Being my first true fore into ultra distance cycling, I was a bit nervous about what to expect and how my body would react. I based my training preparation loosely on ultra run training and on last year’s Death Ride with 3 week building blocks and one week of rest/testing beginning in late December. As a final preparation, I rode solo from Arnold to home (~150 miles) two weeks before the event and then tapered the final two weeks.Arriving in Solvang brought back memories of Kim and my ride about ten years ago when they had both a century and double century ride on the same day. We left on the century ride in the rain, got lost, and decided to skip the event and visit Solvang (we did the ride the next day unsupported in beautiful spring conditions).
In the predawn morning bicycle headlamps greeted me as I drove to get Kim coffee at 5:45. I had debated on when to start and had planned on 12 hours so that I could leave near daybreak and be back around sunset. The second dilemma was whether to start with the 7:30 timed mass start or go at my own. After check-in I thought it better to go at my own pack for my first double attempt.
Daybreak’s 37-degree temperature reading left me happy (for the moment) that I wore my knee warmers, arm warmers, wind vest, light gloves, and disposable toe and hand warmers. As a new found ‘friend’ and I climbed out of the valley, the temperature warmed and the winds began to pick up. Near the top of the first climb we passed the first tandem of the day, which promptly flew past us on the down-hill which I chased for a good half mile before being caught in their draft. 10-miles later we hit the first aide station and stayed behind the tandem for the next 10-miles soft pedaling at 25 mph until the road went uphill in the southern approach to San Luis Obispo. At this point the 7:30 pack (now 25 strong) flew past in an echelon taking the entire travel lane. My ‘friend’ and I jumped onto the tail end of the train. After about one mile, I knew that the pace was too hard for me and that my heart rate was exceeding my goal of keeping it below 150 bpm. Goodbye ‘friend.’
In SLO with the temperature rising towards 80, I shed all of the extra clothing which I now had to carry for the next 120 miles. I was being to feel tightness in my legs so I immediately began taking electrolyte (salt tabs/ecaps) in mass. It was fun to ride through my old college town (now wishing I had rode much more while I was there) and head out towards the rock at Morro Bay, taking pulls with the dropped riders from the pack into southwesterly crosswinds. Morro Bay was crowded with sunbathers and sightseers enjoying a summer like day at the first of spring which caused a bit of havoc with the cyclists. Once through we headed south down highway 1 to the other beach communities and coastal flatlands.
Around mile 160, I truly started feeling the effects of riding long distance. The temperature had risen to close to 90 degrees, my legs begin the cramping reflexes (needed more ecaps), I was tired of everything liquid (hammer gel and hammer sustain), and, worst of all, my feet had swelled leaving the tips of my toes raw. Plus the truly flatness of the ride (saw one guy attempting it on a single speed fixie) was daunting. But the last rest stop at mile 175 came as a relief. While the 8 person group I was in stopped and rested, I downed a coke and keep going knowing that a climb was just ahead.
Kim and I had done the climb ten years previous so I knew it was a little steep with poor pavement but very ride-able. The 1,000 of climbing felt refreshing relative to the prior 100 mile flatness. Over the summit, the sun was just being to cast the longer shadows. I noticed the wildflowers that were everywhere for the first time of the day. The decent was fast and easy along with the tailwind back into Bulleton. We arrived at the hotel to a cheer from the bar patrons and an attaboy from the staff (‘Why didn’t you start at 7:30 and get timed?’).
Overall, for me it comes down to mastering the mind game, centering the body, and feeding the soul. It’s why I love endurance events. I’m looking forward to the next one. Anyone want to join?
Solvang Double Statistics:
- 193 miles
- 7200 feet vertical climbing
- Weather 37 to 88, clear and breezy
- Total ride time: 10 hours 15 minutes
- Total elapsed time: 11 hours 10 minutes
- Ave speed 18.7 mph; Max 43 mph
- Ave power 156 watts; Max 627 watts
- Ave cadence 91 rpm
- Ave heart rate 142 bpm; Max 166 bpm
Post Ride Ride from Bulleton to Solvang
