206 miles, 20,000 feet of climbing. Done.
05-01-12, 09:42 AM
#1
Erect member since 1953
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Antioch, CA (SF Bay Area)
Posts: 7,000
Bikes: Trek 520 Grando, Roubaix Expert, Motobecane Ti Century Elite turned commuter, Some old French thing gone fixie
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 121 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 38 Times
in
21 Posts
206 miles, 20,000 feet of climbing. Done.
I guess we 50s folk can get away with starting a thread about an accomplishment. Here's mine:
I finished the Devil Mountain Double Century. 206 miles, 20,000ish feet of climbing. It was the hardest thing I've ever done.
We started at 5 am Saturday and finished after midnight. That is roughly 20 hours.
Those who have seen my posts here know I'm not one of those super studly athletic folks who race. I never played a high school, or even jr high school sport. There are people who complete the DMD in an amazingly short time, with stunning high speeds. But for me, just living through it is a big flippin' deal.
I didn't wear my 50+ jersey. I wore my "California Triple Crown" jersey for tactical reasons. I thought if I missed a cut off by a few minutes I could point at it and claim "This ain't my first rodeo" and they might let me carry on. I didn't need to, but I was ready.
There were also a bunch of NorCal BikeForums folks on the ride, so BF was well represented.
I have long blog entry with a few photos at
https://ccorlew.blogspot.com/2012/04/...tury-2012.html
I finished the Devil Mountain Double Century. 206 miles, 20,000ish feet of climbing. It was the hardest thing I've ever done.
We started at 5 am Saturday and finished after midnight. That is roughly 20 hours.
Those who have seen my posts here know I'm not one of those super studly athletic folks who race. I never played a high school, or even jr high school sport. There are people who complete the DMD in an amazingly short time, with stunning high speeds. But for me, just living through it is a big flippin' deal.
I didn't wear my 50+ jersey. I wore my "California Triple Crown" jersey for tactical reasons. I thought if I missed a cut off by a few minutes I could point at it and claim "This ain't my first rodeo" and they might let me carry on. I didn't need to, but I was ready.
There were also a bunch of NorCal BikeForums folks on the ride, so BF was well represented.
I have long blog entry with a few photos at
https://ccorlew.blogspot.com/2012/04/...tury-2012.html
05-01-12, 09:48 AM
#2
Senior Member
Awesome accomplishment at our age, at any age. The only double-century I did was in high school as part of the San Diego bi-centennial celebration. Like you, right at around twenty hours. That was a long, long day. You did well...very well indeed.
Wonderful blog. What's this Garmin Minty Boost battery thing? (Never mind. Saw your hyperlink on your Strava comments. Thanks.)
Wonderful blog. What's this Garmin Minty Boost battery thing? (Never mind. Saw your hyperlink on your Strava comments. Thanks.)
Last edited by volosong; 05-01-12 at 10:07 AM.
05-01-12, 10:02 AM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Poulsbo WA (west of Seattle)
Posts: 57
Bikes: 2002 Lemond Buenos Aires
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Congratulations! I rode my first century last Summer and it had over 8,600 ft of climbing so I can relate to both your pain and your pride in finishing!
05-01-12, 10:12 AM
#4
Resident Alien
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Location, location.
Posts: 13,089
Mentioned: 158 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 349 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times
in
6 Posts
A double century has about as much attraction to me as knitting needles in my ears. That said, well done sir.
05-01-12, 10:19 AM
#6
Senior Member
Re: Minty Boost ... just ordered a kit. Thanks for letting us know something like this exists.
05-01-12, 10:53 AM
#7
Erect member since 1953
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Antioch, CA (SF Bay Area)
Posts: 7,000
Bikes: Trek 520 Grando, Roubaix Expert, Motobecane Ti Century Elite turned commuter, Some old French thing gone fixie
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 121 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 38 Times
in
21 Posts
https://www.ladyada.net/make/mintyboost/
You get to solder and everything, just like a Heathkit! I can say that here in 50+ and folks will know what a Heathkit is, right?
You get to solder and everything, just like a Heathkit! I can say that here in 50+ and folks will know what a Heathkit is, right?
05-01-12, 11:52 AM
#10
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
05-01-12, 12:02 PM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: West Michigan
Posts: 239
Bikes: GT Carbon Grade, Jamis Nova Pro, Giant Sedona
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
My first century is scheduled for this summer so I am in awe at your double.
05-01-12, 12:09 PM
#12
Let's do a Century
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 8,316
Bikes: Cervelo R3 Disc, Pinarello Prince/Campy SR; Cervelo R3/Sram Red; Trek 5900/Duraace, Lynskey GR260 Ultegra
Mentioned: 59 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 651 Post(s)
Liked 879 Times
in
408 Posts
Incredible! I need to get back into the kind of shape it takes to do that kind of ride.
__________________
Ride your Ride!!
Ride your Ride!!
05-01-12, 12:15 PM
#13
Senior Member
Excellent accomplishment.
The double century is tough (I've done them - not easy - plan to do a few more, and longer, in the next month or so) - but IMO your achievement is in the climbing. That's a LOT of hills, especially when you're tired!
The double century is tough (I've done them - not easy - plan to do a few more, and longer, in the next month or so) - but IMO your achievement is in the climbing. That's a LOT of hills, especially when you're tired!
05-01-12, 01:05 PM
#14
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
Way to go, Curtis! That's a lot of miles and a lot of climbing! 
05-01-12, 01:19 PM
#15
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
Mount Diablo and Mount Hamilton in one day coupled with tough roads and wind in between... priceless.
05-01-12, 01:30 PM
#16
Senior Member
If you do 80,000 more feet you may be eligible to win a free water bottle courtesy of our friends at Specialized! 
__________________
Momento mori, amor fati.
Momento mori, amor fati.
05-01-12, 01:34 PM
#17
Erect member since 1953
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Antioch, CA (SF Bay Area)
Posts: 7,000
Bikes: Trek 520 Grando, Roubaix Expert, Motobecane Ti Century Elite turned commuter, Some old French thing gone fixie
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 121 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 38 Times
in
21 Posts
05-01-12, 01:40 PM
#18
Senior Member
How come you didn't post the ride on Strava? It would have been worth a kudo or two, I think.
__________________
Momento mori, amor fati.
Momento mori, amor fati.
05-01-12, 01:50 PM
#19
Erect member since 1953
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Antioch, CA (SF Bay Area)
Posts: 7,000
Bikes: Trek 520 Grando, Roubaix Expert, Motobecane Ti Century Elite turned commuter, Some old French thing gone fixie
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 121 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 38 Times
in
21 Posts
05-01-12, 02:06 PM
#20
Senior Member
https://www.ladyada.net/make/mintyboost/
You get to solder and everything, just like a Heathkit! I can say that here in 50+ and folks will know what a Heathkit is, right?
You get to solder and everything, just like a Heathkit! I can say that here in 50+ and folks will know what a Heathkit is, right?
New goal, a California Triple Crown jersey like yours. But, have to wait until school is over before getting some base miles in. You are an inspiration to us all.
05-01-12, 02:08 PM
#21
www.ocrebels.com
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
Looks like a fun ride Curtis! I was thinking about trying it this year, but have put it off until next year.
Congratulations and esp. for the tenacity in the last 50 miles. Climbing is tough. Climbing when you're already very tired is just plain brutal.
So far Mt. Tam is the toughest double I've tried and that's only 17,000 feet of climbing. I need to train more . . .
Rick / OCRR
Congratulations and esp. for the tenacity in the last 50 miles. Climbing is tough. Climbing when you're already very tired is just plain brutal.
So far Mt. Tam is the toughest double I've tried and that's only 17,000 feet of climbing. I need to train more . . .
Rick / OCRR
05-01-12, 06:49 PM
#23
The guy in the 50+ jersey
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Davidson, NC
Posts: 715
Bikes: Specialized S-Works Roubaix, Litespeed Tuscany Road, Specialized Allez Epic lugged carbon frame Road,Giant Anthem 29'r, Klein Hardtail
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
https://www.ladyada.net/make/mintyboost/
You get to solder and everything, just like a Heathkit! I can say that here in 50+ and folks will know what a Heathkit is, right?
You get to solder and everything, just like a Heathkit! I can say that here in 50+ and folks will know what a Heathkit is, right?
05-01-12, 08:03 PM
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: In the foothills of Los Angeles County
Posts: 25,292
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8281 Post(s)
Liked 9,046 Times
in
4,477 Posts
I had a Heathkit VTVM when I was a kid. VT stands for vacuum tube, remember those?
Anyway, great job on the ride.
Anyway, great job on the ride.