Solo Ride (80 Miles) - 04/20/03
Foothill - Arastradero - Portola to Kings = 1:17:47
Kings Mountain = 0:36:45 (1:54:32) [mostly on 27']
Skyline - Down 84 W. = 1:03:49 (2:58:21)
Stage N. - Tunitas Creek = 1:11:11 (4:09:33)
Down Kings - Back via Sand Hill = 1:07:13 (5:16:47)
Time : 5:16:47
Mileage (according to Klimb) : 78.6 Miles
Speed : 14.9 mph
Climbing : 5,780 ft
Feet per Mile : 73.54 ft / mile
Wght : 151
Computer went dead. Cold weather. Multiple flats @ bottom of Tunitas. Knee tentative : Mostly ok on the climbs, but one twitch towards the end (had to rush home). Overall a good ride though.
Solo Ride (100 Miles) - 04/26/03
Foothill - Alpine - Portola - to Kings = 1:25:04
Kings Mtn = 0:35:20 (2:00:24) [mostly on 27']
Skyline - Down E. 84 - To OLH = 0:34:28
Old La Honda = 0:27:26 (3:02:19) [mostly on 27']
Down W. OLH - 84 W. - to Alpine = 0:32:00
Alpine 1st part = 0:20:44
Alpine 2nd part = 0:19:07 (4:14:13)
Total Alpine = 0:39:51
S. Skyline - Down E. 84 - Portola - Arastradero = 0:59:05 (5:13:18)
Page Mill = 1:00:22 (6:13:41)
Back down via Moody = 0:47:42 (7:01:22)
Total Time : 7:01:22
Speed : 13.84 mph
Mileage (Klimb) : 97.2 Miles
Climbing : 9,210 ft
Feet per Mile : 94.75 ft/mile
Wght : 152
Excellent ride. Good confortable pace, esp. up Alpine (even pushed a bit), but had a really hard time up Page Mill. Weather miraculously clear (cold) after days of rain (and even through the night). Computer went dead because of humidity. (nb. 74 miles to bot. Page Mill, so 14.17 mph to that point).
Solo Ride (100 Miles) - 05/04/03
Home - Bernardo - Homestead - Foothill - Alpine - Portola - Mtn Home -
Woodside - Bot of Kings = 1:32:28
Kings Mountain = 0:35:06 (2:07:33) [mostly on 27']
Down Kings = 0:13:23 (Mileage = 34 ?)
Woodside - Mtn Home - Portola to Bot of OLH = 0:16:18 (2:37:15)
Old La Honda = 0:26:35 (3:03:50) [mostly on 27']
Down - Portola - Alpine - Foothill - Page Mill = 1:46:02 (4:49:53)
Down Page Mill - Moody - Foothill to Montebello = 0:59:54 (5:49:47)
Montebello = 0:48:00 (Mileage 5.25)
Down Montebello - Back home = 0:36:25 (7:14:12)
Time : 7:14:12
Mileage : 98.8 Miles
Speed : 13.65 mph
Climbing : 9,100 ft
Feet per Mile : 92.1 ft / mile
Wght : 151
Wet conditions, with light rain at the top of the climbs. In spite of that, good ride. Had a hard time on Montebello but otherwise fine. Extremely cautious descents. Scaled down earlier plans due to weather. Felt some back problems standing up on the harder climbs, esp. on Montebello as I started feeling colder.
Training Ride (115 Miles) - 05/10/03
With Steve Fong & Jaime Tolentino -
Fremont - Foothill - E. Alpine - Arastradero = 1:04:48
Up Page Mill - Down Moody - Foothill - Stevens Cyn (back & forth,
waiting for Steve and Jaime) = 1:27:01
Redwood Gulch - Hwy 9 = 0:36:49
Down 9 - 236 through Big Basin = 1:13:33
Jamison Creek = 0:31:29
Empire Grade - Felton Empire through Felton = 0:38:47
E. Zayante = 1:04:08
Skyline - Down 9/Redwood Gulch and back home = 1:37:39
Time : 8:14:17
Mileage (Klimb) : 113.8 Miles
Speed : 13.8 mph
Climbing : 10,540 ft
Feet per mile : 92.6 ft / mile
Wght : 151
Excellent ride. First full sunny ride. Very much in control all the way.
Left at 5:10 am. Rode around until met Steve and Jaime at 7:30 bottom of
Montebello. Their pace a little too hard, slowed down after I left them
at the top of Jamison Creek.
Computer went dead early in the ride, apparently for good. At no point
did I feel really struggling. Knee 90%, back more tentative but ok.
Davis Bike Club : Davis Double Century, "Crazy Talk" (200 Miles)
- 05/17/03
California Triple Crown #1
Forbes Home - Mile 23.2 = 1:26:25 [16.1 mph]
Monticello Dam - Mile 45.3 = 1:12:36 (2:39:02) [18.25 mph]
Lower Chiles Valley Rd - Mile 63.9 = 1:14:10 (3:53:12) [15.05 mph]
Pope Valley Grange Hall - Mile 75.8 = 0:41:48 (4:35:00) [17.1 mph]
Middletown High School - Mile 95.2 = 1:13:25 (5:48:26) [15.85 mph]
Lower Lake High School (lunch) - Mile 114 = 1:16:55 (7:05:21)
[14.65 mph]
Resurrection - Mile 133.4 = 1:15:32 (8:20:53) [15.4 mph]
Guinda fire station - Mile 159.6 = 1:21:30 (9:42:23) [19.3 mph]
Forbes home - Mile 178.2 = 1:00:56 (10:43:20) [18.3 mph]
Davis High School - Mile 200.3 = 1:16:27 (11:59:48) [17.35 mph]
Time : 11:59:48
Total Time : 12h50 (5:15 to 6:05) [about 50 minutes stoppage]
Mileage : 200.3 Miles
Speed : 16.7 mph
Climbing : 3,300 ft.
Feet per mile : 16.5 ft. / mile
Wght : 150.5
Knee feeling very tentative. Debating whether to DNF for the first part of the ride. Ready to quit at RS2 (mile 45), but kept going, and things did get better after that point (after the first climb). So very slow start, but picked things up in the second half, and on the climbs. Rode pretty much alone, except for a brief team up with a rider around mile 140 or 160. Got bored during long flat stretches at the end, but the middle part of the ride was quite nice. Limited stops as much as possible. Good nutrition and hydration on the ride. After the ride grabbed food at a restaurant but had to wait too long. Forgot my front light, but not needed.
Recovery Ride "Gilroy Hot Springs" (35 Miles) - 06/21/03
Roop - Gilroy Hot Springs - Canada Road down to Gilroy - Back -
Gilroy Hot Springs to the end and back - Coyote Lake to the fee
booth and back.
Time : 2:29:57
Mileage : 34.6 Miles
Speed : 13.84 mph
Wght : 151
Great ride overall. Very relaxed pace. Gilroy Hot Springs end particularly enjoyable. Knee tentative. Mostly ok, except towards the end of the ride. Climbing feels oddly better than flat.
Recovery Ride "Llagas" (45 Miles) - 06/29/03
Llagas - Oak Glen - Sycamore - Watsonville - Redwood Retreat
partway up and back (dogs) = 1:01:27
Back Watsonville - Uvas - Up Croy and back - Uvas to Mc Kean = 1:24:42
Back Uvas - Oak Glen - Llagas = 0:25:42
Time : 2:51:51
Estimated Speed : 16 mph
Estimated Mileage : 46 Miles
Wght : 151
Mileage unknown : Lost computer several times.
Solo Ride "Mtn Charlie" (90 Miles) - 07/06/03
Lexington Reservoir - Alma Bridge rd - Aldercroft Hghts -
Old Santa Cruz = 0:43:06
Summit Rd - Soquel/San Jose - Laurel Glen - Mtn View - Branciforte -
Granite Creek Rd. - Scotts Valley - Glenwood to 17 and back = 1:35:13
Mtn Charlie = 0:37:05
Summit NW - Bear Creek - up Old Santa Cruz - Summit - Highland = 1:20:33
Mt Bache / Loma Prieta = 0:33:49
Back same way - Alma Bridge Rd = 0:48:01
Soda Springs Road (almost to the top) = 0:59:21
Back down to Lexington = 0:26:27
Time : 7:36:18
Mileage : 91.7 Miles
Speed : 12.05 mph
Climbing : 12,000 ft (approx.)
Feet per Mile : 130.86 ft / mile
Fantastic ride ! Started with the intention of riding an easy 50 miles,
but as the day went on, things felt good and piled more new roads, hard
climbs and mileage. Had a very hard time on Soda Springs, which is a
relentless climb with no reprieve at all. Turned back in exhaustion
probably not very far from the top.
Knee tentative, but better as the ride went on.
The Death Ride, Tour of The California Alps (130 Miles) - 07/12/03
Time : 9:55:21
Total Time (approx) : 11h15 (5:30 to 4:45)
Mileage : 123 Miles (129 according to organizers)
Climbing : 16,000 ft
Feet per Mile : 124.04 ft / mile
Speed : 13 mph
Commentary coming soon ...
Solo Ride (65 Miles) - 08/17/03
Home - Stevens Canyon = 0:42:17
Redwood Gulch - Hwy9 = 0:39:25
Skyline N. - Down 84 E. - Tripp = 1:04:32
Kings Mountain = 0:33:27
Down - Mtn Home - Portola - Alpine - Arastradero = 0:47:43
Page Mill to Moody = 0:17:46
Down Moody - back home = 0:29:25
Time : 4:34:36
Mileage : 64.2 Miles (Klimb, 62 miles cateye)
Speed : 14.03 mph
Climbing : 6,240 ft.
Feet per Mile : 97.2 ft. / mile
Wght : 154
Pushed the pace on Kings. Slight knee pain both knees.
Solo Ride "Soda Springs" (80 Miles) - 08/23/03
Home - Bernardo - Fremont - Sunnyvale/Saratoga = 0:41:48
Hwy 9 = 0:53:51
Skyline - Summit - Old Santa Cruz - Aldercroft - Alma Bridge = 1:25:07
Soda Springs Road = 0:50:29
Down - Alma Bridge - Aldercroft - Old Santa Cruz = 0:34:15
Black Road = 0:41:40
Skyline - Down 9 - Pierce/Mt Eden - Back via Mary = 1:28:38
Time : 6:35:51
Mileage : 81 Miles
Speed : 12.28 mph
Climbing : 9,150 ft
Feet per Mile : 112.96 ft. / mile
Wght : 154.5
Good ride, although really struggled up Black / Skyline. Probably to do with nutrition.
Solo Ride "Alpine" (110 Miles) - 08/30/03
Home - Bernardo - Homestead - Foothill - Alpine - Portola -
Whiskey Hill - Woodside = 1:29:44
Kings Mountain = 0:37:19
Skyline S. - 84 W. - Stage N. = 1:07:47
Hwy1 N. to Half Moon Bay (92) = 0:34:38
Hwy1 S. to Pescadero = 0:58:30
Pescadero Rd. = 0:59:56
Alpine Road = 0:44:59
Down Page Mill / Moody - Home = 0:50:58
Time : 7:23:54
Mileage : 109 Miles (Klimb : 111.7 Miles)
Speed : 15.1 mph
Climbing : 7,720 ft
Feet per Mile : 70.83 ft. / mile
Wght : 154
The ride felt fantastic, until hit a major letdown in the 2nd half of Alpine. Had to stop to recover just one turn from the top ! I think this is nutrition again : It hit suddenly, head spinning and slight nausea, with any effort nearly unbearable. Had only eaten Clif Bars and such : More varied food is a must on future long rides. Very confortable until then, pushed slightly on the flat. No big knee pain.
Solo Ride (140 Miles) - 09/07/03
Home - Foothill - Sand Hill - Woodside = 1:06:52
Kings Mountain = 0:36:29
Skyline N. - 92 W. - Half Moon Bay = 0:32:32
Hwy 1 S. to Davenport = 2:05:29
Bonny Doon - Martin - Ice Cream Grade = 0:52:44
Felton Empire - Mt Hermon - Bean Hollow - Glenwood = 0:44:08
Mountain Charlie = 0:36:19 [PR]
Summit to Store & back - Down Old Santa Cruz = 0:26:06
Mtn Charlie (backside) - Summit - Skyline - hwy 9 - back via Pierce -
Slight detour via Fremont = 2:12:34
Time : 9:13:15
Total time : 5:20 to 15:20.
Mileage : 135.5 Miles (Klimb 138 (more likely, maybe slightly more))
Speed : 15 mph
Climbing : 10,800 ft
Feet per mile : 78.26 ft / mile
Wght : 153
May have been one of my best training rides ever. Never struggled, and finished unbelievably fresh. Nutrition much better (& theory confirmed). Eating was : fig bars, cliff bar, dates, tuna sandwich, chocolate chip cookies, banana. Careful to have water in addition to Garorade + filled one bottle with Diet Coke (worked well) ! Stops in Davenport, Scotts Valley, Summit Store. Came across Kahuna 1/2 ironman on the coast. (Note : Bonny Doon to Smith Grade in about 27')
Solo Ride (70 Miles) - 09/13/03
Home - Foothill - Alpine - Portola - 84 - Tripp = 1:22:01
Kings Mountain = 0:34:19
Skyline - Down W. OLH - 84 - Pescadero to Memorial Prk = 1:07:24
Back Pescadero - Haskin Hill - Alpine = 0:30:31
Alpine I = 0:21:20
Alpine II = 0:20:45
Back home via Moody = 0:49:29
Time : 5:05:52
Mileage : 72.7 Miles (Klimb)
Speed : 14.26 mph
Climbing = 6,840 ft.
Feet per Mile = 94.08 ft/mile
Wght : 153
Lost computer entirely. Not a pleasant ride. Feeling sluggish, not engaged and even bored, in spite of great weather.
Quackcyclists : The Knoxville Double Century, "Dr. Funkenstein"
(195 Miles) - 09/20/03
California Triple Crown #2
Rest stop 1 (mile 36.5) = 2:06:38
Rest stop 2 (mile 70.8) = 2:08:40
Rest stop 3 lunch (mile 107.8) = 2:40:32
Rest stop 4 (mile 133.4) = 1:38:11
Rest stop 5 (mile 165.8) = 2:08:13
Rest stop 6 (mile 182) = 0:58:22
Finish (mile 195) = 0:47:30
Time : 12:28:09
Total Time : 14:02:19
Mileage : 195 Miles
Speed : 15.64 mph
Climbing : 12,000
Feet per mile : 61.54 ft/mile
Wght : 153
Although this is slower than last year, this is still a far better pace
than I expected. With the exception of Pope Valley, I felt very confortable
throughout, particularly through the morning climbs.
(took off in the climbs ...)
The ony stretch where I struggled was Pope Valley Rd (between RS 4&5).
It's a long flat stretch where the heat finally got to me. My water
was very hot and I felt dehydrated and glued to the road. Fortunately,
a water stop was put at Chiles Valley Rd which really felt good. (This
is also where the ride becomes more interesting again). As last year,
the climbs following that section really gave me a second wind.
The heat, although apparently less than last year, felt harder to deal
with in the afternoon. I didn't have any problems on Knoxville Rd. though.
Got a flat just after the last rest stop (mile 182). Repaired with no
problem.
Finished in 17th position, would have been 15th without the flat.
Mostly to the tune of Dr Funkestein and Gloryhallastoopid (Parliament).
The rhythm of the music worked very well.
Annoyed by chain skipping ...
Planet Ultra : Tour of Two Forests Double Century,
"Ein Heldenleben" (220 Miles) - 09/27/03
California Triple Crown #3
Rest Stop 1 (mile 47.4) = 2:06:13
Rest Stop 2 (mile 94.7) = 2:36:04
Rest Stop 3 lunch (mile 124.4) = 2:47:38
Rest Stop 4 (mile 143.3) = 1:40:42
Rest Stop 5 (mile 167.5) = 1:28:17
Finish (mile 217) = 2:01:41 (add about 15')
Time : 12:50:37 (12:40:37 + 10' for not restarting after pee stop)
Total Time : 14:25:32 (official 14:22)
Mileage : 217 Miles
Speed : 16.9 mph
Climbing : 12,200 feet
Feet per Mile : 56.22 ft. / mile
Wght : 152
This was the hardest ride so far -
The first half is mostly downhill. Started not feeling very good, a bit
out of breath like at the beginning of my Death Ride DNF. Patiently waited
for things to get gradually better.
At mile 96 starts a long climb up to Matilija summit. The heat there got
extreme (108 according to certain riders). Light wind was travelling with me
on the climb, so it felt like no air at all, and of course no shelter.
Sweat repeatedly got in my eyes, nearly blinding me. To make matters worse,
a water stop at mile 106 never happened. People were dropping like flies,
bottles empty. Not until the summit at 112 was there water. A few of us
sat for a little bit in the shade of the SAG truck, looking utterly spent.
I felt like at the end of the marathon.
One guy said : "Do you think you're going to finish today ?". I said I hoped
so. The guy said : "I'm not sure, I'm really feeling like shit right now".
I got back on the bike, fortunately into a short descent, cried a bit,
firmly decided to survive the day, thinking this would be the real test in
endurance. The next climbs felt better, as I took a conservative pace.
I used Hammer Gel Electrolytes and Sustained endurance for the first time.
After Heartbreak, feeling that the main difficulties were over, I started
picking up the pace. After RS5, there was a huge fire so we had to ride
on I5 from Lebec to Gorman. I felt better and better as night settled, and
pushed the pace very hard on the last 40 miles, eventually dragging another
2 riders with me. During the night, alone on a desert road, heard a hoard
of coyotes, very loud and probably not far away. A little girl at the last
remote rest stop asks her dad, scared, "Daddy, aren't they getting closer ?"
Apparently finished around 30th. Many riders dropped out and there were
many crashes. Debbie Caplan at the finish said they would not do this
ride again. Official Result : 29th out of 134, 26 DNFs.
Mostly to the tune of Richard Strauss' "Ein Heldenleben", with Lawrence
of Arabia in some parts.
In retrospect, this may have been my most successful training cycle,
leading to my second Triple Crown. I learned quickly from my mistakes
and did not overdo it.
Solo Ride "Tarantulas" (36 Miles) - 10/06/03
Piedmont from Calaveras to Sierra = 0:12:01
Sierra Road (climb) = 0:40:48
Sierra Road to Felter = 0:08:10
Felter Rd = 0:11:49
Calaveras Road to Welch Creek Rd = 0:39:42
Calaveras Road back to Milpitas = 0:55:34
Time : 2:48:05
Mileage : 36 Miles (klimb : 35.9)
Speed : 12.85 mph
Climbing : 3,620 ft.
Feet per Mile : 100.55 ft / mile
Wght : 153.5
Very confortable, effortless. Sierra is a great climb.
Saw two Tarentulas on the road (one on Sierra, the other on Calaveras),
and a rattle snake.