spingineer

On Saturday's dinner, ME brought up this subject ... actually, Jobob in NorCal is also bugging me about doing this ride too. I'm leaning towards doing this ... but it is definitely tougher than the spring double. So ME, you might have company ... you just have to nudge me a bit more ...

Shnuddy

Link here

Rick@OCRR

I am thinking about riding this one too. I need one more double this year to keep up my string of Thousand Mile Club years. So either this one or Bass Lake Powerhouse.

Balance: Solvang = 10,000 ft. of climbing, Powerhouse 14,000 That's one for Solvang
Solvang = 17 Hour time limit, Power house = 24 hour time limit. That's one for Bass Lake
Solvang = Free (I worked it last year & have a PU worker credit) Bass Lake = $75.00. That's two for Solvang
Solvang = Pills, Powders and Potions (Hammer prod.) Bass Lake = Lots of home-made food that is yummy but not "jersey pocket" compatible. So don't know on that one . . . .

I've never ridden either one, so they're even on that score.

They are on consecutive weekends, so I won't do both (tried that last year and lived to regret it with
Knoxville and then Tour of Two Forests). So, leaning toward Solvang at this moment . . .

Best Regs,
Rick / OCRR

WhiteCarbonDude

Solvang... Solvang... Solvang...Solvang...Solvang...

Dude, it's calling you. I'll be there. This will be my first double with lights as there will not be enough daylight that late in the year to finish without them. Can't wait, riding in the middle of nowhere with lights... very cool.

spingineer

So this will my first double > 10,000 feet of climbing. Most likely, it will be timed. One thing I want to avoid is being DQ'd due to me being too slow. This is the only thing that is holding me back from registering ...

N2GLOCK

The mere thought of potentially being out on my bike for 17 hours gives me a stomach ache. So I'd have to say that I have no interest.

DanteB

I’m doing Bass Lake. I’ve done both and I think Bass Lake is a better ride. I didn’t like riding on 166 and there is nothing open in Solvang after the ride to get food. Bass Lake has a GREAT after ride meal with all the trimmings, include in the price. The scenery at Bass Lake is completely different, lakes, rivers and pine trees. A lot of Solvang is the same as the spring double. Don’t get me wrong I like Solvang, but if I had to choose between the two I would ride Bass Lake.

merider1

I hear you, Dante, but I don't think I can handle a double with 14k ft of climbing.

PrincessZippy

How about Knoxville? It's a little more climbing than Solvang Fall, but the Quacks are usually not super strict about the time cut offs. Also because there are fewer riders, you really get pampered at the rest stops. Of course I'm only slightly prejudiced, since I usually work Knoxville...


Solvang Spring is really nice (haven't done Solvang Fall) - less than 7,000 feet of climbing. But there is NOTHING to eat in town if you finish late.

Veronica

spingineer

Well, there is the familiarity factor, and the fact that Knoxville is closer to me ... but ah, yes ... Loch Lomond ... I remember the climb well.

I've done Solvang Double in Spring, and it is nice. In fact, I recommend that for any first time double riders.

merider1

Welcome, Veronica. thanks for the input. I may do no more doubles this year or I may do one of the ones mentioned here. Therefore, it's nice to get various folks' opinions.

jobob

Errr ... Hi Ron ...

I've decided not to do the Solvang Fall Double after all.

It would be my first double, but I don't think I'll be ready for it, at least not condfidence-wise.

I decided this even before my dear friend Princess Zippy gave me such an azz-whupping on our ride up Mt. Hamilton on Saturday

I'm definitely planning on the Solvang Spring Double though.

spingineer

I saw your blog ... you're making it harder for me to do this ride though ...

jobob

Well, I'll still be in Solvang that weekend since we're going there for my birthday, so I'd still buy you a pancake breakfast if you did the ride.

mmmm .... pancakes ....

And you never know, if it doesn't fill up, and if my training goes well, maybe I'd try it anyhow

PrincessZippy

Yes as long as it is not raining! Then it turns your first double into quite the adventure.

Oh... and I did not whup anything of Jo's.

Veronica

VanceMac

Anyone doing both the Solvang and the Death Valley Double one week later?

spingineer

Are you in the bay area? If so, join us for the Labor Day ride that I'm leading ... it'll be fun!!!!

PrincessZippy

I'm in Antioch, Gateway to the Delta. Thanks for the invite. I'm riding Morgan Territory and Diablo this weekend as prep for Knoxville. I'll be doing the staff ride on 9/22.

Veronica

Rick@OCRR

That's a matter of who you consider "anyone" but for sure Tom Parkes is doing all three, i.e. Bass Lake, Solvang Fall and Death Valley doubles. Oh, yes, and Knoxville too. Tom rides with the same club that I do (OCRR), and I finished Mt. Tam with him (his 100th Official CAL Triple Crown double).

I wanted to do Knoxville, but the Quacks change of scheudle put it right on the Interbike tear-down day, which (unfortunately) I have to attend! I know, the change wasn't their fault, I talked to Scott Halverson about it at Mt. Tam.

If I would have been able to do Knoxville, I would have, and given both Solvang Fall and Bass Lake a pass (or maybe worked one or the other). But it was not to be, hence my quandry.

Rick / OCRR

jpconrad

I considered it, but DV is a pain (accomodations are tight/expensive, food is non existent) and I hated that I had to sign up within the day or two of it being posted.

That being said, I'm not doing Solvang, either, and am wavering on not doing any more doubles this year.

DanteB

I thought the same thing the first time I did Bass Lake, but it wasn’t that bad.

UmneyDurak

So it's basically are 200 mile recreational ride?

VanceMac

If you change your mind on DV, I'm sharing a room with one other guy, and I'm sure we could make room for one more.

Extort

DV fall is a terrific ride, marked by Hells Gate at mile 170...

SFD is beautiful and much different than the spring route! Tepusquet Canyon in the beginning, Prefumo Canyon at the middle, and Vandenberg at the end. I would caution people against eating at the lunch stop though... take the meal and eat at the top of the canyon because many people were going to be sick after doing extended sections of 9-13%... Thankfully I was with the SAG team on the day of the event and rode the route the following day, so I knew what was up.

The descent after Tepusquet is absolutely gorgeous!!! Tree covered, winding sections of new blacktop (new last year, so it will still be really nice this year) that encourages speed in everyone except me...

maddmike

+1