May 8, 2010 8:00 AM. 4 attended.
B+47(or 72) Double-Dare Diablo
Encina Grande Shopping Center (map)
47 (or 70+) miles
7300 feet
'B+' rated ride, adcanced intermediate
NOT SWEPT - we will regroup up at the top and the two "Y"s
8:00am meetup time in Walnut Creek at the Shopping Center
WEATHER LOOKS TERRIBLE FOR SUNDAY AND ALMOST EVERYONE HAS DROPPED OUT FOR VARIOUS REASONS. APOLOGIES IF YOU CAN'T MAKE IT SATURDAY.
After the single ascent of Diablo on "PI" day (3/14), it was obvious that the group was not sufficiently challenged. Not to lightly dismiss a challenge myself, I lay down the gauntlet for ye fellow riders. The Double-Dare Diablo - that's twice up (and down). But, there are some nice twists to this affair. First, we start again with the approach from the North and go to the summit. We then head down to the 1/2 point - the Ranger's Station. But, rather than keep going down we turn and climb again back to the top (this way we get a nice descent and then only have to face 1/2 the climb - for now). Now the next kicker - we descend the entire mountain but to the South into Blackhawk. From there, we only have 1/2 the mountain left to climb!! So, we climb back to the ranger's station and head back down the North side again. Again, we only had to climb 1/2 the pull in one shot. And there you go, you did the beast twice! Make no mistake about it, this ride will thrash you. If you are not sure, there are tons of options to just do parts of it. Since the entire route is a series of out-backs, you could do 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 of this route easily and still meet the others as we go up and down.
But who wants to stop there? To spice it up a bit, I encourage you to take the train from Sac (like we did on PI day) and get your legs warmed up on the 12 mile, mostly flat run-in to the official meetup point. If you do that, you will also get the bonus 12 miles on the way back to the train and that will give you a cool 70+ and put you at around 8,000' of climbing. To make this work, we will have to take the train that leaves Sac at 5:40, arriving Martinez at 6:40 which leaves us an hour 20 to get to the meetup. Late sleepers need not apply.
If you complete this ride, you are nearly certified ready for the Death Ride. Or perhaps just certified 
Want in? Sign on and enjoy the pain, er, fun! As a special incentive, for each rider who completes the entire ride (en-route whining permitted) I will give you a custom designed "finisher's" gift (I have yet to design this but it will be a great keep-sake).
As usual, you must be self-supporting (tubes, food, etc.). The route has plenty of water but no food save for the start and end.
A Meal follows the ride. There's a shopping center where we start/finish.
Bad weather cancels.
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Scott Taggart
Oh, I forgot to mention I will not have the boys with me on this one so I will give it my best to stay with you studs and studettes. Darn, a big excuse is now unavailable!
Posted March 16, 2010 at 9:52 PM -
Scott Taggart
Paul, it's great to have you "on board" and thanks for being the roving storage locker.
Posted March 17, 2010 at 8:25 AM -
Scott Taggart
Wow, are we gonna have fun or what!!!!
Timo, welcome. Don't be sure you will be last - my 13 yr. old is coming along too. He did fine on the single climb up Diablo but going for 2 is another wad of wax.
Posted April 14, 2010 at 11:56 AM -
Timo
No way I can get my 14 year old to go. Good job Dad! Stamina is what I do have going for me. That and a triple with a 28-12.
Posted April 14, 2010 at 12:24 PM -
Scott Taggart
LOL!! They (my 11-year old too) have been riding for years. We are signed up for the Davis Double but he WILL suffer. I am not sure he will make it but the Wildflower century will tell me more! It should be at least good entertainment. The Diablo Double is a very good course to change your mind on since there are so many options to turn around and "give" up...
Posted April 14, 2010 at 12:42 PM -
Timo
Not real good at the "give" up thing.
My son and I have been riding together for years. Last ride we took last September he was taken out by a suicide squirrel and buckle fractured his wrist.
He did tell me that he wanted to ride again, but as of now is yet to take action.
Posted April 14, 2010 at 12:48 PM -
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Scott Taggart
Straw Poll follows: This ride is scheduled for Mother's Day (as astutely pointed out by Eric):
The poll is this:
how many are OK with it is now that you know it is on mother's day?
How many could still ride it on Saturday if I moved it?
How many of you don't care and will not respond anyway?
I will NOT move it unless we get a significant push to.
Posted April 26, 2010 at 9:52 AM -
Paul
I'm definitely expected at the family BBQ that day so I'm all for moving it to saturday.
Posted April 26, 2010 at 10:03 AM -
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Scott Taggart
Alex, OK, you are fine with Sunday - does Saturday work for you as well?
Posted April 26, 2010 at 2:54 PM -
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A former member
I can go Saturday, and no offense taken if the ride stays on Sunday.
Posted April 27, 2010 at 7:42 AM -
Scott Taggart
The response to the "Saturday vs. Sunday" question was luke-warm. The people who responded all said either "Either day is fine" or Saturday is better. The problem is I have not heard from everyone so for now I am sticking with Sunday.
Posted April 28, 2010 at 12:11 PM -
Scott Taggart
Hi All,
Well, we have lost quite a few riders due to my poor planning of putting this ride on Mother's Day. Do we need a Diablo Triple in the future as a makaup ride?
My plan is to park a few blocks away from the AmTrak station (to save $12 parking fee), ride my bike to station to get there about 5:15. I will be buying my ticket that day.
To get your finisher's gift, you will have to meet me after the ride at my car or make other arrangements.
See you there! Scott 916-716-0028
Posted May 4, 2010 at 9:41 AM -
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Alex Chiu
I would like to see a Diablo Triple, preferably next weekend or the weekend after. After that I have the Sierra/Auburn centuries. After the Auburn century works too. Will be great to see how prepared I am for the Death Ride.
Posted May 4, 2010 at 3:57 PM -
Timo
You are an animal Alex! Well, if you don't wait for me you should be able to do three in the time I do two.
Posted May 4, 2010 at 4:01 PM -
Alex Chiu
Haha, I'm not doing three in this ride. I am gradually working my way to three repeats :)
Posted May 4, 2010 at 4:05 PM -
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A former member
Triple? I haven't completed a single! Have fun on the double ;0)
Posted May 5, 2010 at 7:18 PM -
Alex Chiu
Scott, I'll be meeting you at the train station at 5:15. I'll be half awake, but I'll be there! :P
Posted May 6, 2010 at 8:38 AM -
Timo
Just saw forecast for Rain... Depending on severity, I may pull out. I am going to be miserable going up all that hill as it is, don't want to double the double misery... Im thinking train station at 5:25 to buy ticket.
Posted May 6, 2010 at 11:34 AM -
Timo
accuweather is saying no rain but cool 55-60... wind sustained out of the west 17 gusting to 31... I know I will be going slow enough not to be effected.
Posted May 6, 2010 at 11:49 AM -
Scott Taggart
I just saw the weather forecast - probably going to change to Saturday - apologies in advance to anyone who can't make it...
Posted May 6, 2010 at 1:54 PM -
Alex Chiu
:( If you do another 2x or 3x Diablo Ride Scott, please let me know. Will be great training/benchmark to see if I'm ready for the Death Ride on my standard double :)
Posted May 6, 2010 at 3:03 PM -
Scott Taggart
and the weather Saturday is going to be challenging to - very windy... This should be one heck of a ride!!
Posted May 6, 2010 at 6:50 PM -
Dale
Are we all riding on the train, or will there be someone driving to provide a "storage locker"?
Posted May 7, 2010 at 6:26 PM -
Paul
Dale, I'll be driving down in order to act as the "storage locker" guy this time, so go ahead and bring whatever you want with you and you can toss it in my car. I've emptied it so that there's plenty of room.
Posted May 7, 2010 at 8:25 PM -
Scott Taggart
Thanks Paul for stepping up and driving. It is greatly appreciated!! See you at the shopping center when we get there!! We will be on Amtrak time!! Let's plan on bagels and chocolate/coffee ON ME at the shopping center before we ride up the "hill"
Posted May 7, 2010 at 10:33 PM
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Scott TaggartEvent HostGroup Supporter, Assistant OrganizerGuys, I had a great time. Weather and company were perfect. Timo, I hope you made it home safely. You missed out on the free pizza.
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TimoGROUP SPONSORWell I only made it up once and back to the train (made the 1:14 with 15 minutes to spare). Long grind for all of me. It was great to see the two Taggert boys leading the pack on their second climb up. Well done!
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PaulGroup Supporter, Assistant OrganizerGreat ride! Good call on the switch to Saturday, btw, and my new coffee mug rocks!
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DaleGroup SupporterScott organized the assent options well holding the decent of the backside until after we had done the summit twice from the ranger station. This was 7000 feet of climbing punctuated by 5300 feet of fast descending. The ride was a definite challenge. We had great cool weather for the climbs. I brought my warm clothes for the decent this time. The wind was blowing a bit, but it seemed to be a tail wind most of the time. Scott's super kits, Austin & Logan, did excellently. Didn’t ride the train this time, and I missed those extra 24 miles.
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