Davis Double 2012 'Out There'

[Carl Sanders]

Last year we were expecting the 'The End of Days' at the conclusion of this classic CA double; it was predicted that the world would come to some cataclysmic end before some riders even had a chance to finish the course. A precisely 6 PM, the predicted demise of all civilization, I was still rolling across an overpass 15 miles from the finish...

The world still intact, I registered again this year, needing one last double dose of suffering prior to the Terrible Two. For this round, I had a rather aggressive training strategy. I would chase down all riders out in front of me, join their train, then sling-shot to the next group ahead. If passed by a faster group coming up from behind, I'd jump on the next train barreling down the course. This was not to be a leisurely social ride.

Stopping at aid stations only long enough to get more water and stuff the jersey with bananas, bars and GU, I kept up the forward momentum, incrementally moving my way up toward the front. 

Overtaking riders ahead, I would adopt the 'Levi Effect' approach, coaxing riders into pace lines as means to build speed, conserve energy and then leap frog ahead. By the aid station at the top of the Cobb Mountain climb near mile 104, I learned that only a dozen or so riders remained out front. The race official reminded me that this was 'not a race' but then encouraged me to 'go get 'em'. This strategy worked well, slowly plucking off individual riders, until I seemingly ran out of track, getting out in front of the masses, alone, face to the wind.

Blasting through the 'lunch stop' at mile 117, I was informed that I was the first rider through. There was no way that I was stopping for a sandwich! Stoked, I jumped back on the course, climbing totally alone toward 'Resurrection' the final long ascent of the day in the exposed mid-day sun. At the top of this climb at the mile 136 aid station, I was informed that, in fact, six riders, lead by tandem were still 15 minutes ahead. Apparently this group had been blowing past most of the aid stations all day. Somewhat defeated, I motored on.

By mile 160, I was starting to fall apart, paying the price for my aggressive start. Losing momentum, head down into the wind on the rollers and flats back toward Davis, I kept looking back over my shoulder expecting to be overtaken by the mass of 800+ riders coming up from behind. Then, out of nowhere, a bronzed strapping UC Davis athlete, glides past me without a word. I stand up to give chase, but am too shattered to sustain the effort. I give up trying to catch the tandem lead riders out front. Onward.

Still waiting for the landslide of riders to bury me at any moment, I push forward into the warm wind across the desolate farm fields. With twenty miles to go, remarkably there is still no one in sight behind me. The last 10% is often the most difficult; mind disintegrating, I-pod plugged in, head down, bum sore, legs giving out, I look forward to ride's end.

Ultimately across the finish with 11:15 time and an average pace of 18 mph, I was the 8th rider to complete the 43rd Davis Double.  

Bad Little Brother and SoNoMas up next. 

[Paul Montgomery]

Inconceivable effort...nice write up!