2000 California Triple Crown Stage Race Results

Are you ready to test yourself in Three of the Hardest, Most Grueling Double Centuries on this planet? Are you ready for Two Hundred Miles with tons of Steep Climbing? Then a couple of weeks later, Two Hundred More Miles with more Steep Climbing? Then if you have any strength left, are you ready to tackle the Terrible Two with Two Hundred More Miles, 16,000 Feet of Climbing, White Knuckler Descents, and Temperatures over 100 Degrees?

If so, then we've got a deal for you!!

This is how the Stage Race works: Riders have to complete the Three Most Difficult Doubles in the California Triple Crown: Devil Mountain, Central Coast, and the Terrible Two. The Total Elapsed Time from each of these grueling Doubles is then added together and the rider with the fastest overall time for all Three Doubles wins the Stage Race.

WARNING: These rides are NOT for the inexperienced or occasional rider.

On the Schedule Page, you will notice that the Difficulty Rating by the "California Triple Crown" for each of these rides is: Extremely High. Do not make any of these rides your first Double Century -- because if you do, you may not want to do another one!! However, if you are in the best shape of your life and you are looking for the ultimate one day tests of your physical and mental fitness, then these rides are for you!!

How hard are these rides? Brutally hard. Hard beyond description!!

In 2000, the Devil Mountain Double was a true challenge of over 18,000 Feet of Climbing. Only 103 Riders Started this brutally hard ride and only 78 Finished ... 25 Riders Did Not Finish this First Stage of the Stage Race!!

In 2000, the Central Coast Double was a challenge as always with 210 Miles and over 13,200 Feet of Climbing!! Of the 149 Riders that Registered, 134 Started, 120 Finished and 14 Did Not Finish this Second Stage of the Stage Race.

The Terrible Two has a reputation of being the most difficult Double Century around. Although the route has varied in small ways over the years, its defining features have always been its four big climbs (and the steep, twisting descents that follow): Trinity Grade, the Geysers, Skaggs Springs, and Fort Ross. Numerous smaller but pesky hills add to the overall challenge. Trinity, the Geysers, and Fort Ross are all double-summit climbs, while Skaggs Springs is a long series of climbs and descents. Few gradients on the course exceed 15%, but many climbs stay in the 8-12% range for long distances. The Terrible Two Web Site has an excellent Elevation Chart which graphically shows just how brutal this course with over 16,000 Feet of Climbing really is!!

In 2000, the Terrible Two was hot and brutal with 200 Miles and over 16,000 Feet of Climbing!! Of 276 Riders that Registered, 248 Started, 199 Finished and 49 Did Not Finish this Third Stage of the Stage Race.

The 2000 California Triple Crown Stage Race yielded total of over 600 Grueling Miles with over 47,200 Feet of Climbing!!

Results are in from the Devil Mountain Double held 4/15/00, the Central Coast Double held 5/13/00, and the Terrible Two held 6/17/00. The report below shows the "Leader Board" of those riders who completed all three Stages of the Stage Race, ranked by Total Overall Time.

The competition was indeed fierce this year. Tracy Colwell from Redwood City came in First Place in the Stage Race: he was First on the Devil Mountain Double, First on Central Coast, and First on the Terrible Two where he set a new course record!! This was Tracy's first year to compete in the California Triple Crown Stage Race ... and in fact, his first year to complete a California Triple Crown. However, Tracy's strength was well known since he was First on the 1998 Terrible Two. Congratulations to Tracy.

In Second Place this year was Daryn Dodge from Davis. Daryn is a long time California Triple Crown Stage Race competitor: he won the Stage Race in 1996 and came in 4th in 1999. This is Daryn's Fourth Year finishing the California Triple Crown. Congratulations to Daryn!!

In Third Place this year was Istvan Makk from Antioch. Istvan had never competed in the Stage Race before but is no stranger to long distance cycling: this will be his Third Year finishing the California Triple Crown. Congratulations to Istvan!!

In the Women's Division, First Place this year goes to Jeanie Barnett from Martinez. Jeanie is no stranger to the Stage Race: she competed in 1998 and this will be her Third Year finishing the California Triple Crown. Congratulations to Jeanie!!

In Second Place for the Women this year was Maureen Dwyer from Santa Cruz. This was Maureen's first year to complete in the California Triple Crown Stage Race ... and in fact, her first year to complete a California Triple Crown. Congratulations to Maureen!!

An Honorable Mention goes to Cassie Lowe from Australia who used the California Triple Crown Doubles to test her strength in her preparation for the 2000 Race Across America. Cassie was the First Women Finisher on the 2000 Devil Mountain Double and the 2000 Central Coast Double where she set a new Women's record. Unfortunately, she was not able to compete in the Terrible Two this year because she was Racing Across America. Congratulations to Cassie!!

In First Place for the Mixed Tandem Division this year were Mike Shuemake and Marilyn Laswell from Fresno. Mike and Marilyn rode these three extremely difficult Doubles on a tandem!! This was Mike's second year in the California Triple Crown and Marilyn's first year. Congratulations to Mike and Marilyn.

The Top 3 Men Finishers in the Stage Race, Tracy, Daryn, and Istvan, the Top 2 Women Finishers, Jeanie and Maureen, and the Mixed Tandem Team of Mike and Marilyn, will receive a California Triple Crown Plaque, at no charge!! These will be presented at the California Triple Crown Awards Breakfast to be held July 23, the morning after the Eastern Sierra Double, at the Tri-County Fair Grounds in Bishop.

Everyone who completed the 2000 Stage Race is to be commended. Our hat is off to each of the 39 Finishers ... just to complete these three Extremely Difficult Rides is a major accomplishment!!

You don't have to do anything special to sign up for the Stage Race: In 2001, all you have to do is to sign up for and ride your heart out on the Devil Mountain Double, Central Coast Double, and the Terrible Two!! Of course, that's much easier said than done!! Also, if you ride any Stage on a tandem, you must ride all three Stages on a tandem with the same partner.

The California Triple Crown lays down this challenge: be among the select few who are able to finish the Stage Race!!

Congratulations to all Finishers in the 2000 California Triple Crown Stage Race!!

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