Date: Mon, 20 Apr 1998 10:25:27 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Devil Mountain Double

                 Devil Mountain Double Report

   We had a beautiful day for this ride. I started about 20 minutes
to six because I had no idea how long I would take. I had even brought
an extra light (2 C batteries, 2.5W) in addition to my rechargable Niterider
because I wasn't sure I could finish with only 2.5-3 hours or riding
in the dark. I used the backup light in the morning, reasoning that
by the time night rolled around, I would need all the help I could get,
including a brighter light.

   The climb up Mt. Diablo was spectacular. It was a beautiful morning,
and no better way to spend it than watching the sunrise while climbing.
At the top, I saw Lorna working the rest stop. She looked like she was
freezing.

   The ride down is, according the to DMD brochure, "the most fun you can
have with your clothes on." It was indeed a fun descent, but it was
cold (the clothes definitively stayed on for that one). I've done that one
once before, in a November, and it was freezing then, too. Someday, I will
do that descent on a hot August day.

   The route continued into Clayton, where I heard a honk. When I looked
up, I was being mooned (by the driver!). This has only happened to me
once before - on the Solvang double two weeks ago. So far, I am 2 for 2
for being mooned on doubles. Is this a special feature of triple crown
rides? How do they keep track to see if they got everybody. I don't remember
my name being checked off a list.

   Morgan Territory Road is a new one to me. It is a nice climb, shaded
and stairstepped. The second rest stop is at the top, and Lorna arrived
just as I was leaving. The descent down Morgan Territory Road was fast.
I hit 48 MPH according to my avocet. This is probabily faster than I have
ever gone in the Bay Area (faster speeds have been obtained in
the rareified atmosphere of Alpine County). The ride out to
Altamont pass was fast and effortless. It starts with
about 100' of climbing, followed by about a 500' descent (according
to "Roads to Ride"). What follows is Patterson Pass Rd, a 1300' climb
with a false summit (which they warned you about at the checkpoint).

   On Patterson Pass Rd, I decided to shift into my small chainring,
using my patented "shift both derailleurs at once" trick.
The idea is to shift quickly and apply power quickly. Never do this
when shifting to your granny. The chain dropped and the "quickly
applied power" wrapped that chain around the bottom bracket.
Right about that time, Lee "Bike Van" Mitchell showed up. He had a
chain tool which we needed to takk the chain apart to get it out.

   I really appreciated Lee's help. In fact, I'm convinced he is my
guardian angle on doubles. Two weeks ago, when I rode the Solvang double,
I had a flat, and had trouble changing the tire because my hands were still
freezing for the morning rains. Within a few minutes, a sag showed up.
It turned out to be the same guy, Lee Mitchell (Twilight Zone music,
Rod Sterling appears to one side).

   Right about then, Craig rode by (he had started later than me) and asked
if I was OK. I said yes (but muttered something about never having seen
a chain do that before). This is also a repeat of the Solvang double, when
Craig rode by just as I was fixing a flat.

   Every cloud has a silver lining. The chain episode gave me a break, so
the rest of the climb up Patterson Pass was easier than it had been before
the chain episiode. At the rest stop, I saw Craig, much to my surprise.
He wasn't feeling so good, but in true bikaholic spirit, continued anyway.
I saw him again on Mines Road, still not at his best.

   About half way to the lunch stop at The Junction, I encountered Glen James,
who made some comment about "more bikaholics" (I made sure to wear my jersey
since it contains secret chemicals that prevent a DNF on a double). Shortly
after, I saw several bikaholics flash past going the other directon -
I believe John S, Stella, Lisa, and Ken S.

   At lunch, you could get a cold sandwich, or a hamburger (just the thing
to fuel that Mt. Hamilton climb). I hung out and stuffed myself. Craig
showed up, and then Tom and Sarah. This is the big rest stop of the
day - I saw more people here than at any other time during the ride.

   The climb up Mt. Hamilton was tough. This was when I really started
to feel tired. It was 5PM when I got to the top and starting to get
cold. I started to bonk on the descent, so I stopped to eat something
just before the first of the two small climbs on the way down.

   The rest stop at Crothers Rd was at a private home. A small boy
(2 years old?) came running out and asked if I wanted soup. This stop
was the most enjoyable stop of the whole ride due to it's being
at someone's home, there were chairs to sit in, and people were
low key. I also saw Lorna at this rest stop, and I saw Craig just as
I was leaving.

   The climb up Sierra Rd was the next major challenge. At the bottom,
I saw two frineds who live on Sierra Rd going for a walk, so I yelled hi.
They didn't recognize me at first, then asked me what I was training for,
so I told them about the DMD. They later said that people were going by
their house all night. I also saw Ken S, Stella, and Lisa comming down.
I guess John S had taken another route.

   Just because of this ride, I had put a 26 tooth freewheel on my
Comotion (so I had a low of 30 - 26). I didn't think I would use it,
but I shamelessly shifted into it (and stood most of the way up) on
Sierra Rd.

   It turned dark as I rode along Calaveras (especially since I still
had my sun glasses on). Eventually, I decided to put on warm cloths
take off my sun glasses, and turn on my lights. While I was doing this, Lee
Mitchell showed up and gave me some light. He had been stopped by the rangers
for driving on Calaveras Rd (which was closed due to slides), but convinced
them that he needed to look after his 60 or so riders that were riding
200 miles.

   I ran into Craig at the Sunol rest stop and followed him for the rest
of the ride. He was still feeling a bit under the weather. It was nice
to have some good company after riding for 180 miles,
mostly by myself. Also, riding with someone who know the route sure beats
trying to navigate unfamiliar roads in the dark. The last two climbs
are not too bad. Palomares Road took a beating this winter. There were at
least three places with one lane gone. Norris Canyon had a sign
painted that said "Listen to the Frogs". You could hear them.

   We finished about 11 PM. There was lasagna and salad at the finish.
Bill Halleck was there, already changed out of this riding cloths.
Tom and Sarah showed up about midnight. About half the people were
still out on hte course at this point.

   This was a tough but fun ride. I'm glad I did it. I was even glad
just after finishing. A bit disorganized (they never did return my SASE
to let me know if I had registered in time), but I liked the food and the
route, and the people supporting it were great. I highly recommend it.
Just be prepared for a long day and bring your climbing gears.

Ken Holloway