Lesper4

Any body riding the Solvang Spring Double Century? I would like to split a room wtih you, maybe do the same for the other double centuries (Bishop and Death Valley). Buellton Quality Inn is $56! My main goal this year is the Tripple Crown (3 double centuries in a calendar year) Going to try and start training but this rain and a few mtn bike ride have gotten in the way.

The Rides I am planning are:
-Solvang Spring Double
-Hemet Double
-Wheelman Grand Tour
-(and if I still have the legs) White Mountain Double
-(and if I survive) Death Valley Fall Double (making the 1000 mile club)

Anyone else planning on any of the double century rides this year?

Biker395 

No Eastern Sierra Double?

Lesper4

I was trying to do the easier rides first and then hit the bigger ones later when I know I have the three under my belt. I do love anything off 395 so it is a possibility.

Biker395 

I'd put it on your list. It's actually one of the easier doubles. The only really long climb is up the Sherwin Grade ... the others (Deadman, Sagehen, and the climb to Mammoth Lakes on the 203) are really not all that tough. Deadman/203 is short, and Sagehen is terraced. FWIW, I think the White Mountain Double is tougher.

PhotoJoe 

Eastern Sierra Double is on my bucket list!

Lesper4

Why not this year?

PhotoJoe 

I'm less than one year out of my chemo, which was 14 cycles and lasted a year(ending in March 2012). In that process, they also removed my right bicep femoris (hamstring). I'm trying to get this old body back in shape. Since July, I've ridden up to the shack twice and the village once on GMR, am signed up for a sprint-tri in February, the Tour de Cure Century in April and may do the Tour of Palm Springs in Feb. I think a double may be a bit much at this point, but I'm working on it.

TrojanHorse

OH brother, the ol' "I don't have a hamstring" excuse.

Biker395 

Lets all chat again when the date for the Eastern Sierra approaches.

PhotoJoe 

Hey....he asked.

Lesper4

Wow, that is insperational. Keep up the good motivation Joe!

TrojanHorse

To be fair, PJ never complains about his situation. Much.

I think he had it removed to improve his gate to the shack time. That's what, a pound?

PhotoJoe 

...and chicks dig scars.....

Anyway, the event is June 1, 2013. I seriously doubt I'll be ready, however, if I surprise myself, I would LOVE to do this ride. It is BY FAR my favorite area to go camping in, and I haven't been up there in a couple of years. If not, I'll plan on 2014....and TH will join too!

TrojanHorse

Well then, go sign up for the Tour de Palm Springs while you're thinking about it. I signed the whole dang family up. It'll be a nice warmup for your spring tri.

PhotoJoe 

Tri ain't spring. It's Feb 23. However, I have not ruled it out. Mrs. PJ is still thinking about doing that, too, but the shorter route. Just hope she doesn't see the youtube vids about how windy it was last year. That'll kill the deal for her.

Man, can we hijack a thread or what?! Sorry!

Rick@OCRR

I agree with Victor (Biker395) about the Eastern Sierra Double. I've ridden it several times, including the re-routed Deep Freeze / Killer headwind year (some of that with Vic, actually) and it's (usually) all good with exceptional veiws and (mostly) great roads.

Watch the weather though. There have been some years when Mother Nature has been less than kind to we cyclists on that double!

But still, even with all that, you should ride it.

Rick / OCRR

PS: Oh, wait, this thread was about the Spring Solvang Double, right? May do that one, have done it several times in the past, not terribly inspirational (like the ESD is) and in fact fairly easy (unless there's brutal headwinds on the way back like last year!). Last year the way back from Morro Bay sucked, pretty much. And in other years we've had a lot of rain on this one. So, again, watch that weather channel (or your favorite site) as the date draws near.

Lesper4

Got it.

Lesper4

OK SO BACK ON TOPIC!

I haven't booked a hotel in Solvang yet and now that I am trying to the price went from $69 to $92. Does anyone want to share a room?

hamster

I might be interested. You want 1 or 2 nights?

Lesper4

I got the room for the night before only. Heading back home after I finish.

hamster

Hmm, how fast do you expect to finish? Last year's median finishing time was 14:45. Say 1/2 hour to wake up / eat breakfast / get to the starting line, 15 minutes at the finish line, and it's a 3 hour drive for you back to Fontana. Depending on your speed, you'll be up 18 to 20 hours straight (unless you're very fast), and you'll be driving at night for the last 3 of them.

Lesper4

Well start time is 5:00am and 15 hours of ride time puts the finish at 8:00pm. Dinner and then drive home should be no problem. Althought this is my first double I would like to be closer to 14 hours. The guys I know who have done this in the past suggest 10min breaks and 30 mins for lunch. To cut down on total time. Anyone how I still don't see a need for another night.

hamster

If you can get up at 4:30am, spend 15 hours on the bike and then drive till 11:30pm, then no, you don't need another night.

When I rode Fall Death Valley, I got up at 5:30, got to the finish at 8 pm, tried to drive home, made it as far as Ridgecrest (it was about 10:30) and figured that $80 for a hotel wasn't worth risking to kill myself driving the rest of the way. But I didn't get full 8 hours of sleep the previous night. Maybe that would've helped.

Lesper4

I like to drive (I have a RX-8) and I frequently stay up late and go to bed late. so in this case I will be going to be early which should make a good day. My budde who did this completly it around 12-13 hours and he is in similar shape, time will only tell.

So you want to share the room have you registered yet?

cdp8

Chuck Bramwell doesn't think it's a good idea to double and drive. I'm not trying to start a flame war or anything. I just want everyone to be safe. Just read this:

https://www.caltriplecrown.com/DavidNakaiAccident.htm