Devil Mountain Double spectator

[Nanci]

Great pics!

Nanci

[SadieKate]

Ah ha! Found it.

Along the way you'll see many cows and a lot of windmills, before coming to rest stop number 3 at Mines Road. At this point, you have covered a little over 91 miles.

It looks like cutoff #1 is about 91 miles so she'd have to avg 11.4 mph with huge climbs and no stops .

Ok, we' re on the countdown to cutoff #2. 112 miles in 11.5 hours. Cumulative avg speed of 9.7 with another gonzo climb and still no stops calculated in. I'm holding my breath to hear the news.

[slinkedog]

Has anyone an update? I'm rooting for you, V!

[Trek420]

we were talking about this today on our humble little social recreational ride that V. should come down Niles Canyon at about 11pm? Is that right? That's a narrow road during the day, hope there's no or little traffic.

Cindysue writes "Unfortunately, I hadn't thought to bring water (gee that's twice now [remember that Dita?])"

ah, you mean the famous
"would you like some water?"
"YES"
"oh, I didn't bring any" ;-)

[SadieKate]

Not much but we do know that V was trekking on earlier this afternoon,

Yeah - I thought maybe I could give email updates, but of course I get out there in the middle of BFE and have no signal whatsoever. and I have no helpful information. I started up mines about 130. Saw my 2 other friends at various points. Saw thom toward the top. He was cheerful - said she had a mechanical issue (rear brakes not working) and was at the back of the pack as she expected. We then went on to see World's Most Amazing Goat. So I know NOTHING. Nancy just called and she's going to the main hotel to see if she can get an update and will call me. We are in Burlingame now.

[Dianyla]

Go, V, Go!

[snowbear]

*comes out from lurkdom*
Any news yet? V, you so rock!

[Melody]

*Silently cheering for V and waiting for news*

Mel

[Veronica]

I'll do a full report later. Felt great until mile 132. I spent the next 3 miles (an hour!) climbing to Windy Gap, feeling hurts everywhere. My feet, back and butt are still sore. I had been without rear brakes since Diablo - yes I did all my descending with front brakes only.

That coupled with how tired I was getting - no longer able to ride in a straight line, made me decide, after debating for an hour as I rode, to call it quits at mile 135, 13370 feet of climbing.

I'm bummed I didn't finish, but it is further on this course than I have gotten before.

Bedtime.

V.

[Jones]

13,370 feet is more climbing than I have done in my life time! Ya done good!
Jones

[SadieKate]

V, can you tell we've all been on pins and needles waiting and waiting for news? I'm anxious to hear your report but want you to know that your commitment to the ride, your training efforts and what you accomplished is tremendous and an inspiration.

[Blueberry]

Well said SK! V, we'd love to hear more once you've recuperated Kudos to you for that much climbing (and the training involved in being able to climb that much)! Makes my quads hurt just to hear the number!!!!

[maillotpois]

V, can you tell we've all been on pins and needles waiting and waiting for news? I'm anxious to hear your report but want you to know that your commitment to the ride, your training efforts and what you accomplished is tremendous and an inspiration.

ditto what sk said.

it takes monumental guts to try the hardest double in CA (yes I have confirmed this and can discuss my sources later) in your first year of doing doubles. you have tremendous courage and I am so impressed! and just think, what you did was practically the equivalent of the Death Ride! do something civilized like Tam w/me and get your triple crown jersey to wear at DMD next year!!

you rock!

[jobob]

We're so proud of you, V. ! {{hug}}

I'm curious to hear what happened to your rear brake, that must have been oh-so-not-reassuring

[cindysue]

I woke up this morning thinking how amazing doing a double century would be. Then add 20000 feet of climbing and I can not even relate. As I was brushing my teeth, I was trying to figure out how long it would take an average rider like me to finish the thing. I remembered SK's calculation of just under 12mph and thought - oh sure that's easy enough for 100 or even 130 miles. But, 200 miles with 20000 feet of climbing. Unbelievable really!

so, as I'm going over all this in my mind, I log on to the forums to see if there is any word.....

sorry to hear but so glad we aren't reading a note from Thom that V flipped over her bike due to a lack of rear brakes. That scared me!

In addition to already completing a double metric with over 13000 feet of climbing, I wonder how the lack of rear brakes worked on your state of mind. Personally, I would have been petrified to go down any hill in that situation, much less some of the descents that lay ahead.

I commend you on a job well done. And look forward to this report and more.

xxoo