First, congrats on your two centuries this year. How long did they take?
Generally it looks like you have a good plan. I did my first century last spring and then I did my first doubles this year (at 185 on a heavy bike) and they went like clockwork. So the goal is definitely reasonable.
I suggest two additional things to train on this year.
1) Nutrition and hydration - find what works for you and use it in training so you can eliminate it as a concern on the double. I use the equivalent to Hammer Nutrition Perpetuem. YMMV.
2) Keep your breaks and rest stops while riding to a bare minimum. Stops add up when multiplied over a long ride. It could make the difference between success and DNF if you develop problems along the way.
Originally Posted by
kyle16
1. Has anyone else done the Davis double and what are their opinions on it for being a person's first double? I have read that it is one of the better ones in California for first timers. Are there other ones in the state that are recommended?
I did Davis as my second double. I did the Death Valley Spring Double as my first. I actually thought the Death Valley Double was easier. It had more climbing but 90% of it was between mile 50 and 100. Davis had two big very hot climbs. I think Davis used to be considered easier than it is today. They had to reroute the course a few years ago and the new course includes Cobb Mountain at mile 100 which can be challenging if you are not ready for it. That is followed by a second exposed climb in the hottest part of the day (over 100 degrees the last two years.)
All that said, Davis is very well supported. There are also a lot more riders out there than most doubles so no matter what your skill level is you'll probably be riding with or near others. On the smaller rides like Death Valley you can find yourself riding very alone if you aren't riding with a buddy.
2. What are people's suggestions for training to get the 200 miles besides riding more and climbing more?
The months before my first double I did regular solo centuries in the East Bay hills. A few weeks before I did a 150 with 10,000 feet of climbing (more for peace of mind than actual need.) I also commuted a rather short 40 minute round trip to work on my bike three or four days a week. I was doing 150 to 200 a week. No other cross training other than a few four mile fast walks now and then and few hikes on the weekends.
3. Does anyone know any good articles/books to read concerning what happens to your body as you do the ultra distances, such as glucose/salt/calcium loss? I know a little bit about it, but I have a lot to learn still.
You have to read past the spin for Hammer Nutrition products but there is a lot of very good information in their
Endurance Athlete's Guide to Success (pdf).
4. What type of equipment do I need to invest in/bring to the double? Of course, I will need a good set of lights, leg/arm warmers. Can you drop off/pick up items at rest stops or are there even rest stops? I know that with randeuring (sp?), they tend to push for the riders self supporting each other, but I am not sure if the Davis Double falls under this category also.
Take what you'd normally take on a long ride. I don't actually remember if they had drop bags or light drops since I never use them. Sorry. I have a Schmit Dynohub / eDelux light combination on my bike so I always have lights with me an never need to worry about batteries. They are expensive though. I had a base layer and arm warmers with me as well. Would have been fine with just the arm warmers. I usually have my rain coat on long rides so I probably had it with me at Davis.
You'll find lots of good info on training, equipment and nutrition at the
UMCA website.
Also check out the Long Distance forum here at Bike Forum where we talk about lots of these same topics. Dig into
machka's old posts. She has quite a bit of advice for people new to long distance riding.
Good luck on the training and rides! Let us know how it goes.