Carl Sanders's Page

From which direction will the winds blow? On the days leading up to the Solvang Spring Double century, I focused intensely on the weather reports for the central coast. If the coastal breeze came from the northwest as it often does this time of year, then our return southward leg of the race would be a rocket sled ride back to the start. If the winds changed direction and blew from the southwest, our return leg could be a grueling 100 mile crawl into a coastal gale. I had the same sort of…

Just never know what might happen at these double events. 



Somehow, from somewhere, I managed a fairly descent ride at the tail end of my 'racing season'.



The week prior to the Mount Tam Double (MTD), the final race in the CA Triple Crown series,I felt strangely tired and un-motivated. Telling signs of true burn-out for certain.



I thought at least that this unenthusiastic mood would make  for a good taper leading up to…

Fully charged, ready to roll, not sure how long my batteries would last, I joined 19 other intrepid cycling souls at 6 AM in Santa Rosa, CA for a long strange SRCC 600K bike ride.



Easy conversion: 600K = 375 miles. Reasonable numbers, but still, my first ride at this distance.



With our team assembled ahead of time, we hatch a ‘Plan’ for a sub 24 hour finish. MarC, Shane, Doug, Miguel and I had contemplated a go at a course…

Respectable finish. Perfect cool weather. Good folks.

Rode steady and strong all day. Despite losing some ground starting mid-pack up the Coleman Valley climb and getting bumbled up down the first dirt descent with the mass of other riders on Willow Creek, I slowly re-gained positions throughout the rest of the race. 

Coleman Valley + Willow Creek (down) + HWY 1 + Fort Ross + Salt Point + Kruse Rhododendron + Hauser Bridge + King Ridge + Cazadero + Willow Creek (up) =…