Steve completed the 2014 Davis Double Century!!!

This past weekend I completed my second of three Double Centuries that I am shooting for this season so I can earn the California triple crown award.  This past weekend I completed the Davis Double Century.  My overall time was 14 hours 15 minutes and my riding time was 12 hours 25 minutes.

The Davis Double Century has 8,200 feet of climbing which is significantly smaller than the Devil Mountain Double's 20,000 feet.  That said I believe that every Double Century has its own unique challenges.

Funny Thing that happened

• At the rest stop before lunch I met a lady (one of the volunteers) who saw my Devil Mountain Double jersey and asked if I had just ridden it.  I said that I had.  She told me that at the Pet the Goat rest stop on the DMD the stuffed animal was hers.  I told her about my blog and the name "Oh Golly" I had given to her goat.  
• "Oh Golly" I might actually finish the DMD!
• "Oh Golly" I just made it over Sierra Road after 150 miles!
• "Oh Golly" am I stupid or what for even trying to attempt this!
• She thought this was hilarious :)

What went well

• Staying at the Best Western Palm Court Hotel (2 blocks from start/end line) on Friday night day before DD.



Registration materials and shirt I received on Friday



Getting my stuff ready in my hotel room




• Brought food in color for Friday's dinner and Saturday morning meal
• Scrambled eggs + chopped ham
• Protein shake
• No mechanical or flat tires
• Spent just minimum time at earlier rest stops (up to lunch)
• Overall I did a good job with my eating and drinking.  I was diligent in using my S-Caps.  Though the temperatures only got to around 85-88 I still perspired a lot and had a fair amount of salt on my jersey and face after the ride.
• Food wise I ate PB&J's, oranges, grapes, strawberries
• Drink wise I had many v8's, refilled using electrolyte drink provided, 1 coke, and 1 root beer at the end.



Lunch at mile 112 was especially good!!!

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• I was able to get into several pulls and helped to pull several groups as well.
• No close calls or accidents
• Climbing felt good.  No problems going over Cardiac, Big Canyon,  or Resurrection.  There may have been one place where the gradient briefly hit 10-11% but the majority of the climbs were only 5-8% and the climbs were fairly short.
• I sent pictures and text message updates to both Denise and Mark.



Quick Selfie at rest stop

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• Unexpectedly seeing Mark on Friday and having a quick dinner together in the bar next to my Hotel.



Having a light dinner in bar near my hotel on Friday

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• Seeing Mark at the finish line cheering me on.
• I finished right around 7pm so it was great to complete the ride while there was still sunlight.
• Mark took a short video of me as I crossed the finish line
• Staying at Mark and Sandy's Saturday night instead of driving home.

What could I have done better or differently

• I believe that I went out too fast for the first few hours (averaged around 21-22 mph).
• I should have worn my Capo shorts and bib instead of wearing my DMD shorts.  I had never worn the DMD shorts before and the chamois did not provide the same level of comfort and support that my Capo shorts do.
• I like to use Bullfrog for my sunscreen and I applied it liberally in the morning.  I should have applied some more sunscreen during the day on my legs and neck since sunscreen was provided at the rest stops during the day.

Issues that I experienced

• Hot feet sensation starting at mile 134.   Unfortunately this remained with me for the rest of the ride.  Stopping at rest stops or on the side of the road definitely helped.



Stopping on side of road to give my feet a break

• I tried ensuring that I was not apply too much pressure to the balls of my feet by applying pressure on my up stroke.
• When I needed I pulled off to the side of the road to give my feet a break.  I even did this at mile 193.
• One of the rest stops had a wading pool with chairs around it.  That water felt absolutely fabulous.



Picture 6 guys sitting in chairs with their feet soaking in the wading pool

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• At the second to last rest stop I even put some ice on my feet and in my sock.
• Glutes did start to hurt and feel uncomfortable around 160 miles.   I believe this is directly attributed to the shorts I was wearing.  The one thing that I learned is that how you feel after a 50-60 mile ride is no indication of what you may feel like after 130-150 miles.  Don't skimp and use the best products.
• Still having issues getting clicked in and out of my cleats.  I spent some considerable time on my bike and my shoes before the ride (the weekend before) cleaning my cleats.  I may want to consider spraying some WD-40 on the cleat.
• My right palm (side opposite my thumb) seemed to get irritated.  Not sure why since I obviously wear a very well padded glove on my hands.
• Garmin 500 around mile 194 said it was low on battery and displayed an annoying popup that covered my overall distance.  Afterwards Mark told me that if I just pressed ENTER it would remove the message.  Mark was right.  In the garage of the hotel as I starting to put away my bicycle my Garmin said I had only gone 199 miles.  Mark asked if I wanted to go ride another mile, I respectfully declined :)
• After the ride for dinner I was craving Jamba Juice so I ordered a large Peanut Butter Moo.  During the night on Saturday I got some bad heartburn.    That will probably be my last Peanut Butter Moo.

What's Next

• Heat is a big factor to me.  I was very lucky that the temperatures were so mild for the Davis Double Century.  Temperatures in the mid 80's  are considered cool for this time of the year.  Temperatures could exceed 100 degrees.  In these type of extreme warm temperatures I am not sure that I would be able to keep myself hydrated enough.  For my third double century I am looking for one where the temperatures could possibly be on the cooler side.



Stuffing my face at a rest stop

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• Mark and I have registered and we will be riding the Eastern Sierra Double Century on May 31.  It looks absolutely beautiful and it is at elevations from 4000 to 7000 feet so hopefully it will be much cooler which suits me much better.  After I complete this ride I will have satisfied riding three doubles for this season and will earn my California Triple Crown.  

At finish - looks like a forced smile :)

Proudly wearing my Davis DC t-shirt at work