Northern California - Davis double ride report: Day in Hell

Wow. I have no memory of this at all. And I have radar for wineries.


Curtis, that is the rest stop where Pete had fallen asleep, and where I then ran into you on the bike just a little bit up the road. I think maybe you had just gone in and out of the stop because you were thinking Pete was still on the road.

I did stop there for a while, but didn't realize there was a winery there. Seemed more like a campground picnic space, but I know in the past I have travelled that road and seen Nichilini Winery, so it must be visible from the road from some angle, I think. Missed it on Saturday though.

Ok. Now it comes back to me. That rest stop at the T intersection of Silverado and Pope. I didn't realize that was a winery. That was the only time I felt like an idiot all day. I followed a guy about 100 yards the wrong way (went left after that rest stop like a lemming when I KNEW I should have gone right. Took the same route 2 months prior. Doie!). This group of 4 Olavita (sp?)/Sutter Home guys said in tandem "Are you coming with us?". Did a duh U-turn with the other guy and I followed them for about 10 miles, passed them and never saw them again. The day was a trip to say the least.

Oh! I also stopped and asked a guy if he liked Rush and he looked at me and said "they're allright." So I take that back. I felt like an idiot twice that day. :p I FORGOT WHAT INTERSECTION YOU WERE AT??? Sorry! Thanks for helping out nonetheless. :thumb:

LOL! I don't think there's another Rush fan in the DBC, but I haven't polled the club...Glad you had a good time.

As for the winery, you can't see it on the DD route. It's up 128 around the corner from the rest stop/picnic area. If you ever drive up 128 from the Napa Valley, it's all by itself and easy to notice.

LOL! I don't think there's another Rush fan in the DBC, but I haven't polled the club...Glad you had a good time.

As for the winery, you can't see it on the DD route. It's up 128 around the corner from the rest stop/picnic area. If you ever drive up 128 from the Napa Valley, it's all by itself and easy to notice.

Hey, Is this you??
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/Rushfan.jpg

Congratulations guys! :thumb: I can't imagine what it would have been like in that heat.

Hi, folks. I'm a newbie to this forum, but I just had to share my experience on the Ride to Hell And Back. No point in elaborating on the brutal climb up Cobb, the heat, etc., which have been well covered. However, I had an "as near to death as I ever want to get" experience while bombing down Highway 20 on my way to RS #7. I hit a pothole at speed, blowing out BOTH tires and crimping the rims, the rear so badly I didn't think I could re-mount the tire. It was a documented miracle that I did not eat asphalt and managed to stop the bike without wiping out. I can only chalk it up to my shimano 7801 rims (now dust) and the vredstein tri comps that the tires did not roll off the rims and send me flying over the edge of the road into the deep gully below. Those rims were built for low pressure tubeless clinchers, but for this ride I chose the vredsteins. I'm way glad I did.
After shaking the poop out of my bike shorts ;), I began to get to work fixing the flats, the front first. I had two spare tubes, but the first one cracked at the middle of the valve stem upon trying to inflate it (maybe I was just a teensy bit hyper with the adrenalin?). I reached for my cell phone to try and call SAG, and they showed up before I could even flip the phone open! Amazing ! Those guys were everywhere at once. They made Fedex look lazy !
I fixed the front, and after inspecting the rear tire realized it was ripped at the point of impact and required a boot, which I had put in my repair kit only days before. I inflated the rear only enough to get the tire round, not daring to overinflate to the point that the tire might blow off at the crimp or the boot would give. I had to use my front brake almost exclusively as the rear was sounding like it was being destroyed every time I applied it on a descent.
I was back in business, albeit slowly, and wound up finishing well into the night on a semi-flat. This was one epic ride for me in so many ways ! Hats off to the DBC and all that finished this episode of survivor!

rendog, THAT'S A STORY! YIKES!

You're OK, and that's great. Do you need new rims? New shorts?

That's quite a miracle indeed. Good job finishing after all that. Welcome to the forums.

Hey welcome to the NorCal group!

I hate that drop cause of the crosswinds and there always seems to be a large bus or trailer passing me.
I broke my back wheel on a rock last year, same spot!
Pete

welcome to the forum rendog...and boy am I glad I only had a flat! What a story. Glad you are ok.

Hey, Is this you??
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/Rushfan.jpg

No, I was sporting a white San Jose Earthquakes t-shirt with coffee stains...spilled my coffee on the drive over to my intersection...

I will burn the shorts, give the rims a proper burial, and proceed to the nearest witch doctor that can refill my luck tank. If luck were gasoline, I'd be running on fumes.:twitchy:
Thanks for the welcome, guys. I'm actually from south Orange County, but I'm beginning to do more NorCal rides when travel permits. I hope to see you guys out there one of these days under more auspicious circumstances.

Hi, folks. I'm a newbie to this forum, but I just had to share my experience on the Ride to Hell And Back. No point in elaborating on the brutal climb up Cobb, the heat, etc., which have been well covered. However, I had an "as near to death as I ever want to get" experience while bombing down Highway 20 on my way to RS #7. I hit a pothole at speed, blowing out BOTH tires and crimping the rims, the rear so badly I didn't think I could re-mount the tire. It was a documented miracle that I did not eat asphalt and managed to stop the bike without wiping out. I can only chalk it up to my shimano 7801 rims (now dust) and the vredstein tri comps that the tires did not roll off the rims and send me flying over the edge of the road into the deep gully below. Those rims were built for low pressure tubeless clinchers, but for this ride I chose the vredsteins. I'm way glad I did.
After shaking the poop out of my bike shorts ;), I began to get to work fixing the flats, the front first. I had two spare tubes, but the first one cracked at the middle of the valve stem upon trying to inflate it (maybe I was just a teensy bit hyper with the adrenalin?). I reached for my cell phone to try and call SAG, and they showed up before I could even flip the phone open! Amazing ! Those guys were everywhere at once. They made Fedex look lazy !
I fixed the front, and after inspecting the rear tire realized it was ripped at the point of impact and required a boot, which I had put in my repair kit only days before. I inflated the rear only enough to get the tire round, not daring to overinflate to the point that the tire might blow off at the crimp or the boot would give. I had to use my front brake almost exclusively as the rear was sounding like it was being destroyed every time I applied it on a descent.
I was back in business, albeit slowly, and wound up finishing well into the night on a semi-flat. This was one epic ride for me in so many ways ! Hats off to the DBC and all that finished this episode of survivor!

Very scary story RenDog - congrats on making it through that. Those Tricomps are great rubber. If RS#7 is still Resurrection, did this happen just after you summited the short climb on Hwy 20 (that comes right after you turned east off of Hwy 53)? If that's the same spot it drops quickly there. I forgot the DC name for that hill (it used to have one), but in 1986 on that section/descent I got the worst shimmy of my almost 3 decades of club cycling and and came really close to becoming acquainted with the wrong side of the guard rail and it's accompanying sheer dropoff. // I think the DBC has the best century ride support, period. Their SAG and rest stop teams set the standard.

OK. It's time for the truth about this ride:
It wasn't that bad.
There was no rain, and most importantly the wind wasn't a major factor.
The first 98 miles are so aren't bad at all. I'm not a climber, but even for me Cardiac Hill wasn't hard. It's just a hill.
Cobb was a killer. I hurt on that, and the heat and sun didn't help. The fact that there was more climbing after the rest stop was demoralizing.
Though it seemed to last forever, it really didn't. And teh downhill that followed was long enough that I felt recovered by the end.
The ride up to Resurrection Hill was a grunt, and the no shoulder part was worrisome, but after that things got a lot better.
Even though there was a hot headwind, it was on a long downhill. I didn't speed, but I didn't feel like I needed to work that hard either.
The ride after the Casino was no fun, what with the minimal shoulder and so many cars, but after that we had a very slight downhill and best of all, near the end, a huge tailwind to push us home.

So many things might have been worse. Too cold, rain, nasty headwind, or nasty headwind and uphill.
But it was merely way too hot. The organizers provided ice socks (greatest invention since the bicycle itself) and lots of water (and a large dose of moral support) that got us through.

One more climb and I wouldn't have made it, but as it was, ending with 60 miles of at least slightly downhill made this ride survivable, even for me.

OK. It's time for the truth about this ride:
It wasn't that bad.
There was no rain, and most importantly the wind wasn't a major factor.
The first 98 miles are so aren't bad at all. I'm not a climber, but even for me Cardiac Hill wasn't hard. It's just a hill.
Cobb was a killer. I hurt on that, and the heat and sun didn't help. The fact that there was more climbing after the rest stop was demoralizing.
Though it seemed to last forever, it really didn't. And teh downhill that followed was long enough that I felt recovered by the end.
The ride up to Resurrection Hill was a grunt, and the no shoulder part was worrisome, but after that things got a lot better.
Even though there was a hot headwind, it was on a long downhill. I didn't speed, but I didn't feel like I needed to work that hard either.
The ride after the Casino was no fun, what with the minimal shoulder and so many cars, but after that we had a very slight downhill and best of all, near the end, a huge tailwind to push us home.

So many things might have been worse. Too cold, rain, nasty headwind, or nasty headwind and uphill.
But it was merely way too hot. The organizers provided ice socks (greatest invention since the bicycle itself) and lots of water (and a large dose of moral support) that got us through.

One more climb and I wouldn't have made it, but as it was, ending with 60 miles of at least slightly downhill made this ride survivable, even for me.

Good summary and reassuring in some way to this Double Century virgin. But the big question is: Was it fun?

That's the mental hurdle I can't get over. Why this ride would be fun...

Good summary and reassuring in some way to this Double Century virgin. But the big question is: Was it fun?

That's the mental hurdle I can't get over. Why this ride would be fun...

Oddly, yes. Fun for the same reason as any ride is fun. Plus, I really didn't know if I could do it, and I did. That goes beyond fun. Maybe for the same reason people climb mountains or something.

But look at the photos of me. I usually look all serious in photos, but I was amazed to see that I look really happy in all of them.

weird.

Curtis... This is a CALL!!!

Cancel your accomodations in Central Washington (Centralia?) and do the STP in 1 day with me and my bro... :p

I would totally do that, but I'm riding with my sweet wife.:love: who has made it clear that this 200 miles in one day stuff is just silly.

It does seem like an ideal double though, on the map, as Tricia points out, it's all downhill. There is really no climbing. They don't let you leave as early as I think they should, though. I really liked leaving Davis in teh dark and finishing in the light.

I was amazed to see that I look really happy in all of them.

weird.

Are you sure that wasn't delirium? ;)

Good summary and reassuring in some way to this Double Century virgin. But the big question is: Was it fun?

That's the mental hurdle I can't get over. Why this ride would be fun...

Alan one your mind has been ingrained with the association of suffering = fun :beer: Then your life will be filed with joy via the many BF rides to come.

OK. It's time for the truth about this ride:
It wasn't that bad.
.

Thats the way the mind works ! On the day you vow never to put yourself through something like this again. After a few days you forget the pain and after a few weeks you are planning to do the ride again next year :)

I would totally do that, but I'm riding with my sweet wife.:love: who has made it clear that this 200 miles in one day stuff is just silly.

It does seem like an ideal double though, on the map, as Tricia points out, it's all downhill. There is really no climbing. They don't let you leave as early as I think they should, though. I really liked leaving Davis in teh dark and finishing in the light.

Keep in mind it gets dark at like 10pm in July up there... ;) You'll finish with more than enough daylight.

There's really no excuse, other than house rules (wife).

Thats the way the mind works ! On the day you vow never to put yourself through something like this again. After a few days you forget the pain and after a few weeks you are planning to do the ride again next year :)


The truth? I'll give ya the truth; I personally feel like I peaked about a month ago (Constant Rider and I had conversed about this and we agreed it was a factor) and I'm on a slight downturn combined with the heat mistakes in my methodology and personal life stress I felt like crap the most of the time. The oddest thing was that I felt my best between lunch and Ressurection which was where a lot of people were crapping out! Of course the experience when reflected on without the physical reality of suffering is frigging truely "Epic". That is why I do it. Without Curtis there, I might not have been able to hang with it. I couldn't leave him hanging, and on the otherside it would have honestly been a shot to the manhood/ego which in an all out physical challenge can bring it down to the strongest motivator to stay in the game.

The thing I like most is the weird experiences on different levels that really become hilarious and preponderous after the fact. The way humans deal with stress and boredom in creative and bonding ways. I loved the game of tag I played with the unknown woman on the tandem throughout the ride. I laugh out loud now at the Andy Rooneyish statements Curtis would come come up with out of nowhere that I was to beat to even wrap my mind around at the time, and could only utter a gutteral Huh?. How riding through the butterflies I was caught in a dimension somewhere between consciousness and a altered dreamstate which made it all the more bizarre and unreal. The crazy timetrial at the end? where did that come from. Laughing like little kids as grown men stand in a wading pool as they're hosed down by a beautiful young woman laughing at the ridiculousness of it all... I could go on but at the age of 54 when I'm able to experience amazing things when way back I thought life was over when you arrived here.

To tell you the truth...I'm looking forward to the next Davis... " I'm looking forward to looking back at these old days"...I except this craziness, It's what makes the world go round!
Pete

Pete, are you doing Mt. Tam?

Pete, are you doing Mt. Tam?

I'm actually thinking of doing the Seismic double in the fall!

following the San Andreas fault from north of mendicino to san francisco

Thats the way the mind works ! On the day you vow never to put yourself through something like this again. After a few days you forget the pain and after a few weeks you are planning to do the ride again next year :)

Hey, women have that down to an art -- how do you think we have more than one pregnancy? ;)

The only part of this ride that has been hell is being off the bike all week. I spent so much time jib-jabbering about it (nervous energy) at work and online last week that organized me got behind at work so I've been scrambling all week to catch up and we're busy as hell. It's not good for recovery to be sitting all the time. The 100 flights of stairs daily isn't enough... Can't wait to ride after work!!! Woo! Even if I get blown off the road. I got the Jones!

Here's a link to a short slide show with way too many photos of Pete, including (near the end) a video of his unique riding style.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ccorlew/sets/72157605215059603/show/

Pete, steal any high res photos you like from this page
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ccorlew/sets/72157605215059603/

I've decided to do two more and go for the triple crown

I've decided to do two more and go for the triple crown

That's cool. Have you decided which other two you are going to ride ?

right now, I'm thinking of Grand Tour Highland on June 28th because I could visit my daughter in Hollywood and perhaps Solvang which I think is in October.

I was riding my single this past Tuesday on a regular club ride and was told that someone had posted a picture of me and wrote about this game of tag they had going with a woman on the back of a tandem. I said,"Hey, that was me!"....I to enjoyed that game. It is funny how we occupy our minds in extreme conditions. Fortunately for me I have a great view from the stoker seat as my captain is absolutly amazing to look at even from behind. lol I do sometimes get distracted with the view I have or lack there of. I cannot see anything in front of me but can enjoy what we are riding past. I thought the butterflies on the Davis Double were the best part of the ride. Of course, I think everything is a sign :-) They were, for me, a very spiritual experience. Although it was a hot day, I didn't quite poop out till the last 20 miles. I'm thankful for the tail wind. We got in about 7:15...took showers and ate before driving back to Fresno. We must have just missed you guys comming in. We decided to blow the last stop...just wanted to get off the bike, my bottom was whinning and didn't want to be out there any longer.

I'm doing the Grand Tour(lowland) on the 28th. My first double on my single bike...I'm a bit aprehensive about it and looking for someone who wouldn't mind riding with me. I think I could average a comfortable 17-18 mph but I don't think I could ride 20 mph for 200 miles. I'm glad there is not much climbing on this one. If anyone is planning on this ride and doesn't mind me tagging along I would love some company. My captain (from the tandem, and soul mate in life) is doing the triple the same day and although it is the same course for the first and last 100 miles of his ride, he rides so much stronger and faster than I could ever stay up with and I don't want to hold him up...the man is a powerhouse.

Thanks again for the game of tag...it was fun!

TAG...YOU'RE IT!!!!:love:

Hey you guys! Why don't ya join us! http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=418639
huge tandem party check out link!
Pete

July 6th is booked for us already....darn. It sound like a lot of fun. Roger, my captain is training for the 508 solo and is very focused right now so I think I'm stuck on my single for the next few months. Who knows, maybe I will get stronger.

Dee