AdventureCORPS Presents the October 27, 2012
Death Valley Century, Ultra Century & Double Century - Fall Edition

Image near the Nevada state line beyond Scotty's Castle courtesy of George Vargas: Click it to see it larger.

The final AdventureCORPS event of 2012, held October 27, provided a fantastic day of cycling in perfect weather. 272 riders began the event: 114 of 123 century riders finished; 23 of 26 ultra century riders finished; and 112 of 123 double century riders finished.

The feedback has been positive and the memories will last a lifetime. We salute everyone for lining up, and heading out, to face whatever fate had in store! Luckily for all of us, Mother Nature blessed us with an absolutely gorgeous day to enjoy "Mother Nature's Greatest Sports Arena," Death Valley National Park.

Attesting to the wide-ranging popularity of this ride, we had riders from no less than 19 American States, plus the UK: AR, AZ, CA, CO, IA, ID, MA, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OR, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, and WY.

We hope our Fall Death Valley riders will join us for another AdventureCORPS event in 2013, such as CORPScamp Death Valley on February 25-28, Spring Death Valley Century, Ultra Century, and Double Century on March 2, Velo & Vino Julian Cycling Camp on April 15-19, Mount Laguna Bicycle Classic on April 20, Montezulomar Bicycle Classic on May 11, and the Fall Death Valley Century, Ultra Century, and Double Century on October 26, not to mention Furnace Creek 508 on October 5-7. (Info via the links on the left of this page.)

Note that, starting with this event, new Park Service guidelines now limit the field size to 300 riders for our Spring and Fall rides in Death Valley, not up to 400 as in the past two years, so be sure to be ready to sign up immediately for the 2013 Spring and Fall editions when we open registration for them. They will sell out even more quickly with the reduced field size.

Image of Furnace Creek start/finish line courtesy of Stacey Tinianov: Click it to see it larger.

Thanks to the wonderful volunteers who made it all happen! (Let us know if we missed anyone!)

Friday CORPSyoga Class: Laurie Kostman

Friday Prep and/or Check-In: Karen and Steve "Giant Water Bug" Gray, Jeff "Brown Bear" Bell, Scott and Jordan Palka, Mike “Angelfish” Angelos, Patrick "Lionfish" Seely, Kim Martinez, Nichole Morgan, and Jorge da Silva; Lee Mitchell and Bobbi Fisher, David and Victoria Mitchell; Wayne Kostman, Dieter Wagner, Laurie Kostman and Chris Kostman

Start Line: Karen and Steve "Giant Water Bug" Gray, Jeff "Brown Bear" Bell, Scott and Jordan Palka, and Catherine Gallagher

Side of the Road: Eva Rivera, Naomi Duermann, Joe Leon, Brandi Pyle, Bborie Park, Corinna Martinez, plus Mike “Angelfish” Angelos

Water Stop at Mile Marker 24: Steve "Desert Duck" Teal, Nichole Morgan, and Jorge da Silva

Scotty’s Castle: Wayne Kostman, Dieter Wagner, Rosalie Kneebone, Barb Atkinson, Brion Clarkson, Kim Martinez, and Corinna Martinez

Stovepipe Wells: Scott "Loon" Dakus and Andy Dakus, with Ning Antons and Victoria Mitchell

Nevada: Scott "Loon" Dakus and Andy Dakus

Ubehebe Crater: Patrick "Lionfish" Seely

Hell’s Gate: Karen and Steve "Giant Water Bug" Gray

Finish Line: Laurie Kostman, Joe "Gargoyle" Garza, Jeff "Brown Bear" Bell, Ning Antons, and Victoria Mitchell.

Roving SAG: Mike "Angelfish" Angelos; Lee Mitchell and Bobbi Fisher; Mike Connolly; Patrick "Lionfish" Seely

Subway Special Delivery: Joe "Gargoyle" Garza

Special thanks are also extended to the wonderful people at the Furnace Creek Inn and Ranch Resort, the Subway of Pahrump, Liberty Ambulance of Ridgecrest, the National Park Service, and Cal Trans in Bishop.

Below are links to the 500+ photos we have online here from this event, as well as rider blog reports. Enjoy!

	Show 1: Friday Yoga and Saturday Start Line Photos by Chris Kostman and Wayne Kostman
	Show 2: Cyclists en route to Scotty's Castle, Part 1 of 3
	Show 3: Cyclists en route to Scotty's Castle, Part 2 of 3
	Show 4: Cyclists en route to Scotty's Castle, Part 3 of 3
	Show 5: Scotty's Castle, plus Nevada, Ubehebe Crater, & final finishers at Furnace Creek
	Extensive Blog Report by George "Red-Eyed Vireo" Vargas: "I was inspired by the determination of each of these riders. We sometimes forget about the riders that are still “out there” 16-18 hours on a double century. Being on the bike that long is REALLY painful and can be disheartening. I have been there before. I can tell you first-hand that when you spend that much time in the saddle and are exposed to the elements for that long it truly tests not only your physical strength but your mental fortitude."
	Extensive Blog Report by Bryan Flamig: "I have to say, due to the circumstances, both good and bad, that this was my most memorable bike ride ever. I will always remember riding down from Scotty’s Castle and then west to Ubehebe Crater, and then down the Grapevine. The sublime and awesome beauty of this valley at those moments will always be with me."
	Adobo Velo's Images

Awesome, Unsolicited, Totally Appreciated Feedback!

Thank you for a wonderful DVD (or, in my case, ultra century). My first but certainly not my last. You really are setting the bar for how cycling events should be produced. - Ellen Kirk

We enjoyed our second consecutive fall century in Death Valley! What a great event! The weather was ideal and the aid stations were well-equipped. Thank you to all who made this event possible. See you next year! - Rosemary Callopy and Kris Hirata

Since you weren't at the finish line (I assume you remained at Scotty's Castle), I wasn't able to thank you in person for putting on such a great event. This was my first double century ride and I had an incredible experience. Your event was well thought out and very well run. Not sure if I have a 508 in my legs yet, but perhaps someday. - Mark McCann

Just wanted tell what an incredible experience last Saturday ride was. The route thru all these beautiful DV landmarks was epic and the night riding under the moonlight was thrilling and eery at the same time! I can also only highly praise all the staff and volunteers who helped us throughout at the aid stations, no way it would have been so enjoyable without their help and great attitude! I am counting the days till the sign up for the Spring event opens up so I can get a taste of the South route. Thanks again to you and your team - Guillaume Reynet

it was a great event - well organized, great food and drink at checkpoints and extremely friendly volunteers. thank you! - Jeff Rankin

Ride Report by century rider Catherine Gallagher:

Yet another adventure began in Death Valley. People have different impressions of the desert, especially this particular piece of desert. Nearly every time I say I am going there for a sports event, I have to qualify with a "but it's not HOT this time of year..." and wait for that special look that tells me my sanity is being evaluated and deemed slightly lacking.

In fact, it is not hot this time of year. Dry, yes; it seems just walking around one feels the air pulling moisture from one's very core. Riding, running, the dehydration sets in quickly. But not hot. Some weekends I've camped only to enjoy that special feeling of sitting up in the cold air, finding bike clothes in the dark, reluctantly throwing down the sleeping bag therefore releasing the only warmth in the near vicinity just to struggle into an icy pair of bike shorts and the !!gasp!! frigid heart rate monitor.

Of course, that discomfort is at least momentarily forgotten when one emerges from the tent to see the most spectacular display of stars imaginable. Familiar constellations are almost lost amongst the noise of tiny twinkles never seen inside of civilization's lighted towns.

Yes, Death Valley is a special place, and the rides there are great. There is not a single streetlight throughout the century, the roads are well paved, and the challenge is ample but not overwhelming. For those that know the area, this ride takes you from Furnace Creek to Scotty's Castle, with a 4200' gain, about 1200' of which are in a 4-mile stretch before the turnaround spot.

This year, the temperature was beautifully moderate, and my running/riding mentor set out a challenge for me; to ride the century in less than 6 hours (riding time). When we saw the map and found the full course is 108 miles, he spotted me an additional 1/2 hour. "Impossible," I thought to myself. My last century just a week before took over 7 hours. But, never say never. Especially to this friend who personally dragged me through my first sub-two hour 1/2 marathon a few years back. 6 months later, I could do it on my own with a moderate consistency. So... perhaps...

We set out in a paceline of 3; two strong friends (mentor Scott, super rider Tineke) and me, with firm instructions that I was not to take the lead. Later in the ride, I was granted slight 2-minute moments in the front. Even with this pampering, the ride was not easy for me. "Stand on your pedals and climb," my friend said. "Here's how you do it...." "I know HOW to do it," I countered, "I just hurt too much to actually make it happen..." Since we climb from mile 30 to 54, I was pretty sure the game was over as we rolled into the turn-around in about 4 hours riding time. I think they were too. But, with a nice SAG-supplied Subway sandwich in our tummies, we set out to finish the (mostly downhill) last 54. Tineke dropped; she had not signed up for a high-speed century. That left Scott pulling 99% of the time, with me taking occasional tiny spells in front just to feel I was doing something constructive. Our speed stayed pretty high throughout. The last climb at mile 105, I sent my friend on to the finish. I couldn't hang on any longer. A short while later, I rolled into the finish and fiddled with my watch to see the total ride time. 6 hours 40 minutes. 16.1 average pace. Not QUITE the goal, and definitely done sitting on a strong rider's wheel for the whole time, but still, a major PR for me. Maybe, like the 1/2 mary's, I will be able to accomplish this pace on my own in the not-too-distant future.

Ride on...
Catherine