I have just returned from the Knoxville Double Century. I did very well this year - total time was 15:35, down from 17 hours last year. I met my goal of getting to rest stop 6 before sunset. It was the first time that I have seen that rest stop in daylight. Stats are:

Dst: 203.68 miles
Avg: 14.8 mph
Time on the bike: 13:42
Time off of the bike: 1:53

I did not forget my Helmet this year, so I was able to start at 4:45 am. I used my NiteRider Flamethrower headlight with a Helmet mount. This is the first light I have owned that provide enough light for me to see hazards, even at descending speed. This is one bright light. On the way to the first rest stop, I had number of cyclists ride with me just because of the light. I used it for the first two hours of the ride and it still had battery life for me to use at the end of the ride.

Napa valley was not as cold this year, but it was foggy in places. As I rode along, water droplets formed on my glasses forcing me to ride without them. Things were fuzzy, but I could see.

After leaving the first rest stop (now paved!), I saw five hot air balloons floating above the vineyards as I rode toward Howell Mountain Rd. Just one problem, I turned too early onto Hwy 128 due to a bad road marking. Someone added a right turn arrow to the Knoxville straight marking, so I turned left and added bonus miles. After two miles I knew I had made a wrong turn as the road was flat.

The Howell Mountain climb was not as difficult as in years past. This is true for all of the climbing. Losing ten pounds has really made climbing easier. I should continue my weight lost for another fifteen pounds.

I rode Knoxville Road with Foster and his wife Janeene. I met Foster on the Devil Mountain Double. I really enjoyed the twenty fives of climbing we did together. They worked me so hard, I had to stop at the water stop while they continued on to the lunch stop.

None the less, I was feeling good when I reached the lunch stop. I quickly ate a small sandwich and then headed toward the next climb. At the top, I met Tom, who at an intersection and was confused which way to take. We rode together to the next rest stop. I knew I was riding well as last year I had to stop and take a break on Big Canyon Rd, and this year I was feeling good. So good in fact, that my stay at rest stop four was short - just a few minutes.

On my way to rest stop 5, I saw just five other riders, and I passed them all. Then, on my way to rest stop 6, I saw just three other riders, of which two passed me.

I saw rest stop 6 in daylight for the first time. Not much to look at, but it was nice not riding in the dark, competing for the road with the boat traffic.

I finished at 8:20 pm, and feeling quick good. No, I did not want to do more miles, but it is nice when you do not limp up the last hills and suffer the last few miles.

The Quackcyclists put on another great ride. They should feel proud.

Posted 9:18 PM by John Henry