#291

Number 291 will be a significant number from now on. I can now check off the Davis Double from my to do list. Being just two weeks short of another decade under the belt, ie sixty. I finished the Davis Double 205.49 miles by bike computer 203 by the Davis Bike club map.

Now for a short run down of the day. Mile 0 -23. The forecast was for rain but when I got out of bed at 3:45 am I could see the stars. Started the ride 5:15 am. Started out fine dark, cold and did not go hard. At about mile 10 this lady hooks up and starts to follow. I asked her if she had done a double century before, oh yes many. She was not in a hurry and liked my pace doing about 17 mph. She had a rather Hippy look so I asked her what she did. Oh, I live in Burbank and make movies. Funny I never saw you on the red carpet with Mary Hart. Did not see her after the first rest stop at mile 23.

Mile 24 - 45.5 feeling good finished first short climb.

Mile 46 - 64 still feeling good climbed Cardiac hill not a bad climb did not even hit the set limits on my HR monitor.

Mile 65 - 95.4 feeling like crap. Feet starting to hurt. Not so sure this is a good idea. Still have that big climb up Cobb mountain. Will take a nice break at the rest stop at mile 95.4.

Mile 96 to 104.5 the big climb is over. Actually passed people on the way up about two miles of 10% grade and four of 4 to 9%. Wish I had one more lower gear. Being at this rest stop feels so good. Potato chips and Fritoes never tasted so good. Rest stop theme was a Hawaiian paradise. It's cloudy and about fifty degrees putting on warm clothes again for the desent. As I got ready to start out again the rest stop lady said only one more mile to the top of the hill. YUCK.

Mile 105.6 - 117.2 and lunch. Great down hills after that last mile of climb. Topped out at just over 40 mph coming down beats the 4 mph going up. Lunch was great good conversation with some kid working on his PHD in Chemistry at UC Davis and his Girl (friend) from Santa Rosa. They were perky and not tired. My legs and feet feel like, well they hurt.

Mile 117.3 - 139.8 Resurrection Hill complete, last big climb done. Starting to come back to life I guess they named the hill correctly. Saw the couple from lunch at this stop. They did not look resurrected the young lady was happy to see it is all down hill to the next rest stop. Never saw them again I think I will go over to the Bikepedler here in town the girl works there and see if they made it.

Mile 139.9 - 162.8 great down hill only one little climb. Starting to feel better passing people again.

Mile 162.9 - 181.1 Tail wind yeah. Going 20 mph on the flat. Cache Creek Casino lots of cars hope not too many drunks.

Mile 181.2 - 196 Starting to get dark. Turned on my lights again. Not much light but hope the cars can see me. Missed a turn but thanks to the tandem behind me they whistled and pointed out my mistake and got me back on course.

Mile 196.2 to 203. Last rest stop at 196.2 rubbed my feet, finished off the Citomax and got on the bike to finish in the dark. At last Davis and street lights Pulled in at 9:13 pm fifteen hours and fifty eight minutes after starting. I did it!!

After getting my tee-shirt as proof I finished. Changed into real shoes and hit the Restroom. While standing at those guy fixtures I told the guy next to me it feels great to finally stop. He said this is just like what Jim Fix the runner said. "What do running and hitting your head against the wall have in common?" "It feels so good when you stop."

Thanks to my daughter in Sacramento had a great couple of beers and a good pasta dinner.

By for now. Tomorrow in the foot steps of mom.