March 8th, 2004 -- I rode the Death Valley Double Century with Lance Loftin (BCI/Mission
Hospital Tri-Club) on Saturday, March 6th. Before dawn, I dropped off a paper bag with my bike lights, battery and windbreaker at the SAG van. The mass start at 6:00 a.m. was uneventful. After a few words of
caution from Chris Kostman, the Planet Ultra event organizer, all
146 riders rolled away from Furnace Creek Inn.
Lance stayed with the lead pack until the first checkpoint at Stove Pipe Wells (mile 25, 5 ft). I started off slower to let my legs warm up first. I regrouped with Lance at CP#1. We worked together in a pace line climbing through a 3 percent incline up to CP#3 at Scotty's Castle (mile 69, 3000 ft). Unfortunately, nobody in the pace line wanted to do any pulling, so Lance and I did most of the work. The last few miles to Scotty's Castle required a 3-mile climb through switchbacks.
After a short break, the route continued climbing up to a flat plateau (26 miles long). This section took riders out of Death Valley National Park and into the state of Nevada. I caught up with three other riders who welcomed a break from the strong headwind and we all took turns pulling in a pace line. Lance was waiting at CP#4, Nevada Highway 95 (mile 95, Time: 6 hours, 30 minutes). This was the farthest point away from Furnace Creek.
After a brief stop, the five of us rolled out back towards Scotty's Castle for lunch. We arrived at CP#5 at 2:00 p.m. (mile 121, Time: 8 hours). I ate a turkey sandwich, and picked up my bike lights and battery that were SAGed there, attached the lights and rolled out in 30 minutes. I was messing around with the battery placement, because the weight concerned me. This meant that I would be riding much slower.
I was on my way to CP#6, (mile 130) Ubehebe Crater, an out-and-back 12 mile loop. The road conditions to the Crater SUCKED! It was cracked with uneven gaps and pockets of sand traps. At the Crater, I took one photo and rolled out of there. Whoa, the winds were howling!
The next section was a 39 mile stretch of rolling hills at a 3 percent
downward slope. That was OK except, I was running out of Gatorade. For the next 2 hours, I was rationing half a water bottle of Gatorade. Now I was slowing to just 6 mph. Finally, I just gave in and ate my emergency Clif Bar and drank all of my remaining Gatorade. Luckily, a rider passing me said, "You've only got 2 miles to the next water stop, keep going."
Seeing CP#7 (Ranger Station, mile 169, Time: 10 hours, 30 minutes) in the distance, was like seeing an oasis in the barren desert. Peeling my butt off the saddle, I sat down and devoured a steaming hot cup of noodles. By far, that was the best feeling on this whole ride. My spirit was revived after that SAG stop. Well, as I was warned, the true test of endurance was about to begin.
Immediately, to the left was the turn to "Hell's Gate" beginning from 270 ft. rising to 2330 ft.
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in 6 miles. At this point it was 6:00 p.m. (Time: 11 hours.) The sun was already behind the mountains; it was already twilight. I turned on the bike lights and started the 6 mile climb in a good mood. Well, pretty soon it was pitch black. The 6 percent grade was still going up and up and up. It was a clear night with bright stars and moonlight. But still, I could only see 30 feet in front and a few little red flashing lights off in the distance.
With nothing to focus on, my mind started to wander. How much further? How much more climbing? I can't take this anymore! I finally, just got off the bike and took three long gulps of Gatorade. I stood there in the darkness and asked myself, "So Wayne, do you really want to finish this double century?" For some reason I got back on my bike and told my mind to, “Shut up, I'M GOING TO FINISH THIS!" Finally reaching the top of "Hell's Gate," I check in (mile 176, Time: 11 hours, 50 minutes) and turned the bike around. Now I’m facing down the mountain road.
Quietly, I say a prayer hoping my bike lights and battery don't become disconnected while descending. Those 10 miles were a BLAST! I was rocketing down this mountain road at speeds of 30 plus mph. in total darkness. I passed several riders with weaker lights. (Yeah, Nightrider HID lights are AWESOME! 30 watts of blue-ish sunlight) This is the kind of adrenaline rush I live for.
One final left turn, with only 8 miles to the finish. Those last few miles were anticlimactic. My eyes were desperately scanning the darkness for any hint of civilization. Upon reaching the Furnace Creek Inn, I just had enough energy in me to raise my hand in triumph and smile at the gathered spectators. Lance was there waving me in to the finish. It was now 8:00 p.m.; 14 hours after I started this ride.
Finally it's finished. I am completly drained. This DC ride has shown me how much my cycling has improved. Just two years ago, I had bought my first road bike. Now I am planning to complete 3 double centuries this year. Wow! I still can't believe it.
RESULTS: 64th place Lance Loftin, Santa Ana CA, finished with a time of: 13 hours, 49 minutes. 68th place Wayne Chang, Tustin CA, finished with a time of: 13 hrs. 59 min. (of 140 finishers, 6 DNF)
I want to say thank you to all of the Planet Ultra volunteers who kept the Death Valley event running smoothly. They never ran out of food, water, SAG support and good spirits. And, of course many thanks to my double century riding buddy, Lance Loftin. Congratulations on a great finish. You deserve it! |
