Tour of Two Forest Double Century
 

I did the Tour of Two Forest Double Century Saturday, 9/23. They had to change the route because of the wildfires in the area. The route was changed to an out and back using the first 98 miles of the Furnace Creek 508 route. The route had 10,000' of climbing, not bad, but it was the wind that was bad. From the time we left the start line the wind was blowing. All morning and into the afternoon the winds were gusting to 50 mph, of course they were headwinds. At one point while riding down Oak Creek Canyon into Mojave, 2-4% downhill, I was having to peddle at 90% power just to hold 10-12 mph. They calmed down some on the way home, but I could have really used them then. To make matters worst the temps on the Mojave Desert were in the 90+ range and very low humidity. I don't think I've ever drink so much fluids on one ride, I even stopped at stores between rest stops for extra fluids. When riding in the wind you burn so much more energy, 12,500 calories for the day. This was not one of my faster doubles, it became more survival than speed.

I've done other doubles this year, Solvang Spring Double, Central Coast Double, Heartbreak Double and the Grand Tour Highland Triple. I think I was more tired after this ride than any of the other rides I've done this year. I've got two more doubles this year, Bass Lake Powerhouse Double and the Solvang Fall Double. I just hope the weather holds for them.

I was out there as well, my ride report is here.

I will see you soon at the Solvang Fall Double (I will be running SAG and doing the staff ride on Sunday)

BTW: were you wearing a blue Triple Crown jersey and eating at In-n-Out near 11PM on Saturday night? If so, I was one of the three guys that talked to you and your friends (I was wearing the yellow CTC jersey)...

That was me. I was with a rider I had riden with most of the day, my son and his wife. My son lives in Canyon Country and came over to have dinner with me. See you at Solvang.