Southern California - Hemet Double Century April 14th

Anyone else in for this one?

Anyone else in for this one?

You're so cute - I almost used the same line "one down, two to go" but was so happy to finish this last one...:p

I may do this one. Joel is considering doing it, and I told him that I am considering joining him (assuming he wants me dragging along). My next double is Solvang. Are you not doing that one, B?

Yep - Solvang first, then Hemet. Solvang is my birthday weekend, so I'm celebrating by collapsing in a post-ride heap on the bed.

Yep - Solvang first, then Hemet. Solvang is my birthday weekend, so I'm celebrating by collapsing in a post-ride heap on the bed.

Whose bed?

My next double is Solvang. Are you not doing that one, B?

I can't do Solvang. I've already decided that I am doing Eastern Sierra on June 2nd, and I can't take on that many out of town rides right now, it's too hard with the kids. I figure that Hemet is fairly local and I'm going to try to actually get some good sleep the 48 hours before (imagine that concept...I did Butterfield after sleeping less than 5 hours on Thursday night and oh...hmmmm...less than three hours on Friday night :eek: ) and just drive from home so I don't have to have someone watch the kids the entire weekend thankyouverymuchfordoingthatforButterfieldTiffanieIloveyouforeverandoweyouBIGtime! :p

Whose bed? After my first double, I doubt it will matter.

ill see how i feel after solvang...

I've already decided that I am doing Eastern Sierra on June 2nd

I'm not too keen on doubles just yet... after 80 miles or so, I just want it all to end. But, a few guys in my crew are trying to talk me into this one. The fact that it can be done in all daylight helps, as does (especially) the scenic nature. Have any of you done ES Double in the past? I didn't see a rating thread for it, but thought I'd ask and see if I can get some more arm twisting.

extort has done it....somewhere he has a really good write up of it as well....

I think Eastern Sierra is one of the most enjoyable doubles in California. The scenery is great throughout the ride, the terrain is challenging but not over-taxing, and the time of year gives you lots of daylight to play with. Definately one of my favorites.

I may be in for this one. The whole "Lowest Total Elevation Gain" thing has a nice ring to it.

I may be in for this one. The whole "Lowest Total Elevation Gain" thing has a nice ring to it.Doesn't the GT lowland double have the lowest elevation gain, I thought...?
Anyway, I'm doing their highland double this year. :)

hemet - i'll let you know in a month if i am in for this one.

i just rolled over 400 miles on my bike. that's all the miles i have total in my legs. :p


i'll definitely do the double if i do it. :)

why ride so far..?

ummmm... to get to the other side?

what if you're doing a loop?

or two loops (as in Hemet)

ES write up here. (http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-SyQww8YhRLKJcGCe8O1.ua7lA0c-?cq=1&l=6&u=10&mx=12&lmt=5)

ES Photos here (http://s88.photobucket.com/albums/k183/__Extort/Eastern%20Sierra/), but this is a good reason to do this ride...
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k183/__Extort/Eastern%20Sierra/SunriseintheSierras.jpg
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k183/__Extort/Eastern%20Sierra/DeadmanSummit.jpg
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k183/__Extort/Eastern%20Sierra/PhilatSilverLake2.jpg

And this is Eric Smith (http://redbikephoto.com/2006esd.htm) feeding the wild donkeys.
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k183/__Extort/Eastern%20Sierra/FeedingWildDonkeys.jpg

I 'm thinking about Hemet. Just the single though. I did loop #1 in 2005. If I do it this year I'll probably do loop #2.

ES Photos here (http://s88.photobucket.com/albums/k183/__Extort/Eastern%20Sierra/), but this is a good reason to do [Eastern Sierra]...
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k183/__Extort/Eastern%20Sierra/SunriseintheSierras.jpg

Okay, I'm sold. :) Did you notice any altitude effects?

No altitude effects for me, but I grew up in Colorado and travel back there frequently. I still enjoy camping at 9000 feet and then climbing a 14'er in the morning.

great looking pics!!!!

Doesn't the GT lowland double have the lowest elevation gain, I thought...?
Anyway, I'm doing their highland double this year. :)

The first loop of the Hemet Double was changed in 2006 due to road conditions. This change reduced the amount of climbing so the total is less than the GT Lowland Double. It took away the one interesting climb and descent in the first loop.

Okay, I'm sold. :) Did you notice any altitude effects?

Altitude kicked my butt. Knowing that I have problems above 7000 ft, I had a plan that involved a bit of suffering (two peaks are above 8000). Instead, my problems started at 5000, making for a lot of suffering. Eastern Sierra was the only double I DNF'd last year (eight completions). It took me 12 hours to do 120 miles. Sagehen was the final peak and I just couldn't get over it. Another couple of miles and I could have made it over the top and the long, slow descent back to Bishop, but I was wiped out by the effects of altitude.

Btw, everybody raves about the scenery on the Eastern Sierra Double. That's great, if you are not suffering like a dog. Otherwise, who cares.

Have I mentioned how much I enjoy doing doubles? :D

Btw, everybody raves about the scenery on the Eastern Sierra Double. That's great, if you are not suffering like a dog. Otherwise, who cares.
Yeah, if you are already suffering, then being up to 100 miles away from home is not a comforting feeling.

Altitude kicked my butt.
Btw, everybody raves about the scenery on the Eastern Sierra Double. That's great, if you are not suffering like a dog. Otherwise, who cares.

:eek: Okay, I may skip that double then... I am NOT into altitude suffering along with the normal double pain. Besides, with asthma, I wonder what effect the altitude would have...and where the nearest hospital is. :o

I've never noticed altitude having any impact on asthma for me. However if I were to to this I would want to come early to give myself a chance to acclimate a bit.

I've never noticed altitude having any impact on asthma for me. However if I were to to this I would want to come early to give myself a chance to acclimate a bit.
Thanks, Dan, for blowing my "excuse" cover...:rolleyes: Altitude so does too effect Asthma! :p :D

I think it takes several days to acclimate oneself to high altitude.

I think it takes several days to acclimate oneself to high altitude.

Probably, but even one night helps. I've taken the Palm Springs tram up to San Jacinto a number of times and immediately started backpacking. The first day is tough and the 8500+ft altitude is very noticable. By the next morning all is good.

Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altitude_sickness)

Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altitude_sickness)

Enough scary info there to satisfy the most discriminating of hypochondriacs. Hide it before M.E. sees.

Enough scary info there to satisfy the most discriminating of hypochondriacs. Hide it before M.E. sees.
right after you hide that horrendous new/old avatar.... and BTW I remember that face from something like 'Reefer Madness' where is it from?

I think it's calming and serene.

Probably, but even one night helps. I've taken the Palm Springs tram up to San Jacinto a number of times and immediately started backpacking. The first day is tough and the 8500+ft altitude is very noticable. By the next morning all is good.

i always seem to feel pretty wiped out for the first day or so when i go to colorado. i've never been able to figure out if it's because of the altitude or just the travel.

Enough scary info there to satisfy the most discriminating of hypochondriacs. Hide it before M.E. sees.
:rolleyes: OH, whatever. I'm not worried about altitude sickness, you silly boys, I'm concerned with just feeling like crap for 200 miles - and, yes, altitude can affect asthma. I expect no violins here, but I have severe asthma, so it is imperative that I know what conditions I'm getting into on rides. I'd hate to be out in the middle of nowhere and have an asthma attack (which I've had before on a ride). But regardless, I may still do this one. I just haven't decided, and it will depend on how Solvang and Hemet go. If I complete those, I might do ES just to go for Grand Slam, but that is very tentative. 200 miles does a number on my butt! :p :D

The Eastern Sierras are pretty dry which usually is better for people with respiratory problems than the Western, wetter side.

If you're planning on doing the ES, go up on Thursday so you have a little bit more time to acclimatize.

The Eastern Sierras are pretty dry which usually is better for people with respiratory problems than the Western, wetter side.

If you're planning on doing the ES, go up on Thursday so you have a little bit more time to acclimatize.

Well, if I go on Thursday, that means 3 nights at a hotel! :eek: I'd have to split the cost of the room with someone...:D

When I looked for rooms before on the Eastern Sierras, I thought I found a place or two in Bishop that had rooms for 6-8, cabin style. I know they have this in Mammoth, but I don't think anyone wants to drive down from Mammoth the morning of and drive back afterwards.

I'm going to decide after Solvang whether I'm in or not for the ES, but of all of the doubles this one is about the most appealing to me.

room rates in both mammoth and bishop are much better during the summer, plus there will be plenty of people going to try and find rooms to share with im sure. if i go ill probably go up a couple of days earlier and stay in mammoth, give myself a fighting chance at least.

I'm going to decide after Solvang whether I'm in or not for the ES, but of all of the doubles this one is about the most appealing to me.

I just signed up for Solvang! :D But yes, ES is definitely very appealing and I'm sure I can be swayed easily into riding it.

room rates in both mammoth and bishop are much better during the summer, plus there will be plenty of people going to try and find rooms to share with im sure. if i go ill probably go up a couple of days earlier and stay in mammoth, give myself a fighting chance at least.

Smart idea, Bill. Of course, that means taking more time off work. *sigh*

I just signed up for Solvang! :D But yes, ES is definitely very appealing and I'm sure I can be swayed easily into riding it.

Good, now we all have to think about rooms for Solvang. My wife may be joining me for the weekend since she can have a nice day to herself while I'm out cussing at the cows.

BTW, are there any rides that you can't be swayed into riding? :D

BTW, are there any rides that you can't be swayed into riding? :D
Nope. If the price is right and the ride looks promising, with lots of ups and downs, I'm all over it. :D

Hi M.E.

I have asthma and had to have some albuterol near the top of each of the 3 peaks on Eastern Sierra. However, that said, I have completed it two times (both times started in the dark, finished in the light) and aside from the time lost to stopping for the inhaler . . . really not a problem.

I rode a lot of the 2006 Eastern Sierra with your buddy Ron Hanson. He stopped at the top of Sage Hen to phone Roland (who wasn't on the ride) with the messge: "I'm on top of Sage Hen and you're not!"

Those ADO guys (and girls!) are great!

Best Regs,
Rick / OCRR

I have asthma and had to have some albuterol near the top of each of the 3 peaks on Eastern Sierra. However, that said, I have completed it two times (both times started in the dark, finished in the light) and aside from the time lost to stopping for the inhaler . . . really not a problem.

I rode a lot of the 2006 Eastern Sierra with your buddy Ron Hanson. He stopped at the top of Sage Hen to phone Roland (who wasn't on the ride) with the messge: "I'm on top of Sage Hen and you're not!"

Those AOL guys (and girls!) are great!


AOL? Do you mean ADO? (I want to be sure I'm reporting that correctly!). Ron is sweetie. He was quiet and calm and so nice to ride with (as were the other two gentlemen). That's funny that you guys phoned Roland. With his personality, I'm sure he laughed.

As for the asthma, I carry my albuterol with me all the times (especially on rides) as well as Foradil (which I used toward the end of the ride last Saturday as my asthma kicked in around mile 180). I had one attack on a century around mile 70 in 2005 and it scared the hell out of me. The SAG vehicle was literally within a mile of me and the young man driving it was parked next to his mother's car before he came to my aid. She was asthmatic and had Ventibule (sp????) - the non-generic inhaler - and she sent it with him as my albuterol was doing nothing! They considered taking me to the emergency room, but with her inhaler, I was able to stop the wheezing and coughing to catch my breath (the dizziness remained for awhile though and, needless to say, that ride was ended prematurely for me!). So, now I'm more cautious. My doctor completely encourages me to continue the cycling, but he has warned me that if I have a full blown asthma attack and can't get to help quickly enough, it can kill me! :eek: I've taken his words seriously, but not enough so to keep from riding a double! :D

Yes M.E.
I meant ADO (slip of the typing fingers there!).

RE: Attacks during events, I had one that seemed like a near-killer during a mountain bike race during the winter (lots of snow on the trails) when I lived in Missouri. Very scary, and riders that I'd passed would come by and ask "Are you alright?"

I didn't have the breath to answer, so I'd just shake my head "yes" and they would ride on. Took me about half an hour to recover enough to finish.

Been much better overall since I moved to CA, but yes, I always have albuterol handy.

Best Regs,
Rick / OCRR

PS: I didn't phone Roland, Ron Hanson did. He told me about it at the next (final) rest stop.

:rolleyes: OH, whatever. I'm not worried about altitude sickness, you silly boys, I'm concerned with just feeling like crap for 200 miles - and, yes, altitude can affect asthma. I expect no violins here, but I have severe asthma, so it is imperative that I know what conditions I'm getting into on rides. I'd hate to be out in the middle of nowhere and have an asthma attack (which I've had before on a ride). But regardless, I may still do this one. I just haven't decided, and it will depend on how Solvang and Hemet go. If I complete those, I might do ES just to go for Grand Slam, but that is very tentative. 200 miles does a number on my butt! :p :D

This thread has drifted from talking about Hemet, which is just as well because the ride is as boring as they come. ;)

You won't know how altitude effects you until you try it, and doing the ES double would be a hard way to find out. In 2005 I was very surprised to find I had altitude problems on the Ride Around the Bear. On the top of Onyx Summit I was wiped out. Like a dummy I did not descend immediately, but when I did I felt better right away.

My DNF last year on the ES cost me the Grand Slam. I knew it was a stretch, but I tried it anyway. The ride started at 4000 ft, and once above 5000 ft I had to stop the bike many, many times because I was simply out of gas. Absolutely absurd. 20-30 times before I crapped out for good on Sagehen.

Keep in mind there are three good doubles later in the year; Knoxville (out of Vacaville), Fall Solvang (Planet Ultra) and Fall Death Valley. The second counts towards the Grand Slam, but they all count towards the Triple Crown and the Thousand Mile Club (five doubles in one year). These three are on my list.

I've already decided that I am doing Eastern Sierra on June 2nd...

Make sure to ask misterdna about the Eastern Sierra Double :)

As for the asthma, I carry my albuterol with me all the times (especially on rides) as well as Foradil (which I used toward the end of the ride last Saturday as my asthma kicked in around mile 180). I had one attack on a century around mile 70 in 2005 and it scared the hell out of me. The SAG vehicle was literally within a mile of me and the young man driving it was parked next to his mother's car before he came to my aid. She was asthmatic and had Ventibule (sp????) - the non-generic inhaler - and she sent it with him as my albuterol was doing nothing! They considered taking me to the emergency room, but with her inhaler, I was able to stop the wheezing and coughing to catch my breath (the dizziness remained for awhile though and, needless to say, that ride was ended prematurely for me!). So, now I'm more cautious. My doctor completely encourages me to continue the cycling, but he has warned me that if I have a full blown asthma attack and can't get to help quickly enough, it can kill me! :eek: I've taken his words seriously, but not enough so to keep from riding a double! :D

The Ventolin inhaler that you got from the SAG driver’s mother is the brand version of Albuterol. They are the same thing, one is generic and one is a brand name. If the Ventolin worked so would the Albuterol unless it was empty. Just because it feels like there is something in it and it makes noise when you depress it doesn’t mean there is medicine in the metered dose inhaler (MDI),:(. There is a test to see if there is medicine in your inhaler. For maximum effect of your medicine you should use a spacer or holding chamber when you use a MDI. Check with your doctor or your local American Lung Association (ALA) for a spacer.

Albuterol is a quick relief medicine. It is designed to be used as needed. The use of Albuterol more than two times a week indicates that your asthma is out of control. Proper asthma management requires the use of a controller medicine everyday, even if you feel well, and the use of Albuterol as needed only. The use of a controller medicine will greatly reduce or eliminate bronchospasms, therefore limiting the need for Albuterol.

If you have exercise induced asthma the treatment is the use of Albuterol, with a spacer, 15 minutes prior to the exercise, wait 5 minutes and use it again. This treatment should allow you to participate in cycling without asthma symptoms. Please check with your doctor before starting or stopping any asthma treatment. Also, check with your local ALA for information on adult asthma classes and information. I forwarded your problem to my wife, Sharon, who has worked with the ALA doing asthma management for 18 years. If you would like more information about asthma management and/or consulting please call her: Sharon Borradori, 661-847-4700 office, 661-319-2098 cell. All the information and classes from her are free,:), also check with her for a spacer. To help fund this she puts on a three day fund raiser bike ride on the Central California Coast, please follow the link in my signature below.

I'm out...decided to do Mulholland Challenge instead.