This weekend I am trying my back to back centuries (well actually 130 and 108 miles with about 12 000 ft of climbing between the two). If I can complete these two, I think I will be ready for Davis. Ed is only doing the first one with me -- he thinks I'm a nut for going the second day. It's the different way we train -- I want to be confident in my ability to ride 200+ miles of hills; he knows it's going to hurt so why experience it more than once. Anyway, think of us on May 19th.
Report from Princess on May 8, 2001
The Davis Double Century is in two weeks and so this weekend was the final push for training. Conveniently the Wine Country Rides were on Saturday and Grizzly Peak was today -- both rides that I have wanted to do and knew would challenge me to the limits. Ed put his foot down on this insanity and said he was only doing the Wine Country 200K -- he's walking a lot faster than I am this pm and I'm sure he'll do great on Davis.
The Wine Country 200K started early Saturday morning. Ed and I were in the car by 4:45 and heading north (Julie and Ralph would get up about 10 miles into our drive). We arrived in Santa Rosa, checked in, and started riding shorting before 6:30. It has been warm here recently -- and this did cloud my clothing judgement as I brought no outer layers. What was I thinking?? It is cold at 6:30 AM!! Anyway, we started out and 16 miles into the ride, took one of the two extra loops tacked onto the century to turn it into a 200K. What a great loop! It went up and over two ridges and then descended down to the coast. The first rest stop was on top of the ridge affording us with a gorgeous view of the coast. The volunteers warned us to use caution descending down to the coast (I didn't need further warning as I'm a bit of a chicken anyway on descents). We started down the descent and got further warning from a woman dressed as a skeleton (great costume!) -- the descent was a combination of steep drops, rough roads, hair pin turns and cattle guards. The good news is that I got down without a problem (my hands were a bit cramped however). Once down to the coast, it was 7 miles along Highway 1 and then we got to highway 116 backup through the Russian River valley (I was hoping we didn't have to go back over those ridges to get back on the course). Ed used 116 for paceline practice as we picked off riders left and right. We met back up with the century route at 42 miles but didn't connect with Ralph and Julie there (even with their later start, the extra 19 mile loop with a fair amount of climbing took too long). We proceeded toward lunch (mile 87) and did a combination of serious hills, flats and rollers through the Dry Creek Valley for the next 40 miles. I had my first chain drop for the weekend (I would have two more before I was through) but was successful in getting my feet on the ground before the bike fell. At lunch, we caught up with Julie and Ralph and formulated a plan for hanging onto their t!
andem for a stretch of the way back. We had one more extra loop to do right after lunch (you know me and my penchant for completing rides as they are designed) and then met up with the tandem in the Alexander Valley. Karen and Vic, you would recognize many of the roads we were on from your Vineman competition. The tandem was very effective in blocking the wind and we hung as long as we could (I was staring at my cyclometer registering in the mid 20's and wondering how I was going to feel during Grizzly the next day). We split up on Chalk Hill and Ed and I finished up the last 10 miles of the ride. He insists I got a late ride burst of energy as we climbed -- I think I just wanted to finish. Ed and I were home by ~5:30 and in bed by 9 pm.
I rose alone this morning at 4:30 for the Grizzly Peak Century. This would be the first organized ride I had done without the Rock (although he did promise to ride part of the morning loop with me). I ate my breakfast alone (the usual -- oatmeal, coffee, banana) and got a quick hug from Ed before I left. I arrived in Moraga at 5:45, thinking I could register and be riding by 6:15 (I had learned from yesterday and brought a shell and tights). Alas, they were sticklers to the 6:30 AM check in schedule and so I sat around for almost 45 minutes thinking about wasted time that I could have been sleeping. I started shortly after 6:30 and paced with another Wine Country 200K finisher. Within 2 miles, we were beginning the climb up Pinehurst. I was surprised -- my legs still had feeling in them. The Pinehurst/Skyline/Wildcat Loop afforded great views of the Bay, the bridges and SF in the distance. At 22.4 miles (that was it said on the road and on my cyclometer -- I love the fact that they put the mileage on the road!), we were on San Pablo Dam Road and enjoyed the only 5 mile stretch of "pace-lineable" road for the whole day. I grabbed my aeros and went. At ~24 miles, the Rock was standing by the side, cheering me on. It was great to see him (especially since he wasn't where I was expecting him). 6 miles later he joined me and rode the next 30 with me (he said he must love me since he climbed McEwen for me). McEwen (1 mile, tres steep) seemed a bit longer today. They had signs posted all the way -- motivational -- like, Men think about sex when they ride, Women think about riding when they have sex. A bit of diversion helped. Ed rode with me over Pig Farm and then left me at Bear Creek. The 3rd Rest Stop was at the top of Mama Bear -- a well needed break. Apparently some of the riders didn't see the port a lets as they were not so discreetly using the side of the road. My chain dropped at the top of Papa Bear -- the guys I was riding with accused me of staging this so that I wouldn't have to ri!
de with them. After Baby Bear (a short but pesky climb), it was a fairly short ride to lunch (back to the start). I met us with Randy and his riding partners there -- they were relaxing over lunch, having decided that 70 miles and 5500 ft of climbing was just fine for them. I had a quick bite, swallowed hard and got back on the bike. At this point, the temp was in the mid 80's and I was starting to feel it. The south loop was designed for 38 miles and 2800 ft more climbing. I immediately started climbing and started thinking, "What WAS I thinking?" Nevertheless I continued and was eventually rewarded with beautiful redwood and eucalyptus lines roads. At mile 85, we entered the Oakland Zoo for a short ride (that is a first -- a zoo on a bike). I was focused on making the rest stop at Mile 93 and then trudging back through the Oakland Hills to the finish. At the rest stop, they informed us that there was a wildfire along Redwood Road (our route) and so we couldn't proceed. As Bay Area'ers know, there are few roads that go over the ridge -- so what were we going to do? Many people opted for BART but I hooked up with another women, got directions for an alternate route (that made us retrace our route several miles) and headed out. As you can imagine, I was beside myself for having to do extra miles on a century that was already supposed to be 108 miles! Luckily my ride partner (also, Barb) was good company and we slowly made our way back through Oakland and up the hill. The alternate route took us up Joaquin Miller Drive -- they said it would be steep but they didn't tell me I would be standing the whole way in my granny gear! We finally got to the top of that and hooked up with Redwood for what I thought was going to be a downhill back to Moraga. Nothing doing. We climbed more on Redwood and also on Pinehurst (I thought I might cry at this injustice) but at last the hills were over and I was cruising down through the canyons with a smile back on my face. We ended up with 115 miles and I fini!
shed about an hour after I thought I would. I gave a quick call to Ed, washed up and headed home. After a shower and some serious hydration, I'm feeling okay. Not up for a century tomorrow but I think I'm ready for Davis.
bjb
THE REPORT ON THE DAVIS DOUBLE
Yes - Barb did it, the full 200.4 mile ride yesterday. I finished the ride, but only had 164 miles due to recurring flat tire problems. It was a long and hot day (98 F yesterday in Davis)
We arrived in Davis at 4:30AM, quickly assembled everyting and were on the road at 4:50AM (10 minutes ahead of schedule). We left town in the dark following other riders with lights, but within 5 miles or so it started getting light enough to see pretty well. There was a NNW wind (contrary to the typical south wind). With the new route for the ride you go to Esparto first (Rest Stop #1 is the same as Rest Stop #10 for those familiar with the route). This meant riding into the headwind for the first 22 miles, but in the pacelines we did well, arriving at the first RestStop 15 minutes ahead of plan. Then we turned south to Winters and now enjoyed th support of a strengthening tailwind for 13 miles as we rode at 22-23 mph. Right onto Hwy 128 and out to a relocated Rest Stop #2 at MarkelyCove at mile 47.5. We were at least 30 minutes ahead of schedule now.
The climb up Cardiac Hill went well. Then at Mile 50 on the descent of Cardiac, the first hint of problems to come. I had flat tire #1. Then we quickly discovered that the new rim on my back tire (installed by REI on Friday) in combination with the Michelin tire I was using, made it impossible to take off the tire to repair without help. So we waited -- with the help of another rider (who was just out for fun to watch the ride and SAG support) we finally got the tire repaired and were back on our way 45 minutes afterthe flat. Now it was already starting to get warm at 9AM in the morning.
We made it to Pope Valley at Mile 75 at 10:15 AM (about 20 minutes behind now). Left Pope Valley and 2 miles later - Flat Tire#2 strikes - same tire for me and same problem with repair. We quickly flag down a SAG and start to work. 20 minutes later it's fixed, then it deflates again (probably a pinch flat). We make a decision - Barb takes off and pedals for Middletown. I load the bike on the SAG car and ride ahead to meet her. At Middletown, with help again I repair the rear tire. We have so much trouble taking the Michelin tire off that we cut it off and replace it with a Continental tire from the SAG - this is with bike repair people helping. Barb pulls into Middletown with 95 miles just when I finish the tire repair (I have 77 miles at this point) and we are at least 1 hour behind our plan. Now it is just plain hot out there and next up is the climb up Big Canyon road to the top of th DC.
With the break I had or tire repair, I feel OK, but Barb is struggling a little bit with the heat on the climb. We gut it out to the top (and now have a total of 4700 feet of climbing in already at the 106 mile point. Now it's downhill to lunch and a break. We arrive at lunch at 2:20PM (still an hour behind schedule). We leave after a 30 minute break to tackle what looks like it will be the hardest 20 miles of the ride, into the the wind and the climb up Resurrection. Two miles into this segment I have flat tire #4 - yes of course it is the rear tire again. Given the experience we have already we decide Barb should just go ahead so that there is a chance she can get 200 miles before dark. I catch the next SAG to the top of Resurrection, there are a lot of riders SAGging to the top of Ressurrection at this point. It's 90-95 F out there with the wind in the riders faces all the way to the top, no shade on the route at all. At the top, I fix the tire, again, and wait for Barb to arrive. She pulls in at 4:30 PM after a grueling stretch up the hill (we're now about 90 minutes behind plan and finishing before dark is starting to become an issue). Barb has 134 miles at this point and I have 97. After a break we hit the road again -- if I have a fifth flat I plan to throw in the towel (and throw away the new rim on my back tire). Barb is beat, but we are hopeful of having a tailwnd down Rumsey canyon and for the 67 miles back to Davis.
We turn on Hwy 16 and the wind is somewhat squirrelly, but mostly a TAILWIND finally. I stay in front and Barb tucks in behind me, now we are racing the clock to finish. At mile 147 (for Barb) we stop briefly at the next rest stop (now it is 6PM). At mile 165, another very short stop (now it is 7:25 PM). We catch a paceline and the speed inches up a bit to about 20 mph. We pull in to Rest Stop #10 at mile 178 at just before 8PM. We take off pushing pretty hard, but as we get to Rest Stop #11at 8:45PM it is dark, fortunately 2 guys with lights pull out to start right in front of us, so we hop on. In the last remnants of light (there wasn't much) we paceline into Davis at 20+mph. We are beat, but the Princess was awesome and finished her 200 mile ride with 6900 feet of climbing, and she also finished ride in 12 hours and 35 minutes of riding time -- nearly right on her plan for averaging 16 mph for the ride (we don't even want to hear about double centuries in Houston being hard because of the heat after this one). And I actually made it the last 67 miles of the ride to finish with 164 total without having another flat tire (although I was expecting it the entire time).
Today - we are taking it easy, but next weekend we are ready for the 2nd half of the Terrible Two ride. We are also trying to re-hydrate and gain back the 5 punds we both lost yesterday.
Ed
From Princess:
A couple of additional notes:
* We were able to start 10 minutes ahead of schedule since I decided to forego the usual trip to the rest room. That lasted until Rest Stop #1 which despite advance warnings was fairly empty. I opened a port-a-potty door and saw my first potty shot of the day -- there would be two more before I was over.
* My first solo ride -- miles 75 through 95 were my first glimpses that this ride was going to be hard. The last time I rode up Pope Valley I got hailed on. This time it felt like I had stuck my hair dryer in front of my face and turned it on. I spent a while trying to decide which I preferred -- the hail won out. Whoever said it doesn't matter which way the wind is blowing when you're going up hill is crazy.
* During lunch, a whirlwind arrived before I finished making my sandwich. It's amazing how much debris mayonnaise can collect in 10 seconds. That's okay -- I wasn't up for a sandwich anyway.
* Resurrection was the toughest stretch of the ride for me -- I was not acclimated for the heat and I really slowed down. I kept thinking -- if I get to mile 134, then it's mostly downhill (little did I know that this was not exactly true). Lots of little pep talks as I watched my cyclometer slowly (very) advance through the miles.
* Ed was really a savior on the last 66 miles. He set a good pace and kept encouraging me on. My legs felt fine but the rest of me -- my neck, my back and my butt were crying.
* At mile 178 or so, we stopped for the last time and got replenishments. Ed got a cup of noodles soup which we shared. At last I have found a good application for the high sodium content of raman noodles. They really hit the spot. At no point did I get interested in having potatoes (I guess they are just not my starch of choice) but the soup was great.
* The road surfaces were a mixed bag -- there was some smoothness occasionally (just to remind us what it feels like) and some roads that should be closed. period. Last in the ride we got off Highway 16 on some back road and I nearly cried, it was so bumpy.
* Yesterday was a day to catch up -- on food, on drinks and on sleep. I'm not nearly as sore as I was after the Grand Canyon Death March -- but the heat was brutal.
Thanks to all (and especially to Ed) for supporting me in making this goal. I was humbled by the strength of many of the riders on the course but also fulfilled that I could do this despite the heat.
bjb
