DanteB

The Central Coast Double, I’ve done it before but it has never been this hard. It started in Paso Robles with a mass start at 5:40am. A mile out of the start the climbing begins a nice little warm up for the day. Just before the first RS (rest stop) there’s a ¾ mile 24% climb, ouch. After the first RS there is a wicked downhill, steep, rough and switchbacks, oh deep shade to bright sunlight thrown in for a little excitement. The downhill ended in Cambria where the next challenge showed up, headwind. For the next 62 miles we had a strong headwind so strong there were whitecaps on the ocean next to where we were riding. I found out latter the wind was blowing 18-20 with gusts to 30.

At the second RS a rider noticed my rear wheel had a little wobble in it. I knew it was a little out of turn, very slight, but now it was much worst. Upon farther inspection it was much worst, in fact 2 spokes holes were cracked and that’s what caused the spokes to be loose. There was a SAG with wheels but he had just left and was heading to the next RS. The wheel was rideable, ok I hoped it was rideable, so I took off to the next RS. The wheel was holding up but it was a little squirrelly so I had to slow down on the downhills.

I made the next RS, what a view, halfway between Monterey and Cambria on the California Central Coast. The RS was 100 above the water with a beautiful view of the coastline. Oh back to the wheel, I had just missed the SAG with the wheels. When you leave the RS it’s the big climb of the day 8 miles averaging 8% with the first 2 miles having pitches to 16%. The wheel was holding up but I didn’t know for how long. Half way up the SAG with the wheels showed up so we changed out my wheel. I run a 13-29 on this double but his wheel had a 12-25 and no tools to change the cassette. It was tough climbing the hill without the extra gearing, but it was a wheel that was solid.

I pulled into the lunch stop tired and beat up. Another rider came in a few minutes after I did and we had lunch together. We left together, want a few miles only to make a left turn and back into the headwind while climbing a hill, so much fun. After the next turn it was a ride next to some plowed fields, blowing dirt and dust. Oh boy another hill with the wrong gearing, it wasn’t too bad and over the top was the next RS.

I had sent my headlights to this RS so I was at the stop a little longer than I wanted to be. The sun was going down and it was starting to get cold so I put my arm and knee warmers back on and off we went. We made it to the next RS well before the cutoff time of 9:30pm. We had some cup-o-noodles and slowly climb back on the bikes for the last 30 miles to the finish.

2 miles after the RS was the last hill of the day, 5 miles, 5%, not to bad. Now it was a game of missing all the potholes in the dark, find the last RS than it’s just 13 miles to the finish. We found the RS, made a quick stop, talked to Bernie Barge RAMM rider who was working the stop and headed to the finish. By now we were both tired and it turned into pedal pedal, coast, pedal pedal, coast, ouch I found that pothole. Finally the finish line, I was done, 201.6 miles, 13,399’ of climbing, 18:19 overall time and 15:47 on the bike time. Now the only thing on my mind was food, a shower, a bed and everything on my body hurt. My wife was there to pick my up and drive me home. I was so tired I think we went about 2 blocks and I was already asleep.

Mr. Beanz

Nice report, bummer about the wheel. Do you run a double or triple with the 13/29? That Bernie Barge guy, sounds familiar. He's one of those famous bigtime riders if remember correctly?

obiwan kenobi

Nice write up, I hope to be at the double century level next year, shooting for that triple crown jersey.

Homeyba

Don't know him, but I heard he was a slacker... If you'd come up I would have ridden it with you! Actually, I had a test that day so I couldn't have ridden it if I wanted so I got to render aid at the last rest stop instead.


obiwan you'll enjoy the CCD. It's a very beautiful ride! As dan mentioned, it can be very windy and/or hot! At least the temps were pretty nice this year.

DanteB

I run a triple, 53-42-30 with the 13-29. It gives me some low gear for long steep grades.

And we as ride appreicate every minute you were out there in the cold supporting us!

The ride from the start to the top of Nacimiento-Ferguson Rd. is probably some of the prettiest around.

CliftonGK1

Reading all your double-c reports makes me look forward to my upcoming (possible) double. If I get $165 more dollars for my Tour de Cure ride ($1000 total) I'm riding the century course twice. 202 miles and 13,500 elevation; first lap through the night, unsupported, so I can make the 7am start with the rest of the century riders.

No 20%+ grades, though. And hopefully no 30mph wind gusts! Yikes.

DanteB

Where is the ride? Will you have any support on the first century? How long do you think it will take for the first century and have you ridden the course before? Since you're riding the course at night and if you haven't done it before you may want to do some recon. Keep us posted. How about coming down to CA. and doing a duble with us. If you're thinking about it there are easier doubles than the CCD.