Looking for some double centuries for 2008

[rcevans]

As I'm getting older my interest for speed and racing in club rides is changing over to a slower pace but still looking for challenging rides I'm wanting to try some distance riding. I've done centuries before and didn't feel to stressed at the end so why not go for more. I am looking to schedule time off for some rides for next year. Where do you look for supported rides of this kind. I'm looking for supported rides in the midwest but if that is not possible I'll have to travel. Any links to websites or events would be appreciated.

[PlanetU]

As I'm getting older my interest for speed and racing in club rides is changing over to a slower pace but still looking for challenging rides I'm wanting to try some distance riding. I've done centuries before and didn't feel to stressed at the end so why not go for more. I am looking to schedule time off for some rides for next year. Where do you look for supported rides of this kind. I'm looking for supported rides in the midwest but if that is not possible I'll have to travel. Any links to websites or events would be appreciated.

http://www.planetultra.com

http://www.caltriplecrown.com

:-)

[Bacciagalupe]

You could also look into PACTOUR: http://www.pactour.com/

They do some training camps & tours that are 100+ miles per day (supported). Sounds like a challenge to me. ;)

[Buckshot77]

http://www.ultramidwest.net/

[supcom]

Do you really need them to be supported? There are many randonneuring events that are 300 or 400Km that would be a good match for you, but they are usually not supported, or have very minimal support. These events do have stops about every 30-40 miles, usually at convenience stores. Routes often incorporate local challenging terrain.

I suggest you checkout the national (US) randonneuring organization at www.rusa.org. There, you can learn more about randonneuring and find links to local clubs near you. The website also has a database of scheduled events for 2008.

I ride with a group of randonneurs in North Texas and there's not a finer bunch of folks. Some of us are fast, some are slow. But all are welcome and encouraged.

[SandLizrd]

I've been digging for some good double-centuries, too, and it's hard to refer a good source.

Big Dogs have a calendar, it's not populated for next year.
UMCA has a calendar, it hasn't been populated for this year!!!

And the terminology keeps throwing me off - a few rides are listed as "double century" when really it's a "twin century." Probably no fault of the organizers, some volunteer didn't know the finer points of 200 miles in one day, not two days. Some doubles are semi-supported - for example, I researched TOSRV and it's a twin century, but some people ride it as a double. Can't find where that's sanctioned, nor can I figure out how late rest stops are open, but we'd imagine 125- and 150-mile stops might still be available for an early starter.

California Triple Crown (listed earlier) seems to be the mother load, and I've heard a well-travelled century rider say that San Luis Obispo was his favorite ride in the world, so Solvang's worth looking in to.

I recommend you look in to the Fireweed "Great Alaskan Double Century" (www.fireweed400.com (http://www.fireweed400.com)), a UMCA event, because the one-way trip to Valdez is AMAZING! Ride the ferry back to Anchorage on Sunday and it's a trip beyond belief. Just be prepared for rain, and the wind blowing off of the glacier will freeze your shifter off! (correction: ferry to Whittier, train to Anchorage)

Seattle to Portland is well-known (9000 riders) and a couple thousand do it as a one-day. www.cascade.org (http://www.cascade.org)
I loved it!

[dobovedo]

I contemplated doing TOSRV as a double this past year, but I do it with friends who I'm pretty sure I could never convince to do such a thing. So instead I opted to do my first double as a solo ride in June. Made up four of my own 50 mile loops all in the same county (Miami - celebrating it's 200th year).

Anyway... I'm not entirely sure of the times for the TOSRV food stops, but I'm pretty sure that starting early and keeping a good pace would get you at least as far as back to the lunch stop at 150 miles. This is a large ride with lots of casual riders who take their time. If not, there are plenty of food and food-mart type places in both Chillicothe (150) and Circleville (175) on the return. After that you're getting back into the south side of Columbus and there are additional options before finishing.

FWIW.. this ride would net you 210, not 200, unless you turned around short of Portsmouth.

To get specifics.. check out email contacts from either www.tosrv.org or www.outdoor-pursuits.org

[MIN]

STP* 08 or BUST! About 9000 participants per year. 20% complete in one day and the rest do it in two days. I did the 206 miles in 10:30 and I will shoot for sub-10 next year.

* Seattle to Portland.

[SandLizrd]

Actually, I think I'd like to do STP as a twin this year. That halfway stop looked like TOO much fun... leaving was a heartbreaker. And a heartburner - I'd had a bad PBJ sandwich, the next 30 miles really, really sucked. Gotta watch them guys.

When I was a kid we did San Diego to Yuma as a twin. The double-record then was 12 hrs, I believe Arnie Baker did it in 8:45 or something inhuman. The roads have gotten worse and it's not a supported ride any more, I can't even find the club, but it was something special

[raccy]

http://www.fireweed400.com

[DanteB]

The doubles in the California Triple Crown Series are of all levels and are all excellent doubles with great support. Solvang Spring Double and the Grand Tour Double are good doubles to start with (website are above). Both have some climbing, but not enough to kill you and they both have beautiful scenery and excellent support.

[Richard Cranium]

Yeah - the best thing to do is move to southern California - and if you can't do that move to central California.....

I rode 15 doubles this year as well as several 400 and 600k brevets. None of them were "supported" - although one of the 600ks actually had a marked route...... Real LDX don't need rider cheer leaders, support and sag wagons - they just actually ride.

I suggest you make-up a double-century route, complete with planned rest-stops and expected route speeds and mail it to me. If it looks safe, I'll join you for a ride.

If anyone wants to ride along on some interesting southern Illinois back roads next year you can mail me as well. I've been riding doubles with one or two people - or solo for quite a while.