Devil Mountain Double 2013 'Back at It'

[Carl Sanders]

I had decided early on to adjust my focus toward longer events this season. My base season was increased from 3 to 4 months. I opted out of the first few high intensity short cross country races. Instead, I set my goals around later events such as the CA Triple Crown Stage Race (the three hardest double centuries in the State: Devil Mountain Double, Terrible Two and Alta Alpina), Boggs VIII 8hr, Tahoe Sierra 100 and High Cascades 100. 

The first up on this change of course was DMD. Based on my training and past efforts, I set a goal of finishing under 12:30 on this 206.1 miles route, that covered over 18,600' of climbing in the East Bay hills.

Starting at 6 AM, I planned to be back before dark and carried only two bottles, a Gu flask, some bars, my supplements, and a micro head and tail light. I knew extra fuel, water and supplements would be available at multiple aid stations along the way.

Out the gate, I rode strong with the top 10 riders up and over nearly 4,000' bump that is Mt. Diablo. The first of many epic road descents took us off around the backside, where the lead riders worked together to power up the gradual climb through the Morgan Territory to our first aid stop at mile ~50.

Feeling fresh, I chased down the lead 5 riders as we motored over Altimont, then Patterson Pass with a powerful tailwind on our backs.

Heading up Mines Rd. with nearly a hundred miles and 10,000' of climbing behind me, I was holding a 17.8 mph average. On this trying 15+ mile ascent, I watched Allen Nevin, the course record holder, slowly climb ahead and out of sight. A bit later with the heat increasing and my water nearly gone, the SAG vehicle pulled up along side me, re-filled my bottle and let me know that he thought I was in second place. 

Inspired, I watched the only two statistics on my Garmin that I had any control over; my speed and heart rate. All other data was either cumulative (mileage, elevation gain, etc.) or current conditions (altitude, temperature, etc.) that was not something that I could affect in the moment. To finish under 12:30, I knew that I would need to average between 16 - 16.5 MPH. It was all here and now.

Life reduced to a few simple variables. Stay focused. Fuel. Hydrate. Keep pedaling. 

A quick stop at the Junction Aid around mile 110, provided a much needed re-fueling and re-hydrating. Back on the road solo now, I dug deep up the long climb up the backside of Mt. Hamilton. Part way up, Joel Southern, a RAAM and multiple double century record holder glides by me, with only his legs like two pistons move steadily up and down. He does not sway his body or rock his bike back and forth to gain ground. I'm impressed with his efficient and energy conserving style. 

Now in third position, my dreaded and predictable gastrointestinal problems starts up again. My gut rumbles. The pressure builds. I struggle to keep the bike moving upward. My abdomen starts cramping hard. Repeated false summits add to the agony. Rolling slowly over the summit, gut-wrenched in knots, I make a mad dash for the woods down off a side road. Thankfully, I had anticipated the probability of this explosive event and had my _hit kit at the ready.

I slowly recovered from this draining episode bombing down another 18 mile epic descent into San Jose where an Aid Station near the bottom provided much needed relief. Here I learned Robert Choi, last year's CTC Stage winner, and Max Mechech, must have gotten in front of me when I pulled off the road in gut-wrenching distress. I re-filled bottles, shoved more food into pockets, gulped HEED, gobbled a PB&J, shoveled some salty chips down and took off again by myself now in 5th place.

Up the dreaded Sierra Rd. climb, I nearly cracked from the long effort thus far, the building heat and earlier energy drain. Inching up at 5 -6 MPH on what had to be  20% grade in the direct Sun was killer. This effort at mile 160 drained my tank to near empty. Over the top, I had a bit of a respite on a gently rolling descent past Calvares Dam, which  led to the final two kickers of the day; Palomares and Norris Canyons. Watching my average speed and heart rate slowly and steadily drop, I knew I had to dig even deeper on these somewhat unexpected finishers.

Up the final climb in Norris Canyon, I caught and passed Max who was holding 4th position, watching him slowly fade off my back after a half-hearted attack to stay on my wheel. He looked spent.

With my timer rolling past 12:20, I now had less than 10 minutes to complete the final few downhill miles back to the start. I pushed with all I had left, rolling back into the finish at 12:28 with an average speed of 16.5 mph.

Mission accomplished. 

With just a week to recover, Boggs VIII is up next.

 

[shiloh]

damn dude! way to make a comeback from the, uh, trouble.

[Jim Hewett]

Very impressive, Carl.  Missing you at the XC races, but glad to see you are pushing yourself and improving at the longer format races.