Knoxville Double Metric Century

Bill Bushnell — Saturday, September 29, 2001

I was planning to ride with Ron Bobb who didn’t start this ride as he had managed to snag admission to Interbike in Las Vegas this weekend. For a variety of reasons (forecast heat, didn’t want to mess with lights, wanted to save hotel/meal fees, wanted to ride in daylight, and didn’t really want to ride 200 miles alone) I decided to ride the 200k. That way I could sleep in my own bed, drive up early on Saturday morning, and start as late as reasonable so that I would still hit the early rest stops before they were closed, the later rest stops after they were open, and not arrive at the finish too early for dinner. Might as well get my 65-dollar’s worth.

After chatting briefly with Craig Robertson who was waiting to hook himself to the “express train tandem” that must have slipped quietly out of the station while I was in the restroom at the start area near the Peña Adobe along I-80 just south of Vacaville, CA, I left the start at 6:40, stopped once at the top of Wooden Valley Rd. and CA-121 to peel some clothing, and again at the first rest stop near Yountville at 8:50.

After a quick trip north through the valley where a significant event was running south on Silverado Trail—there seemed to be a SAG vehicle for each runner—the course turned up the quiet and relaxing Howell Mountain. Rd. A false summit of sorts was followed, somewhat annoyingly, by yet more climbing up White Cottage Rd. and then a burn-the-brakepads descent down the north side of Howell Mountain Road into Pope Valley.

At the Pope Valley Store, I drew more than the usual number of stares from a group of cyclists clad in matching lime green event jerseys, the wording for which I wasn’t able to read as I rode by. At Pope Valley Cross Rd. I rode with Bonnie Faigeles for a short distance and then pushed on down Pope Canyon to the lunch stop shortly after 11:00, taking care to avoid the broken glass strewn all around the parking area.

I lingered at lunch for just over a half-hour while munching on a sandwich and overhearing Rory McLeod, the event chair, advising straggling 200-milers to consider the 200k. When I talked with Bonnie earlier she hadn’t been sure if she wanted to ride the 200-mile option or not, but at the rest stop she decided to press northward on Knoxville Rd. Some others intending to ride 200 miles had decided to cut their plans short. While the temperature was still a comfortable 85F, we were promised that it would become increasingly hot further up Knoxville Rd. as the road left the slight cooling influence of Lake Berryessa. I turned south on the 200k route as I had planned to do.

The next 16 miles saw an undulating road, with most downhills just fast enough to build up a head of steam to roll over the following uphill without having to shift to the small ring. I had been warned of boat trailer traffic, but most of what I saw was heading north on the road. Only one motorhome passed me going my direction. Perhaps as many motorcycles as automobiles were on the road that day. The only significant climb was the brief push up to the Turtle Rock Store and the junction with CA-128.

The Old Lakeside Store rest stop (#5) had been open only a short while when I arrived shortly before 13:00. I lingered there for another half-hour or so chatting with Mike Aberg and others. The temperature was now 91F.

CA-128 east from rest stop #5 descends briefly then climbs gratuitously over a spur north-south ridge that terminates in the southern end of Lake Berryessa. The descent on the east side of this ridge saw my fastest speed of the day, though, having ridden the road only once before several years ago in this direction, I did use the brakes on a few of the corners.

I arrived at rest stop #6 behind the store at the corner of CA-128 and Pleasants Valley Rd. at 14:20, just as the staff were setting up. I chatted again with the staff and a few other cyclists but didn’t take as much time here as at the previous two stops. The temperature was now 96F.

Pleasants Valley Rd. is, well, pleasant, or would have been had the temperature been a bit cooler. Having not ridden too much this summer in heat over 90F, I was starting to become uncomfortable with the heat even while I was popping Enduralyte capsules twice per hour. I was starting to feel quite pleased with myself for riding only 200k today. Yet, when I came upon the left turn onto Cantelowe Rd. I decided to throw myself one last challenge.

I almost regretted taking this option about 3/4 of the way to the top, but fortunately, the road entered some shade. The eastern downhill was not as spectacular as I had expected, and the road had been torn up and patched, poorly—a new sewer project, perhaps. We had been warned in the ride information sheet.

After one more short climb and a few miles of mostly flat riding, I found myself back at the start by 15:40 where it was 94F. I washed my head, cleaned my face, ate one more energy bar since dinner hadn’t yet arrived, and took a nap for just over an hour before wandering back to the gazebo at the picnic area for dinner.

I was surprised by the well-mannered traffic compared to what I have experienced in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Overall it was a good ride with excellent support. I doff my helmet to those who rode the whole 200 miles.

Ride stats:

distance: 122.5 miles

climbing: 7000 feet (estimate)

total time: 8:59

riding time: 7:09

maximum speed: 51.6 mph

average speed: 17.13 mph (while moving)

average speed: 13.64 mph (overall)

average HR: 123 bpm/68% of max (overall)

©2004, Bill Bushnell

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