My Death Valley Double Century Report
 

Sorry, I rode it on my single. I can't get Kath to do a double yet. Maybe Solvang next year. I saw one daVinci on the ride but they were riding the century version. I didn't see any tandems on the double unfortunately.

Here's the link to my ride report with many pictures. An absolutely beautiful ride with perfect weather!

http://danhertlein.com/dvd2009fall.htm

I love riding in DV. It's one of my favorite spots! Solvang is probably the most tandem friendly double out there. Hopefully you'll be able to do that next year on the tandem. You'll have a blast.

Thanks for sharing. Great photos.. I think the Scotty's route is my favorite. We did the one century March 1 one year. THere were snow flurries when we got to Scotty's Castle. For a So Cal cyclist , that was a first.

A friend of mine at work who has been doing a lot of doubles did it.
Tall skinny guy his name is Keith Jensen.
Rides a grey Scattante CF bike.
Are you doing the Borrego Springs double? That was the first one he did last year.

Sorry, don't know him that I know of. Borrego looks like a good one but alas, my double season is now done. Maybe next year.

Dan which is better to do, if you had to pic one, fall or spring double?

I'm not Dan, but We've done each route 6 times, and hands down my favorite is the Northern route (now the fall route). IMHO it's more interesting, has better road surfaces (except to the Ubehebe crater), is faster and most importantly avoids the road to and from Ashford Mills.:eek:

We were there working the Scotty's Castle lunch stop. There was one tandem on the Double Century route, they were "Mustang" and just competed in Two Tandem Mixed at the 508. They were wearing 508 jerseys.

Oh, and I can't wait to ride this route next year. We did the Spring DVD on our tandem. All I remember is ouch and wanting to bail at Furnace Creek at mile 150. Alas, I am the stoker and my captain didn't stop for us to put lights on the bike until a few minutes later. :roflmao2:

Question
 

For the Death Valley races is the jersey included in the entry fee. When looking at the website it states "Entry Fee covers entry to the ride, Death Valley National Park entrance fee, route sheet, excellent rider food at the checkpoints, "Subway" lunch, roving SAG support, an ambulance on patrol, and event results and images on this nifty website." The jersey is not listed but $109 seems a bit high if there is no jersey included.

It does not include the jersey. The cost of running an event like this in Death Valley is high, so the registration fee reflects that. There are costs incurred that most event promoters don't have to take into consideration, like the ambulance, the NPS $10 fee for every rider, the cost of driving out to a remote area and taking care of at least two dozen volunteers out there while you're at it, the satellite phones they have to rent so they can keep in contact with all of the volunteers and race staff because there is no cell coverage. The list goes on.

You forgot it's a "Kostman" event...;) No slam on him, it is what it is and most of the doubles have gotten pretty expensive. Some of the organizers use the money (proceeds) for charities and others use it to live on. As long as the event sells out every year there is no reason for the price to be lowered... Personally I love riding in Death Valley and do it a lot, for free!

YOu're right Homeyba,

It is expensive. Kath and I are considering DVD next year (the single probably) and the thought of staying there at the Inn is really going to be expensive. Probably a $700 weekend at least. After driving down there from the Bay Area, closer to a grand! :-O.

Probably won't happen though as far as doing the double on the tandem. That's a hurdel we need to get over. Not payiong for it, riding a double on the tandem. I know she's capable, she's just not too postive on the thought!