VFD Double Century

A late season double century held in San Diego County. November may suck for riding elsewhere in the country, but San Diego is not exactly the northern tundra of Siberia at any point, so why not have a double century in November? We might as well live it up.

The VFD Double Century will be held on 18 November 2006 with check-in at 4 a.m.

Please let us know you are coming by sending an email to VFD@agefive.com. This ride is put on by the good people of the San Diego Century Riders.

Question: What does VFD stand for?
Answer: The pursuit of truth in the company of friends. Not quite the answer that you were expecting? That’s okay. VFD is one of those acronyms that stands for anything and everything. During the course of the ride, think up something interesting and let us know at the end. We’ve got some ideas, but we are interested in what you think after the ride.

Some of our favorite answers can be found here.

As someone once said this is “the whole enchilada of San Diego County cycling.”

From the starting location in Chula Vista the ride follows the rolling coastal hills towards Otay Lakes where you’ll leave behind the subdivisions in exchange for sage brush and country highways. You’ll follow CA-94 in the wee hours of the morning to be in position to climb Mt. Laguna before the tourists decide to hit the mountain. After besting this 6000 foot mountain (you’ll have climbed from a starting elevation of 260 feet) you’ll head down to Julian for a quick in-town resupply before heading down Banner Grade towards the Anza-Borrego Desert. Before hitting the desert floor, you’ll turn north and begin climbing towards Mt. Palomar along the Old Emigrant Route. At Teofulio Summit you’ll have 12 miles to catch your breath before tackling CA-79 into Santa Ysabel.

After arriving in thriving Santa Ysabel, everything else will seem like a speed bump in comparison. From Santa Ysabel you’ll travel once again to Julian via Wynola Road and then rejoin CA-79 on your return trek. You’ll cycle around Lake Cuyamaca and then once again flirt with the 5000 foot marker before heading down the mountainside and into the hills outside El Cajon. From there the elevation will trend downwards through Lyons Valley and Honey Springs before returning to Otay Lakes Road and the roughly 10 mile home stretch that will bring you to the potluck dinner that awaits.

It’s a long day, but we think it’ll be worth it. Massive climbs. Sweeping descents. In all, you’ll have conquered five major climbs and several minor ones will net you 13,267 feet of elevation gain at the end of the day. Woof.

Photos from various points along the course.

Route Sheets Are Not Yet Availiable.
Route Sheet: VFD's PDF
Google Earth Flyover: Check out the madness from space by downloading vfd_double_century.kmz
Microsoft MapPoint: Download the course as a PTM file
Microsoft MapPoint Course Overview: Image or Zip File
Satellite Imagry: Course (with elevation profile) (724Kb PNG), Course (again, but much larger) (4014 KB PNG)

Although it is not necessary to RSVP, it would be super useful for everyone to do. It’ll also help with planning the potluck. If nothing else, then send Matthew an email and he’ll keep you in the loop with the few email updates that we are planning on sending out over the two months leading up to the VFD-DC.

The morning of the event, the ride directors will begin checking people in 30 minutes prior to the posted start time. Check-in will continue for 15 minutes after the posted start time for people who may have straggled or arrived late. If you can’t arrive during that 45 minute window, please contact the ride director to work something out.

They should be small, sealable, and labeled with your name and phone number. Lights, some extra clothing, and a bit of food that might get squished while in the SAG vehicle. Make a note on the outside of your bag if you have special tools in the bag that are necessary for repairs (this will ensure that the bag stays in the SAG vehicle that is out on the road). Don’t go nuts and bring all of your tools though. Please Note: This ride does pass by at least two Border Patrol inspection points. By utilizing the drop bag service you agree to allow the SAG vehicle driver and ride organizers to open your drop bag for inspection in the event that it is required. No hazardous/explosive substances, missing Operation Puerto blood-doping equipment, or illegal substances allowed (you’ll have to carry those on your person if you must have them).

This ride is tough. Even if you don’t envision yourself taking one of Calstar’s helicopters to the hospital, please notify the Ride Director of any conditions that they should be aware of.

Notify the ride organizers if you’re drop bag contains prescription medications that need to be temperature controlled (it could potentially get really hot in places).

If there is enough interest, then we’ll do this. Either way, Matthew will have something tasty at the end for everyone.

Matthew’s home in Chula Vista, CA. To beat the heat and attempt to get a head start on Mt. Laguna before your noodle is baked, the ride will start at 4:30 AM. Obviously, lights will be required, but you’ll hear more on that subject later.

• Link to Google Maps for directions to the start.

Drive South on I-805 and take the “I want to go East” exit on East “H” Street in Chula Vista. Exit the freeway and position yourself in the inside lane. At the first street intersection take a left onto Hidden Vista Drive and proceed up the hill for .5 miles. At the corner of the part take a left onto Parkside Drive and then drive .1 mile and turn left into the parking lot for Terra Nova Park.

See the map below. From the intersection of I-805 and East “H” Street in Chula Vista, proceed East. At the first street intersection take a left onto Hidden Vista Drive and proceed up the hill for .5 miles. At the corner of the part take a left onto Parkside Drive and then drive .1 mile and turn left into the parking lot for Terra Nova Park.

This is an informal ride being done by relatively informal people, as such no money will be charged for entry, although it would be nice for the organizers to know that you’re going to take part so that they can plan on supplies (both edible and mechanical). Suggested donation would be $20 for DC riders, but no pressure. Give what you feel is appropriate or bring a stellar dish for the pot-luck. Food donations for the breakfast rest stop is welcome too! Yummy food is always welcome.

This is a ride for-friends-by-friends, so if nothing else you’re friends will be paying for you to ride.

For insurance reasons we cannot charge you for the ride.

Unlike most centuries, this one will be more than a little unusual in that you don’t start riding at the start of the ride. The Century Option cuts out the vast majority of the climbing (at least 8000 feet, but that’s a wild estimate), but that doesn’t mean that it’s easy.

Some could argue that this is a lame attempt to appeal to more people, but that’s okay by us.

The Century Option Riders should arrive at least 20 minutes prior to the Designated Century Option Check-in Time. Have everything ready to go so that you’re check-in can be as quick as possible. Get the route sheet if you need one, toss your bike on the SAG vehicle, drop-off your pot-luck dish, and wait by the SAG vehicle. When the driver says it is time to go, then you’re butt had better be in a seat. Remember the longer that the SAG vehicle is sitting in Chula Vista, the longer that it is away from doing it’s primary duties.

This is how it your ride should work out: The Century Option will be open to only two single bike riders and to one tandem team. This is because from the ride start you will be shuttled to the top of Teofulio Summit on County Road S-2 (approximately 7.5 miles southwest of Warner Springs) and the SAG vehicle has only so much carrying capacity (depending on interest, other arrangements might be able to be made to accommodate more people).

From this location you have two options. If you are wanting to meet up with friends who are doing the DC, you can stay with the SAG vehicle and spend some time roving the course and be dropped off with your friends. Or you can unload at Teofulio Summit and begin your ride then and there.

Be advised that if we need room in the vehicle at any point, it doesn’t matter where we are on the course, you’ll be asked to vacate your space in the SAG vehicle. We’ll check up on you later and leap frog you ahead later if necessary.

Can You Really Ferry a Tandem?
Yes! See the section below on “Other Notes” for more information.

My Partner/Friend/S.O. wants to do the century option but we only have one bike rack and I want to do the double century! Help!
Don’t Panic. Simply toss your buddy’s bike on your rack and drop it off when you check in. It will be stored securely at the ride start until the Designated Century Option Check-In Time.

When is the “Designated Century Option Check-In Time”?
Good question. This information and any late-breaking news will be

Why Offer A Century Option Like This?
Partly to try something new, partly to try to involve a few more people, partly because a stop-off in Chula Vista is scheduled for the SAG Vehicle anyways for refueling and restocking.

You’re going to be riding in the dark and you should be prepared for that. All riders should be in compliance with the California Vehicle Code and the best way to do this is to read up on Article Six of RUSA’s Rules for Riders: http://www.rusa.org/brvreg.html

The Sam Browne belt or reflective sash is optional, but if you have one then you should wear it. Blinking rear or forward lights are not allowed as they signal trouble.

This is your personal safety and you’re primary lifeline once the sun sets. Bring both the heavy supernova light and a backup small LED light for front illumination.

Expect much more night riding than you would ordinarily encounter on a double century.

Support is going to be minimal, but it will be there to fill in the gaps when you need it. You’re primary mode of support is going to be the SAG vehicle. If you need it to stop, tap your helmet with your hand. There will be two each of the following support sites: bag drops and water caches. There will be one official rest stop (for breakfast). They will appear in this order:

Time Guidelines have been setup based on RUSA guidelines. Keep in mind that for this ride that these are just suggestions for progress and that you’ll potentially be coming in near the closing time for the checkpoints due to the fact that most of the climbing is in the first 107 miles. Don’t worry, you’ll make it up on the back half of the ride.

A SAG vehicle will be on the course most of the time that you’re out riding. Although they’ll have some extra equipment, it’ll be very limited. And although the SAG will have some bike tools handy, if you want them to have any particular tool on-hand, then you had better give it to them to have at the ready (in your drop bag which should be marked as having special tools). Likewise, the SAG vehicle won’t have things like extra spokes, so if you want them to be on hand, then you need to bring them.

If you are you already know the answer, if you are in doubt then read on.

Doing a double century isn’t easy. Doing this double century will assuredly not be easy. Remember that you should be prepared for potential winter-weather despite the fact that early November is usually still an excellent time for cycling in San Diego County. It will be very cold once the sun goes down in the mountains. Plan accordingly.

The general rule that some Randonneurs follow is to train at a distance which is 66% of what it is that you wish to accomplish. This is not necessarily easy as that would mean training rides of 120 miles. Instead, you should be comfortable doing a standard 70-80 mile club ride with a decent amount of climbing two days in a row. If you can do this and you’re butt doesn’t require a transplant then you may be a candidate. Did you feel good at the end of the second day, good enough that you could get back on the bike and do it all again? If you finish an club ride and feel good, then you’re probably ready to try it and surprise yourself with what you can do.

Riding a double century is never easy, even for people who have done it before. There is always a chance that something will go wrong biologically or mechanically that will force you to abandon the ride. If so, don’t worry, it is just more incentive to come back next year so that you can then proceed to add a notch to your belt. You don’t need to finish the ride with a super time, you just need to finish the ride.

* Map of Chula Vista with Hotels highlighted.

For those riders looking for a place to lay their brains. The La Quinta Inns at the intersection of I-805 and Bonita Road (a.k.a. E Street) is fairly close to the start and is considerably safer than some of the places closer to the west side of town. If you are planning on riding to the start from this location, email Matthew for a shortcut suggestion.

Check the forcast and prepare appropriately. Expect cold in the mountains at night.
Forecast for Bonita, CA
Forecast for Barrett Junction & Potrero, CA
Forecast for Mt. Laguna, CA
Forecast for Warner Springs, CA

Great! More than anything else it will be helpful to have a second vehicle that will be available to run a rest stop, this will free up the SAG vehicle to do what it does best. We realize that this is a massive time commitment and will work with you even if you can only give us a few hours. We can’t promise you fame or glory, but you will get the “warm fuzzies” knowing that you’ve helped out your friends/loved ones do something completely insane.

Yes! We’ve got a Yakima Sidewinder tandem mount on the SAG vehicle! So if you and your partner want to give this beast of a ride a shot on your tandem, then by all means go for it. The Century Option cuts out a large portion of the climbing and deposits you at the top of a mountain pass with 12 miles of generally downhill rollers to help you warm up before the first major climb.

Rain won’t stop us, but forest fires might. Even in November, San Diego is at high risk of forest fires. If the ride route looks threatened during the week leading up to the ride, then every effort will be made to re-route the ride. In the event of a repeat of the massive firestorms of 2003, then the ride will be cancelled and riders will be notified via telephone and email.

Rumors about a post-ride puppet show are wildly inaccurate and completely false.