Long Distance Cycling - My first Davis Double. A few questions

I've read a lot, I've trained. I think I've got food figured out. I've got a centuries and a metric double planned before hand. This is on my bucket list, and Im only getting older. This year is it!

But I have tiny detail questions:

Lights. Carry a big 'ol light and deal with battery weight? Go small and pray?

How much junk do you carry? More than you can get in jersey pockets and a seat bag? Lots o' warm clothes, or just a bit. Do you carry 'em back?

Drop off. I understand you can leave stuff at the stops and pick it up at the end. True? Does it work well?

Start. The web site has start times, but a friend said you can actually leave early. True? I was thinking of shooting for 4:30 if that's legal. Is it?

Like I said, I'm comfortable with the big questions. But any small helpful details you could offer would be great.

Thanks

Hey, Curtis! Saw your question, and although I don't ride those INSANELY long rides myself, I did forward your questions. Here's some answers form the local King of the DD, Eric Norris.

*****
My two cents' worth:


Lights? You'll have about 15 hours of daylight on ride day. Judge for yourself whether that's enough to finish the entire ride in daylight. If you're looking for a very good, small light, try the Princeton Tec "EOS"


What to carry? I always carry packages of drink mix, as I don't want to chance drinking whatever has been made at the rest stops. The amount of food you can carry in your jersey pockets should be more than enough to get you from one rest stop to another. Bigger issue, particularly if it's hot, is WATER. Bring plenty of it, and consider a Camelbak if the weather is really warm. The climb up Resurrection after lunch is very exposed, uphill, and HOT.


I would not recommend leaving stuff at the stops and expecting expeditious delivery to the end. Carry it back unless you want to wait until the next morning.


Yes, you can leave early, but if you're reasonably fast you may get to the first stop or two before they open. You also may miss out on having corner marshalls watching for traffic.


--Eric "24 Davis DCs so far" Norris

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Enjoy your ride! That's relative. And still crazy. lol ...and ducking, since this IS the Long Distance Cycling forum. hehe.

Diana

Man, these guys are night owls like me. Here's a bit more from another DBC'er:

****
How much do they sweat, burn energy on a bike ride. If they are big
sweaters and energy burners they need more food and water.
What is their typical pace. If they don't average 14mph and they
don't start at 5AM then they will need lights.
Extra Clothing is a last minute decision. It they like the weather
now (30's to 60's) they may not need additional clothing. If they
are frost bitten now (30's to 60's) then they should have some extra
clothes.
The DD is in May. The sun sets around 8 - 9 PM. There is lots of
support at the stops and between the stops.

Lights are typically needed for an early (5:00 AM) start. A start at
6:00 AM that can be finished by 8:00 pm generally doesn't require
lights. A typical cyclist and DD entrant should have a tail light
permanently mounted. A headlight is optional depending if they are
speedy or not.

T.T. done 3 DD and 3 Paris Brest Paris.

****

I usually leave early and use my light and warm clothes to the first stop and leave them there. You can leave them there, I bring a brown bag, and pick them up on the way back, the first stop will be the second to last stop on the way back. As far as food the club usually has a good variety of foods at each stop, but I carry my own drink mix and send some out to the third to the last stop in a drop bag, again brown paper. As mentioned before sometimes it can get hot and you'll need plenty of water, be prepared to carry a Camelbak if the weather is hot. Take some cash with you, there are stores along the way where you can but extra water if you need to. Have fun it's a great course.

Man, these guys are night owls like me.

It's called being at work and it's slow!:D

Great info. Thanks.
So, it's possible to send out a bag to a stop and pick it up when you get there? Who do you give it to, and when? Thanks!

When you check in they will have a place to put drop bags. Just bring a brown paper bag and put your name and rider number on it, I usually bring a Sharpie pen with me to do that.

When you check in they will have a place to put drop bags. Just bring a brown paper bag and put your name and rider number on it, I usually bring a Sharpie pen with me to do that.

Yeah, what Dante said . . .

Plus I always either tape or rubber-band the bag shut so stuff doesn't drop out on the way to the checkppoint, or during loading / un-loading.

Davis is a great ride! It was my first CA Triple Crown double (in 2003) after taking several years off (12!) after burning out on long distance riding after P-B-P.

But Davis is great, you'll love it :).

Rick / OCRR

Lights. Carry a big 'ol light and deal with battery weight? Go small and pray?

How much junk do you carry? More than you can get in jersey pockets and a seat bag? Lots o' warm clothes, or just a bit. Do you carry 'em back?

Lights, yes, certainly a good idea for the first attempt (and unlike me last time, make sure that the blinky is securely attached). You will return mostly on empty and very dark country roads.
How much junk do I carry? Too much, always. I never use half of my stuff. But the food and drink supply is very generous and you do not have to worry about this part (... if you can stand cytomax for a whole day).
If it is hot make sure that you fill up all liquid reservoirs before starting your climb up Cobb mountain. This climb is quite lengthy and your are basking in the mid day sun.

Did you see this site with plenty of advice ?
http://www.lisbonne.com/davisdouble.shtml

Nothing to add except to be sure to stop at the SAG stop at mile 193 to get some chili and a grilled cheese sandwich. I have done Davis the last three years, but will unfortunately miss it this time.

I've also done Davis the last 3 years at it's my favorite. Last year because of a fire they rerouted us and even though it was a nice ride, it was no where near as good as the usual way. What I like to do is not eat anything till the very last stop. Chili and grilled cheese is really good at the fire station and maybe a cup of noodles at the stop before the last one too. I mainly subsist on the Hammer products and do really well keeping the calories up this way. I would never be able to eat enough whole food and I never feel good after I eat anyways, so I stay liquid for most the ride.

Well, it's 10 days from now. I've done a century each of the last weekends and felt pretty good at the end. We even added on about 12 miles on the last one.
The bike is tuned. I've found I really like Hammer Sustained Energy Drink and HEED. I'll be carrying a ton of it.
I've got buddies to ride with, and we're planning a 4:30 start. I'm not too worried about outrunning the rest stops. My plan is to try and not kill myself for the first 199 miles. After that I may well drop the hammer.

Seriously, I just hope to live through it.

Any one else here going?

Can someone please inform as to what a Davis Double is? I get it from the name, but am curious when, where and why? Thanks!

Can someone please inform as to what a Davis Double is? I get it from the name, but am curious when, where and why? Thanks!

Google is your friend
http://www.davisbikeclub.org/ddc/2008/index.htm

Tried the the Google, but apparently did not use the proper search terms. I wasn't sure if it was a proper name of a style of long distance riding, or an event at a location. Thanks!

Does anyone on here have Garmin data for how many feet of climbing the Davis Double has?

Just over a week away........................

Does anyone on here have Garmin data for how many feet of climbing the Davis Double has?

Just over a week away........................

My guess is around 8000. It used to be less, but then they had to detour over Cobb Mountain when Big Canyon got too many pot holes.

All of the climbing is between mile 40 and 140. The climbs are Cardiac, Cobb Mountain, and Resurrection. Once you reach the SAG stop on Resurrection you are looking at an easy 60 miles to finish.

Have fun. Cobb Mountain is a leg breaker. A few pitches of 14%, and a few sustained sections of 11%. Really not too bad, as long as it is not hot. The scenery is fantastic.

If you are succesful at the Davis Double, there is a 375 mile ride 2 weeks later leaving out of Davis as well. But you will need good lights as it starts at 8PM on Friday May 30th.

It's a "flatish" course, so looks to be a great 1st 600k. You can sign up the day of, and its only $45.

http://davisbikeclub.org/ultra/2008/default.htm#600K

--
SharpT

If you are succesful at the Davis Double, there is a 375 mile ride 2 weeks later leaving out of Davis as well.
SharpTI'm not sure recovery in a mere 2 weeks will be possible, even I I do manage to finish...

I usually ride pretty lean. I now have a bento box, big 'ol fat seat bag, 2 giant water bottles and a third for my pocket as well as a big heavy light. My sleek, sexy Kestrel is starting to look like a Rube Goldberg truck.

I've got buddies to ride with, and we're planning a 4:30 start. I'm not too worried about outrunning the rest stops.

We can start that early? I thought it was 5:15am... I, like you, have never done one of these things...:twitchy: If it's going to be as hot as the always reliable weather says I'd like to start in the DARK dark...

^^^bump^^^ anyone? anyone?

The website states : "Start time is between 5:15 and 5:45am.". I am planning on 5:30 am start. It should hopefully be twilight by then.

I think you can leave early. I am. I'm launching at 4:30 You just don't want to outrun the rest stops.
I thought you were showing up and at least starting with BF NorCal.

I think you can leave early. I am. I'm launching at 4:30 You just don't want to outrun the rest stops.
I thought you were showing up and at least starting with BF NorCal.

If you check in Friday night, and get your rider numbers and route sheet, you can pretty much leave whenever you want Saturday morning. If you leave too early, you could reach rest-stops before they're open, as Curtis says. Also, the course marshals will probably not be out on the course yet.

If you are waiting until Saturday morning to check in and get your numbers/route sheet, I am pretty sure the check-in table doesn't open until 5AM. So if you want to start earlier than that, check in the night before.

Sorry for the misunderstanding but 4:30 is too early for me. Hopefully I will see you guys out on course.

Hey! I'm stalking you... Some of my 4 years expirience here.

Lights. Carry a big 'ol light and deal with battery weight? Go small and pray?
Never used lights...I'd just wait for a couple of guys to go out with lights and follow them, never a problem. 45 mins and the sun comes up
How much junk do you carry? More than you can get in jersey pockets and a seat bag? Lots o' warm clothes, or just a bit. Do you carry 'em back? Light wind breaker is plenty or find a bush around the first rest stop to ditch it, we'll hit the same rest stop at the end, pick it up.

Drop off. I understand you can leave stuff at the stops and pick it up at the end. True? Does it work well? Too much work

Start. The web site has start times, but a friend said you can actually leave early. True? I was thinking of shooting for 4:30 if that's legal. Is it?I start between 4:20 but 4:30 is perfect.

Like I said, I'm comfortable with the big questions. But any small helpful details you could offer would be great. Pedal...Don't think. Just pedal anticdotes, stories, jokes, and picking on me we'll make you forget about everything...not to mention the super pretty females.

Your one night stand :love:

chamois butt'r...just what is meant by "apply liberally"?

chamois butt'r...just what is meant by "apply liberally"?

The opposite of having applied by a conservative...

I made it! My first double.
I cn't compare it to any other as it was my first, but experienced riders tell me the 100+ temps made it an epic ride. Many didn't finish, but with the help I got here I was able to.
I rode with fellow BFer Taxi777. Check this thread in NorCal for photo and way to much reliving the adventure
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=419433

There's also a long blog entry in my blog (see sig)