EPIC TRAINING SYSTEMS
Endure, Excel, Achieve
2009 San Diego 400km Brevet
We help athletes
achieve their goals
to win, race, or be
fit, and to discover
for themselves our
passion for cycling.
achieve their goals
to win, race, or be
fit, and to discover
for themselves our
passion for cycling.
INTRODUCTION Brandy and I pre-rode the San Diego 400km Brevet. The event was 240 miles with 13,500 feet of climbing. A lot of the climbing was doable but the steeper grades really hurt us on the tandem. Our total time was 23 hours 52 mins. By contrast, I did a slight variant of this course solo last year at 20 hours. This is really an EPIC route. The San Diego mountains and high desert remoteness really test your physical strength and mental resolve. Historically speaking, the 400km is my toughest event. I think it is because I want to do the event straight through without any significant stops. I have always tried to do this event without a full meal stop and without resting at any control. That strategy has worked, albeit painfully, with one exception. In 2004, my second year of Ultras, I DNF'd a 400km and that has stayed with me. It is the only brevet I have ever DNF'd in my seven years of doing Ultras. The 400km would be Brandy's longest ride ever and our longest ride on the tandem. We had successfully completed the 200km and 300km Brevets with little to no training. Our intention was to pace ourselves and stop and eat solid foods and rest as needed. We had 27 hours to complete the event. THE RIDE Our day began early, REALLY early. We were up at 1:30am. We left at 2:40am from Huntington Beach to the start in Carlsbad. Mile 0- Start Control--We rolled at 4:30am. My goal was to do the most remote portion of the route in daylight hence the very early start time. The first loop was 14 miles in Rancho Santa Fe connecting back to the coast on Lomas Santa Fe and then north on the Pacific Coast Hwy. There was a SECRET CONTROL to ensure that the 14 mile loop was complied with. Once in Oceanside we stopped for a double espresso at Starbucks on Grand Ave and PCH in Carlsbad about 24 miles into the ride and then continued on heading East on the San Luis Rey bike path. At mile 46- we began the climb up Olive Hill Rd. The word "hill" in its name should have given me the first clue. I couldn't remember ever being on this road. It was a good little warm up for what came next. At mile 54- De Luz Rd is one of my favorite roads in San Diego. It begins with a good 1.5 miles of 8-10% grade. You continue climbing on De Luz Murrieta Rd and Rancho California Rd before descending into Temecula. Lots of good climbing. I had been concerned about the water crossings (very slippery) on De Luz Murrieta Rd but they were fine. We walked the bike across just in case. |
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