Biker395 

Have you done the June Lake Loop yet? If not ... you're in for a treat. :-)

Dang ... now I wish I were doing the Solvang Double.

Lesper4

Well looks like we are going to have some wind. 5-10mph W-NW Inland and as you get to Morro Bay it is 10-15mph with gusts up to 25mph W-NW.

Lesper4

1 down 2 to go, I would rather climb 12,000 ft in 115 miles then do doubles.
https://app.strava.com/activities/45686381

hamster

+1 If this is an "easy" double, I don't want to see what a hard double looks like.

I did screw up in two ways. I didn't check the forecast before leaving and I was under the impression that it was going to be 50 F at the start (yeah, right.) Then I didn't eat a proper breakfast and I didn't eat enough during the first section because of that fricking cold. (I think I only got 200 calories before CP#1.) I tried to keep up with the group and to make pulls, but, by about mile 65 my legs refused to keep going like that. I sorta crawled along till CP#5 and only at that point some combination of M&M's, ramen noodles, ibuprofen and the smell of finish line gave me strength to maintain decent pace the rest of the way.

Judging by the logs, I overtook you at CP#3. I looked around but there were lots of people and I thought you were long gone. Tried to call you when I saw that your car was still there, but I had a problem with my phone and I couldn't make calls. Did you drive back as you were planning or did you get a room in Buellton? I know I was in no shape to drive that far. (Got a room in a hotel in Lompoc, same price but with a coffeemaker and even a fridge in the room, ha ha.)

P.S. We kept missing each other all day! You rolled into CP#4 while I was still there, and then you rolled into CP#5 just a couple of minutes before I left. I didn't notice you on either occasion.

m2tiguy

did the loop last January

Lesper4

I started to bonk at mile 100 into the lunch rest stop. I took a while there to make sure I could get some food down and recover. I was behind the fence where all the pinic tables were. After I finally ate lunch and soda and energy and etc. I took off feeling much better. I used each rest stop there after to do a little recover. The last one was getting cold so I finly left.

hamster

Looks like I've gained more than 2 lbs during the event. (155.4 Friday morning vs. 157.8 this morning.)

Lesper4

Well here is my trip report:
The morning started out nice besides the cold (31 with out the windchill). But I knew that would be a probelm since I wouldnt want to drink. I did take a small break in one of the valleys to get some food at mile 28 and then later rolled into RR1 which was still pretty cold in the shade. After that RR is when the wind came out. Luckily it was mostly a cross wind but at times it was a full on head wind and a few times a tail wind. Rolling into RR2 I sheaded all my clothing as did most peole and put on the sun screen. Riding towards Moro Bay was nice but I felt like I was slwoing and right at mile 100 I was able to pick up a small draft with two other guys. Once we got off the main road and headed towards the lunch rest top I lost them as they jumped beind a tandom. That long somewwhat flat stretch into RR3 was very training on me. I grabed my food and headed for a shaded pinic table, stared at my food for a bit as I sipped on a coke. Finally I was able to eat everything and get going again.

The next part of the ride was pretty nice, the only section along the coast. That was though beautiful Pismo Beach with all the wonderful Spring Break distrcations walking the streets. I came into the next RR after an awesome down hill but then was blasted by a cross wind again. I didnt stay too long but that was when the the clothing started to go back on. The next section had the tail wind and freeway climb. The tail wind was strong close to 20 miles? Although that doesnt mean I could just sit there and coast, I still had to pedal. The Freeway climb was gental and sheltered. The last RR had cup of noodles and chilli which I so wanted to eat but again I had no appatatie. I shoved down what I could and realzed for a much as I coudl till it got too cold, put the rest of my layers on and took off.

Now the crappy part of the ride, I love to climb but putting a gental hill and mile 170 was not very fun and on top of that it was the worst section of rode for the entire trip. It lasted for 7.5 miles and into the dark so I am sure whow ever beautiful the climb was I couldnt see a thing. Then after that at mile 180 seemed like the steepest long climb of the route. After that it was mostly down hilll and I was crusing!! I had my light on bright was let me go so much faster on the down hill sections. I must have passed 15 people in that section alone. I saw the sag cars watching us but evently I broke away from them. Finally I was soo far ahead I felt lost so I got my phone out to check, I kept goign straight and rolled into Solvang just as my main light died.

Made it to the Marriot it great times 6h 15m per century. Climbed into my car and turned the heater on. I had been snacking on a burrito all day and finally finished it, with the wifes approval I decided to get a room before driving back. Unfortunatlly everything was booked so I drove to Carpenteria to get a cheap night. Fell asleep watching sportscenter and got up at 4am to take a shower. Fianally left around 7:30 and made it back to Fontana.

My opinion of the ride:
-15 miles of secanic cost riding out of 200, you got to be kidding me.
-The most beautiful sections of the ride in and near Solvang were in the dark, so I couldnt see anything.
-Besides the seceneray I saw lots of produce field, that stunk!
-The roads, I would have thought these be much better. I have ridden the Cool Breeze Double Metric which I thought were bad roades but not neraly compared to this. I was either avoiding clumps of dirt, or it was just rought and lumpy. So much so it was hard to put your power down. Hopefully the other doubles will be better.
-I was supprised how I did not cramp much and the next day I felt it really god shape considering the 200 miles.
-Very well organized, and I saw a lot of SAG considering how far apart the RRs were.

Next Hemet Double April 14th (sunday)

Lesper4

LOL, so did I

hamster

I've been logging my weight for a couple of months. If the pattern from previous centuries holds, I'm going to lose those 2 lbs and possibly more by Wednesday morning.

The climb at mile 170 is really pretty, but you have to do it before dark. Also, the private road at miles 168..170 is the one with crappy pavement. Once you get past, it's fine. https://goo.gl/maps/J9QWn

There was almost no tailwind for me. Not counting downhills, I only got above 20 mph twice, once for a few miles before Avila Beach and once for about 3 miles on the freeway between CP4 and CP5.

Garmin Edge 800 did a good job, it kept threatening to shut down at the end, but it lasted long enough to record the entire trip, even with a lot of poking/page-flipping/backlight.

Dunbar

Any reason not to think it's just water weight from hydrating for 12 hours?

hamster

It has to be water weight. I did 5500 kJ of work (5500 to 6000 calories) and I didn't eat nearly as much.

Lesper4

Yeah that is a pretty rode, too bad I couldnt see it. The first one is always the hardest right? Hemt should be much better. Hopefully I can spend less time in the RR, my average was fie with me.

hamster

You actually beat me on each leg except last. I got back sooner overall because I was doing 15-20 min rest stops and my longest one was 25 min.

Good luck with Hemet. I don't care much for Hemet and it's same day as Mulholland (BTW, web site says it's Saturday the 13th, not Sunday the 14th.) My schedule for the next couple of months is full as is. I wouldn't rule out Eastern Sierra Double, but I'll see how I feel closer to the date.

Lesper4

Yeah I feel the same but I picked the close and easy doubles for my area, after that is Grand Tour. Then if I feel good the pretty and pretty hard doubles.

Genaro

What time are you starting Hemet ?
I'm only doing the single, but wouldn't mind an early start and finish. I think they have a 3 OR 4AM START

Lesper4

I think 5am should be just fine

Lesper4

Did another century yesterday, Hemet Double is next week. Also just signed up for the highlander Grand Tour Double (their registeration just opened up). That would make 3 doubles. Still very intrested in the Easern Sierra Double.
Is anyone else doing the Grand Tour, thinking about getting a room somewhere?

Lesper4

I think I may do a tent instead after looking at prices
https://www.maliburv.com/reservationRequest.asp

Lesper4

Well Hemet double is complete. It is not as beautiful as Solvang but the roads were soooo much better. There is a lot of flat in the beginning, the hills were not bad at all. We even had a tail wind coming into lunch. The second half was much harder. Sage road the one true big climb was not really that long but it was a real kicker in the corners. Luckily I got a flat 3/4 of the way up so that let me catch my breath. Once we got down and through the wineries (yes it is seems like there are vineyards all over California) we hit a strong head wind. Luckily was with a good friend and he did a good strong pull into the rest stop. There was a long slow stretch from Murrieta to Lake Elsinore that had a slight cross wind for what seem to take forever. After that rest stop we were in the dark again with a cross wind. Finally we headed back home and got a nice tailwind most of the way there.
Lunch and dinner (yes they had a post ride meal) was awesome. Pasta, Bomb BBQ chicken with sandwhiches fruit patato salad and cookies.

https://app.strava.com/activities/48784877

hamster

What about road conditions along I-15, from Corona to Temecula? Pavement, traffic, bike lanes?

Lesper4

Road conditons for the most part were great. From Corona to Lake Elisonore were good as well but there was no bike lane but most of the traffic did come from the other directions. I would say 70% of the ride was in a bike lane, 15% were on tight roads where the rest was a wide road with a shoulder. The ride went though various neighbor hoods they never felt like junke miles. The word road was towards the top half riding from Murritta to Lake Elsinore. I have to say though I did have mot close brushes on this ride then Solvang. They offer more stops to but I dont think it mattered that much. Better route then I could have imigined for the area and some of it was even sceanic.

hamster

Would you ride from Corona to Temecula solo?

Also, I take it that Corona to Temecula is better than the other way around?

Lesper4

I like the area up the pass but after that it is not real exciting, Yes I would do it but I think I would rather ride East to West in that area rather then North to South. The roads are long and there is less traffic E/W. Against the mountains there are stop signs and away there are more traffic lights.

Rick@OCRR

I rode the Hemet Double too; started at 4:00AM in the cold dark fog, finished at 7:15PM, just barely in the daylight. Overall a great ride, excellent route, not too much traffic I really enjoyed Sage since it is a scenic climb.

Rode about 150 miles of the double with the Very Famous Isabelle Drake (of RAAM, Furnace Creek 508, PBP, Race Across Oregon, etc. fame) so that was quite the challenge since she is so fast on the flat roads and a rocket on the descents. There were times I really had to work to stay on her wheel!

Overall, a very good time, and great weather once the sun came up and fog cleared. Never did get too hot and both the lunch and the after ride dinner were totally excellent. Great job by the Hemet Double support folks, SAG drivers and volunteers!

Here's what my Garmin had to say: https://connect.garmin.com/activity/297970944

Rick / OCRR