Devil Mountain Double (DMD) Ride Report

April 24, 2010 - The “Devil Mountain Double” (The “DMD”) – a double century- 206 miles – with 20,000 feet of climbing !

It took longer than expected, but I finished and actually felt strong through the end.

The day started with me get up just before 4:00 a.m. Picked up my friend Bryan who lives a couple blocks away and headed over to the San Ramon Marriott.

Ideally, my other friend, Jim Ott, and I to ride the entire course together. But we both knew that many things can happen over the period of a day to alter that.

Jim and I were pleasantly surprised when Jerry Pentin, another friend who had NOT entered the event, showed up to ride the first 9 miles with us. He had done tons of training rides with Jim, Bryan, and me, and felt part of our “team”.

We started at 5:00. Pitch black. But we’ve got great headlights to light the way, and great taillights to make sure any cars coming from behind see us clearly, and generally give us a very wide birth.

We were unpleasantly surprised when Jim quickly announced he realized he forgot his water bottle – not in his car, but AT HOME. Water bottles, and drinking in general, are – um – important for cycling events. Quick adjustment – Jerry gives him one of his which had Gatorade, and I give him an extra one since I had actually been carrying 3. First problem of the day solved.

9 miles in we start the Mt. Diablo ascent. No prob. We pass a lady who we saw on one of our training rides up Sierra Rd (a ***** of a hill) who had been signing some Indian or Hawaiian chant. We would end up seeing her at different times throughout the entire ride. The sun came up as we were going up. Nice way to catch a sunrise. Fortunately, it seemed a bit warmer than the 47 degrees. Anyway, it generally takes about 1:30. We made it to the top right on schedule. The event was totally supported. 99 volunteers for only 200 riders. At the top volunteers refill our water bottles for us! We put on some extra clothes we brought with us since the descent is freezing with the wind chill. This time – it wasn’t miserable, but it still sucked. GET ME OFF THIS !?*$%! HILL !

At the bottom we meet 2 guys riding together and end up spending darn near the entire ride either riding together or leap frogging. Before I know it (ok, a slight exaggeration since nothing really happens fast on this sort of ride), we’re climbing up Morgan Territory. No prob.

There’s a check point at the 91 mile mark that they said you had to be at BEFORE 1:00 or else you’re basically out. With all the hills, etc. we were a bit nervous about making it since our plan was to go very conservatively the entire day. Last year, Jim rode to hard (and had issues with nutrition) and had to stop after 165 miles. Anyway, I did some rough math and realized on the way up Morgan Territory that we were going to make the cutoff with no problem.


Go over the Altamonte. No prob.

Coming back over the Altamonte up Patterson pass was when Jim had his first problem of the day as he started bonking. About ½ mile from the top is a water stop. I made it there a few minutes before Jim which is unusual since he’s generally either in front or right with me. While waiting, I reapply sunscreen.

We get to the top literally at EXACTLY the same time as Jan who had been riding in the opposite direction! ! She had been tracking me by my GPS but that was unbelievable. We rode with her to the Mines Rd. stop/cutoff. We got there at 12:30 – ahead of schedule and with 30:00 minutes to spare! Couple bites of solid food.

On the way to Mines Rd. we see our friend, Tom Gardin, who was coincidentally riding the “Mt. Hamilton Challenge” that morning – a 100 mile ride which goes along the same stretch in the opposite direction. He turns around and starts riding with us. I ask, “aren’t you just adding to your ride?”. He says, “yeah, but how often do I come across a friend riding the DMD?” (Never, of course).

Jan leaves us just as we are starting the ascent. Jim and I make it up Mines Rd. and to the Junction. No prob. Quick pit stop with a couple bites of solid food.

We head out towards Mt. Hamilton. We rode up this a bit ago as part of our training. Tough but no prob. Yesterday – BIG PROBLEM. The weather was hotter than it’s been all year. So we had not acclimated to it. To make matters worse, because of the slight breeze we were really unaware of exactly how much we were sweating. By the time I was ½ way up the 5-mile ascent, I realized I wasn’t sweating as much – a clear sign of the beginning of dehydration – something I know about all too well. And Jim – I had no idea what was going on since he was so far behind me I couldn’t see him. But I knew he was in the same boat. About 1 mile from the top was another water stop. I waited, and waited, and waited. But no Jim. Finally, he shows up and not looking good. Turns out he literally got off his bike since he was feeling noxious, and eventually was actually walking his bike up the hill. He was ready to pack it in.

He’s ready to go again but by now I had been there so long that my entire body had stiffened up. Big prob. I’m literally grunting and groaning to get up the last 1 mile. All my energy was gone.

At the top, I start feeling “the chills” – another sign of dehydration. I was miserable, mentally and physically. My feet were hurting so badly that it even hurt if I was just coasting. Jim and I didn’t say a word. We didn’t need to. We were both suffering and having nothing but negative thoughts. We put on some extra clothes and start the descent. As if things weren’t bad enough, the descent sucks. It’s so curvy and bumpy you have to ride your breaks the entire time. No relaxation or “recovery”.

Towards the bottom, there’s a rest stop at someone’s house. I take off my shoes since my feet are killing me. Intolerable. I know how critical it is for us to take in plenty of liquids and we do. I had some nice soup. Ahhhh. That helped warm me up. Had some Gatorade too, and took a few Advil. We were there for a while. Just as I’m ready to climb on my bike, Jan calls. “Where are you??? ! ! !” The gps tracking didn’t work at all on Mt. Hamilton. No surprise since it’s out in the boonies. Anyway, I tell her about Jim’s problems coming up Mt. Hamilton and tell her to call Pam, his wife, to let her know.

I had wanted to finish so badly, in large part because I didn’t EVER want to have to think about doing another 200 mile ride again. And I didn’t want the guilt of having not completed it and then doing it again just for redemption. But at this point, there was probably a 95% chance that I would NOT be finishing.

About 6 miles from there is the base of Sierra Rd. On the way there, all the liquid we took in made its way through our system and we felt totally rejuvenated ! ! ! Jan had driven there (3 hours earlier ! ! !) and was waiting for us with some fresh supplies. More chamois butter ! Ahhhhh !! ! We were smiling, joking, etc. 155 miles and we actually felt really good. We say goodbye and start up. It’s only 3 ½ miles, but it is the steepest, toughest mother. No prob. I mean, it was work, but this time it was not as tough as Mt. Hamilton. Even though it’s only 3 ½ miles, it usually takes 50:00 to climb. Yesterday, I made it up in 49:00. We started the climb at 7:30 p.m., and say a beautiful sunset. I thought it was kind of funny that I was riding and saw the sunrise, and now I’m riding and seeing the sunset. It’s now pitch dark – again. Jim is a ways behind me but I know he’s doing well and am not worried. After cresting the hill I go to the famous “pet the goat” water stop. Pick up my bag with the warmer clothes I know I’m going to need. More soup. Jim has already arrived as well. We take some pictures with the actual goats and then head out.

Very nice descent and we’re flying. At the bottom we turn onto Calaveras Cyn where there is a short, steep hill appropriately called “The Wall”. Waiting for us in the total blackness is – Jerry – again, with his wife, Josine, and daughter, Joi (a freshman at Cal). Jerry rides with us and with Jim and me drafting off him as much as possible all the way to Sunol. That stretch just flew by.

At the Sunol rest stop we are greeted with a cheering crowd. Jan, Kevin, another friend named Tom Hall, Pam, her dad, and Josine. We were pretty excited by the crowd and we were feeling good. Really. We had about 23 miles to go and I told them it was “in the bag”. We thank everyone for coming out to support us as I wolf down more soup and pretzels and Jim eats his infamous hot dog. We head out to complete the last 2 hillclimbs.

We make our way out the treacherous few miles of Niles Cyn and finally turn onto Palomares Cyn. It’s work but we climb it pretty steadily. Super nice descent ! Flying. Make our way over to Crow Cyn and hook up with a couple other riders. Then turn onto Norris Cyn – THE LAST CLIMB ! ! ! These other 2 guys start to pull ahead. Are you kidding me ??? NOT IN MY HOUSE ! It’s a 206 mile ride, but I don’t have to worry about saving my energy anymore since it’s all downhill and flat to the finish. So I real these guys in and pass them. I dropped them like a bad habit. At the top I pull over to wait for Jim. One of the other guys compliments me for the uphill and we chat while waiting for Jim. We head down and make our way over to the Marriott hotel where Jan and Brian are waiting for me and Pam is waiting for Jim – at 1:15 A.M. ! ! ! ! I was soooooo glad to get of that god dam bike. A quick change of clothes and eat some dinner. Yes, the race volunteers were still there waiting inside with hot lasagna, salad, and drinks! Great support from beginning to end. Jim and I were soooo happy that we set a goal, and achieved it. And we were able to ride with each other the entire way. And – other than the “rough patch” up Mt. Hamilton to the rest stop at the bottom, the ride really went according to our “A” plan.

I drive home, take a quick HOT shower and fall into bed.


As for Jan, her “day” (night?) was not over. I mentioned earlier that our friend Bryan was doing the DMD as well. But Bryan’s plan was to keep on riding for another 100 miles ! To do so, he had lined up a “crew’ of his own. And Jan was one of the crew members who would be driving the van behind him to help light up the road, provide him with supplies and food, and monitor his health. The crew had authority to yank him at any time if they assessed any health issues, etc. (I guess that did not include checking his mental sanity for even thinking up a 300 mile ride). Jan’s shift was from 3:30 a.m. – 6:00 a.m. And Bryan accomplished his goal too finishing at 5:40 a.m.


Steve