd have post ride dinner(2) Jack leading the pelaton in the early morning after Vacaville becomes quickly rustic (3) Steve passing Silverado Country Club, where are his golf clubs?

Quackcyclists run a nice check in at Pena Adobe Park Gazebo--lots of free swag--Quackcyclists socks, Quackcyclist t-shirts from last year, reflective ankle bands (that no doubt Planet Ultra would sell for $5.), Hammar bars (...Planet Ultra could offer these at nondinner at Solvang...) Only surprise, nothing would be carted to rest stop #6(@185 miles) as not to many people used it to pick up lights last year. I had as I came in 10-15 minutes before twilight--but now I'd have to send lights to rest stop #5 at @158. A little to early--and still had notion that no way I'm not finishing in the dark--send lights to the finish. If I wasn't coming off injury I probably wouldn't have sent lights.,

Last year I really enjoyed downtown Vacaville but this year it or "the outlets" didn't catch my interest. Nice when I ran into Steve at checkin and later he, Don and I would eat at a decent pasta place in at strip mall. Quickly back to non descript motel for as much stretching as possible and nervous setup for 3:45 wakeup. Nervous as injury and time on trainer took away from time I use to get ready for these events and I had already discovered that I forgotten a bunch of little things like a Mapquest Map of where motel was, to an extention cord in case I wanted to use a helmet light. After my 4-5th trip to the car figured it best if i just relax and go to sleep. Next morning met up with Don/ Steve at 5:25. We thought our timekeeper Jack was late, we reminisced that we started the century season months ago with Jack being late to the start at Solvang, but Jack was just waiting for us up the road. Into the darkness we started, around the lake in the park, over the highway, through the Vacaville suburbs, and then into the wilderness. Any notion of this being a "fun" century quickly eroded. I was having trouble getting loose, thigh and knee tight (wearing a knee warp and knee warmers and a wrap over elbow.) with Jack and Don pushing the pace on the uphills and Steve pushing on the flats/ downhills. Night riding and cool air didn't help, so I just hung way off the back feeling out of it. Sun up in about 45 minutes (mental note, @45 minutes left on lights for end of the day.), which was great as road out of town was pockmarked, and it started warming so I felt looser. Last year we left with lots of people but not to many riders started with us this year--soon we were passing lots of riders on the road. Feeling better, but wondering how long I can hang in for. Actually, once thigh got loose no trouble the rest of the day--though knee remained an issue.

All of a sudden I get much slower, what, oh damn, REAR FLAT TIRE. Must have been from one of the pothole I went through. Unfortunately, though fingers/ hand strength almost back to where I can change soft Verensteen tires on Open Pro rims, I'm riding American Classics with Michelens, and on the GT where the seat stays are about 10mm to narrow. Damn. I also just cleaned GT superficially instead of great shape I keep Litespeed. Luckily everyone stopped and Don helped me change tire. Campy Eric shows up in a SAG wagon--first of list of usual double riders working this event., and also helped--and at this point I'm real flustered as I've just been focusing on how to finish ride. Then Steve says "Jay--more bad news--you're front tire is flat also." One of the guys changed the front as I was pissing around with the back tire. If I was alone I probably would have ended my ride on the spot.

Below (1) Don on second climb of the day out of Napa Valley (2) We saw more grapes on this ride than Tour of Napa Valley-Jack determined in front of them. (3) Victoria--who got her Triple Crown this Year and Tom working the Lake Berryessa rest stop--looking much warmer than when I saw them riding in Solvang downpour. (4) Don at start of Knoxville Rd. Bottom (5) Me on the GT with thigh wrap on bag rack, on desolate (except for men with rifles) Knoxville Climb--at lunch I'm getting a massage which I need need more than food.

We had our first climb over Mt. George to the Napa Valley--like usual Steve got left behind on the climb and then zipped by on the descent. In Napa, along familiar routes (part Terrible Two, part Tour of Napa Valley) we pacelined, with Don doing most of the work to rest stop #1. Near the rest stop I fell off badly, as on the turn there was some ambient glass and I slowed while wiping the tires--Don, Steve, Jack just 100' down the road--usually no problem digging in and getting back on the flats but knee and overall leg tightness was saying "no you don't." Damn-only 36 miles and it felt like I had done 100.

Rest stop has BOTTLED water (not the crap from the hose) but unfortunately no mechanic as gears slipping. At rest stop an old club member, Nevada Doug, was working and he was joking around how we all lagged in behind Don but I wasn't in the mood to joke--still lots of doubt I'd finish the ride. Lights off bike, and soon ready to go (didn't record times but @10 minutes or less), 1/2 Banana, Hammer Energy Bar and a Sustained Energy/ Choc-o-late Hammergel "Bosco" shake, I was on that for most of the day until rest stop 5 when I finally got sick of SE & Heed. But still always felt dehydrated?? On Silverado Trail we picked up a few more riders, some would stay on paceline and then try to take off but we'd almost always get them, back. Damn, I wanted to jump on wheels but was on good behavior. Don learning from me (or maybe he was still hurting from his fall)--actually let a stranger do the pulling. A modest climb that I didn't remember soon came up, Howell Mountain Road--Steve told us he was dropping off for a Sierra Club dedication and we knew he'd be slow on the climb but I expected to see him whizz by on the downhill-but we lost him for the day.

Climb OK but I WAS SHAKING ON THE DOWNHILL --IT WAS FULL OF RIGHT HAIRPINS where I just got to relive the crash on Mt Diablo over and over. I was really unnerved by the time I reached the bottom and only way to cure that was to hammer for awhile along series of rollers to Lake Berryessa rest stop.

It had been real windy in the Bay area the last few days as temperatures suddenly dropped 20 degrees--but today warm and a light breeze of @5 mph was coming out of the Northwest. So sometimes a hard 15mph unless in a paceline, at other times the road would turn and 20 was effortless. At @70 mile rest stop #2, Veronica was checking in riders as she had done last year. She yelled out "your wife said you WEREN'T GOING to ride this!"--she had seen Donna right after my accident. Tom was gleefully hawking food and basically said the same thing while offering Advil, Tums, Endurolites and more Advil. Long line at porta-potty, and I was in a better mood, so when I went off to the side and Nevada Doug yelled out "I know what you're doing" I just yelled back that he forgot to water that shrub in the morning and it needed water.. Now started the 20 mile Knoxville Road climb in the middle of nowhere. But for a middle of nowhere road it is well paved. Very very very little traffic. It is mostly a gentle climb with NOTHING on it except for one tunnel overpass and the entrance to the Homestake Gold Mine. Jack-Don-I passed lots of riders, I felt good--but then I saw the first guy with a rifle slung over his shoulder. Soon another guy with a huge rifle and camouflage outfit up the road. Don't know what they were hunting but kind of unnerving. Think 1-2 riders passed, but no reason to chase and would be stupid if I did. Also Steve would probably be be able to regroup with us at lunch if we didn't go balls out.

Soon my knee was bothering me and I was dreaming of lunchtime massage that I passed up on timed Devil Mountain Double or Mt Tam Double--especially when we hit the last section that gets steeper with a strong headwind. Also was getting low on energy, and laying on massage table with eyes closed for 10 minutes also sounded great. Those yellow signs with the trucks falling off a triangle to signify a downhill were a welcome sight all day as I could recover. Soon mile 100 ! YIPPIE and into Lower Lake rest stop. I knew Jack would be ancie but I made a beeline to Ish and Nonnie's masage table. A massage was more important than food. They were working on Grizzly Mark, and had heard about my run in with the car. Don told me to "take 10 minutes"--I thought he was anxious as Jack to get out of there as my double flats had put us back 20 minutes--but in reality he was content to stay at lunch stop as long as need be. Got a great massage from Ish--the whole back of my thigh (NOT where I was hit?) was super tight. In reality without massage probably couldn't have finished the ride. I started grabbing food, could eat on the run. When we were pulling out Steve was pulling in--smiling like usual. Now it was up new section, Cobb Mountain. Oh, did I mention that my gears were slipping--earlier in the day I found out I couldn't stand on 24 cog and best once I got into one that I didn't shift again. So even if I felt good enough to jack-in-a-box stand-sit-stand-sit on a climb like I like, I was resigned to find one gear and try to stay in it. In any event, Cobb Mountain (which we flew donwhill on Davis Double) was brutal. Sun baked*, no strength in my leg and couldn't change gear. And later I found out that brake rubbing against wheel. (*Next year NOT doing climbing rides in dark blue Diablo Cyclist jersey) Don/ Jack easily rode away--lots of people passed and I was in no hurry to stay with anyone. Just determined NOT to get off the bike, as after you get off once it is to easy to get off again and again. But the 39x27 felt harder than my 36x21 usually felt--and I avoided standing much due to possibility of gear slipping and energy it took which I didn't have. This was the point in the double Steve talks about where one asked themselves why they are doing another %#!$&*(! double. Funky sign in front of store--downhill sign, and nice smooth road down to Middletown, though with much traffic. One guy came off the downhill in front of me and we pacelined to Middletown. He had the directions tacked onto his bars--I told him that was cheating. Now we had wind from the north and I had trouble keeping 20?? Finally I let the guy ride away from me instead of trying to keep up. After the next rest stop- when trying to spin/ rub the dirt off the wheel, the wheel wouldn't bulge, and I then discovered that back brake solidly rubbing against the rim.

*

At Pelican Lake Rest stop, another Doubles notable, Jennie working the rest stop. Don and Jack there--seems Don got in before Jack but Jack "Ready to Go" before he locked up. Kitty-who had started much earlier than us, also there and ready so Jack/ Kitty rode off. Don/ I decided that we'd wait another 10 minutes to see if Steve rejoined us--I was grateful for the extended rest and gave Don a chance to drink his energy drink of choice--a Coke. BS'ing with Don (the man of 100+ cadance) I was surprised to learn that he also suffers from "energy laspes" on these rides, and he also was sapped on Cobb Mountain, all of -which reminded me to take my mid ride Vitamin B. That is what is great riding with Don, Jack and Steve, I find out that many "doubles dysfunctions" that I think are unique are really universal.

RAAM finisher Ish and wife Nonnie, both Massage Therapists, waiting in Knoxville. After passing them up on timed Devil Mountain Double and Mt Tam Double, I wasn't going to bypass this opportunity--I probably wouldn't have finished without them.

No Steve so Don/ I took off and with favorable wind and chance of finishing before nightfall we started to alternatively hammer and bs. Passed Ink Grade/ Hubcap Ranch and started talking about the difference between century rides and doubles. Big difference is that double riders will usually spend less than 25 minutes at all rest stops through the first 100 miles, and that century riders are wowed when a big climb comes up at mile 70 when we see lots of climbs at mile 150. I wasn't keeping close track of time but it seemed that at 4:00 was has 60 miles to go--so for long sections our going 21mph made it seem getting in before nightfall was doable, but then we'd hit a significant roller which cut our speed. We were quickly at rest stop #5, Lake Hennessey, which meant putting on our lights, and passing on the hot dogs (someone sitting with Kitty, who we caught up to, barfed one out.)

Another 5 minutes, no Steve, so we were off and I was annoyed when top tube battery would slide down top tube on every uphill (rubber band around top tube solved problem.) Again very strange wind currents, mostly favorible. On one long uphill, with minimum pedaling, we were going 20mph. Unlike last year not much boat traffic on Highway 128. But no matter how fast we were going, and we were doing a good 2 man, shades of Mt Tam Double, finishing before dusk--7:30--always seemed elusive. Steve later said the same thing--he'd do a mental calculation which made finishing in daylight seem doable but then an uphill section would ruin momentum and calculations.. About 11 months ago I was hammering this section with Big Mike on Foxy's Falls, but that was after mile 70, not mile 170, and now we weren't going much slower. We had to climb the back side of Resurrection--which is not very steep but long. We flew past Davis Double Cardiac Dam rest stop but it was around 7:20 when we hit the last rest stop-16 miles from the finish, and 10 minutes to sundown. Last year, on an easier course and healthy , I was here 20 minutes sooner.. It was now getting quite dark.

*

On section from rest stop #4 to about a half hour ago weather had been perfect--sunny and high 70's with tailwind. But about a half hour before sundown, when twilight set in--started getting much cooler. I had sent arm / knee warmers to finish. Luckily still had a knee wrap. It had started to pinch and rub knee the wrong way, and I had pulled it down over ankle after rest stop #4--but it was certainly welcome now as it rapidly got cooler. Gotta remember that for rides out near the Coast.

1) A welcome sight-start of Cobb Mountain downhill. (2) Jeanie, one of top doubles riders, had a tandem failure/crash on Terrible Two and 2 months laster was top 10 finisher on Mt. Tam Double.

So pulled into last rest stop with heavy twilight setting in fast. Another familiar face working the rest stop, Doug from Sacto, real friendly guy who we had first met on Riverbank while sprinting in, and I had since run into on the easier doubles. He wanted to know if Don was on his fixed gear--I said "no! the crazy person is on a regular bike today--though this is his 10th double." I was sick of SE and wanted real food--unfortunately didn't have any noodle soup. But they had some peanut butter sandwiches that just hit the spot and I exclaimed that they were "the best pb sandwiches I've ever had," Doug's coworker got all giddy as I guess she made them. Lights turned on, ready to go. Kitty and Grizzly Mark pull in when we are leaving.

*

It was just last year when I first met Grizzly Mark and rode in with him on this ride. See the same "crazy people" over and over on these endurance rides. I figured a half hour of riding in the dark but it is more like 3/4 hour; or how long we could cover 13 miles of a real rural (but nicely paved) road in the dark. Road is a constant 2-3% uphill, but still had favorible tailwind. Much more experience riding at night than last year, so while don't really like the dark no longer freaked out by it--as when cars coming from the other direction and blinded by their headlights. This was relatively quiet, not like the Niles Canyon Highway like the end of DMD. Don pulling most of it which was fine by me as I could just follow his bike--if he wound up in a ditch I would have followed. But we didn't, though a brief scare with a dog coming out.

ArmwarmerLESS arms in cool air kept me really awake. I'd keep light on 6w when going uphill to save battery life, then kick it back to 12w when road turned flat. I also had a little LED saftey light with me drooping from handlebars--I should have clipped it to my helmet so I could read odomoter. One other cyclist tailed us the whole way, never saying anything. When we got about a mile from the highway crossing I told Don I'd go in front as I wouldn't get us lost back to Cobb Mountain. I also congratulated Don on his 10th double, he protested that we didn't finish yet--I told him heck, I'd drag him across if he stopped now. I was wary of the trailing cyclist who might shoot off our paceline towards the end, and being ever competative I just went real hard on the last highway overpass. Damn, I felt better at mile 201 than 20, though knee was completly sore by this point and somehow, even with drinking all day I was thirsty as hell.

15 hours of total time.

Jack had come in a little after dark, and we all ate together, nice 4 dish pasta meal where you can take as much as you want (compare to Planet Ultra where you only can take as much post ride candy as you want.) Soon joined by Kitty where we did our usual kidding around about who was slacking more on the double. She was getting an award the next day for finishing 3rd among women in the stage race series. Don/ I waited around for Steve who was just about to lose power to his lights, especially after he flatted with a few miles to go and then took a wrong turn. As always he looked happy--I think it was because his beloved CAL beat Portland Junior High School by a half dozen touchdown. (He said he ONLY checked on the score 2x while riding--he probably has a mini tv on his aerobars.) Steve had calculated yesterday that only a dozen+ doubles and he gets into the doubles HOF, which you get into when you complete 50 doubles. With Don's 10 this year, if he keeps doing them at a more sane pace in the next decade he'd also reach the HOF. Jack, the doubles zenmaster, was typiclaly nonplussed and said if he gets 50 he gets 50, he doesn't care. I'm not shooting for anything but a nice schedule is one every two months once it turns warm and have had time to train--or 3 a year..

Soon not to many people around and time to go. I actually would have been happy to stay out at Pena Adobe Park for a few more hours as this signified THE END of my 2006 adventure. Six doubles was a culmination of a goal I had set last winter--pre intensive care accident, pre-Jessie neurosurgery. I had wanted to do 8 doubles, but Hemet was a pain to get to and I had DNF'd on Central Coast. I had thought I could place top 10 in the Triple Crown Race series and disappointed as I didn't think I rounded into shape at any time--even Mt Tam was harder than it was the year before--and really didn't get a competative attitude back until the Summer. All were hard except Solvang where we got poured on and Davis where I waited for my imminent collapse that didn't occur. On positive note I did the two damn hardest 1 day rides on the planet--DEVIL MOUNTAIN DOUBLE & TERRIBLE TWO. About 8 years ago I actually helped on the DMD metric course and though how crazy perople were for even doing the 120 mile route (no longer offered.) No harder one day rides to do.....

*

Though the Triple Crown rookie crop from last year kinda dissolved a great thing was starting doubles with so many Diablo Cyclist doubles veterans and finishing a whole bunch of them. I seemingly finished all of them with Don except for each of our worst "doubles of the year"--and we stayed together for the entirety of many of them which seemed impossible. Now adventure that started with Don and Ca. Mike in downpour/ hypothermia on Solvang, which seemed sooo long ago, finally ended. Next year I had planned to enjoy riding more and skip DMD (no intensive winter training) and TT--daughter graduates weekend of Davis, and I want to do Mt Shasta which is same weekend as Mt. Tam Double. So I may only do Knoxville next year, and perhaps Sierra Double if Sierra Century route isn't restored... Who knows--I'm even contemplating getting a fixed gear FOR WINTER RAINING PURPOSES ONLY!

Mt. Tam Double-2006

(August 5, 2006) Mt. Tam Double, 200 miles, 15,000' climbing, w/ Don, 5:00-7:15, 15.4 mph, 35th of 233 starters

Wasn't going to sign up for this--not many Club riders doing it (none from our triple crown rookie crop) and back and foot hurting. But my aliments have been slowly clearing up, this was my best ride of last year (finished in top 16% of riders), and wanted to make sure (in case Knoxville falls through) I get to five doubles in a year--or as I quip in takeoff of California Triple Crown 1000 mile jersey I can get, "1161 miles of doubles in a year" (161 miles of Central Coast before I DNF'd.) I also plan to do Mt Shasta Summit Century next year so I'd miss this one (same weekend) So I registered for this at last minute and just got psyched a few days before.

Mt Tam Double runs in West Marin--where there are still lots and lots of cows, and aggressive drivers speeding on rural roads to the Coast from populated East Marin County. Not consistent climbing like the Devil Mountain Double or 20% grades like Terrible Two, but Mt. Tam Double is not easy with 15,000' climbing. . Longest climb of the day is at the beginning, Mt Tam at mile 20--a climb to 2466' but with a downhill to Alpine Dam after climbing for awhile that forces a reclimb. All in all (starting in Fairfax) a 13 1/2 mile climb with the worst long section 7.23%. Later on, at mile 125, is the steepest climb of the day, Coleman Valley Road, 3.8 miles but a 1.4 mile 10.7% section to start. The rest of the ride has plenty of "Italian rollers," the ones you think you can power over but lose steam/ momentum about 1/3rd from the top. Last year the climb of Tam was beautiful, I turned in my arm warmers, and then froze on the cold descent as heavy fog was just laying on the ocean side of Tam-the side we'd go down 12 miles past Muir Woods and then for our 13 mile morning ride down the Coast. This year weather forecast from OUR National Weather Service is worse- predicting bay area cooling trend (2 days before event) Bolinas & Tomalas -Mostly cloudy. Patches of drizzle and fog in the morning. High 60-64. Shit. The hot spot is far inland to Petaluma, and with a predicted high of only 78 seemed like bundling up with a tee shirt and keeping arm warmers all morning would be a good idea. After the early morning I'd need neither as weather turned out to be mid 70's-80's and sunny...National Weather Service blows it again and my pockets are stuffed with excess clothes and I wear knickers.

In run in from Petaluma to Nicasio we were flying--overtaking 4 people with Terrible Two jerseys on--3 that had been in a paceline 30 seconds up. I had brought us back halfway and now I'm hanging on Don's wheel-we are right behind them starting the reverse Cheese Factory climb.Photo by Photocrazy.

Mt Tam double is run in conjunction with a Century ride, and lots of Diablo Cyclist members were going to do that. The Century ride starts about 2-2 1/2 hours after us--but skips the Mt. Tam climb and goes directly to the middle of our course--so when we get to our mile 80 at about 10:30 the century riders will already have been there for 1 1/2-2 hours as it is their mile 20 of a fast course. So I don't expect to see any of them. Marin is a real expensive place, so choices to stay overnite are real $$$$ hotels or sleazy motels along the freeway, so once again I stay in the industrial part of town where the poor people are separated from the downtown with a moat like canal. First time all year not a group dinner before a double. Downtown San Rafael is interesting, and nice place to walk around after cheap pasta dinner--lots of interesting unique stores in a real old downtown setting.. Worst thing about double is EARLY start--so it is a 3:15 wake up as the official start is 5:00. Probably could have woken up 15-30 minutes later but like to eat breakfast no closer to the ride than 1 1/2 hours before. At the school start see clubmate Don--one of the doubles veterans and probably the best long distance rider in our club. To celebrate his 50th birthday he planned to ride 10 doubles in 2006--with this being his 9th. Three of the "easiest" ones he rode on a fixed gear--I rode two of those with him and helped mashall forces so that we could all stay together. Don said he wanted to have a fun ride and just like the "untimed" events where we stay together (unlike the timed events where everyone goes balls out on their own) we should try to ride this one together also--I'd need to take a little of the climbs and Don would stay in back of me on the downhills where he usually flies past hitting his squeaky toy that starts all of the Diablo Cyclist ride. Sounds good to me, we made the "stick around even with flat tires" pact.

Many doubles are like the anthesis of the Death Ride--about 2/3 in you may go miles before seeing any other cyclist. I already had in my mind the places we could work together and two man like crazy--though Don insisted he didn't care about placement. Funny thing about this ride and placement. Supposedly a timed event--and the other timed events are real strict about mass start time. But when I pulled into the school at 4:20 already a half dozen riders taking off. Later Don quipped that there was not nearly 225 riders in our mass start and in retrospect he was right--it was more like 150. (Turns out this is kept track of-36 riders of 233 started early, with early riders starting early just to finish course.) 4:55-quick warning about a few sections of lousy roads still screwed up from the winter rain. (Winter rains for bad roads getting to be like Bush blaming everything on 9-11) Felt a little uneasy as I don't like mass starts, don't like riding at night, and don't like riding in the cold. For first half hour we'd be riding in the dark, and after climbing past George Lucas Land (culminating in a .8 mile 8.4% grade section where I dropped my chain last year), there is a fast 5 mile downhill in pitch blackness through tall redwoods. Last year my 1000 candlepower Cateye sucked so this year I started with 15 watt Niterider which I'd turn in at 1st rest stop. My plan was to started at the back of the pelaton--just passing the slowest riders on the climb--and Don then stayed behind me on the downhills so he wouldn't scoot away. Well this year in a small group flying down Lucas Valley Road was lots of fun--then sun came out when we hit the serious rollers to Fairfax where we'd start passing lots of riders and climb up Mt Tam.

With me letting lead out on downhills Don was taking an awfully big chance--that I'd take a wrong turn as I do so many times where we live. But I knew this route well and enjoyed the zig zag through Fairfax before we'd start our climb. Good news was that my back/ feet were not hurting. As Don kept me in front on the downhills I kept him in front on the climbs so I wouldn't get ahead. I may have more power and prone to spurts but Don is a real consistent climber and we passed lots of people. Hit Fairfax at mile 20 and the climbing begins, but short rest at mile 25 Pine Mountain rest stop. 6:30- though started in back of the pelaton 3 minutes faster than last year, but didn't waste 12 minutes after dropping chain in the dark like last year. Nice and warm for 6:30 but I know better--I'm KEEPING my arm warmers this year, dreading what I expected to see on the other side of Mt Tam. II had my lights sent to the last rest stop at mile 187-in retrospect should have had them sent to the finish (as later on could have then bypassed last rest stop.) Now serious climb of Tam started, average grade jumped from 5%+ to 7%+. I'd stand and power around the hairpins and then regroup with Don who was always close behind. I love sudden steep hairpins and Mt Tam has lots of them. Lots of riders we passed who obviously couldn't climb who must have started early.

After dropping down to Lake Alpine more serious climbing but soon we were to the top of Tam--well, kinda the top--where we still had to traverse about 6 miles of long uphill rollers with a mean crosswind. But damn--looking down towards the ocean you could SEE THE WATER--the fog was offshore. Yippie. Don and I took turns blocking the wind and then we started up the steepest section--the long parking lot-to the checkpoint. All of a sudden one of two cyclists who had been nearby from another club flew past--I jumped and shot past him. Was my finest climbing moment on a day where my climbing would quickly go down the toilet. Checkpoint-mile 38- 7:45-2 minutes behind last year.

Went to put on lightweight vest on top of Mt Tam and had trouble with wind whipping about. But downhill was real nice with sun out. Started off going past where Don had flat last year. I got passed by a few riders as expected but passed a few myself--with Don watching over me. Then lots of hairpins around Muir Woods but nice that could actually see. Seems like we quickly got to Santos Meadows-mile 50- at 8:20-1 minute ahead of last years pace. Last year was depressing as enveloped in cold fog--this year so nice I pulled off my vest and rolled arm warmers down. Bad thing was that with heavy duty light battery blocks my front water bottle and had not been drinking as much as possible on early climb and not drinking on descent-so a little behind where I should be on hydration. To keep my calories stoked up I mixed a bottle of Sustained Energy Apple-Cinn hammergel malted, which I should have drunk on the spot. Though Don doesn't rush out of rest stops* like Jack we were both eager to go and I figured I could make this up on the bike. Mistake. (*To mile 85 we only spent 17 minutes at rest stops.) Beginning of Highway 1 is a series of serious rollers. This year nice that we could see--but what we saw a lot of was that road was chewed up from 9-11, oh no, the winter rains.

Told Don that my "plan" was to organize a paceline on this stretch, which eventually flattens out along the 20+ mile stretch of Highway 1. Then when we reach Pt Reyes Station and move inland the rollers and hills begin and we'd hammer. As Highway 1 flattened out road surface also improved, and we picked up 8-10 more riders. One guy yelled "Team Diablo, Team Diablo," with my modified jersey I had to correct him "Team Diablo Farm Frites." Don got in the spirit yelling "Team Domo Diablo Farm Frites" as I went past guy and he spotted my modified jersey--big laughs. Trouble is that Don loves to pull a paceline--and has a great spin from all of his fixed gear riding. As I do with Big Mike when I ride 2nd wheel I'd let Don know when lots of riders hooked on so he could come off and rest. Don would have none of that--he'd stay on the front and pull for a long time, then drop in to 3rd wheel so he'd get to pull again soon. Hell with that--I watched my Domo tapes where they make Hincapie do all of the work--I just dropped to the back and watched the whole thing. Luckily an English guy named Julius doing his first double would do his share of the pulling--almost everyone else was a passenger. We got to Pt Reyes Station and local knowledge helped. There is a sharp right turn out of town which presents a 2-3 block severe uphill grade and then a longer but more gentle uphill--and then a long gentle downhill-uphill-downhill to the Cheese Factory Climb. We hit the turn and I planned to jump but I think Don read my mind. Don went hard up the steepest initial section--not jump out of your saddle hard like I'd do but just doesn't slow the pace. Julius and a guy in yellow who had shown he was a good climber on earlier rollers stay with Don and I fly past the rest of the pelaton from the back. I think left to his own devise Don would have pulled to the next rest stop, but to give him a rest and to make sure the pelaton didn't get back on I went to the front and kept the pace up over the gentle uphill. Helped that a Mellow Marin numbnut in an SUV came by and hit their horn for a long time though we were well off to the right side of the shoulderless road--that po'd me and I probably stayed in the front longer than I should have. When we hit the Cheese Factory wall (1.1 miles, 5.4% grade) Jules and yellow climber went off the front--Don and I lagged but no one came back to us. Then downhill to Lincoln School-mile 85-10:27, 4 minutes ahead of last year.

As previously mentioned, this was the first rest stop for our Century friends--their mile 20, and they were probably here 1 1/2 hours ago, so we saw no one.. Here I took off tee shirt and stuffed it somehow in my spare tube bag. Then drank half a bottle of Sustained Energy as had drained both bottles on Cheese Factory wall. Barely first double digit rest stop of the day at 11 minutes.

For awhile the impetus had left Don/ I and we were just riding down the road bs'ing. Soon Jules and yellow climber hooked on and we started another fast paceline on the 5-10 mile run into the Marshall Wall back to the Coast (1.3 miles, 6%) Here is when I started to feel "not the best"--quickly drained a water bottle and had to dig in to hard to stay with paceline on a slight uphill where I usually do good. On the climbs transition from sitting to standing my foot started hurting a little so I'd hesitate and then have to get out of the saddle when group was suddenly 100' ahead over a roller. Had nothing when we hit the Marshall Wall and didn't even try to go hard on the climb--I enjoyed the fast downhill, though on a rough road, to Highway 1 as a chance to rest. Very strange as I usually live for the climbs and don't like the downhills. Back on Highway 1 we had 7 miles to Tomales and again I'd be going too hard to stay with group on hard rollers that I barely noticed last year. At mile 105 left turn to uphill back to Coast and I quickly lost it. Felt tired and thirsty--oh shit-shades of Central Coast. (Though this ride had Sustained Energy and Endurolites for some reason they had Gatorade instead of Heed, and the Gatorade cut with water wasn't doing it for me.)

Was concentrating too much on my foot--it hurt on transition and then hurt when I went to a harder gears--usually I can go 3 gears harder when I stand. Hard to stay with trio--I was able to get a short reprieve on the downhill. Told Don that at next at rest stop I'd take awhile to relax, take shoe off, and get hydrated. Luckily fast run into Valley Ford rest stop, mile 114 12:28, 10 minutes ahead of last year.

From here time would go downhill. When pulling in we saw Jack leaving--he was back from vacation so decided ONLY to do double metric. He had already done the dreaded Coleman (11%) Valley climb, so after stopping to say hello and he was off. Ate some real food- a small wrap which was good. Had some more SE. But made a mistake and downed a can of V8--figuring that salt and liquid would be good for me. MISTAKE. Next 10-15 miles I'd be tasting it and trying to barf it up. (In retrospect this is what I had on 2005 Davis Double when lost it at the end.) We stayed at this rest stop for 22 minutes (after first 85 miles with 17 minutes of rest stops, we'd spend next 57 minutes at rest stops during next 58 miles) but Don didn't mind as he likes to snack. We left with Jules/ yellow climbing guy but I knew I was in trouble--felt sick from V8-felt dehydrated-foot hurting right away, and we only had gone a few miles. On next climb yellow guy-Jules and Don easily pulled away, I no longer had any desire to try to keep up. I just wanted to take my shoe off, drink a gallon of iced tea, and take a nap under a tree. I pictured riding the rest of the way solo at 11mph (on the flats) With 80 miles to go and Coleman Valley climb ahead--I was in trouble. Luckily for me Don waited for me at first turnout up the road--I urged him to ride on but he said he'd stick it out with me. And stick it out he did even if I rode up at 1/2 mph on the Bay Hill climb (1.7 miles, 4.2%) at mile 118 while a handful of riders came past. I think Don hung out as he waited all year to ride with me when I was quiet and I didn't say a word, and I was real quiet until I screamed at another Marin SUV who came by with their horn blasting.. Downhill back to Highway 1 and only a few miles to Coleman Valley Climb, what the hell was I going to do?, --but here I caught break. A horse farm was running a ride and leading a dozen tenderfoots across Highway 1 with traffic stopped in both directions. Good time for me to unclip and massage my tenderfoot for the 4 minutes we were stopped.

Few minute reprieve really helped. We soon hit mile 124, the 10.7% 1.4 mile section that begins the steep 3 1/2 mile Coleman climb, and either the rest or knowing that a water stop was within 6 miles did wonders for me. Don and I passed a few people, one guy in a racing kit jumped past us--then we passed him while he rested and then he intervaled past us again. Stupid me--I chased, caught him but then faded badly--Don came by and said "don't chase anyone." Good advice--at least for now. ( I realized that when I stood my foot was sore but only when I stomped on the pedals and went into a much harder gear did it really hurt my foot and couldn't recover--so for the rest of the day when I stood but only moved into 1 harder gear.) Before I knew it climb was over and then just a bunch of annoying rollers that Don traversed easily and I lagged on. At mile 130 water stop I downed a Coke, which caused me to burp and effectively ended my V8 nausea, and took off my shoe for a few minutes which helped greatly. Now I looked forward to speeding downhill on Joy Road--the road I mistakenly took a few years back on the Santa Rosa Wine Country Century which got me 10 miles off course, and last year was terrified when going down the twisty road when passed by other riders. But this year downhill spelled R-E-L-I-E-F, and I enjoyed every second of it with Don letting me set the pace. Enjoyed it--even with the pavement chewed up. Another bonus, now we'd be usually traveling East--the direction of the tailwind Back to Valley Ford again for another rest stop at mile 143--at 3:16, 18 minutes behind last year.

We stayed for 17 minutes at the now nearly deserted rest stop--with most century riders long gone. Another Coke, mixed another SE malted, shoe off again. Don jokes that I should stick my foot in the iced water the cans of soda are bobbing in. Spent 17 minutes here but felt good to go when we started again. Things were looking up. Funny thing is that doubles are like the antidote for the crowded Death Ride, by mile 130-150 there may be long stretches where you don't see anyone. And Don and I didn't see anyone up ahead, or anyone come back to us, for most of the way on the back roads towards Petaluma. Saw lots and lots of cows. Eventually passed a tandem with Grizzly Peak doubles cyclist--Mark A. captaining coed tandem. Now I'd seen Mark on most of the doubles I did--if he was on a single bike he probably would have joined us for the rest of the ride. . Don and I were riding at a good pace but easily bs'ing, I recalled being out here during a metric Holstein Hundred when it was 100+ degrees-and I thought 60 miles would be the longest ride I'd ever do. (I still celebrate at the mile 60 mark for getting a metric in.) . Having a constant tailwind and rollers that we could now power over really helped. Passed a couple of other riders--including Jules and yellow clad climbing guy who had dropped his chain. Thought they might hook back on but never saw them again. Suddenly in the outskirts of Petaluma and riding though a few subdivisons--and into mile 170 at 5:11; 27 minutes off of last year.

Like last year our rest stop time would now diminish greatly. At the first 3 rest stops we averaged 9 minutes per rest stop. At the next two rest stops (and one water stop) we averaged 15 minutes per. But at the last two rest stops we got out in 7.5 minutes each--and could have skipped the last rest stop if I hadn't sent my lights there (Don later said he would have stopped for a Coke.). In Petaluma ran into Ish who had voluenteered to do massages--though about it but had to pass as have to finish timed event quickly. Outhouses were at far end of park-- I wanted to save time from my previous rest stop dawdling and it hurt more walking on foot than anything else--so told Don I'd piss on the side of the road and we were off.

Up ahead three Terrible Two clad riders had left a half-minute before us. Soon riding on a rustic road out of town--steep hills ahead. First Don/I again discuss which Terrible Two jersey is better. Then we turned on the gas and get over the hill in front of the TT trio. Don reminds me that if I want to piss better do it now as soon we'll soon be on the main road-I pull over and the TT trio comes by. Don and I start up--now there is a headwind, and counting when they/we'd pass a utility pole the trio in front of us was 30 seconds ahead. Don did a lot more pulling than me but I'd usually go to the front if anyone was ahead--and I did now. Hills are coming up and I want to get back to those riders before we hit the hills. I get the gap down to 15-20 seconds and then Don took over. We get to the base of the hill where the photocrazy guy is stationed and the Terrible Two Trio is 1 second ahead of us. We quickly go by. We then reach another Terrible Two jersey wearer--he tries to stay on our wheel but I go real hard--Don comes back and he just continues a hard pace and lone TT rider is off. We hit the downhill and I think 3 guys will paceline back to us. We pass and are joined by a guy with a tri set up that looks like our Steve B. I go hard to the Nicasio turn where the tailwind REALLY picks up (like always) and keep the pace high. Damn 28 mph at mile 185. Then Don takes a long turn at the front. Just when I start thinking about how to get the other guy to the front--he goes to the front and takes a hard turn. Nicasio-Mile 187 at 6:23- 25 minutes off of last year so not losing any more ground.

Riding in cow country. Trio of Terrible Two clad riders 30 seconds up on us when we left Petaluma. (I told Don that I was chasing one clad in the ugly old style jersey while he chased back to the ones in the orange jersey.) We caught them--and another TT clad rider-right at the beginniong of the Cheese Factory climb. Photo by Photcrazy-wish I could post a larger one but they refuse to send me the promised free one, One of rare doubles this year whewre I feell great at the end.

With 13 miles to go could have bypassed this rest stop, but I had sent my lights here instead of to the finish after rest stop 1. Wanted to protect placement, so went hard on gradual uphill with tailwind where 20mph can be maintained for long stretches. Flew past the beautiful redwoods we hadn't seen in the darkness 13 hours ago. Flew past the place where phony "Gruppo Pumpkincyle Joy of Cycling" photo had been taken. No one ahead or behind us. Road a little steeper closer to Big Rock, last real climb of the day, and Don/I going nicely. Then the twisty downhill I usually hate but didn't mind it at all today. I see some riders up ahead and take a hard pull but then are stragglers from the century route--then Don goes to the front and keeps the pace up until we are suddenly at the Los Galinas intersection. Is this a dream--the middle 20 miles were like a long, drawn out nightmare but the next 80 miles are over in a flash. Through subdivision where we have to cross Freitas Parkway--200' green light, start to sprint--I know what is going to happen--50' RED. Damn-3 minute wait while I keep checking if anyone catches us from behind. No one does--and we roll in at 7:15, 29 minutes off of last year's pace.

Nice end--ride meal from all the basic food groups BBQ-pizza-pasta-lasanga. Nice area in school courtyard with plenty of tables (and bathrooms) and TdF highlight projected on the side of the school. Jules completing his first double and yellow climber who looked so strong earlier roll in 30 minutes after us. Strange-lots of riders come in after us but at about 8:30 the custodial staff start putting stuff away--changing the festive atmosphere to one resembling a close out sale. It is getting cool and unlike TT they don't keep track of where riders are on the course-so we have no idea when Kitty will come in. At 8:45 now much colder and as dark as it was 15 hours ago it is time to leave most eventful ride. Great, strange ride--first 80 miles fun, next 20 hard work, next 20 I hated, and final 80 great. You never know. And now I can get California Triple Crown Jersey that says "1161 mile of doubles in a year." But it is not orange so I wouldn't.

(A few weeks later results posted Don/ I came in 35th of 233 riders, top 15% of all starters--and that is with me crapping out in the middle. I'm very surprise but really pleased. Same as last year).

Terrible Two-2006

(June 17, 2006)Terrible Two 2006 200 miles, 16,500' climbing, 100 degrees on big climb of the day.5:30-9:18; 102 of 283 starters , ahead of 64% of starters, 181 finishers by 11PM cutoff . Don, Jack, Doug, Kitty on the course but riding solo most of the day. Big stretch with Ish, Kitty and Grizzly Mark

Last year did surprisingly well on Terrible Two, even with 10 extra anniversary miles thrown in, and then did well on two additional doubles. But that was last year. This year doubles are rough, with hypothermia, heat exhaustion (DNF), and muscle meltdown. And when riding well, like at Sierra Century, unexplained mechanical, and lots of residual aches and pains. After Sierra Century while bike shop said American Classic wheels were good (the ones that had two blow outs), I had a string of continual flats, and with hand strength at 60-70% hard to change tires. Then bike shop said my cranks stuck in bottom bracket with new Phil Woods bearings--and they'll try to extricate bottom bracket in the winter--"but don't worry for now"--so I am. Brakes rattling around--maybe it is headset but hard to tell with stupid internal headset. Then handlebars not tightened down when bike comes back from shop--caught just in time for start of what should be a long training ride but my legs feel like crap, and we come across a huge bike crash that ends the desire of most of the bonus mile group after the ambulances leave. Shit, last year on weekend before TT did 100 miles on Saturday and solo'd 80 miles of gold country hills on Sunday, this year Jack and I limp through 80 miles and then do worse the next day on shortest club ride of the year--35 miles. At same time getting bad karma from American Classics so I decide on Terrible Two's, with lousy downhill pavement, to put on the heavier Open Pros with a rear tire I picked up on Halloween with the TT in mind-a 25mm Michelin (instead of riding my usual 23mm's.) Also realize that each year since started climbing I've switched to harder and harder gears--which in the TT's with plenty of 15-20% grades, may bite me in the butt. (Kitty and Cal Mike warned me)


pre 2003 39x27 (39 gear inches easiest gear) Doing no hilly rides
2003 39x34. (31 gi) As 34 is overkill, will change to...
2004 39x32 (33 gi) As love having 11-28-32 but too many gaps when racing on the flats, will change to...
2005 34x27 (34 gi) As lots of chain drop, change to ...
2006 36x27 (36 gi) Which isn't much easier than 39x27


So after going into Devil Mountain and Central Coast in what I thought was good shape and going out hard and falling apart on Devil Mountain, and DNF'ing on Central Coast, my game plan is to take it real easy at the beginning of TT My DNF at Central Coast means I'm not in the Triple Crown race standings, which prevented me from being hyped up. I'm not even going to try to chase Don, who has been riding many of the "easy" doubles on a fixed gear and then flys when on a regular bike--or try to keep up with Jack who has an "insane" rest stop schedule (at Central Coast he was one of few riders to stay at lunch for under 10 minutes.) Both Don and Jack just finished Eastern Sierra in almost 12 hours. Then there is Kitty who is 1st among the women in the Stage Race series--she also has an insane rest stop pace. So I'd bet the farm that they come in way before me. The only person I may see come in after me is Doug, a good rider but who hasn't done many doubles this year, is a little intimidated by TT which he has never done, and faded at the end of Davis Double. While the TT course is 9 miles shorter than last year, forecast is for mid 90's and upward , while last year was mid 80's tops. Last year I finished at 8:43--with reduced miles this should translate in a 8:07 finish. But with heat, lack of form, heavier tires/rims and harder gears I hope to come in a half hour off the mark, or around 8:40--which will still be before nightfall.


Day before TT I take an easy flat 30 miler out to Los Vaquaros--very warm early in the morning, great cycling weather; of course again see no other cyclists en route. (Central County a hotbed of cycling--not to many in East County.) Knee and thigh still sore--though only rode once (easily) since the weekend. Hard to believe that it was cool and rainy 2 days ago. By the time I drive to Santa Rosa it is almost hitting 100. Luckily not a NASCAR weekend like last year, so staying a a nicer motel than last year, for about the same $$$. Doug and I eat at Tuscany Restaurant which I spotted in 2005. Good meal and good conversation but strange that not a Diablo Cyclist dinnerfest like usual. Love pasta the day before a ride, but with heat losing much of my appetite. Tomorrow I better keep well hydrated and keep eating--so at rest stops I plan to down Sustained Energy shakes when they are really cold, and make sure my Central Coast hunger strike doesn't repeat itself. Doug is good conversationalist and a little apprehensive of the Terrible Two, so we probably BS a little too late so get to sleep close to 10:00 and set alarm to go off by 3:30--but in AM Doug is ancie and already up. Still cool outside-a shade under 60, so I decide NOT to wear tri top and take arm warmers, two decisions I'd regret later on. I also took some HEED (carried in a PEETS Coffee bag) so I'd have enough electrolites--but this year they had HEED at rest stops so I carried bag for naught.


New location of mass start in Sebastopol adds 5 miles to the beginning of the course, so more flat area for the pelaton to stick together until the mass breaks up on the Bennett Valley rollers. Get to high school by 4:45, unfortunately that morning is first chance to pick up number and afix to jersey, so bit of a rush. Men's bathroom backed up like always. Turn in lights, to be picked up at mile 185--can send them to an earlier rest stop on the Coast at mile 163, but if I needed lights on the Coast I'd sag in before riding over terribly paved long descent that brings you back inland. Setup bike-can't find good mesh gloves--luckily I have a beater pair in my bike crate. Before long some loony on too much caffeine is running around yelling "5 minutes to rider meeting...5 minutes to riders meeting." So what. Then minutes before the mass start the organizer gives a speech regarding what to expect at --but last year half the riders couldn't hear anything he said, and again this year no one in the back could hear any details--though just the word "gravel" was prominent. Didn't see any of my Diablo Cyclist clubmates. Here is where I made the best move of the day--slipped back into gym-no one in woman's bathroom and took care serious business.


Now 5:30, first light and we are off--first rest stop after one climb and 55 miles away. (I don't know what shocks century riders more who consider hard climbs unfair when they're late in the ride at mile 70 and that rest stops should be 20-25 miles apart--when I tell them at that on the TT the big climb is at 110 miles or that the first rest stop is at mile 55.) Jack up ahead; I don't see Kitty, Doug or Don, who my $$$ is on to finish the fastest in our group. I have no impetus, not riding aggressively, so more and more riders jumping ahead of me and more and more space between me and Jack. In retrospect while no reason to be over aggressive as no one is going to really improve at this early juncture--you have to work to maintain your position in the pelation like when you are defending your floor space at the Fillmore, and I'm not doing it. Soon in the 3rd or 4th group on the road as we zig in and out of Central Santa Rosa in tight formation. It is not until rollers on Bennett Valley Road--mile 14--that the pack starts breaking up. No Diablo Cyclists in sight. Unfortunately I'm with a couple of doufus cyclists. We start climbing and a group of 8 is hugging the right side of the road. I'm in the back, as to relax on climbs when I'm in the back I don't hammer. Two cyclists riding at the front to the left of our line. Car comes along, settles behind two cyclists blocking road--lots of curves so wary to pass. Girl in front of me yells "car back." Both numnuts don't move. Girl again says "car back"--cyclists don't move. Another car now behind first one, girl again says "car back"--nothing. A 3rd car now is blocked and riding next me to me, girl again says "car back"--both cyclists on the left don't move. Mindful of what happened at the Sierra a few weeks ago I scream "car back-get the fuck over and let the cars pass." After riders finally move over and cars pass this seemingly wakes me up and I go hard up the hills.

We start the first of five significant climbs of the day, Trinity Grade, which is perhaps the easiest as fresh legs or because not many 12%+ steep portions as we'll hit on all the other climbs. I'm starting to feel like a Sierra Club dedication is due, and mindful that the first rest stop is still 25 miles away I stop at the side of the road. Around next corner is a SAG handing out water--while I still have most of mine I figure I might as well retop--unlike last year when it was foggy it is nice and clear now and I'm sorry I dragged the arm warmers. You know it will be very very warm soon, Hit top of Trinity Grade and start twisting/ fast descent. Some workers along road with "caution" or "slow" signs--I yell out not to worry as I'll be one of the slowest going down this fast section, which leads into the Napa Valley. Go around a big sweeping left curve and at the side of the road is a crowd of cyclists. By the time I get to the bottom ambulances and firetrucks are racing uphill--find out later that a tandem had a blowout and two of the fastest cyclists around were thrown into the guardrail and taken to hospital. Shit--I've seen too many fuckin accidents this last half year.

Get to Silverado Trail and see some cyclists in the distance. Here is where you want to form a paceline for the 20+ flat miles through the Napa Valley to Calistoga rest stop. I catch up to one, turns out a guy from Santa Cruz Cycling Team that we were racing at Davis. He and I try to catch couple of riders way up the road but we aren't making any progress so we decide to take it easy and hope we are joined from behind. Last year I could have ridden up to cyclists up the road--but bike feels slower with non aero heavier rims and 25mm tires--or maybe it is just my shot legs. In any event we are soon joined by 8-12 riders--half who are willing to work at the front. When the pace starts dropping Santa Cruz or I go to the front to liven things up. Glad I took a bottle of Perpetuem and nibbled on 1/2 a Cliff Bar, so wasn't hungry at all.

Trinity Climb-3 miles at 1,350 feet. As 1st climb of the day am rested , and no killer grades like on later climbs, so "best" climb of the day. Fast descent into Napa Valley. (Graph courtesy of Santa Rosa bike club)

Get to 1st rest stop, mile 55, Calastoga at 8:47 which is +4 minutes off my same pace from last year (pace adjusted for more miles in the beginning and less at he end, where course is 9 miles shorter, which got me in at 8:43 last year which would translate to 8:07 today.) But with my being off form, heavier wheel and harder gearing, and expected heat, I am hoping for a 8:30-8:40 finish. Jack and Doug leaving, and indicate that Don is up the road. Kitty pulled in around the same time but left before me. I only stay for 9 minutes, whizz behind occupied outhouses, drink 1/2 a Sustained Energy Drink, fill up bottles with HEED and more SE, eat 2 fig bars and banana and take 3 Endurolights. And then I'm off. Not much of a rest after 55 miles but you have to be quick out of the rest stops when you can. Now I know where rest of Diablo Cyclists are--about 10 minutes up the road. Next 18 miles flat to rollers and then a stiff climb up Geysers Road.

Figure that if I make up some time I can catch up with most of them on the climb. Fortuitous timing, RAAM top 10 finisher and great guy Ish comes along. He had been at accident scene. I last rode with him 7-9 years ago. He says hi--tells me about what happened earlier, and then pushes a hard gear at 22 mph. Disregarding California Mike's advice about riding to hard to early I get on Ish's wheel and stay there for the next 18 miles. When road goes uphill, or telling a story Ish doesn't slow much. Lots of people jumped on behind when road is flat but would fall off on the uphill section. Usually I find it easy to hang on uphill rollers as everyone else's speed cuts sharply while mine doesn't, but here I have to stand and ride hard to stay behind Ish who is effortlessly turning the big gear.

Off to the side I can see some wonderful vineyards and some picturesque Victorian's-with bed and breakfast garden. Real honor to be riding in back of Ish--who trained for RAAM while working full time. Funny moment after Ish tells me about the white shorts he is wearing, which he says keeps you cooler on hot days and is a tribute to someone he raced against in RAAM who always wore white shorts. Eventually Ish gets out of the saddle, and the black saddle dye has streaked the back of the white shorts. I mention this to Ish as one of the drawbacks, he laughs and says "what are you doing looking a my butt." I think he's used this line numerous times before. We make the right turn and start the double summited Geyser climb. Typical cloudless California (almost) summer day, and it is now very warm. Ish says that i'll probably climb this faster than him, I respond that even if I do he'll shortly pass me on the gnarly downhill full of pot holes, uneven chunks and gravel, which I'm going to take really slow. Ish says he takes downhills slow also--but something tells me his definition of slow is much faster than mine.


Geysers-9 mile climb, 2700 feet, then 16 miles of lousy roads in the middle of nowhere-courtesy of Santa Rosa Bike Club-each horizontal line 200 feet


At the beginning of the climb I put in alot of effort hoping to see some Diablo Cyclist teammates--not anerobic or even high aeroboic but a serious sitting tempo (I don't want to get out of the saddle much as I'm trying to save my back for later on.) I pass loads of cyclists and quickly come up on Jack and Doug (don't recall passing Don and passed Kitty when Ish and I first took off.) Lots of looping curves and Napa Valley below looks great--wish I had a picture to share with you. I start putting some distance on Jack and Doug as they'll both zoom past me on the downhill and guaranteed that Jack will be at the rest stop for a much shorter time than me--no matter how little time I take. Running low on water and having caught Jack and Doug I take a lot off--especially after short downhill which then leads to next summit. Either I catch up to, or am joined by Grizzly Peak's Mark, who I finished last year's Knoxville with and then pushed the pace on Mt Diablo at the start of Devil Mountain with, and also rode hard with over the big climb on Central Coast. We are now riding a more leisurly pace--probably Mark mindful that he didn't finish Devil Mountain Double, and I'm mindful that I didn't finish Central Coast by pushing too hard early. We both talk about how our bodies shut down on the doubles we disappointingly DNF'd on. Now it is hot and down to 1-2 hits of water--fellow cyclist comes up and wants to know if Mark or I can spare any water as he's out. This is only place that great great support of Santa Rosa Cycling Club could have improved--a water stop was needed. Soon after I slack and bs with Grizzly Mark, Ish comes along and passes us steadily--same pace always, not the fits and starts that I am prone to do. We soon pass outhouses about a 1/4 mile before rest stop--big sign that no outhouses at rest stop. I keep plugging away, I can whizz off to the side of the rest stop (as popularly done in Italy.) I get to mile 84, top of Geysers rest stop at 11:08, +24 off last years pace.

Figure I got there 1-2 minutes after Ish but he is already gone. Mix a cold SE and down it before refilling with another SE and HEED. I'm only at rest stop for 9 minutes and I take off for least favorite portion of the course.

Geysers Road is in the middle of nowhere--a geothermal valley, with no traffic. The top starts steeply down but is well paved. Soon I hear "on your left" and Jack passes. Then 15 miles of a lesser downhill but over ruts, bumps, potholes, gravel... Actually it was better than I expected--some of the potholes had been filled in....some. And all the dangers on the road were marked well with white paint., so many descriptive 'OIL PATCH' 'GRAVEL' 'UNEVEN' 'BUMP' pronouncements were on the road. The bad thing is that there are many more gravel patches than last year--and instead of being filled with pea gravel many of the 50' gravel sections were filled with larger chunks. While I think the 25mm tires slowed me down today--over this section I was very glad to have them on--especially when I almost lost control of the bike on the last gravel patch when I hit some big chunks.. Of course on this section I passed no one, and a few riders passed me, including Doug at the beginning (who liked this part-no doubt from his mountain biking skills) --but for the longest time didn't see anyone. Real desolate. Keep humming Patti Smith's "Dancing Barefoot," great song to calm me down on descents.

16 miles of lousy downhill seemingly goes on forever--I am so happy when I finally come out on a real road. Join up with a young guy from the Southland who comes up to do the Terrible Two each year, and a guy whose name starts with "Y' and has a number over 300---wow, they have over 300 crazy people on this ride. We are now going towards Warm Springs Dam lunch stop, near where the Wine Country Century lunch stop is--we are riding the opposite way. Amazingly I know where we are. As I remember that we have lots of short climbs after lunch on Wine Country we now have mostly short downhills--the young guy does lots of pulling, the "Y" guy doesn't do any, and I do a few short pulls to help young guy out--though when I go to the front I remind both guys to be real attentive to road makings as I am the Diablo Cyclist champion--in getting lost. We come in fast to Warm Springs lunch stop at mile 110-12:50, +28 minutes after my pace from last year.

It is now very hot--over 90 degrees, and the big climb of the day, Skaggs Springs is ahead of us. Additionally, last year I got very sleepy tired after the 15 mile Geyser climb. So my game plan is to pull into the lunch stop, sit in the shade and down a bottle of cold SE, take some Vitamin B, and just lay in the shade with my eyes closed for 10 minutes. This is when the Santa Rosa Cycling club really gets great. At earlier rest stops they were cheering each rider as they came in, which would continue. But now with the waves of incomming riders thinning, for the rest of the day a worker would grab your bike, hang it on a bike rack for you, take your bottles and fill them, etc. See Doug and my old doubles roomate Domo Tom. Tom had driven out to this spot and planned to ride the second half of the course. Just basically said hi to him as I wanted to rest. After getting rid of bike I go over to place where workers are making sandwiches and get a wheat roll with ham and turkey--nothing else that I can repeatedly taste later. I sit on side of workers and then down a cold SE. I hear Jack nearby, his bike is being looked at by a mechanic. Doug comes by and indicates Tom and him are leaving, but I ain't going anywhere. I lay back and close my eyes for 10 minutes--interrupted by 2 workers who come over to see if I'm OK, "yes, I smile with my eyes shut and shoes off--just resting."


Am finally ready to leave after 20 minutes. Jack is already gone. See Kitty who rolled in well after me, but she is ready to leave quickly. Don, who had been club's strongest double ride, comes in after me--I thought he was well in front of the course. Don looks white as a ghost--the heat has hit him hard. He indicates that he forgot his lights and asks that if I see him on the Coast I should wait for him as I did on DMD--but at that point I doubt that Don will finish. Go up the road and turn off so I can water a bush. Pass Kitty who tells me where she stuffs food so she can eat as she is riding. Ask her her secret when you see her--it looks like she looses lots of "Pamla Anderson" weight as she eats. . Then it is immediatly on the 1st portion of the Skaggs Climb--wide open in the sun. This climb is brutal.

Skaggs Springs-15 miles 3800'starting at mile 110. After climbing 7500' miles in first 110 miles, 5000' climbing first 30 miles after lunch.


Leaving lunch worker said 8 miles to water stop--it seemed like 800 miles. Someone reported later that their cyclocomputer said 106 degrees, another said 114 degrees-I doubt it was over 100 but it was very very close and there is absolutly no shade. Bottom of my foot started hurting slightly going into lunch, and I am still trying to protect my back for the Ft. Ross climb so I am again passing most riders but if someone comes through I'm not chasing like last year. More traffic than I rember from last year, nice shoulder but warm weather brought out lots of motorcycles and boats as right next to Lake Sonoma--can peak to the right and spot the blue water straight down Water looks inviting, but would be a shear drop to get there. Finally get to van off on the side of the road and refill with lukewam water--in 8 miles I had downed most of my drink. A few false downhills always followed by at steep, sun baked, uphill. I soon hear a faint voice "Jay-Jay"--it is Jack, in a cutout deep into the shade well off the road. He indicates he is spent, and though he has water and endrolytes he is ready to call it a day and was going to ride back down to the water sag. Jack is a doubles veteran, and he'd be among the 36% of the starters who didn't finish. Seemed like he had what I had at Central Coast--heat exhaustion. Soon I'd hear my name again, Kevin 508 who lead the ocean paceline at Central Coast was in the shade--he was also done for the day. Leaving lunch I didn't think that Don was going to finish. Figuring that Domo Tom ("race you to the top"-on Geysers from 2005 TT) was hammering Doug to death, I did expect to see Doug on the side of the road also.

Some doubt that I'd finish--I promised myself a vest if I did. It is baking. Next water stop more established-a half dozen riders look spent, all with wet towels over their head. Worker comes out and a la James Brown (sort of) puts a wet towel on my back--feels great. Have an ice pop and some pretzels for salt. More cold drink. Last year probably spent 2 minutes at one water stop on Skaggs--now spending around 18-20 minutes at all three. Actually, last year had to stop on downhills and put on my vest, and wished that "hope next year is warmer so I don't have to put on vest." Another example of how you shouldn't wish for things--you may actually get what you wish for. After wet towel on my back soaked my jersey the descent off the first summit felt great, like an air conditioner was on me. Bridge at the base of the paved descent which ends to fast, I pull off to water more bushes, before starting up shear wall in front of me. Motorcyclist doing same thing on other side of the road, I offer to trade my bike for his motorcycle--he says nicely "I couldn't do what you are doing." Nice to hear as I keep beating myself up a little that I'm not pushing the pace like last year.

The heat is now getting to me on the 2nd summit. Think the problem for most riders is that it has been relatively cool/ rainy in Bay Area with only a couple of days in the 90's, so no time to get acclimated. Usually I'm a good hot weather rider but now I'm drained.

Funny thing happens that would happen a few times from here on out. I pass bunch of riders but I am spent. I see some shade so I pull over and rest for a minute--group of riders I pass come up and go by me. While I am kicking myself for stopping, they stop en masse about 50' up the road in next pitch of shade.. For most of climb all by myself. At one point ride with a graduate student from Berkeley--first I wish I was much much younger and doing this. But then I think back, when I was a graduate student I could barely ride up one mildly hilly San Francisco block. Finally get to top of 2nd summit and another water stop. This one well off the left side of the road under some nice shade trees. I'm a little tired and remember last year when I was getting sleepy riding to Camp Gulala, so when I spot a lounge chair I again want to lay out for 10 minutes and close my eyes. Finally, carrying HEED in a Peets bag pays off, as rest stop only has water, so I mix my own cold sports drink to down it while it is still real cold. Eyes closed, relaxing, when high pitched female voice pierces the calm "Jay, get off your butt and get moving"--it is Kitty, the perpetual motion machine. Lots of laughter, but I hang out for another few minutes till rested up. I actually wanted to stay there the rest of the day. On nice gradual downhill to Camp Gulala pass Kitty and see Grizzly Mark again, and we ride together to Camp Gulala rest stop. Actually about 1/4 mile from the real nice spot it was last year--mile 139, 3:58, +57 off last years pace. Now getting cooler/ in some shade, I mix a cold Sustained Energgy drink, unfortunatley they don't have chocolate Hammergel to complete my shake so I put in some berry flavor--when I ride that would become my plain water bottle, now with a tinge of berry flavor for the rest of the day. Grab some nuts and fig bars and ready to go in 12 minutes--of course Kitty has already come in and left. Surpirsed that haven't seen Doug yet.

Road starts off with some weird slight uphills, a swirling tailwind is grabbing the bike and I'm coasting at 20mph uphill--better than the Volcano (Sierra Century) effect. But then the torture begins. Last year, on the special +11 mile edition, the bonus miles were here as we did a series of gradually graded hills circling out to the Coast. Riders that I were with complained that they liked the old course that went directly to the Coast, which was shorter but steeper. What were they thinking? We hit "the Wall"--climbing 900' in less than 2 miles. Average grade of 10% with many sections much steeper. Two things happen here--my knee that was operated on in 2001 and has been fine since 2003 starts giving me trouble. And my lower back starts hurting when I transition to stand. Then my bike starts making a weird clang every time I hit a bump, which doesn't help my psyche--I am now trying to figure out how I can protect my knee, loosen my back, and where the f'n clang is coming from....and how to ride over the next 14-16% section. Grizzly Mark comes by, usually we are compatable climbers but he easly passes me. I'm passing everyone else and again decide to get off the bike to stretch--when I do 4-5 other guys pass and then they get off down the road. Clanging coming from loose headset cap on top of fork. Only one guy is back on his bike--he's been zig zagging the whole climb, which I try but it really doesn't help. A few time near the top we come across an open space with the cool air from the coast rushing it--the temperature probably dropped from 95 to 65 degrees in the space of a mile. After some more false summits a real downhill to Highway 1--and though sunny and clear with the temperature change it feels like it is very cold

Stop to put on my vest. Look up the road no one there--look back, no one coming down, so I'll be riding along the ocean myself. Which is good as I soon get pain from my knee-which I usually cover when cooler than 70, but don't have knee warmers with me. . Almost as bad as the damn pain like in 2002, when I'd have to stop a ride after mile 40-at least it isn't in spasm, yet. Sudden cool weather and pushing to hard a gear on the climbs has conspired against me. Two guys, one being the "Y" guy from earlier come by--they are not going that fast but I can't get on their wheel. Ocean is beautiful to the right, and more cars than I remember passing on the left, nice shoulder when Highway 1 is flat but have to ride on Highway 1 when road goes uphill or downhill roller appears. SHIT-knee twinge--wait for section I can pull off to take a Naparson, but it is so long I don't have any with me, so I take Advil instead. I'm thinking that at Ft Ross Rest stop I'll take arm warmer I've been carrying and tie it around my knee.

Soon riding a few miles solo on Coast and doing a lot of thinking. TT is much harder than last year, and I am rapidly falling apart. All of the timed doubles were hard this year. Last year I was super competative and psyched to do the timed doubles--this year I enjoyed the untimed events more. I have fun on any ride when I can finishing strong and I haven't on the timed doubles all year. Last year with good results on the TT and very good results on Mt. Tam I thought I was developing into a very good doubles rider--now I am fair at best. Last year I wouldn't have rested so much and would have been aiming for best finishing time, now I am just concerned about just finishing. Year hasn't turned out as I planned. Again. They never do.

Luckily I soon catch up to Kitty so I can end the conversation with myself, and we ride the remaining half of the 15 Coast miles together. I talk to her a little about her (and Jack's) "insane" rest stop pace--whereas they are so unique in their ability to go "in and out" that my trying to match their schedule is like trying to ride with someone who can hammer 40mph on the flats. At Central Coast, where lunch stop is timed, I mistakenly only put 13 minutes in, I should have taken twice as long. Maybe I cut my lunch short when I saw Jack pull in and then suddenly leave--and I felt that I was dawdling. But then when final results were posted most top half finisher riders took close to 20 minutes at the lunch stop while Kitty took 16 and Jack 7! Of course Kitty is now ridiing for time as she is contending for Triple Crown woman's race title.

Pull into Ft Ross, mile 163, at 6:08, +62 behind last years pace. Here lots of folks send their lights, but if I needeed my lights here I'd sag in as most of the way to the next rest stop is rustic with some fast downhills along some terrible roads. Again great workers cheer when I come in, and grab my water bottles. One worker comes up and asks "fresh Peets," I playfully pull out the Peets bag I 've been carrying all day (w/ Heed) and say "no, I only drink decaf." I see guy Doug knows who rode with us at the finish in Davis, he has called it a day. I should have asked him if he saw Doug come through but didn't, as now I'm just thinking about Ft. Ross climb. I down some SE and banana, but only at rest stop for 6 minutes. Yes Kitty has already left--though before leaving she yelled at eveyone, with half the people sitting around half dead "it is getting dark, better get moving." In real life she should be a golf course marshall--now many of teh zombies wanted to kill her.

And better get moving is right-obscene climb at mile 163. Steep Ft Ross Road starts immediately. I didn't tie arm warmer around my knee as gently spinning down the coast kinda helped, and I knew it would be warm going back inland, but knee is quickly tender on first 15+% section, and my back quickly spasms whereas I can't make transition to standing. Oh shit


Major climb #5 of the day at mile 162, Ft Ross. While the wall went up 900' in 1.7 miles, Ft Ross goes up 1500' in 2.6 miles. Average grade 11%


Ride past Kitty, and past the place I got off the bike last year when I had back spasms, but getting more and more difficult. I get off the bike to stretch, Kitty comes by and says "start walking"---both to help stretch my back and so that I am always moving forward. So I start walking at 2.2 mph--first time walked up a climb since Ink Grade 7-10 years ago. Grizzly Mark comes through. Loosen up and get on the bike, feel OK for awhile--but first time I stand entering a 14-16% hairpin my back tightens again. Get off the bike-stretch-walk, I see from odomoter that have only gone a little over a mile, so if I keep walking it would take me an hour to finish this climb. When I get loose I get back on the bike and stay seated--only having a 36x27 easy gear is killing me. Brutal climb is along a narrow road but without much traffic--try the zig zag trick whenever possible but not much room to continually do it. If not slowly dying the tree lined road would be great. Tiny bit of relief always followed by a 15%+ section. Soon get back to Kitty and I ride her pace so I don't overextend. I'm po'd that I can't used my USUALLY easy climbing gear--wheras I can stand for 5 minutes at a time. Now I can't stand at all. Another hairpin that I trudge around and up ahead is another "WALL," 15-18% to the top--which I recognize as Big Mike and I did a solo ride along the ridgeline last year. (On the TT last year everything enveloped in fog and couldn't see the top.) I'm po'd that I'm dying out--but for once when in disrepair I remember my motivational "training tapes." (Usually just remember them when I am feeling good.) I hit the base of the wall-stand and start to power up while yelling "there he goes again-HE NEVER GIVES UP, EVER!" (Phil Liggett call of Museeuw when he hits the steepest climb and started to drop and then surges back to lead group on the 2002 Tour of Flanders.) I think Kitty yelled for me to calm down and/or take it easy but I was too excited as I was going to power to the top of the last damn section of this climb, and did...

Get to the top and right turn onto the ridgeline. Series of uphill rollers, but shallow enough that I can ride in the drops, stretching my back out, and the warm weather feels great. The spinning is helping my knee. Soon on a mostly descending road with some significant uphills, I have to laugh as last year this is where I'd pass Jack on the uphills and he'd repass me as soon as the road turned downhill--seemed like it happend just last week. Glad I laughed as this is another section of twisting roadway that doesn't have the greatest pavement, and with long shadows harder to see potholes and cracks. Come upon Grizzly Mark who is having trouble on the uphill sections--I'd get ahead of him on these while he'd come by on the downhill section. By this point I couldn't wait to get to paved "surburban" streets--I remebered the great straight run in we had last year to the mile 184-Monte Rio stop, where I waited to collapse but wound up leading a paceline. We finally got out onto the Cazadero Highway--no one up ahead or behind us, Grizzly Mark and I taking turns pulling. Unfortunatley, instead of a 7 mile stretch on this--a straight shot to the rest stop, they now detour us after 3 miles and have us do more rollers on a side road. Grizzly Mark suffering now and I try to do as much pulling as possible. Get back onto main road and we pull into mile 184, Monte Rio, at 8:07. Still running +62 minutes behind last year, but first segment in awhile where I didn't lose more time to 2005.--but it is 8:07 is when I had hoped to finish the damn ride.

Pull into rest stop with wild cheers by staff. One guy grabs my bike, and my bottles and I go to set up my lights. Look around-no Doug. I hadn't seen him on the road so either he is stuck in an outhouse or he is ridiing great. Grizzly Mark indicates that he is pushing on as I'll probably catch him on the uphill portion of Bohemian Highway.


In 6 minutes I am ready to go, and before I leave I get my revenge on Kitty, who pulled in about 5 minutes after me. She is sitting on chair off to the side and I yell out "Come on Kitty-time to go." I know she'll be off soon, and now I start hammering back to catch up to Grizzly Mark. It is only 8:15 or so--45 minutes before sunset, but with dense trees it looks like sun has already set. Feel good that new huge taillight is on bike (along with old tiny one, and reflector band around leg--put on after sag driver Lee's lecture every time we passed a rider with a puny taillight on Central Coast.) Soon see Mark ahead on one of the numerous uphill sections on the Bohemian Highway. Look back and no one down the road, and no one up the road--and now that I am feeling good want to protect "placement.," which will be shitty enough. Mark had carried his light--a small one but cleverly mounted on his fork so it lit up the road nicely. I didn't think that I'd be riding after dark on this so didn't bring the helmet light but 6-15w on handlebar is good enough. I mention to Mark that I just want to protect our placement now, and he has gotten his second wind and starts doing more pulling. Meanwhile, it is suddenly getting cool inland, more knee twinges, so I take some speed off. Pounding the pedals was fun while it lasted. It is darker than it should be. Today I'm doing a good job picking out turns (heck-I ride solo enough), and Mark knows the course well.


Soon after I complement him on his innovative light mount I hear a crash-- his light falls off bike. Mark stops 1-2 minutes to fix, as no one up or down the road I may as well stay with him. We start at it again and are circling the outskits of Occidental. Some traffic and real nightfall has set in. We can see well up the farm road and no bike lights in the distance. Soon buildings become more frequent, we are getting close to town, again crash-Mark's light again flies off fork, and we stop for 1-2 minutes to correct. Go up the road a little ways and suddenly Analy High School, follow the blinking lights around the parking lot--to more applause and checking in. Final time 15:48, +71 minutes off last year's pace. Disappointed but from heavier equiptment and lack of form I expected to be off by +30, and brutal weather accounted for the rest.

Over 100 riders DNF'd, only 55% finished by 10:00, the cutoff to get the "free tee shirt" that you can't buy. Ironically, though finishing 102nd, as more starters than last year finished ahead of 64% of everyone, which is what I did last year when I had quicker time and finished 89th. And I did what I Iove doing, being able to finish the ride strongly. See Doug at the finish--he had NOT collapsed and came in -14 minutes ahead of me, becoming the fastest Diablo Cyclist on the ride. I never would have predicted this guessed after he had suffered at the end of Davis Double. I had expected Don, Jack and Kitty to all finish way ahead of me. Made me think back to a Paul Sherwin nugget after 2001 Paris Roublex "at the start of the day no one would have put Servis Knaven's name down as the winner of Paris Roublex, but that is who it is going to be." Don't know if Domo Tom helped Doug though he did talk Doug into being light on Ft. Ross and only fill one bottle of water--Doug quickly ran out and asked Tom for some of his-"I'm out too" deadpanned Tom, so then they had to stop at a fire station for a refill.

Kitty soon arrives--she lost the stage race series to Lori of Fresno, a great climber who has been riding in hot weather, and who finished @1 1/2 hours before us. Usual great outdoors spread at the end of the ride--talk to Lori and Doug briefly, but Doug didn't take warm clothes and it is getting cold fast so he leaves while I have 3 helpings of main courses-lasanga, polenta and chicken. Hey, it's after a mostly liquid diet all day.

I think about what is a harder ride Devil Mountain Double--with longer but less steep climbs or the Terrible Two. Biased sample, but everyone (@ half--dozen) I asked today who had on a DMD jersey or I had know did both rides said TT. DMD is 2 months earlier so less time to train and less flat roads to paceline on. But almost all TT climbs are as steep or steeper as the steepest one on DMD. My conclusion, with a moderate weather TT, DMD is tougher. But when it is really hot, TT is tougher. I was falling apart on DMD but made it up Sierra, no problem. Today I was off the bike a lot, and so were many other people, on the late climbs. And as far as the course goes (again, maybe I'm biased as overly familiar with most of DMD course) the TT is much more memorable.

Go over to control central and they have Don still on the course and estimate he'll finish in 20-30 minutes, so I sit around at the end and watch riders come in and see workers get continually psyched for their arrival. One poor guy has come in but has to stay in bike clothes as his friend with the car keys is still on the course. Heck the best thing about finishing a 200 mile ride is getting out of the bike shorts and shoes. Kitty comes by to check on how she did on stage races--disappointed that she fell to 3rd. Heck, 3rd place woman, wow. In a few weeks she is doing a 8,000,000 meter brevet. While I sit at the control center one weary worker sits alongside and wants feedback on ride-tell her support is first rate, and where difficult sections of course were. . Some excitable crazy, could have been guy screaming "5 minutes to rider meeting" that morning, runs up to us and wants to know if I'm "that special guy" he's been hearing about. Riders coming in start to thin out--Don comes in with borrowed lights--after the 10- free tee shirt cutoff but before 11- cutoff for ride credit, so he's happy as he is celebrating this year that he turned 50 by doing 10 doubles (3 on a fixed gear.) When he comes in I yell "go Diablo Cyclists;" I think he is glad to see a familiar face. He is surprised that other Diablo Cyclist doubles veteran Jack DNF'd, a reminder that this ride really broke our group apart so no one knew what anyone else was doing.

I had the luxery of changing my clothes when I went to eat--but Don is beat and just wants to scarf down food in the same clothes he's been in for the last 17 hours. Unbelievably, he is thinking of doing the club ride tomorrow while I plan to be off the bike well into the week. Just as unbelievably, now that I finished this ride I am thinking of eventually doing it again--but with gearing that is at least 10% easier--a low of 32 gear inches .