| California Triple Crown Doubles Calendar | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Elevation Gain* |
|||
| Camino Real Double | 8,800 | Ride the best of Orange, Riverside, and San Diego Counties. Kick off the New Year!! |
|
| Death Valley Spring Double | 9,000 | Classic southern route past Badwater and over the passes to Shoshone and back. |
|
| Solvang Spring Double | 7,200 | Lush green rolling country roads Good first Double on a beautiful course!! |
|
| Mulholland Double | 16,470 | Climb the Canyons in the Santa Monica Mountains A dramatic, epic, diverse, and beautiful course!! 2010 California Triple Crown Stage Race Double |
|
| Hemet D.C. | 7,800 | 1st 100 mile loop is fast - 2nd 100 is more challenging Includes Wine country and several lakes |
|
| Devil Mountain Double | 18,600 | Extremely tough Northern California Double Climb two highest paved peaks in Bay Area!! 2010 California Triple Crown Stage Race Double |
|
| Borrego Double Ordeal | 14,900 | Beautiful climbs up Montezuma and Mesa Grande Awesome 4,000 Foot descent down Banner Grade to finish |
|
| Classic Tour of Two Forests Double | 13,300 | Traverses the Angeles and Los Padres National Forest Beautiful climbs up Matilija & Heartbreak |
|
| Central Coast Double | 14,000 | Climb through scenic back roads!! Explore the superb Central Coast | |
| Davis Double | 8,400 | Beautiful Rivers and Lakes Most popular Double in California |
|
| Heartbreak Double | 15,300 | From Palmdale, ride on roads less traveled Climb Apache Saddle and Heartbreak |
|
| Eastern Sierra Double | 10,100 | Ride road bike heaven! Bishop, Mammoth Lakes, and more with the pristine Sierra Nevada as your inspiration. |
|
| Alta Alpina 8 Pass Challenge | 20,300 | Extremely tough Northern California Double Stunning scenery, smooth pavement, just a dozen stop signs |
|
| Terrible Two | 16,480 | Extremely tough Northern California Double Steep Climbs and lots of heat!! 2010 California Triple Crown Stage Race Double |
|
| Grand Tour | 5,200 - 8,500 |
200, 300, 400 Mile Options The original Double in the U.S.!! |
|
| Mt. Tam Double | 14,500 | Great climbs & technical descents Redwoods, grasslands & lakes with stunning ocean views |
|
| White Mountain Double | 10,700 | If cycling on smooth roads with very low traffic to the highest summit in the CTC is important, then this is an important ride |
|
| Knoxville Fall Classic Double | 12,600 | Ride some very special Northern California roads Friendly, social ride with no recorded times |
|
| California Triple Crown Awards Breakfast |
ZERO!! | Stage Race Winners will receive awards See who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame |
|
| Bass Lake Powerhouse Double | 9,400 | Enjoy the Western Sierra Scenery including Pine Flat Lake and Bass Lake. |
|
| Solvang Autumn Double | 10,300 | Spectacular route in popular cycling region Significantly more challenging than Solvang Spring Double |
|
| Death Valley Fall Double | 9,100 | Northern route in Mother Nature’s greatest sports arena Visit Scotty’s Castle, Ubehebe Crater, and Hell’s Gate |
Only the Double Centuries in the above table qualify for the California Triple Crown of Double Centuries.
* The Polar Elevation Gain is listed for these Double Centuries because the Elevation Gain measured by the Polar Altimeters seem to be near the median of the readings from all bike computers in the Detailed Analysis of Altimeter Readings study.
California Triple Crown Doubles Ranked by Elevation Gain
Elevation
Gain*
1
20,300
Alta Alpina 8 Pass Challenge
198
Radically High
2
18,600
Devil Mountain Double
207
Radically High
3
16,480
Terrible Two
200
Radically High
4
16,470
Mulholland Double
202
Radically High
5
15,300
Heartbreak Double
202
Radically High
6
14,900
Borrego Double Ordeal
198
Extremely High
7
14,500
Mt. Tam Double
197
Extremely High
8
14,000
Central Coast Double
209
Extremely High
9
13,300
Classic Tour of Two Forests Double
194
Extremely High
10
12,600
Knoxville Fall Classic Double
202
High
11
10,700
White Mountain Double
200
High
12
10,300
Solvang Autumn Double
202
High
13
10,100
Eastern Sierra Double
198
High
14
9,400
Bass Lake Powerhouse Double
200
High
15
9,100
Death Valley Fall Double
196
High
16
9,000
Death Valley Spring Double
197
High
17
8,800
Camino Real Double
197
Medium
18
8,500
Grand Tour - Highland Double
200
Medium
19
8,400
Davis Double
203
Medium
20
7,800
Hemet D.C.
198
Medium
21
7,200
Solvang Spring Double
190
Medium
22
5,200
Grand Tour - Lowland Double
200
Medium
Of course, the above rides are not the only excellent one day events in California planned this year. The following rides are not in the California Triple Crown of Double Centuries: You might want to consider bigger challenges such as the Davis 12/24 Hour Challenge and see how far you can ride in 12 Hours or 24 Hours on an excellent course. The Fresno Cycling Club is organizing the Climb to Kaiser which features some of the most incredible mountain climbs anywhere on the planet. Our good friends from the Color Country Cycling Club in Cedar City, Utah are organizing the Desperado Dual, a Double Century with 8,000 Feet of Climbing traveling on some of this country's most scenic back-roads ... this is literally one of the coolest places to ride in summer, so check it out! In addition, Brevets are being organized by the following organizations:
Davis Bike Club
San Francisco Randonneurs
Santa Cruz Randonneurs
Santa Rosa Cycling Club
San Diego Randonneurs
Of special note is the Gold Rush Randonee being organized by the Davis Bike Club July 6-10, 2009 ... a fantastic 750 Mile voyage from Davis to Goose Lake, Oregon and back!!
Each of the California Triple Crown Double Centuries is a Major Adventure in itself!!
Not a single one of these rides is easy. Each will provide you with a "Personal Growth Experience". Don't make the mistake of moving into the tougher Doubles until you're ready - mechanically, biomechanically, and mentally!!
Once you successfully complete three of the above Doubles, you are a Triple Crown Winner and have earned the right to have those ride names included on a custom printed Jersey or T-Shirt. You receive a Triple Crown patch and can order a plaque for a nominal amount. Bicycling publications and club newsletter editors receive your name for print. Your name is included on this Web Site!! You become part of a group of select Bicyclists and have the tremendous satisfaction of completing one of the most difficult Bicycling events anywhere!!
The California Triple Crown is a small, completely volunteer organization established to publish the schedule and the results of these rides. The California Triple Crown has no organizational, legal, or financial connection with these rides and does not "sanction" them.
In order to receive California Triple Crown Credit for completing one of these Double Centuries, you must be on the Official Finisher's list for the 200 Miles as published by the Ride Organizer. If you are listed as an "Unofficial Finisher" on the ride's list because you missed the time limit cutoff, you will not receive California Triple Crown credit for that ride but DON'T GIVE UP: there are plenty of training tips HERE to help increase your speed. There are also a ton of training articles on the Planet Ultra Web Site HERE. You might also want to join the Ultra-Marathon Cycling Association and join the Randonneurs USA to learn a lot more about this sport of long distance cycling. In training, focus on riding a sub-8 Hour Century on one day, recover well at night, then follow it with another sub-8 Hour Century the next day and you'll then be fast enough to beat the time limit on the easier Double Centuries below.
The level of support on these rides has been known to vary immensely. It depends on many factors including the location, the number of volunteers, and the weather which can be freezing cold with snow or a thermal meltdown!! It also depends greatly on the attitude each person brings to the event -- what isn't even noticed by one person can be a huge problem for another person. If you have questions about the level of support, you should check the web site of the ride, read the ride reports, and ask other riders who have ridden the ride in the past. Start with the easier Doubles and progress up to the more difficult rides only when you're ready mechanically, biomechanically, and mentally.
Every ride can be improved upon. If you have a problem with a ride, you should work directly with the ride organizer. It would be beneficial to the organizers if you would include a suggested solution with your problem. Please try to put yourself in the shoes of the ride organizer and understand that organizing these Double Centuries is no easy task. These events are extremely difficult to produce, time consuming, nerve wracking, and exhausting.
If you want these rides to continue, please bring your friends and families along and ask the ride organizer how they can help make the ride a success!!
If you want these rides to improve, volunteer and do your part to make them better!!
Ride the best of Orange, Riverside and San Diego Counties. Kick off the New Year!!
This Double Century was called the Butterfield Double from 1998 to 2008. In 2008, a new course was developed and starting in 2009 it is now known as the Camino Real Double.
Our new route is shaped like a dog bone, with loops on each end of an out-and-back course. Beginning at the La Quinta Inn in Irvine, you'll head to the coast via the rolling hills of Irvine and Turtle Rock and get your first view of the Pacific Ocean as you blast down Newport Coast and hang a left on PCH. After riding through a bit of Newport Beach and Laguna Beach on PCH, you'll hang a left and head back inland, meandering up Laguna Canyon Road. Hang a right on El Toro, and make your way through Aliso Viejo and Laguna Niguel, then blast down Crown Valley to the Coast and Dana Point.
From Dana Point you'll be on the coast through San Clemente, and along the bike path through San Onofre, all the way to Oceanside. From there, you'll head inland, heading towards Bonsall and lunch at the All Seasons Campground.
The climbing starts again after lunch, with a beautiful loop out towards Fallbrook. You'll wind up back in Bonsall, and repeat the course back to the coast, and north through Dana Point again.
The final leg is basically the reverse of the old Butterfield route: Up Ortega Highway to Antonio Parkway, through Trabuco Canyon, across Santiago Canyon and then the mostly downhill finish on Jamboree to Portola and back to Sand Canyon and the La Quinta Inn in Irvine.
This route is a huge improvement, safety-wise! No more of that crazy traffic by the Pechanga Casino; no more drunken, bottle-throwing drivers in Lake Elsinore; and no more traffic lights on every corner through Temecula. It does remain, however, particularly urban - but in the best and safest parts of Orange and San Diego Counties. Please note that due to the urban nature of this route, it's impossible to provide checkpoint locations evenly spaced at perfect distances. That said, there are countless mini-marts and gas stations along the course where you may get water and snacks, if necessary. If you're running low, and find yourself a good distance from the next checkpoint, please stop at one of the many conveniences along the route and refuel/re-hydrate.
Time Limit: 17 Hours
Difficulty Rating: Medium
Visit www.PlanetUltra.com for all the information.
Classic southern route past Badwater and over the passes to Shoshone and back.
In Spring we use the "traditional course" for this event, a fabulous out-and-back course in the south end of Death Valley with limited traffic and only two stop signs to slow you down.
Death Valley National Park is one of the most beautiful and by far the most unique of any park in the national park system. The actual interior of Death Valley, contrary to popular belief, is not flat but rather a combination of flat and noticeable rollies (nothing over 2% and 150' of gain). However, don't be fooled. Some stretches look downhill, yet your legs quickly tell you it's a mirage. And of course there are the big climbs on the south end of the park, but more on that later. There is a total elevation gain of 8800 feet for the double route.
Death Valley is about contrasts: Contrasts in elevation, temperature and colors. In the wintertime it is possible for temperatures to drop below freezing. The summer daytime temperature can rise above 130 degrees. (But never in March or October!) The color contrasts are what really make Death Valley unique. The colors are at their best early in the morning and again before sunset. Death Valley is one of the most mineral-rich places on earth. With every blink of the eye, the colors in the Valley change. This is because with every blink the sun's angle changes causing colors to change their shade, new colors to come alive, and others to fade away.
Double Century riders will leave Furnace Creek at sunrise and quickly make the first of only three turns towards Badwater, 17 miles down the road. At this point, both the mountains and the salt encrusted lakebed start getting closer to the road and makes for interesting viewing. Stop sucking that wheel in front of you and look around. Over your left shoulder are towering peaks with names like Coffin Peak (5503'), and Funeral Peak (6384'), while to your right you will pass the Devils Golf Course and Badwater (-278'). Badwater is the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere. Directly across the Valley from Badwater is Telescope Peak (11,049') and behind Telescope Peak is Mt. Whitney (14,494). Mt. Whitney is the highest point in the 48 contiguous states. Double riders will climb Jubilee Pass (1293 feet), then Salsberry Pass (3315 feet), and then descend to the right turn to Shoshone. Here, double riders turn around and retrace their path over the two passes to Furnace Creek, for a total of 150 miles. Next, they continue north up the Valley to the final turnaround in Stove Pipe Wells. Finally, double riders ride back to the Start/Finish in Furnace Creek.
The Death Valley Spring Double has been selling out in well under one day. To register for it, be sure to sign up for the email newsletter, AdventureCORPS News, which gives subscribers a short head start for registration. You can review the deadlines on the Adventurecorps Calendar but you will need to subscribe to the newsletter to have advance access to the registration link.
Time Limit: 17 Hours
Century Option is available.
Death Valley Spring Double Web Site
Elevation Chart for the Death Valley Double - Small Version by Mike Sturgill and his Ciclosport CM414 Alti-M1998 Death Valley Double by Team Bikeaholics
1997 Death Valley Double Recap by Chuck Bramwell
1997 Death Valley Double by Team Bikeaholics
Difficulty Rating: High
Visit www.AdventureCorps.com for all the information.
The original 200 mile route in Southern California's most scenic and most popular cycling region!
The event starts and finishs in its namesake, Solvang, a fun, quaint, Danish village with excellent hotels, awesome restaurants, window shopping, real shopping, horse-drawn carriages, parks, people in costume, wine-tasting, vineyards, and lots of neats things for the whole family to see and do. Bring your family and make a weekend of it. We promise they'll all have a great time while you ride your bike! (Or make a week of it by coming for our Solvang Spring Training held just prior to this event.)
Starting with a wave start from the host hotel in Solvang, you'll do a short warm-up in the eastern Santa Ynez Valley, then heads up world famous Foxen Canyon. You'll then essentially bypass Santa Maria by jogging around that town on dead quiet Bull Canyon to Hwy 166. Next you'll more or less parallel the 101 as you head north. After some really neat back roads, the route skirts the edge of San Luis Obispo, then goes all the way into super scenic Morro Bay, right to the waterfront and a dramatic view of "the rock." Next you'll roll through some of the prettiest state park miles anywhere, then head south on PCH along the coast through Pismo Beach, and such. After Guadalupe, you'll stay southbound on this desolate and beautiful stretch of Hwy 1, bypassing the whole Lompoc area, and then continuing onto Hwy 135 to the neat little western antique haven of Los Alamos, site of the final checkpoint. From Los Alamos, riders encounter what is essentially the only real climb of the entire day, up and over Drum Canyon, a quiet, twisty, 800 foot, 3.4 mile ascent. It's got a gnarly, technical downhill, so close attention to the matter at hand is imperative. On the other side, we hop onto Hwy 246 back to Solvang, with a big shoulder all the way to town!
The route is 193 miles. And truly, these are the best miles available in an already spectacular riding region. This route is among the fastest, most scenic, and most popular in the entire California Triple Crown series! Total elevation gain: about 7,500'. Fun, fast, and easy!
Towns/regions visited: Solvang, Santa Ynez, Los Olivos, Foxen Canyon, Sisquoc, Santa Maria, Nipomo, Arroyo Grande, San Luis Obispo, Morro Bay, Pismo Beach, Shell Beach, Guadalupe, Los Alamos, Buellton, and back to Solvang.
Time Limit: 17 Hours
2010 Solvang Spring Double Results
2009 Solvang Spring Double Results
2008 Solvang Spring Double Results
2007 Solvang Spring Double Results
2007 Solvang Spring Double Photos by Lane Parker
2007 Solvang Spring Double Photos by Eric Smith
2006 Solvang Spring Double Results
2006 Solvang Spring Double Photos by Eric Smith
2005 Solvang Spring Double Results
2005 Solvang Spring Double Photos by Lynn Katano and Eric Smith
2004 Solvang Spring Double Results
2004 Solvang Spring Double Photos by Lynn Katano and Eric Smith
2003 Solvang Spring Double Results
2002 Solvang Spring Double Results
2002 Solvang Spring Double Ride Report by Adam PaulDifficulty Rating: Medium
Visit www.PlanetUltra.com for all the information.
An epic double with over 15,900 Feet of Climbing from Malibu to Ojai and back via world famous Mulholland Highway and more.
Be ready for a course that is as scenic as it is challenging. This course can best be described as dramatic, epic, diverse, and beautiful. Spend the day riding through 200 miles of Southern California's roads less traveled. Ride up, over, and along mountain peaks and ridges, and through a multitude of canyons and countrysides. Basically, this route is for the rider who loves to climb and to see a lot of diverse terrain in the process.
The ride starts in Calabasas and heads to the coast on Las Virgenes/Malibu Canyon. Then you'll head south on Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). After the first major climb up Topanga Canyon and Old Topanga Canyon, you'll spend the morning ascending and descending the Santa Monica Mountains on Mulholland Hwy, Little Sycamore, and Cotharin, before hitting Ventura County and the beach at Deer Creek. After an easy, flat cruise to the base of Potrero, you'll start climbing again, up and over to Westlake, and through the Conejo Valley out to Simi Valley. Then you'll head up and over Grimes Canyon, enjoy the orange groves out in Fillmore, and then head back via the short, but very steep, Balcom Canyon. Then, you have a very rewarding descent, and a flat shot back to PCH via Las Posas (but beware of headwinds!). Then, ride south on PCH, where finally you turn up again, to ride the majestic Mulholland Hwy all the way to Cold Canyon Rd. Then you'll make your final climbs of the day - up Piuma and Schueren to the top of Stunt Road. After the four mile descent down Stunt it's pretty much an easy cruise back to Calabasas via Mulholland and Las Virgenes.
Time Limit: 19 Hours
Difficulty Rating: Radically High
Visit www.PlanetUltra.com for all the information.
1st 100 mile loop is fast - 2nd 100 mile loop is more challenging. Includes Wine country and several lakes
This event has always had two century loops in a figure eight pattern since 1965. Jim Watrous has modified the first loop which increased the 2,800 foot gain to 3,500 foot gain. In 2008, the second loop was redesigned to decrease traffic and cover more open country. In 2009, this second loop is being redesigned to avoid the areas of the Casinos. The new design will reduce the elevation gain of second loop from 4,800 foot gain to under 4,000 foot gain.
The first 100 mile loop is a good beginning type loop for first timers. The first loop includes Lake Perris, Lake Elsinore and Canyon Lakes. The second loop is more challenging than the first and includes; the wine country of Temecula, Lake Skinner and passes near the new Diamond Valley Lake. Either loop can be done as a single century.
Time Limit: The Double Century has an eighteen-hour soft time limit that has been extended to 22 hours. Double Century riders can start between 4:00 AM and 6:00 AM. The Double Century closes at about 10:00 PM, but not later than 2 AM. No Double Century rider is allowed to attempt or start the second loop after 2:30 PM.
Jim Watrous's Hemet Double Web Site2004 Hemet Double Photos by Lynn Katano and Eric Smith
2003 Hemet Double ResultsDifficulty Rating:
Medium
For more information, send a Self Addressed Stamped Envelope to:
Jim Watrous
P.O. Box 56797
Riverside, CA 92517
(951) 686-7539
This ride was first ridden by a handful of riders in July
of 1996. On this ride, you'll have the opportunity of climbing
Mt. Diablo and Mt. Hamilton in the San Ramon area. Certainly "not for the faint of heart", this ride
is a major challenge for sure!!
Mt. Diablo was listed by BICYCLING magazine as one of the ten toughest climbs in America. Mt. Diablo rises 3,200 feet in 10.5 miles to a height of 3,849 feet. Mt. Hamilton will have you climb 2,100 feet in just 7 miles to the 4,100 foot peak.
Sierra Road will be your biggest test: not only is it incredibly steep, climbing 1,800 Feet in 3.2 Miles, but it comes after 150 miles!!
Most of this ride is very rural, very scenic, and very low on traffic. The terrain is unspoiled and rugged. If you like to climb and are ready for a real challenge, this ride's for you!!
Time Limit: There are two primary cutoffs. #1: You must leave the Mines Road Rest Stop by 1:00pm. Anyone later than this will have the option of either being Sagged forward on the course, or back to the start. #2: All riders must depart the lunch stop (Mile 115) by 4:30pm or they will be sagged to the top of Mt. Hamilton. We will allow you to continue on the course at that point. If either cutoff is missed, you will receive a DNF for the ride, but you will have the opportunity to enjoy riding most of this absolutely wonderful course. Our primary concern is rider safety. These cutoffs are in place to prevent riders from having to descend Mt. Hamilton in the dark.
Difficulty Rating: Radically High
This ride is produced by The Quackcyclists - Ride Director: Scott Halversen
For more information, see
www.Quackcyclists.com
Beautiful climbs up Montezuma and Mesa Grande with an awesome 4,000 Foot descent down Banner Grade to finish!! This ride has it all starting in the Desert, climbing to the Mountains, descending to the Ocean, climbing to the Mountains, and descending back to the Desert.
The Borrego Double Ordeal is the only California Triple Crown Double that showcases the desert, mountains, and the ocean featured on the California Triple Crown Logo, all in one day.
The beauty of this ride actually begins the night before if you choose to camp out under billions of stars, perhaps singing around a campfire or swapping funny bike stories, surrounded by a silhouette of desert mountains, just 3 miles from the ride start.
Marveling the spectacular sunrise climb up over the desert will make your 11 mile climb up Montezuma grade seem well worth the effort it took to drive out there the day before.
From the summit, you will soar down towards Lake Henshaw, turning south onto Mesa Grande, a super cool back road with climbing that takes you "out back" towards the 4 building town of Santa Ysabel. Julian Pie Shop here will serve the cyclists fresh baked, still warm Julian Apple Pie at the park adjacent to it, with cold milk from Don's Market. From here, the cyclists will move on towards the quaint town of Ramona, and on down the hill towards Escondido for the next rest stop.
Mostly flat from here, the cyclists can now almost smell the ocean air as they move their way towards the Pacific Ocean in Carlsbad, which turns north towards Oceanside. The palm trees swaying seem to greet the cyclists with open arms; lunch is right on the ocean with a terrific view of the Oceanside pier.
Oceanside will welcome you with it's beautiful lighthouse and harbor. The gentle tailwinds will encourage you as you begin your trek back, again along the care-free bike path. Your destination is now Julian, the one-horse town that summits your long but gradual climbing.
From Julian, you will soar down 4,000 feet on the awesome Banner Grade heading out of the mountains towards the back side of Borrego Springs. You'll want to have plenty of batteries and powerful lights for this final descent back to the Finish Line.
By then, you'll either be enjoying the desert in a lovely sunset, or in awesome wonderment of the billions and billions of stars and amazing tranquility. Borrego Springs is a great place to celebrate the finish of your Borrego Double Ordeal.
Borrego Double Ordeal Web Site
Elevation Chart for Borrego Double Ordeal by Karla Johnston and her Polar 725X
2010 Borrego Double Ordeal Results
2009 Borrego Double Ordeal Results
2009 Borrego Double Ordeal Ride Report and Photos by Joseph Maurer
2008 Borrego Double Ordeal Results
2008 Borrego Double Photos by Gregory Pschaida
Photos of the 2nd Half of the Borrego Double Ordeal by Frank Neal and Chuck Bramwell 11/15/07
Rest your Mouse Pointer over a thumbnail to see the caption for the photo.
Click on any of the small thumbnails to bring up the medium size version.
Click on the medium size version to bring up the large size version.
2006 Borrego Double Ordeal Test Ride
2006 Borrego Double Ordeal Test Ride Photos by Kermit Ganier
Difficulty Rating: Extremely High
This ride is produced by Anny Beck and friends. Visit HERE for all the information. E-Mail Anny at: RoadNeverEnds <at> Verizon <dot> net
Back to Top of Page
This historic Double Century traverses the Angeles National Forest and Los Padres National Forest from Santa Clarita to Ojai, then up Pine Mountain to Lebec and back.
New for 2009: Mindful of the current economic climate, this event will be hosted with minimal support, and a very low entry fee just to cover insurance, any necessary permits, and a leap-frog SAG vehicle carrying snacks and water. Riders may bring lunch-size bags with their special-needs foods, which will be delivered up the course to at least three locations. Given the difficulty of the route, only experienced double century riders will be permitted to ride.
Classic Doubles are more than challenging alone. They are "tours" in the true sense, an opportunity for discovery and adventure in an area not often ridden.
The Tour of Two Forests has been such a classic since its first edition in 1980. It starts and ends in Santa Clarita and traverses parts of L.A., Ventura, and Kern Counties, plus the name-giving Angeles National Forest and Los Padres National Forest. It begins with an easy cruise through Piru and down South Mountain to Santa Paula and then the easy climb up into Ventura County’s sleepy hideaway of Ojai. Next you’ll ascend 30 mile Pine Mountain and enter the heart of the ride: rugged and beautiful mountain country where a lone cyclist feels very small. Next comes Lockwood Valley (home of the "Heartbreak Hill") to Gorman and then a rolling finish through Pine Canyon, Three Points, Elizabeth Lake, Leona Valley, and down, down, down Bouquet Canyon to the finish back in Santa Clarita.
It's one of the most scenic courses in Southern California and is almost free of traffic lights. The logistics are really easy since it starts just 20 miles north of Los Angeles.
The Tour of Two Forests was first run in 1980. In 1984, the legendary tandem team of Pete Penseyres and Rob Templin set a course record of 10:35!! In 1985, Rob Templin came back on his single bike and set a solo course record of 10:21!!
In 2004, the course was modified to start and finish in Santa Clarita instead of Lancaster which reduces the mileage from 218 Miles down to 193 Miles.
This is a great event with a whole lot of history in the California cycling scene. We really encourage you to ride this classic event!
Time Limit: 18 Hours
Difficulty Rating: Extremely High
Visit www.PlanetUltra.com for all the information.
The Central Coast Double was first ridden by a handful of riders in 1995.
This difficult but very scenic ride starts and finishes in Paso Robles. It travels in a large 200 mile loop through Cambria, up Highway 1 on the Coast, and back inland through Fort Hunter Liggett. One of the many highlights is a beautiful climb up from Highway 1 on the Coast into the Santa Lucia mountains where the panoramic view of the Coastline is out of this world!!
Time
Limit: This ride has a mass
start at 5:35 A.M. The course will officially close at midnight
and therefore, a cutoff time will be imposed at Rest Stop #5 in
Bradley which is at the 179 mile point, 30 miles from the finish.
All riders will be required to have left this rest stop by 9:45
P.M. or they will be sagged in at that time.
In the future, if the Central Coast Double is in the California Triple Crown Stage Race, the Lunch Times WILL NOT BE SUBTRACTED for this event. Brian Stark, the ride organizer of the Central Coast Double, has decided to stop the clock for the Lunch for his event in the future. However, the California Triple Crown will add the Lunch Times back into the results for the Stage Race. This will then make the clock for the Central Coast Double run from Start to Finish so that all of the Stage Race events will be handled consistently.
Difficulty Rating: Extremely High
For more information,
send a Self Addressed Stamped Envelope to:
Brian Stark
4148 Las Tablas Willow Crk Rd.
Paso Robles, CA 93446
(805) 239-4397
The Davis Double is the most popular Double in California and takes you through beautiful country by Lakes, Rivers, and lots of Wild Flowers. The terrain is fairly flat with only three moderate hills. This Double was started way back in 1969 and sets the standard for enthusiastic support!!
Davis Double Web Site has tons of information on this ride with many nice features including a cool map of Davis.Difficulty Rating: Medium
For more information,
send a Self Addressed Stamped Envelope to:
Davis Bike Club
336 Del Oro
Davis, CA 95616
(530) 756-3540
Start in Palmdale and then ride 200 miles of the roads less traveled
in places you’ve never heard of, like Apache Saddle and Ventucopa.
This spectacular course showcases some of the most quiet, beautiful, dramatic, and unknown regions of California. There is essentially no traffic and the route explores an area that most of the participants will never otherwise visit. There is less than one "junk mile" on the entire course. Veteran riders can attest to all of this, while rookies will take away that sentiment after completing this challenging and rewarding cycling adventure.
The early morning air in the high desert can be cold, but as you leave Palmdale and enter the Angeles National Forest, you'll warm up quickly. The first section of the course to Three Points has more ups than downs. En route you will pass the towns of Lake Hughes and Elizabeth Lake while most are still sleeping.
Leaving checkpoint one at mile 30 in Three Points, you'll climb some more while cutting over to Highway 138. The wind here generally blows from the west, and it is not uncommon to have a headwind on the way to Gorman and Lebec. Checkpoint two at mile 50 in Lebec is at the Best Rest Inn, where Heartbreak Hundred riders began their event this same morning between 830 and 900am.
Next, a short quick climb to Tejon Pass gives way to a short descent into Frazier Park. The next 30 miles are mostly uphill, though there are a few nice descents along the way. As you climb toward the summit of Mt. Pinos, take time to look around; the scenery here is truly beautiful, as the high desert gives way to alpine forests and gently sloping mountain meadows. Look to your left at Lake of the Woods and see the road you will be descending later in the afternoon, then look ahead at the road that will take you higher into the mountains.
Deep in the mountains you will reach the private community of Pine Mountain Club. For the residents, it's home, but for you it's a flat spot in the road before the climbs to checkpoint three at Apache Saddle at mile 71. As you refill and refuel, contemplate the fact that you have already accumulated about half of the 15,500' of climbing that you'll achieve this day.
After reaching Apache Saddle, prepare yourself for one of the most rewarding stretches of road in all of Southern California. You will primarily descend for 20 miles along the ridgeline that divides the Lockwood Valley on your left from the huge Central Valley on your right. Look around for wildlife as you ride through the Los Padres National Forest and the Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge.
The downhill continues at Highway 166. A left here and another onto Highway 33, and then you will be a few miles from checkpoint four at "The Place" at mile 104 in "downtown" Ventucopa. The Place is a great for lunch and ice cream (just walk in and get an ice cream; Planet Ultra's buying!), plus they have real flush toilets inside.
Leaving The Place in Ventucopa, you will follow the beautiful Cuyama Valley and Cuyama River to a left turn at Lockwood Valley Road. Heartbreak rookies who have done our Tour of Two Forests in the past will be on friendly and familiar terrain from here onwards. Rookie or note, you are in for a treat. As you enter Lockwood Valley you will encounter a gradual climb that just keeps getting steeper. As you reach the infamous Heartbreak Hill in the hot afternoon sun you will learn whey "Heartbreak Hill" got that name. There are no toilet facilities at checkpoint five at Heartbreak, however there are lots of big bushes that the native Brown Bears have fertilized for centuries. You will pick up any lights or gear that you sent there in a drop bag this morning.
Leaving Heartbreak Hill, you will descend and climb your way to Frazier Park and checkpoint six at the Best Rest Inn in Lebec. Heartbreak 100 riders will call it a day here, but not the double riders. Leaving Lebec and Gorman, there is a short climb to the overview of Quail Lake and the California Aqueduct. As you descend to Quail Lake you should be greeted by a "world class" tailwind that has been known to blow riders all the way to the turn onto Ridge Route and then across on Pine Canyon to checkpoint seven at the Three Points Road House. (This new, hillier return route is new for 2003. Although it adds about 1,000' feet of climbing to this route, compared to the previous route, it's a much quieter and very fun, rollercoaster road.) At Three Points Road House, check out the his and hers outhouses. These relics are from a century that is long gone, but still work well.
Leaving the Three Points checkpoint, there are two noticeable climbs as you otherwise descend towards the finish line in Palmdale. Upon your safe and timely arrival, you will be greeted by a Planet Ultra Ambassador. You will not soon forget this epic and challenging, but equally rewarding, ride!
Time Limit: 19 Hours
Century Option is available
1997 Heartbreak Double by Team Bikeaholics
1996 Heartbreak Double by Muffy Ritz and Steve Born
Difficulty Rating: Radically High
Visit www.PlanetUltra.com for all the information.
Forget skiing: This is road bike heaven! Bishop, Mammoth Lakes, Mono Lake, and more with the pristine Sierra Nevada as your backdrop and inspiration.
A mass start through the city streets of Bishop will quickly head out of town. After a fast, flat warm up through the flatlands of the Owens River region, you will head north through the cattle ranches of Round Valley. Climbing up from Round Valley to Crowley Lake, the Old Sherwin Grade ascends through pinion pine and juniper woodlands while following Lower Rock Creek to enter Mono County and the heartland of the Eastern Sierra. Road cuts expose the peculiar rosy rock strata known to geologists as Bishop Tuff, evidence of volcanic activity in this region. After cresting Sherwin Grade, a rider friendly 1800' climb, you are greeted by the startling views of Mt. Ritter and Mt. Banner, and the serrated ridge of the Minarets in the northern distance. North a few miles further awaits Lake Crowley and the grassy bed of Long Valley. Further north en route to Mammoth Lakes, you pass Hilton and McGee Creeks; the mouths of their canyons filled with huge glacial moraines empty into the valley from the Sierra high country.
Leaving Long Valley, you will quickly enter the town of Mammoth Lakes, famous for its world class ski resort. You will climb gently, but quickly, around the outskirts of town and head out of town and north via the Mammoth Scenic Route. After a short climb cresting the 8,041' summit of Deadman Pass, there is a short downhill followed by a short easy climb to June Lake. First time visitors should stop at the vista point at "Oh! Ridge" on the summit of the climb from June Lake Junction. The magnificent view of June Lake, Carson Peak, and the westward panorama reveals different dimensions with every blink of the eye.
Leaving "Oh! Ridge," hang on for a fast 15 miles, passing by June, Gull, Silver, and Grant Lakes as you enter "The Land of Mono". Ringed by eerie tufa towers, volcanic craters, mountain peaks, and high desert silences, the saline waters of Mono Lake represent a million year old body of water. Mono Lake has no outlet; over the thousands of years of its existence, salts and minerals washed into the lake have become concentrated as waters have evaporated. Though Mono Lake has been called a "dead sea", it actually abounds with life. No fish live in the lake, but populations of brine shrimp and brine flies adapted to the exceptionally high concentration of salts provide a plentiful food supply for more than seventy species of migratory and nesting birds. The "lunch" checkpoint with Subway sandwiches and all our usual wide variety of drinks and muchies await you at the Mono Lake County Park. At this point, you will have ridden 104 miles and ascended 7,200'.
Leaving Mono Lake, you will travel south on Hwy 395 to Hwy 120 through the Mono Crater area. Take time to look around as you climb between these craters en route to the "E Ticket" ride from the high plains at Sage Hen Summit, through red lava canyons into Benton, the Chalfant Valley and back to Bishop. This second half of the double loop has only 3,000' of ascent!
This course has exactly 10,200 feet of elevation gain, more than half of which is between mile 30 and mile 70. As doubles go, it's not that tough and the views and roads are so incredible, you won't event notice the climbing that it does have!
Geologists say the tilted fault-block range of the Sierra Nevada formed ten to twenty million years ago when an enormous piece of the earth's crust rose thousands of feet along a series of faults and tilted westward to create a mountain range with broad, gentle western escarpment. More than 400 miles long and 60 to 80 miles wide, the Sierra cover a region larger than the combined areas of the French, Swiss, and Italian Alps; the Sierra Nevada stretches further than any continuous mountain range in the continental United States.
This is one of the most beautiful and most popular of all the Triple Crown rides!!
Time Limit: 18 Hours
Difficulty Rating: High
Visit www.PlanetUltra.com for all the information.
Extremely tough Northern California Double. Climb 8 classic sierra mountain passes with stunning scenery, smooth pavement, and just a dozen stop signs.
20,300 feet of climbing with half of the course above 7000 feet of elevation.
You'll experience the breathtaking scenic beauty of eight classic, wild sierra climbs plus panoramas of Diamond Valley and Carson Valley on a course that features some of the best pavement you'll find on any organized ride. The course is in a remote and rugged area--there are no traffic lights and has just a dozen stop signs.
From the start at Turtle Rock Park (on CA 89 near Markleeville), riders head south on CA 89 and turn onto Diamond Valley Rd. This is a beautiful rolling road with great views of the foothills. Riders descend into the Carson Valley and take Foothill Road along its perimeter to the base of the first pass: Kingsbury grade. This stretch gives everyone a good warm up before the climbing begins. Kingsbury grade is the perfect pass to begin the ride because it offers very wide shoulders, a steady easy grade all the way to the top, and very little wind in the morning. It's broad sweeping turns give riders an awesome view of the Carson Valley and the Pinenut Mountains and a fun descent. After refueling at the rest stop on the summit and enjoying a well-earned descent back down Kingsbury grade, riders return along Foothill and turn right on Emigrant Trail. This short and easy climb doesn't count as a pass, but it's a good warmup for the pass to come and there is a rest stop at the top.
Continuing from Emigrant trail, riders pass through the historic town of Woodfords and up scenic Woodfords Canyon following the route of the Pony Express trail. Turning right at Picketts Junction, riders will complete their climb to the summit of Luther pass where they will be rewarded with another rest stop. Descending Luther pass back into Hope Valley, riders will turn right again and begin their ascent of Carson pass taking in views of Red Lake and high alpine terrain. After the Carson Pass rest stop, riders will enjoy the fun descent back down into Hope Valley, turning right onto Blue Lakes Rd.--one of the best kept secrets in all of Alpine County. Blue Lakes Road will take riders over a series of climbs and through valleys with breathtaking scenery to the next rest stop at the end of the road. A little bit of climbing and a rolling descent takes riders back out to Hope Valley and then down Woodfords canyon. Turning right towards Markleeville brings riders back to the start where lunch awaits.
The course continues down to the town of Markleeville and out to the intersection of CA 89 and CA 4 where riders will begin the beautiful climb of the heavily forested Ebbetts pass. A rest stop is located at the summit of Ebbetts pass before the descent on the back side to Hermit Valley where yet another rest stop is located at the turn- around. Riders then climb the backside of Ebbetts and return to the base of Monitor after a fun descent.
Climbing the front side of Monitor offers riders a few challenging steep grades and sweeping views of alpine meadows and Lake Heenan. A rest stop at the top of the pass marks completion of the second-to- last pass of the day. The descent to Topaz on the east side of Monitor is a thrill. The road surface is excellent, the grade is sweet, and the turns are fun. Most importantly, this is safe hill to descend at night with little car traffic, great visibility, and few shadows. Refuel at the Topaz rest stop for the last pass of the day. The climb is long but the grade is steady and this climb is a pleasure even after sundown. Like the backside of Monitor, the descent on the frontside is a good one for night time. From the base of Monitor riders return to the start through the Carson River Canyon on CA 89.
The eight pass course represents the ultimate climbing challenge for a single-day event.
The Start/Finish is at Alpine County's Turtle Rock Park on CA 89 between Woodfords and Markleeville. We expect great weather, but this ride covers a lot of remote, high altitude terrain. Everyone should be prepared for any kind of weather at any time.
The Alta Alpina 8 Pass Challenge Test Ride was held on June 14, 2008.
Time Limit: You may choose to start during one of eight starting windows: 3:30am-3:44am (with lights), 3:45am-3:59am (with lights), 4:00am-4:14am (with lights), 4:15am-4:29am (with lights), 4:30am-4:44am (with lights), 4:45am-5:01am (with lights), 5:02am-5:14am (lights not required), 5:15am-5:30am (lights not required).
There are 9 rest stops on the route plus lunch and two checkpoints. You must reach each rest stop and checkpoint while it is open and make the other listed cut-off times in order to collect 8 pass stickers. Riders headed towards a closed location will be turned around and directed to the next open stop. We will begin sweeping any remaining riders from the route at 10:00pm. A rider who is transported by SAG will lose the last sticker collected.
You must check-in at the finish with all 8 pass stickers in order to receive California Triple Crown credit for completing the full Double Century. If you finish with less than 8 pass stickers or if you don’t check in at the finish, you will not receive California Triple Crown credit for this Double Century.
However everyone who checks in will be listed as having finished the number of passes indicated by their pass stickers. Anyone who refuses to abide by the rules or the instructions of CHP, County Sheriff, or ride officials will lose all their stickers and be listed as DQ as will anyone who doesn't check-in after finishing the ride. The check-in desk will be open till 11:00pm. These rules are in place to ensure the safety of all participants and to satisfy the requirements of county and state agencies.
Difficulty Rating: Radically High
Visit the Alta Alpina 8 Pass Challenge Web Site for all the information.
The Terrible Two was started in 1976 by the Santa Rosa Cycling Club as they realized that a 200 mile course in and around Sonoma County would include some very challenging hills as well as some spectacular scenery.
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, including a tough new climb introduced
with the 1995 route change. The steepest gradients on the course
don't exceed 15%, but many climbs stay in the 8-12% range for
long distances.
Except for the transit of Santa Rosa at the start, the entire course is rural
and very scenic: vineyards,
orchards, pastures, oak-studded meadows, shady forests of
redwood, bay, and ma-drone, the spectacular coastline, wild
rivers, lakes, and streams, and always the sweeping panoramas
from the summits of all those climbs. It's enough to make you
forget how hard it is!
Are you ready for 200 miles in one day with 16,000 feet of steep climbing? Are you ready for temperatures over 100 degrees? Are you ready to add your name to the list of hard core heroes who wear their hard-earned "I DID IT!" t-shirts with such demented pride? Are you ready for the ride that many consider the toughest Double in the United States? If so, the Santa Rosa Cycling Club invites you to test yourself on The Terrible Two.
Time Limit: This ride has a mass start at 5:30 A.M. and it officially ends at 10:00 pm (to qualify for an I DID IT! t-shirt), but riders may continue until 11:00 pm to earn California Triple Crown credit. Anyone still on the course after 11:00 pm will not be listed as an official finisher. After 11:00 pm, support on the road and at the finish will be minimal.
Santa Rosa Cycling Club's awesome Terrible Two Web SiteDifficulty Rating: Radically High
For more information,
send a Self Addressed Stamped Envelope to:
Bill Oetinger
Santa Rosa Cycling Club
7315 Fircrest Ave.
Sebastopol, CA 95472
(707) 823-9807
In 1959, Eisenhower was President, 10-speed bicycles were virtually unknown, Greg LeMond wasn't even born yet, and the Los Angeles Wheelmen began holding an annual Double Century -- the "Grand Tour". This is the original Double in the U.S. and also includes 300 and 400 mile options -- all of which count towards the California Triple Crown.
The Traditional Double offers a bit of everything you think of when you think of California: the ocean, valleys, mountains, movie star homes, orange groves, ranches, vegetable fields and oil fields. Looping through rural Ventura County, the route contains some hills but is still one of the easiest Double Centuries we know of. There is only one very difficult hill and the club places a rest stop at the top to help you out. The scenery, the low traffic and the generally favorable winds will help you forget the hills and make this a very enjoyable Double.
Los Angeles Wheelmen's Grand Tour Web SiteDifficulty Rating: Medium
For more information,
send a Self Addressed Stamped Envelope to:
GRAND TOUR
264 S. La Cienga Blvd. #1073
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
This difficult double is destined to become a Northern California Classic!! Climb beautiful canyons and challenging ridges up Mt Tam (birthplace of mountain biking) with stunning views of the Pacific Coast, the San Francisco Bay and all the mountains in between.
This ride has lots of fast technical riding and descents to challenge the most experienced riders yet offers bailout options for those that want to give it a try but are not quite sure. Most of the climbing is over by mile 130 leaving lots of room for fast pacelines coming back to the Finish!
The course was first ridden by a small group of riders on October 4, 2003 and was given outstanding reviews.
It starts up Lucas Valley and a quick descent into West Marin. The route winds south and east with a couple small climbs and descents until you reach the town of Fairfax and the famous Bolinas Fairfax Rd. The road winds up the north side of Mt. Tam. The road is narrow and windy but relatively untraveled to Pine Mountain and your 1st Rest Stop.
The descent goes down to some lakes in a very fast series of technical turns and rollers for 4 miles to Alpine Dam. You ride across the dam and climb into Mt Tamalapis State Park then will turn left off onto Ridgecrest and climb some more. If the Bolinas Fairfax Road is beautiful (and it is), West Ridgecrest is stunning. West Ridgecrest climbs into East Ridgecrest and climbs the remaining 3 miles to the top of the mountain. The descent has almost 300 feet of climbing in it before turning further south to Pantoll and the Panoramic Hwy. You reach Hwy 1 and drop down to the coast at Muir Beach. Hwy 1 has some significant climbing at the edge of the Pacific Ocean as you begin to head north to the 2nd Rest Stop.
Our course turns off Hwy 1 at Pt Reyes Station and travels to Nicasio Reservoir over a summit to the 3rd rest stop at the Lincoln School at mile 83. The ride continues out Hicks Valley Rd., Walker Ranch and the "Marshall Wall". The descent down to Hwy. 1 is fast and steep. The route rolls north and turns inland to Tomales. Here, the course turns west from Hwy. 1 and you ride Middle Road north to Valley Ford and the halfway point for the day, the Valley Ford rest Stop (4th rest stop). You roll out west towards Bodega and climb up Bay Hill Road (more stunning ocean views!). There is a quick descent to Hwy 1 before turning onto Coleman Valley Road.
Coleman Valley Road is a long and steep climb with false summits and huge views. The steepest part of the Mt. Tam Double is on this section of Coleman Valley Road and is estimated to be an average gradient of 11.3% for 1.3 miles. Ride organizer Colin Lynch recommends that riders have at least a 39 x 26-28 for this climb. Triple chainrings are a great invention and may be helpful especially if the event day happens to be hot.
The final descent on Joy Road is long and takes you back to the 5th rest stop at Valley Ford rest Stop.
The course back rides a flat stretch of the Valley Ford - Petaluma Road for a few miles before turning south on Chilleno Valley Road into the outskirts of Petaluma to the 6th rest stop at Walnut Park in Petaluma. You climb up "Red Hill" followed by another slight climb and then a very fast descent to Nicasio Reservoir and Nicasio Valley Road. This relatively flat stretch will lead you a couple more miles to your 7th and final rest stop in the town of Nicasio. The course finishes by reversing Lucas Valley Road (it is an easier climb this direction). It is almost all downhill from there until you arrive back at the Start.
Time Limit:
This ride has a mass start at 5:00 A.M. and the course officially closes 17 hours later at 10:00 P.M. Riders will not be allowed to start the Bay Hill Rd. / Coleman Valley Loop (30 mile loop) if you do not leave to begin the loop from the Valley Ford Rest Stop by 2:30 PM. Failure to make this cutoff will result in a DNF for the Mt. Tam Double Century and for California Triple Crown credit. You will need lights to start and possibly need lights to finish this ride.
Any riders on the course behind the Rest Stop close schedule will be sagged to the next rest stop or to the finish. The entire course closes at 10:00 PM. All riders remaining on the course will be SAG-ed in. All riders being on course after 10PM will earn a DNF.
Difficulty Rating: Extremely High
Century and Double Metric Century Options are available
Visit www.MarinCyclists.com for all the information which will be coming soon.
Back to Top of PageIf cycling on smooth roads with very low traffic to the highest summit in the CTC is important, then this is an important ride
The White Mountain Double Century is a bit different, you’ll find it as being one of the most spectacular and challenging events, and at the same time you’ll experience its majestic beauty and remoteness. This Double Century goes to the highest paved point on White Mountain, and then it continues to go all the way around White Mountain. This challenging Double is designed to be one of the most sought after rides in the CTC with it's heart-pounding climbs and jaw-dropping descents.
We believe you'll find a high degree of thought was given to the White Mountain Double. First, you have a good section from Bishop to warm up on before tackling California’s most challenging high altitude climb up to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest. This is a spectacular piece of unusual cycling by going all the way up to a 10,100 foot summit. While you’re up there you’ll see the oldest pine trees in the world, and the beauty of the Sierras from some of the most sought after view points. Then the descent off of the summit contains some highly technical downhill sections for a few miles, and it requires advanced descending skills. After the technical downhill sections, there are just miles and miles of fun downhill.
Following this huge variety of downhills, you will enjoy a nice, quiet, and serene climb up to Gilbert Pass, and some more fun downhill right into some of the most remote areas that California and Nevada have to offer. After all that great climbing, awesome downhills, and relaxing flat road, it will be time for a pleasant lunch stop at Dyer, Nevada. There you will enjoy the hospitality of "Boonies", which we believe you’ll find a bit different. As matter of fact we think you’ll find something a bit different at each one of the stops.
After lunch you will continue with some more relaxing flat road, then after a small climb you will be stimulated with a very colorful high dessert scene, until you start climbing up to the Montgomery Pass. After that you will in cruise-in with an awesome 50 mile down hill finish.
This course covers a wide variety of terrain, and a very challenging high altitude climb. So come prepared for all kinds of weather, and be ready to see a whole new area.
- The course is approximately 200 miles with an estimated 10,700 feet of climbing.
- Lunch will be at approximately 90 miles into the ride.
The White Mountain Double Test Ride was held on September 13, 2008.
Time Limit: 19 Hours
Difficulty Rating: High
Visit the ndzone Web Site for all the information.
Difficulty Rating: High
This ride is produced by The Quackcyclists - Ride Director: Jesse Smith
For more information, see
www.Quackcyclists.com
Difficulty Rating: Extremely Easy and Fun!!
The current estimate is for ZERO feet of climbing. That's right ... it's pancake flat at the park!! :-)
Enjoy the Western Sierra Scenery including Pine Flat Lake and Bass Lake. We have eliminated about 2,000 feet of climbing to the route but have kept the quiet country roads of Fresno County.
The first 15 miles will follow the old route out of Clovis, but at Belmont and Oliver the route turns south through rural Fresno County. Through the first 2 rest stops, the course will be relatively flat so enjoy the view on the almost traffic free roads.
After, the 2nd rest stop at Winton Park (which will also be the 1st rest stop!), the climbing will begin as the course resumes the normal route around Pine Flat Lake and into the surrounding foothills. The lunch stop has been moved further on the course to Auberry School in the town of Auberry.
The Jose Basin descent has been eliminated due to bridge construction, replaced by the southern descent into Powerhouse and the steeper northside ascent.
The next 22 miles will be a relatively comfortable ride around Bass Lake. The triangle section near North Fork has been elimnated this year. . After leaving the Bass Lake area the course is generally down hill until you reach Powerhouse station again and must climb back out of the river basin. The next rest stop will be a repeat of the lunch rest stop for those wanting to pickup clothes or lights left behind.
Atfter the rest stop, the course will divert from past years backtracking some from the morning's route before arriving at the last rest stop of the day at Millerton Store at 183 miles.
Difficulty Rating: High
Visit the Fresno Cycling Club Web Site for all the information.
A spectacular 200 mile route in Southern California's most scenic and most popular cycling region!
Riders will start on the back roads of Solvang, Ballard and Santa Ynez before joining the traditional Spring route on Happy Canyon and over to Foxen Canyon. After the first checkpoint in Sisquoc (mile 41.2), the scenery changes!
The first big climb of the day is Tepusquet Road. This is a meandering 9 miles of climbing - with a few steep pitches in the 8-10% range. It has little traffic and the asphalt is excellent. The five mile descent is a blast! Enjoy the ride! At the bottom riders hang a left on Highway 166, where they'll roll along to the second checkpoint and fine refreshments. The route continues down 166, then hangs a right on Thompson Road, heading towards San Luis Obispo via Nipomo and Arroyo Grande. This part of the route will be familiar to veterans.
After the third checkpoint ("lunch") in San Luis Obispo, riders will continue straight onto Tank Farm Road, and then work their way south via the quiet and beautiful Prefumo Canyon Road. This is the second big climb of the day - and it's a quad buster! Bring some gears - as you'll need them for the occasional 12-16% grades. Less than a mile down from the summit, there's a 1.5 mile section of unpaved (dirt) road that must be ridden with an abundance of caution (meaning "slowly"). After the pavement resumes, comes a very rewarding descent. Then the route once again meets up with the original Spring route at San Luis Bay Road, winds back down Avila Beach Road, ultimately continuing south through Pismo Beach, Shell Beach and on to the fourth checkpoint at Guadalupe.
The route then diverts off Hwy 1 on Black Road which becomes the awesome Lompoc-Casmalia Road. Then comes the third big climb of the day, up Hwy 1 and the challenging Vandenberg Grade. After a nice descent to the edge of Lompoc, riders come to the last checkpoint at River Park Campground. From there they'll make their way back via the beautiful, rolling Santa Rosa Road (usually with a super strong tail wind), and Hwy 246 back to Solvang.
202 miles with 10,100' of climbing. This route is significantly more challenging than the Spring route - with substantially more climbing and many steep pitches. Riders should expect to require a bit more time on the bike between checkpoints. As such, if a rider is concerned about riding 40+ challenging miles between water/food stops, then a camelbak or other hydration system is recommended.
Time Limit: 18 Hours
Solvang Autumn Route Map by Eric Smith
2009 Solvang Autumn Double Results
2008 Solvang Autumn Double Results
2007 Solvang Autumn Double Results
2006 Solvang Autumn Double Results
Difficulty Rating: High
Visit www.PlanetUltra.com for all the information.
Northern route in Mother Nature’s greatest sports arena, visiting Scotty’s Castle, Ubehebe Crater, and Hell’s Gate.
As in the Spring version of this ever-popular event, riders will do an out-and-back starting and finishing in Furnace Creek, but will head the opposite direction (north) in October instead of south as we do in March.
Starting about sunrise, double riders will head north from Furnace Creek on 190 straight to their first checkpoint at mile 23 at Stovepipe Wells. Then they'll U-turn and head back nine miles to the turn-off to Scotty's Castle. DC checkpoint two will be just after the turn, at mile 33 (century riders’ first checkpoint).
After replenishing at checkpoint three at Scotty's Castle, the riders will continue up Grapevine Canyon onto the Bonnie Claire Flat in Nevada. At Scotty's Junction at Hwy 95, mile 80.6, double riders will refuel at checkpoint four. After climbing 5300', riders will turn around for a flat or downhill ride back to "lunch" at Scotty's Castle. But it's not a straight shot back to FC from there. Riders will enjoy two little bonuses on their return route that the century riders will not do. The first is just three miles after Scotty's Castle: the out-and-back 11.7 mile route to see the incredible Ubehebe Crater. Then it's a fast ride back to the morning's second checkpoint just before 190, which is now checkpoint six for the double.
But wait! Before hitting 190, the double riders will enjoy a 6.8 mile, 2000' climb up Mud Canyon to Hell's Gate. Come on, you didn't think all those free miles from way above Scotty's all the way practically to Hwy 190 were really free, did you?? But the view is worth it, and so is the bombing downhill back to Furnace Creek on the Beatty Cutoff! Dedicated race staff and an incredible sunset will help keep you motivated and in good form throughout the day!
The Death Valley Fall Double has been selling out in well under one day. To register for it, be sure to sign up for the email newsletter, AdventureCORPS News, which gives subscribers a short head start for registration. You can review the deadlines on the Adventurecorps Calendar but you will need to subscribe to the newsletter to have advance access to the registration link.
Time Limit: 17 Hours
Century Option is available.
Death Valley Fall Double Web Site
Elevation Chart for the Death Valley Northern Route 2003 to Scotty's Castle and Beyond by Chuck Bramwell and his Ciclosport HAC41998 Death Valley Double by Team Bikeaholics
1997 Death Valley Double Recap by Chuck Bramwell
1997 Death Valley Double by Team Bikeaholics
Difficulty Rating: High
Visit www.AdventureCorps.com for all the information.