Butterfield Double Century

First a little history behind the ride as far as I know it. The ride originally was called Tour of the Canyons, and was put on by the Orange County Wheelmen. One of my early Doubles was Godzilla meets the Tour of the Canyon or as those who rode it might call it "The Tour of the Stoplights". The following year, it was called Godzilla meets Palomar Mountain and they had a great design with Godzilla breathing fire holding up a skewered Palomar observatory and a cyclist escaping away from the scene with the slogan, 'Things are going to heat up'. This was the last year the OCW put on a double as it was taken over by Hugh Murphy's Production. It was then called Rainbow Double and came through Fallbrook. Then the following years, the Butterfield Double emerged, taking riders to Warner Springs. Because I had done this route many times before, I decided this year I would volunteer. I then found out he had changed the route. I was given credit for the ride as I rode his 300 km Brevet, but I needed to do the ride, so two weeks prior to the official ride, I did it. But I did not have the route, though I had a rough idea of how it went. So on the Butterfield Double, I manned the lunch stop. I found out that Dan Crain was injured, and he was helping out on the ride. He had told me he was going to do all fourteen Doubles this year. So on the Central Coast Double, I met up with Dan and told him if he wanted to get credit for the ride, we could do a make up. So we planned to do it on Memorial Weekend. I will make any excuse to ride my bike.

So on May 27, we met at the official start at the Two Wheel Dealers bicycle shop in Brea, and began our adventure at 5:40.

It was cool, but it was expected to be warm, so I did not wear a windbreaker and I smeared myself in sunsceen. Early in the morning the traffic was very light considering we were in Orange County leaving a big shopping mall. We met a commuter and chatted. Then we caught up to other cyclist on their way to Santiago Canyon, a popular cyclist's spot. A gentle climb past the Freeway and away from the city and signal lights.

We then entered Modjeska Canyon, a pleasant oak lined lane leading to a bird sanctuary. Once to the end, we returned back out. Dan asked me if I ever been up Modjeska Grade and I said "No", so we detoured and climbed a rather steep road. There was a great view from the highest house in Orange County. It was scarey coming down the steep incline.

Back on Santiago Canyon, we turn on to Live Oak Canyon, a nice climb and then a fun down hill through the oaks. Another short switchback and we were back in civilization and those damn stop lights.

A long stretch of downhill to Ortega Hwy and then toward the coast. It was now my turn to take Dan off the coarse as we went up on top of the bluffs overlooking the road we were to be on. Then down to PCH, up through San Clemente, and our first stop at Carl's Jr. Dan got a burger as I chatted to some kids who were from San Diego trying to make it to Montana with no money. At first, I had not intended to, but I gave each of the five kids a dollar. Perhaps I was taken, but at least I felt good at the time. I met some of my bicycle club members and had a quick chat.

The coastal cruise was nice with no traffic, only bicyclists. This is probably the most used bicycle path around, with the ocean to the west and a few slight hills, it takes you through Camp Pendleton to Oceanside. For those riders planning on doing the Amtrak Century, this is the where it goes. Now in San Diego County, I was on home turf. Catching the fast San Luis Rey River bike path, we had a flat highway to Bonsall. It was now starting to warm up as we ventured inland.

Now the real climbing begins. Just prior to the Circle R ascent, we stopped at the Country Club to refill our water. I ran through the sprinklers to cool off as Dan found a bottled water dispenser for the golfers. We got our fill, and up the hill we went. It is not a long or hard climb, but it is fully exposed to the sun which made it feel worst than it was. I know all the roads in the area as I have ridden them many times, so I had an unfair advantage knowing when the road turns up and how far to the big downhill.

Fallbrook area is made up of rolling hills of avocado groves. It is a great place to ride as there is light traffic and lots of bicycle friendly roads to go up and down on. Some professionals come out for the winter to use the roads for training. The Guacamole Grande bicycle ride is a big event here in the spring, and Fallbrook is the home of the long distance legend Pete Penseyres. Feeling very much at home,

I led Dan around the coarse to the lunch stop where I had bicyclist's favorites to munch on. I mainly sucked down fluids and salt. We may have done the hardest section, but we are yet to do the hottest. We enjoyed a longer than normal lunch, satisfied that our tanks were full, we continued. Only 80 more miles to go.

Another gradual uphill, and a bumpy drop into Temecula. We were happy to have a tailwind, but I told Dan that this is just false hope as the closer we get to Lake Elsinore, the wind will turn around as it always does. Fortunately, it was not as strong as on the Hemet Double, and it was more of a cross wind. Even without the wind, I was showing signs of heat exhaustion. We made many reststops so I could cool my engine before it blows up. Where water was available, I would douse myself, feel good for a while til I was dry and hot. Dan kept spraying me with ice water from his Polar waterbottles. We rolled at a snail pace though this stretch is practically flat. As long as we get through the Santa Ana Canyon bike path in the light, for it is notorious for causing problems.

Back in Orange County, we again encounter the evil traffic lights. Now it was getting dark and I was regaining my strength. The problem now was as we had expected to have finished this ride already, Dan did not bring lights, though he had an attached taillight. I always carry a light, but I was not sure how much battery I had. With the increased traffic, we needed to be seen. So with Dan as the rear, I stingily used my light at intersections and high traffic areas. Even though I felt good, we had to stay close together and be cautious.

With the last few miles with a tailwind and a downhill, it was a very nice ending to a long day. We celebrated our triumphant return at Wendy's, which I downed two Biggies drink. After our meal, we parted "See you next Saturday at Tour of Two Forest". And so goes another Saturday for a Double rider.