Of course, the best riders will set a goal of volunteering at least 10% of the time ... so they will set a goal of volunteering 5-6 times along with completing 50 Double Centuries.
The beautiful California Triple Crown Hall of Fame Plaque
The exclusive California Triple Crown Hall of Fame
100 Double Century Club Plaque
The prestigious California Triple Crown Hall of Fame
150 Double Century Club Crystal Award
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At the end of the ABC Coverage of the 1989 Tour de France, Greg Le Mond lifts his 5 year old son up to the Winner's Block as the announcer says: |
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The California Triple Crown Hall of Fame was started in June of 1999 to recognize those who have accomplished a significant milestone in the Double Century Series by riding over 10,000 Miles of these rides!! These select few cyclists have completed over 50 Double Centuries!! |
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Jim's looking good here!! |
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Jim Von Tungeln was the first cyclist to be inducted into the California Triple Crown Hall of Fame. He completed his 50th Double Century in the California Triple Crown Series with the 1998 Grand Tour. Jim's cycling achievements include:
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Jim was officially inducted into the California Triple Crown Hall of Fame on June 5, 1999 at the Breakfast meeting following the Eastern Sierra Double where he was awarded the following plaque:  |
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Excellence can be attained if you ... Care more than others think is wise Risk more than others think is safe Dream more than others think is practical Expect more than others think is possible. |
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Paul hanging over Bryce Canyon and wearing a 'Born to Ride' jersey. |
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Looking good in his California Triple Crown Jersey!! |
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Paul Kopit was the second cyclist to be inducted into the California Triple Crown Hall of Fame. He completed his 50th Double Century in the California Triple Crown Series with the 1999 Central Coast Double. Paul's cycling achievements include:
My golfing was over for the rest of that season and I really just gave up the game. I did some walking and got our '70s Lambert bicycle and began riding. I lived in Sussex County, N.J. a rural, mountainous section of the state. I rode through the Winter in anything above 15° F. I had no idea of my ability 'til I joined The Morris County Freewheelers. Turns out I wasn't fast but could last a long time. My first century was in May '90 and I was hooked on long rides. Rode with that club 'til Nov. '91 when I moved to CA. I located in the Foothill area, La Crescenta, based upon the recommendation of a Club member and immediately began riding with the Foothill Club. I commuted daily from La Crescenta to San Fernando, a 25 mile round trip. I regularly enjoyed going up Angeles Crest H'way - Upper Big Tujunga - Big Tujunga. I had no idea what I was doing. It was 54 miles and over 5,000' of climbing. I rode a Trek 1420 and although I wasn't fast, I could stay on the bicycle a long time. I did some Centuries. I read about The Oak Glen Challenge in Spring '92 and asked a fellow club member what it was. He told me to just go and do it. I completed it with little daylight to spare and remember how good I felt about myself. All I remember about the Hemet Double was that I was happy to take the descent off of Mountain Center in daylight. I ran out of lights and Charlie Irwin, the 747 pull, helped me in. I went on to do the Tour of Two Forests Double with particular zeal because someone told me I'd likely not finish on the first attempt. I remember Lockwood Valley Road being very hot. I finished and believed I could do anything. Did the Grand Tour and had my first Triple Crown. That wasn't enough so I did the first of my 4 Land Rushes that year as well. In '93 I wanted to do all 6 doubles. June 5, '93, the 13th TOTF, the year that 20 riders finished, I went down at about 170 miles, on the easy part. The price was lots of teeth and a steel replacement for my right elbow, and about $20K. I learned about the dark side or our sport. If you ride, you are going to get hurt. In '94 I went on to complete my goal of all 7 of the Triple Crown Doubles. It was the first of my 4 Terrible Twos. It is the greatest double and in a class of its own. There are no junk miles, it is beautiful and more demanding than I have words to describe. To finish is passage to becoming a doubles rider that is not intimidated by by any 200 miles. But, surprisingly, TT was not my hardest 200 in '94. It was a windy year in Death Valley and my bicycle seat just wasn't working right. The last 30 miles between Furnace Creek and Stovepipe I could not ride for more than 2 miles without stopping. I was beyond saddle sore and into bloody. I just made up my mind that there was nothing to do for the rest of that day anyway and I wasn't going to quit after going that far. I just keep doing doubles but my reason has changed. It used to be looking for personal achievement. Now it's meeting old friends, visiting familiar places, and encouraging other riders. I think I've grown up a little. Another day, another double means a lot more than riding a 200 mile loop." |
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Paul was officially inducted into the California Triple Crown Hall of Fame on June 5, 1999 at the Breakfast meeting following the Eastern Sierra Double where he was awarded the following plaque:  |
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Excellence ... The quality of a person's life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor. |
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In 2004, Paul continues to be the current reigning King of California Triple Crown Double Centuries. He was the first person to complete 100 Double Centuries in the California Triple Crown. Paul was awarded a special 100 Double Century Club Plaque at the California Triple Crown Awards Breakfast on September 26, 2004. Photo courtesy of Joe Gross. |