60+ Geezer on Brutal Double Century - White Mountain CA / NV
09-14-10, 03:41 PM
#1
www.ocrebels.com
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Los Angeles area
Posts: 6,186
Bikes: Several bikes, Road, Mountain, Commute, etc.
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 83 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
2 Posts
60+ Geezer on Brutal Double Century - White Mountain CA / NV
Okay, I know, most of you 50+ forumites think we double century riders are crazy, and last Sat. (Sept. 11) I would have (almost) agreed with you
.
Most of the doubles I ride really aren't that difficult, but this one put me to the test. It's called White Mountain Double Century and you can see the details on the official website here: https://www.ndzone.com/
The early start was 4:00AM, so there I was with probably 50 other riders in the cold (42 def.F) darkness, riding the shoulder of CA Hwy 395 between a couple of Eastern Sierra mountain ranges. It was 15 miles of slight descent (not so's you'd notice though) from the town of Bishop (start) to Big Pine where we turned left and started to climb White Mountain.
Riders and lights just before the start
The pretty steep stuff started right away, and I was down to my 30t granny (no point in waiting) following a long string of bright red blinking lights up the mountain road. I saw a few riders I knew (Teresa Beck comes to mind), but most were strangers. This climb goes from 4,000 feet of elevation to just over 10,000 feet. Most of it is steep (9% or more), the rest of it is Very Steep (12% or more). Quite the slog-fest, really.
Not only that, but we also lost about 5 deg.F for every 1,000 feet we climbed. Thankfully I'd dressed correctly plus the extra effort was keeping me quite toasty. Other riders were looking a bit on the chilly side. Eventually it started becoming light so I turned off my headlight and was impressed by the stillness of the area, bicycles making the only sounds. And then I saw the brissle-cone pines (apparently the oldest trees in CA), which were beautiful in an unusual way, and for which this area is famous.
Bristlecone Forest at dawn
The climb lasted about 15 miles, and thankfully there was a water stop approx. ten miles up, staffed by my friend Lou Ann and Mitch (who I didn't know until Lou introduced us). She said I was doing great (no, I didn't believe her!), and as I filled my bottles she said "Only five miles to the summit!" Five miles . . . doesn't sound like very far. But it was. The road became steeper still, brutally so, i.e. standing up in my lowest gear (30t x 27t) and moving at 3.5 mph. That's just fast enough not to fall over! And that went on, pretty much, for an hour and a half until I did (at long last) reach the summit
.
The seemingly infinite climb to White Mountain Summit, early morning Sept. 11, 2010
Here I was, 30 miles into a double century, and feeling totally used up already. Not a good sign folks. On the brighter side, they had lots of good food at the checkpoint (after they wrote down my number and arrival time), a handy rest room and generally good cheer about the whole thing (which helps too). I had seen maybe three riders headed down the mountain as I was finishing up, so the next step (after refueling) was an exciting descent down about eight miles (35+ mph between the switchbacks) until we found a left turn, another checkpoint, and the route leading to Nevada.
And what a descent it was! Perfect pavement, amazing drops, sweeping curves, beautiful morning with the sun up by now. The only problem, really, was my front tire felt a little mushy. Fast cornering and mushy don't go well together, so I stopped and checked. Yep, slow leak. Still rideable though, so I continued on until the descent wound down to an almost level road across the Nevada desert. Talk about desolation! The desert scrub plants were no more than a foot tall, most a lot less. Just miles and miles of desert nothingness.
I also needed a bathroom stop along here, but there was nothing whatsoever to hide behind; no way to be discreet at all. Fortunately, by and by I did come to another rest stop and it was directly to the porta-pot, then to check in with my number (115 if you're curious), then to deal with the front tire. Slow leak turned out to be caused by microscopic (almost) bit of wire. My fingernails couldn't get it out. Some kind checkpoint worker tried. No luck for him either. Solution = Call the Women! Fortunately one of them had some tweezers and knew how to use them! After maybe ten minutes, the wire bit was finally out of the tire. Insert tube, pump up, replace wheel in frame, fill Camelback with ice and water, fill Polar bottle with Perpetuem, Hammer Gel and water (shake well); and back on the road.
In this case, back on the road meant another climb, but while it did have it's steep bits, it wasn't nearly as bad as the first one, maybe one fourth as long. After another entertaining descent it was onto a very straight road (it disappeared into the distance into itself, no turn, no rise or fall, just an (apparently) infinite road. Good news: Tailwind. Yea buddy, almost flying along, 23 - 25 mph with very little effort. Yes, I was feeling better now. Staying hydrated, drinking Perpetuem, still somewhat in awe of the absolutely huge vastness of the desert.
Long about mile 93, however, I rolled into the lunch stop in Dyer, NV at a little multi-purpose business (general store, resturant, gas station, etc.) called "Boonies." As in, "Out in the Boonies" I guess. Regardless, the rest stop was fully stocked with sandwiches, and huge tray of condiments (tomatoes, onions, peppers, chopped carrots, lettuce, mustard, ketchup, mayo, etc.). I fixed a turkey sandwich to my exact specs, grabbed a Coke and relaxed for a bit, eating and talking with other riders. A couple rode up on horses and tied their reins to a nearby tree. Couldn't believe I was seeing that but I checked with another rider and he saw it too. We're not in Kansas anymore Toto!
After the usual Camelback and bottle filling routine we were back on the road, still enjoying the heck out the wonderful tailwind, mostly recovered from this morning's brutal climb and enjoying life! Yes, it was getting a bit hotter now (probably low 90's), but I was staying hydrated, had applied sun screen, so really, no worries! At the next water stop Lou and Mitch were in charge again, more Coke, more Perpetuem, ice and water in the Camelback (okay, several minutes in their super-comfortable folding chair), then back on the bike and up the third climb of the day.
This one was super exposed, and hot, and dry, but really neither too steep or too long, though it must have drug on for four or five miles. Another descent soon followed, then a right turn (even though the sign indicated Bishop to the left!) up another incline (into a headwind!) to the checkpoint known as the Smoothie Stop. I rolled up and saw my friend David Slaton taking a photo of me (and others as they arrived). His daughter Ann Marie took my number and time, as his wife Carol fixed another batch of delicious fruit smoothies.
Okay, time to relax. I found a comfy chair under the canopy (out of the sun!), enjoyed my smoothie with a Coke chaser and left that checkpoint feeling tired, but overall, not too bad. The next climb (last big one of the day) loomed in the distance. And it loomed for a long time. In the vastness of the desert you can see a long way; a Really Long Way. In this case, from the time I could see the climb in the distance, it was an hour and a half before I actually started the climb. The road was mostly straight, the scenery quite boring, so I started listening to my Ipod, not something I usually do on bike rides. Still, it had been suggested as a good idea by someone who'd done last year's White Mountain Double, so I brought it along. And yes, I was glad I did! Because that was one long climb.
Not very steep (McKinley Pass), but a total of 15 miles long (felt like 30). By this time the fatigue was beginning to show big time. While the climb was not steep (guessing 5%) I was down into my 30t x 23 and sometimes 30t x 25, just crawling along at 5 and 6 mph. Forever. Or so it seemed. Riders I passed, or who passed me said "Jeez, is this climb never going to end?" or variations on that theme. I was tired, it was hot, we'd been climbing for an hour and a half and it still wasn't over. Now true, there were two checkpoints / water stops on this climb (saw my friend Terri working the first one, and my friends Jon and Jennifer Shellenbarger at the 2nd one), but still it was . . . hot, I was tired, and on a never-ending climb, CA Hwy 6 by this time.
Eventually, at long last, by and by, and just when we thought it would never happen, we reached the summit. There is a nice sign marking the point, at 7,167 feet of elevation. By this time it was 4:00PM, the sun was a lot lower in the sky and the temperatures were beginning to drop. Okay, fine, that's the good news. The bad news? As we popped over the summit we were greeted with a horrible, hot, headwind. Yes, the same wind we had enjoyed at lunch had turned against us (or we against it?). So, I thought, there's what . . . 60 miles to go, and all of it in the same general direction. A serious problem at this point in the ride.
So yes, there was a bit of a descent, but hardly enjoyable with the warm wind blowing in our collective faces. It was here that I started talking to myself (the Ipod battery used up), saying "I'm going to finish, no matter what. No DNF for me!" and similar self encouraging comments (I hoped). Thirty painful miles into this I reached the final checkpoint at the intersection of CA HWY 120 (Gateway to Yosemite!) and the sleepy little town of Benton, CA.
Lots of gallows humor at the checkpoint due to the headwind. It's 36 miles into Bishop from Benton. Lots of tired riders, almost sunset, chili and hot dogs for dinner, M&M's for dessert. Yum. Coke and Dr.Pepper for a bit of caffeine, and back on the bike! Took off with Charlie Griffice (who had ridden the most CA doubles of anyone . . . 144) and Chuck Bramwell who is the Executive Director of the CA Triple Crown (https://www.caltriplecrown.com/), so it was good company!
We traded off pulls into the headwind, no specified interval, just pull until you start to get tired then drop back and the next rider comes through. Brutal headwind, all of us very tired at this point. Turned on our lights maybe ten miles out, listening to crickets and the occasional semi-truck passing, not talking much (difficult to hear over the wind), feeling even more tired but at the same time, more determined to finish. At some point we dropped Charlie (didn't mean to). I asked Chuck if we should wait for him. "Yes, I guess we should." was his reply. Looking back down the road "Here comes a headlight, it's probably Charlie." But it wasn't. "Okay then, let's take off, he's probably blown." Okay Chuck, whatever you say, and we rode off into the relentless wind. Doesn't wind dye down after darkness? Not this wind.
It took a long time to get to Bishop. But hey, at least we were trading pulls, it would have been lots worse alone. Finally we saw the lights of Bishop in the distance. An eternity later, we actually rolled into town, over to the Ramada Inn, to check in where we'd left early this morning. Was it really this morning? It seems like so long ago now . . .
Finished at 9:10 so 17 hours and ten minutes total. My bike time was 14:57 and my average speed was 13.7, top speed 44.1. And I was tired. Check in, phoned my wife to let her know I finished, then up to my room, shower, fall into bed. Totally used up. Not hungry thanks to the Perpetuem, too tired to eat anything anyway.
So yes, a very tough double. Only 11,700 feet of climbing, but the steepness of the climbs, probably the thinner air at altitude, the dryness (sweat but see no sweat), the sun, it all added up. And then the headwind on top of everything else. 60 miles of headwind. Brutal.
Thanks to all the volunteers at the checkpoints, rest stops and water stops along the way! We honestly could not have made it without you!
Will try to add photos soon (or else it didn't happen!).
Rick / OCRR
.Most of the doubles I ride really aren't that difficult, but this one put me to the test. It's called White Mountain Double Century and you can see the details on the official website here: https://www.ndzone.com/
The early start was 4:00AM, so there I was with probably 50 other riders in the cold (42 def.F) darkness, riding the shoulder of CA Hwy 395 between a couple of Eastern Sierra mountain ranges. It was 15 miles of slight descent (not so's you'd notice though) from the town of Bishop (start) to Big Pine where we turned left and started to climb White Mountain.
The pretty steep stuff started right away, and I was down to my 30t granny (no point in waiting) following a long string of bright red blinking lights up the mountain road. I saw a few riders I knew (Teresa Beck comes to mind), but most were strangers. This climb goes from 4,000 feet of elevation to just over 10,000 feet. Most of it is steep (9% or more), the rest of it is Very Steep (12% or more). Quite the slog-fest, really.
Not only that, but we also lost about 5 deg.F for every 1,000 feet we climbed. Thankfully I'd dressed correctly plus the extra effort was keeping me quite toasty. Other riders were looking a bit on the chilly side. Eventually it started becoming light so I turned off my headlight and was impressed by the stillness of the area, bicycles making the only sounds. And then I saw the brissle-cone pines (apparently the oldest trees in CA), which were beautiful in an unusual way, and for which this area is famous.
The climb lasted about 15 miles, and thankfully there was a water stop approx. ten miles up, staffed by my friend Lou Ann and Mitch (who I didn't know until Lou introduced us). She said I was doing great (no, I didn't believe her!), and as I filled my bottles she said "Only five miles to the summit!" Five miles . . . doesn't sound like very far. But it was. The road became steeper still, brutally so, i.e. standing up in my lowest gear (30t x 27t) and moving at 3.5 mph. That's just fast enough not to fall over! And that went on, pretty much, for an hour and a half until I did (at long last) reach the summit
. Here I was, 30 miles into a double century, and feeling totally used up already. Not a good sign folks. On the brighter side, they had lots of good food at the checkpoint (after they wrote down my number and arrival time), a handy rest room and generally good cheer about the whole thing (which helps too). I had seen maybe three riders headed down the mountain as I was finishing up, so the next step (after refueling) was an exciting descent down about eight miles (35+ mph between the switchbacks) until we found a left turn, another checkpoint, and the route leading to Nevada.
And what a descent it was! Perfect pavement, amazing drops, sweeping curves, beautiful morning with the sun up by now. The only problem, really, was my front tire felt a little mushy. Fast cornering and mushy don't go well together, so I stopped and checked. Yep, slow leak. Still rideable though, so I continued on until the descent wound down to an almost level road across the Nevada desert. Talk about desolation! The desert scrub plants were no more than a foot tall, most a lot less. Just miles and miles of desert nothingness.
I also needed a bathroom stop along here, but there was nothing whatsoever to hide behind; no way to be discreet at all. Fortunately, by and by I did come to another rest stop and it was directly to the porta-pot, then to check in with my number (115 if you're curious), then to deal with the front tire. Slow leak turned out to be caused by microscopic (almost) bit of wire. My fingernails couldn't get it out. Some kind checkpoint worker tried. No luck for him either. Solution = Call the Women! Fortunately one of them had some tweezers and knew how to use them! After maybe ten minutes, the wire bit was finally out of the tire. Insert tube, pump up, replace wheel in frame, fill Camelback with ice and water, fill Polar bottle with Perpetuem, Hammer Gel and water (shake well); and back on the road.
In this case, back on the road meant another climb, but while it did have it's steep bits, it wasn't nearly as bad as the first one, maybe one fourth as long. After another entertaining descent it was onto a very straight road (it disappeared into the distance into itself, no turn, no rise or fall, just an (apparently) infinite road. Good news: Tailwind. Yea buddy, almost flying along, 23 - 25 mph with very little effort. Yes, I was feeling better now. Staying hydrated, drinking Perpetuem, still somewhat in awe of the absolutely huge vastness of the desert.
Long about mile 93, however, I rolled into the lunch stop in Dyer, NV at a little multi-purpose business (general store, resturant, gas station, etc.) called "Boonies." As in, "Out in the Boonies" I guess. Regardless, the rest stop was fully stocked with sandwiches, and huge tray of condiments (tomatoes, onions, peppers, chopped carrots, lettuce, mustard, ketchup, mayo, etc.). I fixed a turkey sandwich to my exact specs, grabbed a Coke and relaxed for a bit, eating and talking with other riders. A couple rode up on horses and tied their reins to a nearby tree. Couldn't believe I was seeing that but I checked with another rider and he saw it too. We're not in Kansas anymore Toto!
After the usual Camelback and bottle filling routine we were back on the road, still enjoying the heck out the wonderful tailwind, mostly recovered from this morning's brutal climb and enjoying life! Yes, it was getting a bit hotter now (probably low 90's), but I was staying hydrated, had applied sun screen, so really, no worries! At the next water stop Lou and Mitch were in charge again, more Coke, more Perpetuem, ice and water in the Camelback (okay, several minutes in their super-comfortable folding chair), then back on the bike and up the third climb of the day.
This one was super exposed, and hot, and dry, but really neither too steep or too long, though it must have drug on for four or five miles. Another descent soon followed, then a right turn (even though the sign indicated Bishop to the left!) up another incline (into a headwind!) to the checkpoint known as the Smoothie Stop. I rolled up and saw my friend David Slaton taking a photo of me (and others as they arrived). His daughter Ann Marie took my number and time, as his wife Carol fixed another batch of delicious fruit smoothies.
Okay, time to relax. I found a comfy chair under the canopy (out of the sun!), enjoyed my smoothie with a Coke chaser and left that checkpoint feeling tired, but overall, not too bad. The next climb (last big one of the day) loomed in the distance. And it loomed for a long time. In the vastness of the desert you can see a long way; a Really Long Way. In this case, from the time I could see the climb in the distance, it was an hour and a half before I actually started the climb. The road was mostly straight, the scenery quite boring, so I started listening to my Ipod, not something I usually do on bike rides. Still, it had been suggested as a good idea by someone who'd done last year's White Mountain Double, so I brought it along. And yes, I was glad I did! Because that was one long climb.
Not very steep (McKinley Pass), but a total of 15 miles long (felt like 30). By this time the fatigue was beginning to show big time. While the climb was not steep (guessing 5%) I was down into my 30t x 23 and sometimes 30t x 25, just crawling along at 5 and 6 mph. Forever. Or so it seemed. Riders I passed, or who passed me said "Jeez, is this climb never going to end?" or variations on that theme. I was tired, it was hot, we'd been climbing for an hour and a half and it still wasn't over. Now true, there were two checkpoints / water stops on this climb (saw my friend Terri working the first one, and my friends Jon and Jennifer Shellenbarger at the 2nd one), but still it was . . . hot, I was tired, and on a never-ending climb, CA Hwy 6 by this time.
Eventually, at long last, by and by, and just when we thought it would never happen, we reached the summit. There is a nice sign marking the point, at 7,167 feet of elevation. By this time it was 4:00PM, the sun was a lot lower in the sky and the temperatures were beginning to drop. Okay, fine, that's the good news. The bad news? As we popped over the summit we were greeted with a horrible, hot, headwind. Yes, the same wind we had enjoyed at lunch had turned against us (or we against it?). So, I thought, there's what . . . 60 miles to go, and all of it in the same general direction. A serious problem at this point in the ride.
So yes, there was a bit of a descent, but hardly enjoyable with the warm wind blowing in our collective faces. It was here that I started talking to myself (the Ipod battery used up), saying "I'm going to finish, no matter what. No DNF for me!" and similar self encouraging comments (I hoped). Thirty painful miles into this I reached the final checkpoint at the intersection of CA HWY 120 (Gateway to Yosemite!) and the sleepy little town of Benton, CA.
Lots of gallows humor at the checkpoint due to the headwind. It's 36 miles into Bishop from Benton. Lots of tired riders, almost sunset, chili and hot dogs for dinner, M&M's for dessert. Yum. Coke and Dr.Pepper for a bit of caffeine, and back on the bike! Took off with Charlie Griffice (who had ridden the most CA doubles of anyone . . . 144) and Chuck Bramwell who is the Executive Director of the CA Triple Crown (https://www.caltriplecrown.com/), so it was good company!
We traded off pulls into the headwind, no specified interval, just pull until you start to get tired then drop back and the next rider comes through. Brutal headwind, all of us very tired at this point. Turned on our lights maybe ten miles out, listening to crickets and the occasional semi-truck passing, not talking much (difficult to hear over the wind), feeling even more tired but at the same time, more determined to finish. At some point we dropped Charlie (didn't mean to). I asked Chuck if we should wait for him. "Yes, I guess we should." was his reply. Looking back down the road "Here comes a headlight, it's probably Charlie." But it wasn't. "Okay then, let's take off, he's probably blown." Okay Chuck, whatever you say, and we rode off into the relentless wind. Doesn't wind dye down after darkness? Not this wind.
It took a long time to get to Bishop. But hey, at least we were trading pulls, it would have been lots worse alone. Finally we saw the lights of Bishop in the distance. An eternity later, we actually rolled into town, over to the Ramada Inn, to check in where we'd left early this morning. Was it really this morning? It seems like so long ago now . . .
Finished at 9:10 so 17 hours and ten minutes total. My bike time was 14:57 and my average speed was 13.7, top speed 44.1. And I was tired. Check in, phoned my wife to let her know I finished, then up to my room, shower, fall into bed. Totally used up. Not hungry thanks to the Perpetuem, too tired to eat anything anyway.
So yes, a very tough double. Only 11,700 feet of climbing, but the steepness of the climbs, probably the thinner air at altitude, the dryness (sweat but see no sweat), the sun, it all added up. And then the headwind on top of everything else. 60 miles of headwind. Brutal.
Thanks to all the volunteers at the checkpoints, rest stops and water stops along the way! We honestly could not have made it without you!Will try to add photos soon (or else it didn't happen!).
Rick / OCRR
Last edited by Rick@OCRR; 09-29-10 at 08:03 AM.
09-14-10, 04:31 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Olney, MD
Posts: 136
Bikes: 2007 Lemond Alp d'Huez, 1984 Bianchi Specialissima
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Good job. Looked at the profile and that first climb is a monster.
09-14-10, 05:38 PM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Central Louisiana
Posts: 3,055
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 41 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
3 Posts
Congratulations!!!!
I rode my first century of the year last Saturday and finished fairly well. I had a little gas left in the tank at the end of the ride, but I thought about you and the doubles as I was finishing the ride and figured, no way could I have ridden another hundred. My helmet is off to you, sir.
09-14-10, 06:37 PM
#4
Pedals, Paddles and Poles
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Vegas Valley, NV
Posts: 5,495
Bikes: Santa Cruz Tallboy, Ridley Noah, Scott Spark 20
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1233 Post(s)
Liked 69 Times
in
58 Posts
That is a Kick Booty ride you took. I'm inspired. Last year I was lucky to ride 10 miles, I three weeks I hope for my first Century. And you did a double. I guess I can't make any excuses for myself, gotta HTFU!
__________________
I think its disgusting and terrible how people treat Lance Armstrong, especially after winning 7 Tour de France Titles while on drugs!
I can't even find my bike when I'm on drugs. -Willie N.
I think its disgusting and terrible how people treat Lance Armstrong, especially after winning 7 Tour de France Titles while on drugs!
I can't even find my bike when I'm on drugs. -Willie N.
09-14-10, 07:14 PM
#6
just keep riding
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Milledgeville, Georgia
Posts: 13,560
Bikes: 2018 Black Mountain Cycles MCD,2017 Advocate Cycles Seldom Seen Drop Bar, 2017 Niner Jet 9 Alloy, 2015 Zukas custom road, 2003 KHS Milano Tandem, 1986 Nishiki Cadence rigid MTB, 1980ish Fuji S-12S
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 173 Post(s)
Liked 33 Times
in
22 Posts
Great googlymoogly. 
09-14-10, 07:48 PM
#7
ES&D
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Roadieville, USA
Posts: 1,377
Bikes: 3Rensho, Merlin XL, Melton custom, Michael Johnson tandem, Look 481SL, Pedal Force RS
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Gack! I thought I'd never write it, but I'm *beat* after reading your recap! Well done, Rick.
09-14-10, 09:35 PM
#9
Version 7.0
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SoCal
Posts: 13,127
Bikes: Too Many
Mentioned: 297 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1340 Post(s)
Liked 2,482 Times
in
1,457 Posts
Masterful ride and report.... as usual. However, nothing is usual about doubles. Great work.
09-15-10, 11:02 AM
#10
www.ocrebels.com
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Los Angeles area
Posts: 6,186
Bikes: Several bikes, Road, Mountain, Commute, etc.
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 83 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
2 Posts
Yes Seemunkee,
Actually, it was a monster. Looking on the bright side, however, it was a beautiful monster (you could see across several mountain ranges + early morning mists), we hit it when our legs were still fresh, and there were 2 checkpoints and one water stop on the climb.
Plus, the road surface was overall pretty decent. While some of it was the dreaded chip-seal, at least it was aged and well used chip-seal, so not so bad.
If you'd like to try it next time you're in CA, take Hwy 395 to Big Pine, to Hwy 168 and turn up!
Rick / OCRR
Actually, it was a monster. Looking on the bright side, however, it was a beautiful monster (you could see across several mountain ranges + early morning mists), we hit it when our legs were still fresh, and there were 2 checkpoints and one water stop on the climb.
Plus, the road surface was overall pretty decent. While some of it was the dreaded chip-seal, at least it was aged and well used chip-seal, so not so bad.
If you'd like to try it next time you're in CA, take Hwy 395 to Big Pine, to Hwy 168 and turn up!
Rick / OCRR
09-15-10, 11:13 AM
#11
Climbing Above It All
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Basking in the Sun.
Posts: 4,146
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Tough start to this ride! 15 hours ride time, Yowza! IDK Rick, I think I'd be whining a bit on this one. (ya think?) Great job.
09-15-10, 11:21 AM
#12
Senior Member
Doubles are always fun! Doubles with that much climbing... not so much.
Glad you had a good time and found somebody to work with you on the way back.
Good job and report.
Glad you had a good time and found somebody to work with you on the way back.
Good job and report.
09-15-10, 12:04 PM
#13
Version 7.0
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SoCal
Posts: 13,127
Bikes: Too Many
Mentioned: 297 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1340 Post(s)
Liked 2,482 Times
in
1,457 Posts
Yes Seemunkee,
Actually, it was a monster. Looking on the bright side, however, it was a beautiful monster (you could see across several mountain ranges + early morning mists), we hit it when our legs were still fresh, and there were 2 checkpoints and one water stop on the climb.
Plus, the road surface was overall pretty decent. While some of it was the dreaded chip-seal, at least it was aged and well used chip-seal, so not so bad.
If you'd like to try it next time you're in CA, take Hwy 395 to Big Pine, to Hwy 168 and turn up!
Rick / OCRR
Actually, it was a monster. Looking on the bright side, however, it was a beautiful monster (you could see across several mountain ranges + early morning mists), we hit it when our legs were still fresh, and there were 2 checkpoints and one water stop on the climb.
Plus, the road surface was overall pretty decent. While some of it was the dreaded chip-seal, at least it was aged and well used chip-seal, so not so bad.
If you'd like to try it next time you're in CA, take Hwy 395 to Big Pine, to Hwy 168 and turn up!
Rick / OCRR
09-15-10, 12:16 PM
#14
www.ocrebels.com
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Los Angeles area
Posts: 6,186
Bikes: Several bikes, Road, Mountain, Commute, etc.
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 83 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
2 Posts
We started the first climb at about 4,000 feet of elevation and it topped out just over 10,000. The air is kind of thin up there, but it didn't seem to bother me much.
Some riders got headaches and dizzyness at the summit, but thankfully I was okay with it.
Rick / OCRR
09-15-10, 12:35 PM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Medina, OH
Posts: 5,804
Bikes: confidential infromation that I don't even share with my wife
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 35 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
You are an inspiration as well as a true rider and very good writer. Thanks for sharing your experiance of another epic ride. Hopefully someday I'll gather up the courage and attempt a double which will be followed by a lot of beer. I don't recall any mention of after ride recovery drinks to help wind down from the experiance.
09-15-10, 01:32 PM
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: 'burbs of Ottawa ON Canada
Posts: 173
Bikes: Marin Larkspur / Giant Defy Alliance 1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
All I can say is WOW. I did my first metric century this past weekend on a fairly level course and found it challenging but 200 miles - my hat is off to you.
09-15-10, 02:51 PM
#17
Slo Spoke Jim
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Altamonte Springs, FL
Posts: 2,071
Bikes: 1982 Raleigh road bike & love it
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Congratulations on a job well done. Really enjoyed the write up and I am looking forward to the photos. Thanks for sharing.
09-15-10, 05:21 PM
#18
Seat Sniffer
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SoCal
Posts: 5,630
Bikes: Serotta Legend Ti; 2006 Schwinn Fastback Pro and 1996 Colnago Decor Super C96; 2003 Univega Alpina 700; 2000 Schwinn Super Sport
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 945 Post(s)
Liked 1,986 Times
in
569 Posts
Rick, you rock!
We were on Highway 6 about the same time as you ... I was hoping to see you guys.
BTW, the Bristlecone Pines are thought to be the single (non clonal) oldest living things on Earth ... almost as old as me.
We were on Highway 6 about the same time as you ... I was hoping to see you guys.
BTW, the Bristlecone Pines are thought to be the single (non clonal) oldest living things on Earth ... almost as old as me.
__________________
Proud parent of a happy inner child ...
Proud parent of a happy inner child ...
09-16-10, 01:04 AM
#19
Senior Member
Wow, that sounds like a tough ride. Finishing into a headwind, in the dark, sounds tough.
I looked at the route profile -- that first climb was a killer. Not a good feeling to be 30 miles in and all used up -- congrats for finishing.
I looked at the route profile -- that first climb was a killer. Not a good feeling to be 30 miles in and all used up -- congrats for finishing.
09-16-10, 03:34 PM
#21
www.ocrebels.com
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Los Angeles area
Posts: 6,186
Bikes: Several bikes, Road, Mountain, Commute, etc.
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 83 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
2 Posts
Thanks Kerlenbach,
I take that as crazy in a good way! Or at least that I may be willing to try things that are a bit "out there" in the distance / altitude areas of cycling.
Sorry about the photos! It's a new camera and somehow got changed to "video" mode in my jersey pocket without me knowing. Hence all my later "photos" were not really photos at all but useless several-second long videos - i.e. totally worthless.
Those three included were taken before the camera malfunction!
Rick / OCRR
I take that as crazy in a good way! Or at least that I may be willing to try things that are a bit "out there" in the distance / altitude areas of cycling.
Sorry about the photos! It's a new camera and somehow got changed to "video" mode in my jersey pocket without me knowing. Hence all my later "photos" were not really photos at all but useless several-second long videos - i.e. totally worthless.
Those three included were taken before the camera malfunction!
Rick / OCRR
09-16-10, 07:45 PM
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: In the foothills of Los Angeles County
Posts: 25,291
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8280 Post(s)
Liked 9,042 Times
in
4,475 Posts
Good job, Rick! I'd invite you to come ride with us but I think you'd be bored.
09-16-10, 08:10 PM
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Space Coast, Florida
Posts: 2,465
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 21 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
"[Phone ringing]
Ms. Rick: Hello
Rick: Hi honey, it's me.
Ms. Rick: So how did it go today?
Rick: Well, I rode 200 miles, climbed 11,500 feet, and was on the bike for 15 hours. I'm kind of tired.
Ms. Rick: That's nice, dear. Could you bring some milk when you come home?"
09-16-10, 08:19 PM
#25
Legs; OK! Lungs; not!
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Coral Springs, FL
Posts: 2,096
Bikes: ''09 Motobecane Immortal Pro (Yellow), '02 Diamondback Hybrid, '09 Lamborghini Viaggio, ''11 Cervelo P2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 9 Times
in
4 Posts
I am speechless..... That is an awesome accomplishment. Go fellow geezer!
That is an awesome accomplishment. Go fellow geezer!