Sunday, May 18, 2008

Davis Double Century 2008

Double Century #14 (Davis Double #6)




Spiritual Observance
After doing these many, I had to think to myself, "Why?" I don't exactly have to prove that I can finish. I guess they are kind of the equivalent of religious holidays (church of the rotating mass). Not doing them is like not celebrating Christmas. Sure, it would be a lot less hassle, but something would be missing. I both look forward to and dread them. I get to see people I only spend time with once or twice a year. They are markers in my life. They make me take stock of myself and come face to face with my limitations. They make me grateful for my ability to finish. Each one has its own character and story.

This Year's Highlights:

  • Tandem train freebie averaging 22 for the first 45 miles
  • Seeing 1000s of butterflies swirl around the riders up Cardiac Hill
  • Dino singing Oscar the Grouch's "I Love Trash"
  • Tube Socks filled with ice around my neck
  • Seeing the same tube socks littering the back roads from Clear Lake to Davis (someone probably wonders about their origin)
  • Knowing the route by heart
  • Being mistaken for Sabine at one of the last rest stops
  • A bike that ran as smooth as butter
  • A beautiful TAILwind for the last flat miles (riding 20-25mph)
  • Having Logan finish his first double incident free
  • Watching Dino's calves
  • Awesome support of the Davis Bike club. The best ever.
  • Having two strong, devoted ride mates (D-train and the newly dubbed L-train) looking out for me (keeping me cool and pulling me along) SPOILED!
Low-Lights:
  • 109 degrees on the climb after lunch (up Resurrection). I have never gotten along with that hill!
  • 3 hours lost to getting cooled and hydrated at rest stops
  • blisters from the heat
  • seeing people abandoning the ride, looking dejected in the shade
Scroll through the pictures to see me impersonating a T-Rex.

5 comments:

steelbicycle said...

"Nothing but heartache and despair back there."

(overheard at Guinda).

Rock on Katie.

martin

Anonymous said...

Thank you for posting- I was wondering how hot it was on Ressurection... It seemed darn warm! -Gary, 650

Denise said...

Wow....what another terrific accomplishment. I am in awe.

Matthew Ruscigno said...

I don't know if I've ever been that hot and I've been to Death Valley in the summer. It was crazy. If anyone ever says, 'the Davis double is easy' we all have a story ready that proves otherwise.

Unknown said...

hi Katie,
I am going to be going to the Full Belly Farms hoes down festival in about 2 weeks and was wondering if you could email me a recommended bike route from the Davis amtrak station out to Guinda and back?
Thanks,
Adam
oceanmoss@gmail.com