Gallery - Heartbreak Double Century 2009

Gallery - Heartbreak Double Century 2009
05/23/09

heading out of Palmdate in the early morning

long shadows - the sun is just coming up

the road into Lake Elizabeth

into the Leona Valley we go

existentialist sign of the day

at the junction - 'the lakes'

checkpoint 1 - 30 miles

windy means hills

signs of a recent fire

view across to Gorman - I5 in the distance

first view of Quail Lake

still able to smile :)

in the bathroom at checkpoint 2 - 51 miles

now the real climbing begins

up to Mt. Pinos we go

I actually saw a bear crossing the road
(why did it do it?)

Pine Mountain itself

forgot to bring my clubs

checkpoint 3 - 72 miles

now heading across Pine Ridge

views are incredible - distant horizon

now for some powering in the flats

nothing out here at all

checkpoint 4 - 104 miles (halfway!)

cool road along the riverbed

not a drop of water in sight

the turn into Lockwood Valley

you have been warned

whoa - water,,,

...but not much of it

steadily climbing - this is what you would call a 'false flat'

Heartbreak hill - 3 miles, 7%, after 120 miles. Ouch.

at the crest - made it!

checkpoint 5 - 127 miles

lots of rollers, the ups are punishing

finally out of the rollers - but still over 5,000' - powering through Lockwood Valley

the local dance hall

the big loop closed - back at Frazier Park Road

checkpoint 6 - 151 miles
this was the finish for the century

on the road again

nice descent to the aquaduct

Quail Lake again

nice views from Ridge Route - nasty climb to get up here, though...

the turn into Pine Canyon

ugh, more climbing

checkpoint 7 - 170 miles - *almost* home

the wonderful SAG crew - hot soup, filled water bottles, and big smiles

still smiling - little did I know I was about to get lost!
ended up adding 10 miles blundering about in the dark, but I made it