RR: Mulholland Double (Long winded roadie content)

["WU"]

Last Saturday was the Mulholland Double. 200 miles with 16,000 feet of climbing. I did the ride with my cousin Tony and our friends Jose, Chuck, Dave, and Rick. It was not a good day.... here's my RR....

We started at 5 am in Calabasas with an extremely cold descent down to the ocean in Malibu. I’m guessing temperatures were in the mid to high 40’s. It was really cold, because we didn’t get a chance to warm up before the descent and I only had a windbreaker on, expecting high temperatures throughout the day. Figured it was better to suffer a little in the morning than carrying too much clothes in 100 degree heat. I pretty much couldn’t feel my fingers

Once we hit PCH, we cruised down towards Topanga. Made a left on Topanga and got hit with headwinds. Chuck takes off, Tony and Jose chase. I’m pretty conservative on doubles and am not willing to work this hard this early, so I let them go. I’m in no man’s land, riding alone. Up Old Topanga then left on Mulholland. A couple guys pass me, but I let them go. Saw a water stop on the right, but not needed this early in the ride. I thought to myself that it was good to have extra stops due to the forecasted heat.

Pulled into the first stop at 730, it wasn’t open yet. I heard someone asking for water to a rest stop worker. Her response, rest stop doesn’t open until 800. Now, Planet Ultra states that if you need more than 14 hours to complete the double, you can take the early start. I estimate that I was on a 16 hour pace, but I’m out running the rest stops?!?! Not too big a deal, as I had plenty of fluids and food still. I left as the front group was still organizing themselves.

As we start the Rock Store climb, Chuck catches me and asks me how long until the next turn. I don’t know Chuck, you got the route sheet attached to your bars. But, stay on this for awhile. That’s the last I saw of Chuck.

Somewhere on Mulholland, Rick and Dave catch up to me. We ride together up Little Sycamore, Cotharin, Yerba Buena, and down Deer Creek. At the top of Little Sycamore, someone asks where the rest stop was. Apparently we passed it as it wasn’t open yet. I told everyone, there’s no point in hurrying as the next rest stop was a sticker stop and we can’t outrun it as we need a sticker. It won’t open for another 45 minutes!

We get to the sticker stop, all they had was water and some bars. It was a sticker stop, not a real stop, check point, etc. Plus, first rest stop open in 62 miles, WTF?!? I fill my two bottles, eat a bar, and put an extra one in my pocket. Somewhere around the Little Sycamore descent, I caught Jose. Didn’t think much of it, as I’m a much faster descender than Jose. He asked if I was ready, so we rolled out. On PCH, a group of 8-10 Tri-athletes rolled by and we latched on. They pulled us up to Los Posas at around 24 mph.

At Los Posas, they turn left and we turn right. Now there were in some strong headwinds. I’m getting tired. Jose says he’s in damage control mode, so we cruise towards Potrero. Potrero hits up to 22%. I spin up Potrero and drop Jose. At the top, I eat my energy bar and wait for Jose. He had to walk the last section (not good as he’s a really strong climber). I drop Jose again on the next part of Potrero. I cruise to Lake Sherwin and stop at the fire station. I had completely run out of water by this point and had to down a whole bottle in addition to filling my bottle. I usually never run out of water.

Roll into lunch, refill water and sustained energy. Had two Pepsi’s and a turkey sandwich. Jose tells me that it’s a long stop for him and not to wait. I look at him and he looks like a snowman, completely covered in salt. I roll out and ride through Thousand Oaks out towards Grimes Canyon. Once again, I’m in no man’s land riding in the strong headwinds by myself. I took a sip of sustained energy and almost hurled. I took a sip of water and it was like drinking hot tea. Great! I need to switch out my liquids. Hoping to see a water stop… nothing. I’m dying going up Grimes Canyon. I’m no longer feeling hot. Not a good sign. Now, I realize the organizers have no control over the weather, but they should adapt a little more. How safe is it to have 30 miles of headwinds and climbing between lunch and the next stop in 100 degree heat? How safe is it to have the first two rest stops not open for a bulk of the riders, going through a remote area? How safe is it to have no stops between the sticker stop and lunch, somewhere close to 40 miles of climbing, heat, and headwinds? Again, realizing weather can’t be controlled, I would think some extra stops could have been provided…. I remember extra water stops on Grand Tour due to hot days…. Don’t even get me started.

After Grimes, I get to the church rest stop. Downed two bottles of ice water, filled up and left. Not much there, or nothing very appealing in the heat. Bars and pretzels don’t seem too appealing when you’re dehydrated and it’s 100 degrees out. I let the brief tail wind carry me to Balcom Canyon. Balcom was one of the climbs in the Tour of California. I think it hits 24%. Started Balcom Canyon, got off and walked as it got steep. The guy next to me was saying “you’re walking?” My reply, “faster than riding.” He told me his computer said 103 degrees as we walked up Balcom. After Balcom, I headed towards Camarillo. Let the slight downhill and tailwind do all the work. My water was too hot to drink. Forget about the sustained energy. Pulled into a Jack in the Box and got a Jumbo Jack, which I had to force down. Drank two cokes.

The ride from Camarillo towards the ocean was all strong headwinds. I went aero and pushed hard and struggled to maintain 12mph. Once I hit PCH, I was pretty tired. A big group came by and told me to get on, but I couldn’t. As we approached Decker Canyon, I tried to drink and was nearly overcome by nausea. I grind my up Decker Canyon. Took forever. Stopped to give water to a rider sitting on the side of the road. After what seemed like an eternity, I make it up to the Fire Station rest stop on top of Decker.

Soda! I ask… nope. They had water, ice, and stuff I couldn’t eat. Pretzels, bars, PB&J’s, muffins, etc. I probably spend 20 minutes there to eat a quarter muffin and a quarter bottle of water. I had to eat something, as I hadn’t had anything since the Jack in the Box. I couldn’t help thinking… After the church rest stop, there was Balcom Canyon in heat, miles of strong headwind in the heat, climbing Decker in the heat… nearly 40 miles of those conditions before another rest stop?!?!

I stand up to leave the fire station, and was nearly overcome by nausea. I manage to fight the feeling and got rolling again. Headed down Encinal canyon, then started to climb up towards Mulholland. As I started to climb, I hurled. Great. I haven’t eaten or had anything to drink since Camarillo. How am I gonna finish the final 30 miles of climbs. I’m done. Called Tony to have him get me as I figured he was easily on a 14 hour pace… went straight to voicemail.

Made it to Mulholland and cruised down to the next rest stop. Told Lynn Katano (a friend working the rest stop) I was done. She tried to talk me into continuing. Sat me down, got me some noodles and a Mountain Dew. After about 30 minutes, I could only manage about 2 mouthfuls of noodles (cumulative) and a few sips of Mountain Dew. I finally got up as I was being eaten alive by the mosquitoes. Told Lynn I was done. Called Tony a few times, but no answer.

I took the bailout route, which wasn’t easy. I had to fight being overcome with nausea with every roller. Finally made it back to the hotel. Jose was sitting there with Deb (ride organizer), he didn’t look good and also DNF’d. He couldn’t do Decker, so he rode up Malibu Canyon back to the hotel. I heard that Dan Crain DNF’d (friend and RAAM rider). Told Deb I DNF’d. There are going to be a lot of DNFs... I think 52 riders out of 140 DNF'd. 20 didn't even start, so it was a 50% attrition rate.

Tony and Chuck rolled in about an hour or two later (don’t know for sure). I’ve never seen Tony have so much difficulty on a double century. Chuck looked only slightly less happy than usual.

180 mile on my computer, I figured I had about 2,000 feet of climbing left, so I did about 14,000 feet.

Oh yea, those 2 mouthfuls of noodles I had came back out. Couldn’t eat or drink. Just chewed on ice until I fell asleep.

I just got home and weighed myself. I weighed 150lbs. Last week, I weighed 162lbs.

After 10 years of doubles, my first DNF.

[Edog]

Thats brutal, I got my ass kicked on that ride about 4 years ago. It rained for the first 30 miles, head winds up PCH where just insane I think I was avg about 12 mph, up to Oji was just insane rain again, I was done before I got back to Malibu for the next set of major climbing, I actually drove the route the following weekend in my car, I couldn't believe the climbing I had yet to do.
We got lost right after a huge climb from Malibu lake, took a right insted of a left & ended on the wrong side of the range & had to come all the way back.
Sorry to here about the rest stops, they kicked me out of one that year as I got there late due to the wrong turn, I guess i didn't have time to stop!!

[CeeDubb]

Originally Posted by "WU"

I went aero...

After reading everything, that line was the best.

Nothing easy about a double century. Especially in that heat. 180 miles and 14k of climbing is still nothing to dismiss. If you ain't failin', you ain't tryin'! You rock!

[mp3]

It was definitely a scorcher on Sat!!! Bummer about the rest stop situation.

I was out there training with my racing partner on our own road ride and we saw a lot of drained Mulholland riders.

[MTBMaven]

Wow you lost 12 pounds. That's dangerous. Take it easy and by God drink some water and get your electrolytes replenished. You probably eat into a good bit of muscle as well. Take some easy rides over the next two weeks and work back into things.

We got luck on the Solvang Double as the weather was near perfect. The key was eating and drinking a ton of calories and keeping an easy pace in the beginning. However Solvang has at least half the climbing this double has.

[Pilas]

I did last year's Heartbreak 100, and I wasn't very impressed with Planet Ultra and the way the rest stops were organized...

[Bergsteiger]

I can attest to the hell on that day, as I could not finish my century. I stopped at 88 miles and 9000 feet because I missed the last sticker stop at the Ranch. I took the last bailout option to the hotel.
I was so dehydrated and spent that it was starting to concern me. I could not believe when I pulled up to one of the SAG stops just before PCH at 1230 and they were out of water. When I yelled out, "What kind of SAG is this? the guy working the stop was upset and wanted to get into it with me. So I had to ride the next 12 miles, which isn't that bad but 3-4 of those was Decker with no water. I almost passed out a few times going up that wall.
Sucks that I DNF but I'll be back next year.
BTW-This ride was very poorly organized and Debrah, the woman who runs the show is very rude.
Not a fan of her.
Great job on your 180 miles. Thats nuts.

["WU"]

Originally Posted by Pilas

I did last year's Heartbreak 100, and I wasn't very impressed with Planet Ultra and the way the rest stops were organized...

I'm signed up for the Heartbreak Double.... I may just forfeit my entry and not go.

[Pilas]

Originally Posted by "WU"

I'm signed up for the Heartbreak Double.... I may just forfeit my entry and not go.

The first part of the route is beautiful and fun. There were some issues that could have been improved at the Aid Stations, though...

[DBD]

Now that sounds like a fun fun ride.

By the time you got to the third station that was closed I was ready to kick someones azz. Adding stations is one thing (should have been done) but if they are going to allow riders to head out early they SHOULD have the stations opened for them.

Hope you are getting some of those fluids back now and feelin' better. That is a pisser getting so close and being so far.

[MTBMaven]

Wu and Bergsteiger, you guys should post your thoughts on how poorly the event was run over on Bikeforums.net. The Planet Ultra people frequent those boards and could use the feedback. There is a pretty long thread over there on the event.

[Pain Freak]

I've been riding Debbies events, (Planet Ultra) for a while now. This lady ( and I use the term loosely) treats her customers like we were a problem. I've never seen anything like it. She literally yells at customers and calls them names. She has some of the best rides, so I do them, but I'm not a fan of hers by any means. I approached her and she layed into me about how stupid people are and if they can't follow the rules she didn't need them on her rides. I walked away. I also volunteered once for one of her rides and her instructions to us had me floored....She told us to watch to make sure people didn't take more then their share of Hammergel, endurolytes and anything else. Tell people they couldn't have a cup. I had to go and buy more water as we ran out. And we were also instructed not to give anyone anything if they came in to early. Unbelieveable, but true.



I had been training for this ride and thought I was all set to go, but when I looked on the registered riders list my name wasn't there. I registered thru Active.com. I had a receipt and sent a copy to Debbie telling her what Active told me. The credit card they had on file for me had expired, but the number was still good as they just renewed the expiration date. Active told me they sent me an email, but I never got it.

Debbies response...Not my problem. Registration is closed!

I've never seen somebody lacking so much in customer relations. I have no doubt people will start leaving her rides and joining other rides that will soon becoming up. In fact a few of us are trying to get it together where we will offer some doubles. Problem with that is, then some of us wouldn't be able to ride as it takes a lot of work to put one of these together. Still going to find out about it. None of the other double people can stand her.

[lmnop]

I've never met this Debbie person, or participated/watched any of her events, but she sounds an awful lot like the ^&*% wad who runs the 24 Hrs of Adrenalin series

[Endo Verendo]

Sounds like an...erm....epic.

Speaking of Mulholland... I did the Mulholland Century last year and so far it's been my favorite. This year it's May 17th, is fully supported, has great rest stops with lunch and is only $30!!

http://www.active.com/event_detail.c...431&CHECKSSO=0

[mp3]

Originally Posted by Pain Freak

I have no doubt people will start leaving her rides and joining other rides that will soon becoming up. In fact a few of us are trying to get it together where we will offer some doubles. Problem with that is, then some of us wouldn't be able to ride as it takes a lot of work to put one of these together. Still going to find out about it. None of the other double people can stand her.

Do I hear a STR sponsored ride in the works? Road? MTB? Half road half mtb?

[Pain Freak]

Hmmmmmm????

[MTBMaven]

Originally Posted by mp3

Do I hear a STR sponsored ride in the works? Road? MTB? Half road half mtb?

I love it. I have a few ideas I posted here: New Endurance Event Ideas

24 hour road ride, 24 hour MTB style, for instance. I've got a 100 mile MTB route through the Angeles as well. Solo or team relay could work.

How does one pull something like this off?