Davis Double Century, 5-20-06

May 20, 2006--A week ago, temperatures here in Northern California were reaching into the low 90s, and it looked like this year's Davis Double Century would be hot again. However, a low pressure system had different ideas, and temperatures plunged over the week and stayed low and very comfortable for the 37th Davis DC, peaking in the low 70s. Rain that threatened early in the day (it poured down on Friday in Davis) never materialized, resulting in some of the best weather we've seen in our 23 trips around the DC course.

If the weather this week didn't add challenge, other recent rains did. Big Canyon Road, part of the traditional DC course between Middletown and Lower Lake, was closed due to a washout, so the organizers took the riders over Cobb Mountain (the first time up this route since 1972). The changed route added about 4 miles of distance and 800 feet of climbing, much of it around 8-10 percent grade. Lots of riders grumbled about the revised route as they struggled up to the top.

This year's DC was used as a training ride for yours truly and several other participants in the upcoming Big Fix cross-country fixed gear ride (starting just four weeks after the DC, on June 17). The Big Fix features day after day of riding as hard as or harder than the DC--yes, it's going to be a very tough ride!

Campy Only's time for the ride: 13 hours, 8 minutes (total time, including stops)

And now, photos by Campy Only's webmaster@campyonly.com if you would like a higher-res version.

Fun Stuff-->	DC Route from the air	DC from the air, with the Pacific Ocean in the background	The Cobb Mountain climb	Download the DC Route for Google Earth (Right-click and select "Save Link As")
Friday-->	Friday afternoon--ominous clouds over Napa County	Friday check-in		Looking at the route map--where is Cobb Mountain?
Ride Day-->	Big Fix head honcho Mojo Cosgrove	Morning check-in	First peloton photos--lots of Big Fix jerseys!
Bo Yule leads out Peter Burnett	Sandy	First Rest Stop	Bo, in his Big Fix jersey	Big Fixers: Sandy, Mojo, Eric, Bo, and Peter	Heading into the canyon before Monticello Dam
	Rest Stop 2, Monticello Dam		On the way to Moscowite Corners		Bike event in progress!
	Rest Stop 3, Nichellini Winery		Chiles Valley scenery
Arriving at Rest Stop 4, Pope Valley Grange Hall		Clem Bartolai, a longtime friend and DC rider. He turns 70 this year. Go Clem!	Heading for Lake County
Detert Reservoir	Rest Stop 5, Middletown	Advice to the riders: "Use efficient gears" We fixed-gear riders laughed.	Peter Burnett, on the way to Cobb Mountain	Banana = Fuel	Starting the Cobb Mountain climb
False summit		Lots of smiling faces at Rest Stop 6 on Cobb Mountain	Riders reaching RS 6	Rest Stop 6, Cobb Mountain
Lunch at Lower Lake High School		Fueling up--our selection for lunch	Here is Beth's annual photo	After lunch	Resurrection rest stop (actually, at the Colusa County line)
		Guida rest stop	Sorry, but our batteries died at Guinda, and the maniacal pace set by Peter and others didn't give us time to stop for more!

More Ride Photos | Last Year's DC | Campy Only |