Bass Lake Powerhouse Double '50X50'

[Carl Sanders]

I hadn't intended to race this double. This was to be my sixth double for the season and my ninth overall. Only 41 more doubles and six years to go en route to my 50X50 goal. Bass Lake was supposed to be just the last long final ride for the season. After-all, I'd been racing consistently since February, knocking out some reasonable finishes at numerous local ultra-distance dirt and road races. Now, it was mid-October and I was feeling a bit tired, somewhat uninspired.

Instead, I lined up for the 'timed start' at 5:15 AM with 30 or so of the 100+ registered riders. Not really ready to race, nor quite awake, from a poor night's sleep in a Fresno flea-bag motel, I wearily stared around at the festival of mesmerizing blinking red tail lights stuck to everyone's bike or helmet. From behind, the bright blue-white beams from powerful headlights cast dancing and conflicting shadows on the pavement out front of us as we all rolled out of Clovis. Seemed more of dream then a race.

The pace quickly picked up. Across mostly flat rural ranch roads amidst vineyards and citrus groves, we motored along in the dark. A few bulky strong looking riders pulled hard out front. We briskly rotated through riders, blowing past the first rest stop and mile ~32. This pace was faster than I expected or thought I could maintain for another 170 miles, but I did not want to get dropped or lose this critical start inertia, especially across the flat terrain leading into the foothills. Alone in the dark is no way to start the day.

Finally rolling into a much needed rest stop at mile ~72, I noticed we were averaging 22-23 mph. We had barely climbed 800'. I did not have mental fortitude for this. Our original pace line of 30 riders had disintegrated by this time, with only about 15 remaining as we rolled in for that first pit. Re-hydrated and re-fueled, I quickly got back on the course solo in anticipation for the set of climbs out past Pine Flat Lake. With the overcast, mixed cloud cover and morning Sun, the weather seemed perfect for a long day in the saddle. I pedaled silently forward, finally starting to settle in to my grove.

Just inside Watts Valley, Paul McKenzie and Jennie Phillips, both ultra-distance super athletes and Furnace Creek 508 record holders, caught up with me as I plodded along, as I was taking in the beautiful day and dramatic Sierra scenery. We agreed to stick together and enjoy the day and company. None of us seemed too interested in hammering, but to our surprise, we were not being over taken by any of the morning riders setting the blistering pace, and we learned later at the third rest stop just past mile 100, that only a few riders remained out in front us. This must've stirred our collective competitive instincts.  

Trading leads up the climbs and pulls along the flats, we enjoyed each other's company as we methodically climbed our way up and around Bass Lake. I gobbled more PB&Js at the forth and highest rest stop, before readying for the mostly downhill ride back into Clovis. At our last rest stop at mile ~160, we were told that only two riders remained ahead of us. Although it had taken a while, I finally had my head fully in the game and was feeling remarkably fresh. For the last 40 or so miles, both Jennie and Paul seemed grateful for my extended pulls and amazed that I still had punch left over the last few kickers just before town.

A mega buffet at the Clovis Veterans Hall afterward gave Paul, Jennie and I a chance chat up our various ultra adventures and ponder just how the three of us had managed to roll up the finish in third place together with a time of 11:32. A great way to finish the season.

What next? 

[Adam Nuyens]

Cool, Carl! I did not know you went so big. Good luck with your goal!