Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - First Double advice

I'm thinking about doing a double next year. I've been riding since 1986 (with some 8 years off). I'm a cat 4 masters racer. I've finished many centuries, Death Ride five times, Everest Challenge twice. But the Death Ride (125 miles) is as far as I have ridden and 10.5 hours, my first and worst Death Ride, is the longest I have been in the saddle.

The normal recommendation is for doing an easy double first but the thought of doing a flat 200 miles is not very interesting to say the least. I like climbing. I like competition, so an event that's got published finish times would make it more fun for me, even though I'd be going conservatively. I am looking mostly at NorCal doubles. Would riding the Devil Mountain Double as my first double be stupid? Its close and I know all the roads, but it may be the same day as the Wente RR, which I like.

The LA Wheelmen Grand Tour offers several distance and climbing options. In the Double, they have both a "flat" and "climbing" option. If you're interested the PCHRandonners offer 200K & 300K brevets in SoCal in January and February if you're interested in working your way up.

The Central Coast Double (http://centralcoastdouble.com/)(CCD) is a great double. It starts/finishes in Paso Robles. The major climb of the day comes at mile 86 and is 8 miles averaging 8% with the first 2 miles of 10-16%. They keep time so you can see how you do.

The Davis Double has 8000 feet of climbing. And it's fun.
I did it last year as my first and so far only double.

Here are my two blog posts on riding it.
http://ccorlew.blogspot.com/search/label/davis%20double%20century

Look at the Death Valley Doubles. They have enough climbing to make them interesting. They publish the times. The Spring Double is filled up. The Fall Double will open (and close) for registration June 15. Registration fills in an hour or so with only 150 riders (permit limits in Death Valley.)

http://www.adventurecorps.com/dvfall/index.html

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Kevin

Would riding the Devil Mountain Double as my first double be stupid? Its close and I know all the roads, but it may be the same day as the Wente RR, which I like.

I haven't done the Death Ride, but given the total elevation and the distance, I'd imagine it's comparable to doing some of the easier double centuries. So I'd say it's reasonable to go straight to the Devil Mountain from there, especially since you're familiar with the roads and thus have a good idea of what to expect.

If you miss it due to the Wente RR conflict, both the Terrible Two and the Mt. Tam Doubles are timed as well, and the Terrible Two especially has a race atmosphere. And while the Davis Double has a reputation as a flat double, there is plenty of climbing in the middle hundred miles of it. Also, it will be the 40th anniversary of the Davis Double in 2009, which will likely mean an even bigger, more festive turnout than usual.

Finally, if you want to get some experience doing longer distance rides before taking on the Devil Mountain, the SF Randonneurs (http://www.sfrandonneurs.org) and the Santa Cruz Randonneurs (http://www.santacruzrandonneurs.org) are putting on 300Ks (185 miles) before the Devil Mountain.

Of the doubles mentioned above, I've done Davis, Grand Tour and Mt. Tam, so compared to The Death Ride (my time was 11:15) my memory tells me both the Grand Tour (Highland) and Davis are easier than The Death Ride, while Mt. Tam was more difficult.

Regardless, based on your experience, you have the capability to ride Mt. Tam, as well as some of the closer (Devil Mountain, Central Coast) doubles. You would also enjoy the Knoxville Double, plus it's presented by the same folks (Quack Cyclists) that organize Devil Mountain.

Rick / OCRR