I arrived in Furnace Creek as the sun was setting on Friday, got a campground site, checked in and got my number. I was planning to drop off my light, but realized it had been left back at home. I had to make do with a 1/2W backup light and a camping head-light.

Next morning, I woke up to the sound of raindrops hitting the tent, ominous looking clouds overhead. Got ready and rode the half mile to starting line. There were three wave starts at 7, 7:10 and 7:20 for the double century. I started in the last wave as the rain was tapering off. The first rest stop was at mile 25, the roads had already dried by the time I got there.







The next leg was retracing the steps back, then turning off towards Scotty's Castle at 3000 ft, mile 68. This section is common to single and double centuries, yet I still found myself riding alone for the most part.









Scotty's Castle is the lunch stop for both century and double century riders, but double century riders climb another 1000 ft and then ride 25 flat miles in Nevada to highway 95 junction, then come back for the lunch. The flat portion took little over an hour, where I saw exactly 3 riders going my direction. I was going at least 19mph, over 25 mph at some sections using less than 100W, so I knew there was to be some suffering on the way back. I also saw groups of riders clumped together going the other way, including a tandem drafting off another one.





It seemed everyone was anxious about the return leg, watching others to avoid riding alone. I left and caught a group of 3 riders. One fell off the back, three of us took turns pulling against the strong headwind. This was by far the most unpleasant section, I could go no faster than 13 mph, the other two guys pulling at 14 and 15 mph. I was happy beyond words when we reached to California border and the road dipped down into the canyon.



The lunch (at mile 121) tasted as good as anything could, and I felt like I was almost done. There was a just a short detour to Ubehebe crater, gentle downhill descending about 2500 ft over 35 miles, a 7 mile, 2000 ft climb, and descend to finish.