Tour of the Unknown Coast Scrapbook

2012 Tour of the Unknown Coast

2011-05-24T15:59:00.000-07:00

There will be no 200 miler this year.

2012 registration is now available here.

1977 Tour of the Unknown Coast

2011-05-24T15:58:00.000-07:00

Start Location: Jonny's Cookhouse, Fortuna
Number of riders: 17
Tour Organizer: Northcoast Wheelmen, Ron Barager

Fastest Time: 6:50

Here is a great article from The Union, Arcata, CA, Thursday, April 14, 1977-Page 9

Here is a text version that I typed up which is easier to read:

1978 Tour of the Unknown Coast

2011-05-24T15:57:00.000-07:00

The number of riders grew to over 150.

If you have any information for this year let me know.

1979 Tour of the Unknown Coast

2011-05-24T15:53:00.000-07:00

Fastest rider was Sid Noyes, 5:42, with a new course record.

If you have any additional information from this year let me know.

2011 Tour of the Unknown Coast

2011-01-30T19:53:00.000-08:00

Saturday May 7th, 2011
Director: Vic Armijo
Number of Riders: 918

If you notice this post has changed this week because Blogger experienced technical difficulties which deleted my most recent version. I had to recreate the post.

Here are the results from this year. The tour has posted the official results with some corrections. I'm not sure what happended after 9th because I wasn't at the finish line. I don't think Brian Dowd was a 100 mile rider. I do know that Michael Davies-Hughes would be the next rider after the one they show as disqualified. You can pick Michael out in the sequence of photos that Jason Barnes and Jay Fox took. If you know any different let me know. I've also just shown the first two women because I would have to speculate on additional riders.

Remember that this is a tour and not a race where you would expect more accurate results. My recommendations for next year is to stop at the finish line and announce you are a 100 mile finisher. When we finished there were a lot of riders from other distances finishing at the same time. We appreciate all the volunteer support that makes the tour a success every year.

1. Teri Kolder, 6:16, Haiku, Hawaii
2. Laura McNulty, 6:34

1. Brian Ecker, 5:13:36, Bellingham, WA
2. Anthony Ferretti, 5:19:56
3. Matt DeShazo, 5:20:39
4. Courtney Wood
5. Rob Van Kirk, 5:22
6. Jim Robbins, 5:22
7. Greg Willard
8. Chris Carroll 5:30:17
9. Kevin Johnson, 5:34:59

Lots of great pictures this year from Jay Fox posted at Noble Sports and from Jason Barnes Photography . This year Jason took pictures all around the route from his motorcycle.

The pain begins on the Panther Gap climb. You can see the pain in my face (4th rider). Rob Van Kirk set a real steady but hard pace up the climb. Matt Dashazo spinned along all day and appeared to be the strongest in our group. Brian Ecker pulled away on Avenue of the Giants with Todd Flackus and eventhough we could see him at times, he was just too strong to catch. Photo courtesty of Jason Barnes Photograpy.

Here Brian Ecker climbs the wall several minutes ahead of the chasers. Photo courtesty of Jason Barnes Photography.

Times Standard article May 8, 2011
Click on it for a larger view:

Tri-City Weekly Article - May 3, 2001

Click above for a larger view or click the link below for the online article:

Race gets rolling Ferndale welcomes Tour of the Unknown Coast - Times-Standard Online

Tour Flyer:

Here is the GPS data from my ride. You can see that our average speed was pretty fast to the base of Panther Gap. It took us about 4 hours to get to the base of the wall. Click on "View Details" to see all the data.

2010 Tour of the Unknown Coast

2010-05-05T15:31:00.000-07:00

Date: May 8, 2010
Tour Director: Vic Armijo

Congratulations to Carl Hesselein for being the first finisher (5:21) this year and a local rider! Teri Kolder was the first ladies finisher in 6:29.

There are some great pictures here at noble sports

Another local, Matt Schiff, placed second. Here is how he described the day:
"From the avenue of the giants to the end of the day Carl was at the front, taking pulls with a tempo just a little faster than the rest of us. We found ourselves at the endless hills, not actually racing, but still tapping out a tempo maybe even talking a little. Carl showed an almost apathy towards pulling away. When he realized he had a 100 foot gap on me, he actually slowed down and waited! I had no problem showing my cards and told him I'd be descending like a demon. Aside from being nauseous, cold, and a little lonely on those treeless hills, scaring myself as I ride down into Ferndale is part of the ritual. Carl's ambivalence ended when we received word that Fig was making a massive attack (out of nowhere?) and would be joining us soon. So yeah, hats off to Carl for not only finishing first, but doing it with class. "

Matt is heading off with some friends on a huge tour. Check out their site: BIKE49

Fig gets the iron will award. He flatted badly near the dump and worked his way back for third. According to the support car he was big-ringing the top section of the endless hills and just flying! I know from personal experience that he never gives up. He's 51 and getting faster and fitter every year.

Here is a Times-Standard article published May 8, 2010, by Ray Aspuria:

Here is a Times-Standard article published May 9, 2010:

Tour Poster:

DOING THE DOUBLE?

The tours website described the double century "for the sickest of the sick." Now how am I to avoid this challenge? During the fall of 2009 I heard rumors that Vic was going to bring back the double. As this blog's author I knew well of the doubles history. I couldn't imagine doing the double, but could I? I had experience in longer randonneuring events and had a couple of doubles under my belt. I also had challenged the 100 for the past three years and scrapped together a couple of top 5 finishes. I felt I was pounding my head against the wall with the century. Every year an outside pro would come along a blast all the locals on Panther Gap and I would blow up on the endless hills. Everyone I asked about the double thought it was a crazy idea so I didn't really tell anyone I was going to do it. In fact a week before the event I signed up for the century. But, while surfing the web I came across a great quote. "Never regret the things you tried, but the things you wished you tried."

I had trained hard all winter and felt I was in the best shape of my life. So Saturday, May 8th, I lined up with 4 other brave souls. My Giant OCR was fitted with aero bars and a giant cassette for ultimate comfort and anti bonk prevention. I had my jersey pockets stuffed with food and I was ready to go. I had no idea we would have a support car. David Bradley had his mini van stuffed full of food and water. I decided to keep my stash of personal food since I had trained with it for the past couple of months.

We headed out in the dark. I took the lead and set the pace I would keep the rest of the day. My trusty Garmin Edge kept my heart rate in check and I cruised through the Ferndale bottoms chatting with another rider. We soon hit the first of the three sisters and I maintained my personal pace. At the top of the climb I notice I was ahead of everyone and decided I would have to solo the ride. My randonneuring experience had taught me to ride at my own pace, keep stops short, and be self sufficient.

I could write forever, but there really isn't much more to say. I had one of the best days on my bike ever! My goal was a time of 13:30. I completed the first lap in 6:15 and the second took me a full hour longer. The second lap was slowed with a stop at Dyerville for real food. Thanks to my wife for the awesome chicken and rice burrito. I flatted just past Albee Creek campground and played with my wheel too long trying to get the Stan's sealant to fix the hole in my tubeless tire. I never bonked, but I did have a few euphoric miles between Honeydew and A.W.Way on the second lap. A long stop at A.W.Way and some real food fixed me up. I decided to not stop at the bottom of the wall but blasted the last 20 miles as if I hadn't ridden 180. To my surprise a small group was waiting for me at the finish. The whole Adventure's Edge Crew cheered me on as I finished! I would like to thank Jennifer and Chris at Adventure's Edge for sponsoring me. I would also like to thank my family for supporting my endless hours of training.

I have the utmost respect for Kevin Hodge(12:04:52), David Berstein (12:16:05), and David Andersen (12:26:58) who all road a full hour faster than me back in 1995.

Tour of the Unknown Coast Patches

2010-05-04T15:00:00.000-07:00

A tour tradition is a patch for every finisher. I'm missing pre-1980 patches (if they even existed). In 2004 a sticker was given out instead of a patch. If you have any of the missing patches I would love to borrow them to complete this post.

1980 Above

1981 Above

1982 Above

Thanks to David Andersen for many of the patches shown above, including the 1995 double, which he completed in 12:26:58! Thanks to Brian Claasen for '81, '82, '83,'84, '85, '87, '88, and '90. Thanks to Patrick Deenihan for '80 and for correctly identifying '81 and '82, which I had previously reversed. Thanks to John Dostal for '86 and '88 and thanks to Frank Onstine for '91!

2009 Tour of the Unknown Coast

2009-03-22T18:30:00.000-07:00

Date: Saturday May 9, 2009

Number of Riders: 1,078

Tour Director: Vic Armijo

Results have been posted on the official tour website with the names of the top 100 riders. The top rider was Alex Newport-Berra from Ashland, Oregon. He completed the ride in 5:11:19. He wrote a great summary of his ride and which I posted below. Teri Kolder was the first female finisher in 6:54:18.

Times-Standard article "Bike it" by Jose Quezada, May 10, 2009. Click on the photo for a larger view.

Times-Standard article "Enjoying the Ride" by Jose Quezada, May 11, 2009. Click on the photo for a larger view.

Times-Standard article "The Grippers...friends for life" by Kathy Dillion, May 15, 2009. Click on the photo for a larger view.

Alex Newport-Berra's Ride Report:

This last weekend my friend Matt and I drove down to Humboldt California for "The Tour of the Unknown Coast". One hundred miles, around 10,000 feet of climbing, and billed as "California's toughest century ride". (Note that there are rides/races longer and/or tougher than this in California; double-centuries etc. and of course stages in the Tour of Cailfornia).

The words "ride" and "race" start and finish with "r" and "e", just a couple of letters in the middle different, sometimes those two letters make a huge difference, other times not so much. Last Saturday I did my first "race" in a couple years. There wasn't really much separating this from a real race: numbers, a mass start, neutral rolling support (awesome!), it was timed, a King of the Mountains competition on the first climb to get the fire lit, prize booty for the winner. Not to mention the fact that Humboldt Locals refer to the ride as "The Tour", and a couple of the local shops represent with their full racing squad of 10-12 riders.

The event has drawn famous names like Lance Armstrong and Tinker Juarez. The Director, Vic Armijo has put the race on since 2004 and the man knows how to do a superb job. Vic has combined his passion for riding and organizing with the green hilled coastal beauty of Northern California to produce one of the most inspiring, challenging, and exciting rides I have done; and many others at the ride agreed, most I talked to had done the ride at least a few times previous (Ashland bike shop owner of Cycle Sport, Alex Hayes, was on his lucky 13th edition). I know it takes something special to get me out of bed at 4:30 a.m. and travel to a 7 a.m. start time...

I'm writing this report the day after the ride, in hopes you will read the most direct account. Before it becomes a fish story, you know, the climbs get longer and steeper, the winds get stronger, the descents get crazier, yadda yadda yadda.

The ride starts and ends in the coastal town of Ferndale, Ca. Pre-race getting going with food, driving, getting my number, deciding exactly how much clothes to put on, wishing I could get my "morning movement" on its way through before we hit the road, check bike, then get to the start line and look as cool as possible with hairy legs as to assert some sort of presence without bringing too much attention to myself (yes, in most cases bike racing is generally narcissistic, masochistic, and fashion forward.)

I saw a few friends from the OBRA racing scene who I had not seen in a while and it was nice to have some familiar rear ends to watch during the first part of the race. The group rolled out, a big number of u, not sure yet exactly how many, perhaps around 100. The first thirty miles were pretty flat, taking us east at a good clip through the low coastal delta and through the scenic "Avenue of the Giants" that winds its way through massive redwoods, perhaps the true long endurance organisms. We all chatted, ate food, started to shed layers and get the legs warmed up. A few of us getting a feel for the rest of the pack. After some of the first little rollers the group was a bit smaller as riders started to fall behind the pace.

Through some sections on the tree lined Avenue of the Giants the road was rough and chunky, adding a bit of a Paris-Roubaix meets Smoky the Bear feel to the ride. The sounds of bikes, bodies, bones, bottles, and brains rattling for the next few miles. Though it did serve to loosen everyone up for the traditional "nature break" where we all quickly dismount for a pee. This is a fact of riding the bike for more than five hours at a time: you learn to eat, drink, pee, and change clothes while on the bike. My release required a bit more than most, my morning movement was on its normal schedule. I quickly dashed into the woods, knowing that the group was only stopping for mere seconds then would be back on the road at race pace, and travelling in the draft of the group saves energy. You have to do what you have to do, and I knew what I had to do would be worth it. A few minutes and a couple of rocky "toilet paper" uses later I was back on the road, a bit lighter though now and a few minutes behind the main group, I would have to work on my own to get back up to the group.

I made contact with the group at the base of the first major climb, Panther Gap, an eight mile smooth switchback slice of climbing ecstasy. The first rider over the top of the climb would be crowned "King of the Mountains", regardless of their final finishing place (a sort of race within the race). Besides a sweaty tiara the winner would receive a set of new tires, some socks, and a free entry into next year's edition. Think of it as an economic stimulus check for spending lactic acid.

Up climb the group started to separate based on determining factors of: number of miles ridden uphill that year, ability to detach muscle synapses from brain receptors, and power to weight ratio i.e. who has eaten the least amount of ice cream.

On the way up I was grateful for Devony, the smiling happy woman in the neutral support car who patiently took my jacket, gloves, arm warmers, the sun was makng a grand and beautiful appearance today. The weather was perfect for riding bikes, Vic must have some good connections with the gods!

About three miles in I was off the front of the group and making way to claim first to the summit of the climb. At one moment taking my focus from my labored breathing to get an amazing view of the hills below shrouded in early morning fog, blue sky above, my legs, body and mind were all happy to be together and wanted nothing else, interesting that it sometimes takes a certain level of challenge and pain to get to this.

At the top of the climb a couple volunteers handed me up some energy gel, which when riding one thinks of simply as "calories" which are good, needed, fuel. I was on my way down. I had opened up a gap somewhere aroun two or three minutes, which left me in a moment of decision:

A) Slow down and wait for a couple people to bridge up and join me so we can work together along the windy flat sections, using a paceline and drafting to lighten the workload or...

B) Power on alone and hope I make my breakaway stick for the next 60 miles to the finish, knowing that the group behind may be working well together and if they caught up to me have some fresh riders ready to make an attack.

I thought, then decided to ask my Grandpas, I figured if anyone could see how the race was unfolding it was them on their wings flying above. This may sound cliche and sentimental, I find inspiration drawn from my blood to be powerful and wise. And they have been with me on all my rides, training and past races so they know me pretty well.

And the image they put in my mind, and the look on their faces when I asked, were big smiles and they simply said, "Go! Why would you do anything else. Just go!" and so I did. The looks on their faces were calm and confident.

Descending like a bumble bee in a windstorm trying to rush back to the hive, twisting on steep, fast, bumpy road. Adrenalin my pollen, sweat and smile my honey. I was happy to be making this descent solo so I could choose my own line and not worry about others in front of me. Although I did more overcooking than a teenager behind the broiler at McDonalds. (overcooking is a cycling term referring to coming into a corner with too much speed, narrowly avoiding launching off the road)

I finished the descent, crossed a steel trussed single lane bridge, saw a white arrow markig in the road and started to plow my lonely furrow west toward the Unknown coast through the smooth rolling hills. After a few miles I was not quite sure I had taken the correct path, I didn't see any more road markings, signs, etc. for a while. I told myself that "No, Vic is not going to spend two weeks marking every mile of road just to reassure my under-oxygenated brain". I was reassured when the road started to parallel a beautiful river and I noticed my direction was going with the current, down stream, towards the ocean, westward ho!

One thing I know, it's easier to be in pain when I am surrounded by beauty, and for some reason, and perhaps this is the masochistic and narcissistic side, it's easier for me to feel beauty when I am in pain. Such was the case for the next miles as the rolling roads along the Matol River, through the small town of Petrolia with the locals out waving.

The next miles were alone. Along the river, over the river, above the river, green, blue and cool. I told myself I need to come back here in sometime and just explore. Beautiful country.

After some miles I looked back to see a lone rider approaching, he was around a minute behind me though I knew it would be another six or seven miles before he finally made contact. Again, more choices:

A) I ease my pace a bit knowing that if he had some energy he would catch up and we could work together, and be confident in my climbing to know that once we hit the wall I could attack and solo in to the finish

B) Though if he was on the edge and used all his energy trying to bridge up and had no energy me slowing down would be for naught and I would have lost some of my lead over the main group.

I saw the Beach! The eight mile stretch of beautiufl hell, strong north headwinds attempting to mush me backwards, I had to be persistent. A mile later the lone rider, Nelson, connected and we made our way north along the coast. Wind whipping our faces, as we ground our gears and teeth. Trading pulls and resting in each other's draft. Nelson was making some strong pulls and I was happy he bridged up. The next seven miles the wind was relentless, the road a bit rough, and it all mkes you just a tad crazy, which is good, because the absurdity of it makes it all feel easier too. The neutral support car made a check-in and gave us some calories and fluid, yeah!

The last stretch we could see the Wall looming ahead, a long steep pitch. Check the link below for pictures. I could write tomes about the rest of the ride, but I'll make it simple: We hit the bottom of the climb, Nelson and I separated and I opened a gap that I would hold until the finish. Steep, hot, sweaty, lots of pain, smiling, newspaper man named Jose out taking pictures leap-frogging me in his truck setting up at picturesque switchbacks. The last section called "Endless Hills" really were endless, though very bucolic and pretty, reminding me of roads through the hilly country side of Swtizerland with narrow roads and amazing views.

The last bone-jarring miles into Ferndale were fun and fast. I finished with a time near five hours and ten minutes. I enjoyed taking in the warmth and congratulations of people at the finish line.

The amount of time it took you to read this was shorter than the amount of time I spent grinding my way up the infamous "Wall" near the end of the ride, a 20% grade beast rising up then switchbacking from the Lost Coast Highway like a cobra preparing to strike...

2008 Tour of the Unknown Coast

2008-03-20T06:06:00.000-07:00

THE WALL, 2008 (Photo by Charles Minton)

Date: Saturday, May 10, 2008
Number of Riders: 1, 015
Tour Director: Vic Armijo

Top Finishers

1. Mike Taylor, 5:16:47
2. Henry Kramer, 5:25:18
3. Dave Figueiredo, 5:29:23
4. Jim Robbins, 5:31:06
5. Mark Cato, 5:33:19
6. Stephen Maluk, 5:34:35
7. Matt Schiff, 5:34:48
8. Ken House, 5:35:28
9. Carl Hesselein, 5:35:50
10. Lance Niles, 5:36:42

1. Pam Jennings, 6:05:41 (New Record)
2. Cindy Carroll, 6:09:06
3. Molly Schmelzle, 6:19:43
4. Sage Tauber, 6:20:11
5. Teri Kolder, 6:44:09
6. Beth Abels, 6:48:32
7. Diane Ostenso, 7:17:03
8. Janet Martinez, 7:35:48
9. Jade Wilcoxson, 7:57:45
10. Nicole Slaton, 8:07:00

The 2008 tour was one of the best to date with a great turnout and ideal weather. There was a total of 1,015 participants and 513 100-mile riders. Tour Director Vic Armijo told me that the 100-mile turnout was one the best in recent years, especially considering the rising cost of gas prices. The weather was clear and sunny with temperatures in the upper 50's to lower 60's. The most important variable was moderate winds along the beach that I would guess averaged around 15 MPH. All these factors would seem to add up to fast times, but the first 40 miles of the 100-mile ride were slow by usual standards. Once the lead group arrived at the base of Panther Gap the pace increased substantially and the large group broke up into several smaller groups. Mike Taylor took off at the bottom of the climb, similar to what Tinker Juarez did in 2007. Henry Kramer set a fast and consistent pace in the lead group behind Mike but we never saw him again. There was a strong group of women riders this year led by local Pam Jennings who set a new women's course record of 6:05.

Mike Taylor (Left) powers up the Wall. Henry Kramer (Right) leads the following group up the Wall. Click on the picture for a larger view. (Christina Russ Photography)

Wildflowers (Left) were abundant in this years tour. Pam Jennings (Right) climbs the Wall. (Christina Russ Photography)

2008 Tour Photos Available from Christina Russ Photography:

www.christinarussphotography.com

Check out the YouTube video produced by Justin Graves of Gravity Pirates:

http://www.youtube.com/user/gravitypirates

Click on the poster for a larger view:

Eureka Reporter article, "Grueling local race set for today," by John Magers, May 10, 2008. Click on the article for a larger view.

Times Standard article "Coast tour," by Jose Quezada, May 11, 2008. Click on the picture for a larger view.

Times Standard article "On the road again," by Heather Shelton, May 15, 2008. Click on the picture for a larger view.

Times Standard article "Like father, like son," by Heather Shelton, May 19, 2008. Click on the picture for a larger view.

Times Standard article "On the road, again," by Joe Davey, May 20, 2008. Click on the picture for a larger view.

Tour History Prior to 1995

2008-02-11T11:04:00.000-08:00

The North Coast Journal did a cover story in April, 1995, which covers the early history of the Tour of the Unknown Coast. Thanks to editor Hank Sims for permission to post the article here. The article was written by Timothy Martin. Click on the pictures below for the article,which are posted top to bottom. You can also link to a text version of the article, which may be easier to read on the journal's website at
http://www.northcoastjournal.com/APR95/COVER.HTM

Thanks to David Andersen for the original North Coast Journal article.

Youngest Finisher?

2008-02-02T19:27:00.000-08:00

For many years the tour kept track of the oldest and youngest finishers, but not every year.

I had recently heard that 12-years old was the record for the youngest rider. Published articles show that Alfie Roberts (12) set the record in 1981 (Times-Standard, May 18, 1981, page 11), followed by Ian Kramer (9) in 1982 (Times-Standard, May 19, 1982, Page 12).

Is age 9 the record or was this a typo in the paper? Has anyone tied or broken this record in recent years? If you know please contact me or add a comment in this blog post below.

On a separate note, Andy Shaffer broke 6-hours at age 15 (5:53) and in 1983 was second to Jim Allen in 5:29 at age 16. Now those are impressive times for a teenager!

UPDATE: Yes, Ian Kramer is the youngest finisher at age 9. For more information see the comments below.

DISCLAIMER: I published this information for curiosities sake. This is a record I would rather not see broken.

2007 Tour of the Unknown Coast

2008-02-01T14:03:00.001-08:00

Chris Johnson and Carl Hesselein climb the wall (Shaun Walker, Times-Standard)

Date: Saturday, May 12, 2007
Start Location: Ferndale
Number of Riders: 980
Tour Director: Vic Armijo

This year lacked rainfall but had stiff breezes along the beach. This could have been the year that a local won (oops I mean finished fastest). However, Tinker Juarez http://www.tinkerjuarez.com/ was a celebrity rider. I witnessed him big ring the bottom of Panther Gap and drop everyone in the process, never to look back. For Tinker's recollection of the ride check out his blog article. http://tinkerjuarez.blogspot.com/2007/05/tour-of-unknown-coast.html

Top Finishers

1. Tinker Juarez, 5:26:36
2. Dave Figueiredo, 5:29:09
3. Matt Bowman, 5:31:11
4. Humberto Faria, 5:32:05
5. James Robbins, 5:32:50
6. Tom Phillips, 5:32:51
7. Tim Windbigler, 5:35:08
8. Chris Johnson, 5:36:49
9. Carl Hesselein, 5:37:01
10. Ken House, 5:37:25

Tinker big-ringing Panther Gap
(Christina Russ Photography)

1. Jennifer Johnson, 6:28:00
2. Sage Tauber, 6:32:40
3. Beth Abels, 6:34:20
4. Pamela Jennings, 6:42:42
5. Jacquie Phelan, 7:49:04

Jennifer Johnson enjoying the endless hill? (Christina Russ Photography)

Complete 100-mile results: http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=dgds8pgh_4c57dz4fs&hl=en

Eureka Reporter article "Not so unknown coast" by Brian Demain, May 10, 2007. Click on the link below for the article.

http://eurekareporter.com/node/87392

Here is the best story I have ever read about a rider's first tour, written by a real author with a super photographic eye. It has one of the best pictures of the WALL I have ever seen. Thanks Jack for letting me post this! Click on the link below for the story.

http://ramblingjackslaboratory.blogspot.com/2007/05/tour-of-unknown-coast-ride-report-51207.html

Eureka Reporter article "Angel on his shoulder" by Brian Demain, May 13, 2007, page c8. Click on the article for a larger view.

Times-Standard article "Tour of the Unknown Coast" by Shaun Walker, May 13, 2007. Click on the article for a larger view.

Thanks to Christina Russ Photography for two of the above photos. She has hundreds of high quality photos from the 2007 tour and can be reached at christinarussphotography@suddenlink.net

1980 Tour of the Unknown Coast

2008-01-31T15:06:00.000-08:00

Date: Sunday, May 18, 1980
Start Location: Fireman's Park, Rio Dell
Number of Riders: 164
Director: Tom Burger

Top Finishers

1. Phil Hornig, 5:30 (course record)
2. Jim Allen, 5:35
3. Steve Matson, 5:36
4. Tom Allen, 5:46
5. Sid Noyes, 5:50

1. Lea Brooks, 6:15

Times-Standard article, "100-mile bike ride Sunday" May 15, 1980, page 15.

Times-Standard article, "Acatan sets Tour mark" May 30, 1980, page 15. Click on the article for a larger view.
Thanks to Sid Noyes for the 1980 flyer (Double click on the image for a larger view):

1981 Tour of the Unknown Coast

2008-01-31T14:45:00.000-08:00

Date: Sunday, May 17, 1981
Start Location: Rio Dell
Number of Riders: 222
Director: Brian Burger

Youngest rider: Alfie Roberts (12) of Eureka, 12:17
Oldest rider: Jasper Davis (63), 8:35

Top Finishers

1. Jim Allen, 5:15 (Course Record)
1. Tom Allen, 5:15 (Course Record)
3. Bill Chesney, 5:46
4. Vincent Smith, 5:49
5. Randal Duprey, 5:57

1. Kathy Pierce, 8:12

Times-Standard article, "Bike tour on tap" May 14, 1981, page 14. Click on the article for a larger view.

Times-Standard article, "Allen brothers win Unknown Coast race" bu Neil Gilchrist, May 18, 1981, page 11. Click on the article for a larger view.

2006 Tour of the Unknown Coast

2008-01-31T08:22:00.000-08:00

Date: Saturday, May 13, 2006
Start Location: Humboldt County Fairgrounds, Ferndale
Number of Riders: 1,100 plus
Tour Director: Vic Armijo

Top Finishers
1. Reny Townsend, Ashland, OR, 5:20
2. Chris Kinney, Santa Rosa
3. Steve Maluk, Ashland, OR
4. John "Fuzzy" Mylne, Arcata
5. Humberto Faria, McKinleyville
6. Tim Windbigler, Maple Creek
7. JJ Katri, Eureka
8. Tom Phillips, Arcata
9. Carl Hesselein, Arcata

Eureka Reporter article, "28th Annual tour of the unknown coast kicks off" by Brian Demain, May 12, 2006. Click on the link for the article.
http://eurekareporter.com/node/74550

Times-Standard article, “California’s Tour de force” by Ann Johnson-Stromberg, Sunday May 14, 2006, pages A1 and A8. Click on the article for a larger view.

Continued on page A8.

2005 Tour of the Unknown Coast

2008-01-31T08:05:00.000-08:00

Date: Saturday, May 7, 2005
Start Location: Humboldt County Fairgrounds
Number of Riders: 1,100 plus
Tour Director: Vic Armijo

Top Finishers
1. Tom Phillips, Arcata 5:21

1. Beth Abels, Arcata 7:07

"Its not too late to enter the Tour of the Unknown Coast" Eureka Reporter, by Team Bigfoot, May 5, 2005. Click on the link for the article from the Eureka Reporter.

http://eurekareporter.com/node/64187

"Tour de coast" Eureka Reporter, May 7, 2005. The very brief article is shown below.
http://eurekareporter.com/node/64242

"Tour de coast"
Saturday marked the 27th year of the Tour of the Unknown Coast. The tour is the North Coast’s premier road race, considered by some cyclists to be Humboldt County’s version of the Tour de France.
There are several races for riders of all abilities, ranging from the 10-mile farm tour to the century, which is one of the toughest 100-mile routes in the country.
Tour director Vic Armijo uses the race to promote cycling in the area and raise funds for local nonprofits.

Times-Standard article, “Spokes and chains” photo Michael Hughes, with race results, May 8th, 2005, page A1. Click on the article for a larger view.

2004 Tour of the Unknown Coast

2008-01-31T07:48:00.000-08:00

Date: Saturday, May 8, 2004
Tour Director: Vic Armijo

Top Finishers
1. David Varoujean, North Bend, OR, 5:14
2. JJ Katri, Eureka

Times-Standard article, “Tour of the Unknown Coast still taking entries” by Meghan Vogel, May 7, 2004, page A3. Click on the article for a larger view.

Times-Standard article, "Touring the unknown” photo and caption Shaun Walker, May 9, 2004. Click on the article for a larger view.

1983 Tour of the Unknown Coast

2008-01-30T19:21:00.000-08:00

Date: May 15, 1983
Start Location: Rio Dell

Top Finishers:

1. Jim Allen, 5:02
2. Tom Allen, 5:10
3. Colin Brant, 5:34
4. Robert Stewart, 5:47
5. Vincent Smith, 5:49
6. Fletcher Parsons, 5:49
7. Dick Gustafson, 5:53
8. Andy Shaffer, 5:53
9. Todd C. Davis, 5:59
10. Rich Phelps, 6:15

1. Gayle Bilslaud, 6:22
2. Lois Zebroski, 7:07

Times-Standard article, “Jim Allen races to win Unknown Coast 100” May 18, 1983, Page 14.

1982 Tour of the Unknown Coast

2008-01-30T19:14:00.000-08:00

Date: May 16, 1982
Start Location: Rio Dell
Number of Riders: 350
Director: Tom Burger

Top Finishers

1. Jim Allen, 5:08 (course record)
2. John Stein, 5:36
3. Fletcher Parson, 5:42

1. Lea Brooks, 6:11

Oldest finisher: Jasper Davis (64)
Youngest finisher: Ian Kramer (9)

Times-Standard article, “Brothers win Tour” May 19, 1982, Page 12.

2003 Tour of the Unknown Coast

2008-01-30T18:26:00.002-08:00

Top Finishers

1. Dan Hopley, 5:09
2. Humberto Faria, 5:13

2002 Tour of the Unknown Coast

2008-01-30T18:26:00.001-08:00

INFORMATION NEEDED

2001 Tour of the Unknown Coast

2008-01-30T18:25:00.000-08:00

Top Finishers
1. Mike Pigg, 4:55
2. Wes Thornton, 5:05
3. Brian Finnery, 5:10
4. David Anderson, 5:15
5. Bob Beede, 5:25
6. Larry Kluck, 5:27

2000 Tour of the Unknown Coast

2008-01-30T18:24:00.000-08:00

Date: Saturday, May 13, 2000
Director: Bill Croft

Top Finishers
1. Mike Pigg, 5:05 (Approximate)
2. Bob Beede, 5:30 (Approximate)

Thanks to Bob Beede for the top finisher times, which were not published. If you have any additional information on 2000, please contact me or leave a comment to this post.

1999 Tour of the Unknown Coast

2008-01-30T18:17:00.000-08:00

Date: Saturday, May 8, 1999
Start Location: Humboldt County Fairgrounds, Ferndale

Top Finishers
1. Dan Hopley, Rohnert Park, 5:20:46
2. John Bergenske, Arcata, 5:29:33
3. Wes Thornton, Eureka, 5:33:06
4. David Anderson, Eureka, 5:42

Times-Standard article, “Hopley passes grueling test; tops 100-miler” subtitle “Bergenske, Thornton chase him in Tour of the Unknown Coast” by Que Schafer, May 9, 1999, Page B1 and B3. Click on the article for a larger view.

Continued on B3.

1998 Tour of the Unknown Coast

2008-01-30T18:07:00.000-08:00

Date: Saturday, May 9, 1998
(This was the first year that the ride was changed to the Saturday before Mother's Day)
Start Location: Humboldt County Fairgrounds, Ferndale
Number of Riders: 1,700

Top Finishers
1. David Andersen, Eureka, 5:30
2. West Thornton, 5:34

1. Kristian Morley, 6:42
2. Sonja Manor, 6:46

Times-Standard article, "100-mile test batters riders in yearly tour” subtitle “Eureka cyclist top finisher in tough event” by Que Schafer, May 10, 1998, page B1 and B2. Click on the article for a larger view.

Continued on page B3.

1997 Tour of the Unknown Coast

2008-01-30T17:56:00.000-08:00

Date: Sunday, May 11th, 1997
(This was the last year it was held on Mother's Day)
Start location: Humboldt County Fairgrounds, Ferndale
Number of riders: 1,650

Top Finishers
1. Jim Allen (46), Eureka, 4:57
2. Bob Beede (44), Arcata, 5:04
3. Mike Pigg
4. Andy Schaefer

1. Linda Roush (42), 6:16

Times-Standard article, “Allen, Roush shine at TUC” subtitle “Riders don’t get winded on ride” by Mike Branom, May 12, 1997, Pages C1 and C3.

Continued on Page C3.

1996 Tour of the Unknown Coast

2008-01-30T17:50:00.000-08:00

Date: Sunday, May 12, 1996
Start Location: Humboldt County Fairgrounds, Ferndale
Number of riders: 1,950
Director: Tom Ross, 1st-year tour director

Top Finisher
1. Damon Kluck (18), Eureka, 5:20:20

Times-Standard article, “Kluck 1st in 100-mile ride” subtitle “Perfect day for annual Tour event” by Steve Trosky, may 13, 1996, page A7.

1995 Tour of the Unknown Coast

2008-01-30T17:38:00.000-08:00

Date: Sunday, May 14, 1995
Start Location: Humboldt County Fairgrounds, Ferndale
Number of Starters: 2,500 plus
Tour Director: Larry Tubbs

Top Finishers
1. Mike Pigg, 4:58:32
2. Jim Allen, 5:03:11
3. Damon Kluck, 5:04:59
4. Gary McNerney, 5:11:44
5. Brian Fennerty, 5:14:46
6. Bob Beede, 5:18:54
7. Brad Taylor, 5:25:54
8. Andrew Shaffer, 5:34:27
9. Larry Trager, 5:37:18
10. Vince Smith, 5:55:20

1. Lisa Claasen Meinze, 6:24:34
2. Linda Roush, 6:35:47

200 Mile Finishers
1. Kevin Hodge, 12:04:52
2. David Berstein, 12:16:05
3. David Andersen, 12:26:58
4. Lawrence Kluck, 13:20:26
5. Dick Koenig, 14:45:28
6. Christopher Lavertu, 15:34:51

Times-Standard article, “Deadline nears for TUC ride”, by Dave Gallagher, May 11, 1995, Page B3. Click on the article for a larger view.

Times-Standard article, “Pigg’s finest in 100” Michael Hughes photo, May 15, 1995, page B1. Click on the article for the larger view.

Times-Standard article, "Results- Cycling Tour of the Unknown Coast," May 22, 1995, Page A8. Click on the article for a larger view.

North Coast Journal Cover Story, April 1995, by Tim Martin. Click on the link below for the article from the journal. An unformatted text version of the article is listed below.

http://www.northcoastjournal.com/APR95/COVER.HTM

APRIL 1995 - COVER STORY
California's Toughest century
by Tim Martin

It is 6 on a cold, drizzly morning - which is to say a typical spring day - in the town of McKinleyville. A lone cyclist glides down the high-way, leaning over the handlebars, headed for Eureka. The 17-mile ride will be a small part of this man's daily training. He will also swim, ride 20 miles at lunch and cycle home in the evening. On weekends, he will ride another 100 miles.

Larry Tubbs, 55, is a cyclist to the bone. He's been making this daily bicycle commute five days a week for 13 years. Only the drum-banging (Still going! ... ) bunny in the battery commercials can rival Tubbs in persistence.

"When I first met Larry he didn't even own a car," said his wife, Linda.

At 6 feet, 205 pounds, Tubbs is cycling's equivalent of Orson Welles - expansive. He is known by admirers to be punctual, genial and incredibly sincere. In fact, his sincerity is such that before he finishes speaking, businessmen - a close-fisted lot by nature - are applauding and passing around the cap.

Others call Tubbs a curmudgeon, an intolerant my-way-or-no-way promoter with all the finesse of an Army tank. One fellow cyclist called him a "schmoozer" who can shift gears faster than a well-oiled deraileur.

Although Tubbs is a study in contrasts, his rough charisma and galloping hubris lay at the center of everything that's happening in local cycling. And the Tour of the Unknown Coast, scheduled for next month, is at the center of that sport.

The Tour is a ride built by Larry Tubbs. Actually, it is a series of family rides, 10, 20, and 50 miles in length (see sidebar). But the Tour is best known for its century, a 100-mile ride with a combination of challenging climbs, stiff headwinds, corkscrew descents and treacherous turns. It has been described as "California's Toughest Century."

How tough is the Tour?

"When Olympic cyclist Lance Armstrong rode the TUC, he came into the bike shop and bought a 24-tooth rear sprocket," said Dave Parker, co-owner of Arcata's LifeCycle.

"The pros usually never go to anything more than a 21-tooth."

Why do they do it? Some ride for the raw, undiluted pleasure of the activity. Others ride it to test themselves and their limits. Still others feel that the 100-mile ride brings out a primal feeling.

"The first tour was in 1967," Tubbs said. "It was ridden by a group of local cyclists headed by Ron Barager, a mechanic for Mad River Bike Shop (now Adventure's Edge). Ron was the founding father of the Tour. He had ridden in Europe and was looking for a comparable course in the United States."

From 1967 to '77 the Tour became an annual event for Barager. It was a perfect route - no traffic, good hill training, and it brought you back into Ferndale.

Lynn Smith of Arcata recalls her first Tour.

"I rode it in '76," Smith said. "It sounded fun, so I did it as a lark. There were no officials, and no start time. We left Fortuna early in the morning and made it back nine and one-half hours later.

"The fog came in part way through the ride and I couldn't see the road 10 feet ahead. That's why it took so long. I was tired after the ride, but it felt good."

"Not many people are aware that the TUC started as a fund raiser," Tubbs said.

St. Bernard Elementary School raised funds for its Parent Teacher Organization from 1977 and continued for the next 10 years.

"Since then, Tour money has been donated to organizations including the Special Olympics, Safe and Sober Graduation, the Red Cross, the Petrolia Fire Department, Humboldt Community Access and Resource Center," Tubbs said.

According to TUC records, there were as few as 150 participants in the '78 Tour. Eight years later the number had climbed to 430. By '87 the Tour attracted more than 700 riders. That year, St. Bernard's pulled out.
"St. Bernard's gave up the TUC because of liability," said the Tour historian Paul Stanley. "That's when a group of cycling enthusiasts met and decided to keep it alive. I was there at that meeting. So was Larry Tubbs. If it hadn't been for his organizational efforts and personal dedication to the sport, the TUC might very well have languished that year."

Stanley, 58, is addicted in a high-spirited way to long-distance cycling.

"I used to be an alcoholic," Stanley said. "I drank wine by the gallon. I was also overweight and had a lower back problem. A Bay Area chiropractor told me `Get on a bicycle.' He said cycling was very good for the back. I borrowed a bicycle and rode up Mount Tam."

Stanley came back with his eyes red, pupils dilated and a smile on his face, like someone who had just fallen 10,000 feet off a mountain and landed on a truck loaded with pillows. Stanley fell in love with cycling, simple as that.

As Stanley began to train, he discovered an old adage: Put your body through some hoops, and it responds. He began riding longer distances - 20, 40, 60 miles. In 1988 he decided to ride the Tour.
"When I first did it I was surprised," Stanley said. "There were lots of elevation changes, which got worse as I got into it. And the winds! Debilitating. Especially along the coast.

"Going up the Wall took everything I had. I was really suffering. After the ride I told myself, `I'm never going to do this again.'"

Fourteen consecutive TUCs later, Stanley is singing a different tune. "It's a wonderful ride," Stanley said. "If people down south knew about this, there would be even more (riders) up here.

"The scenery is beautiful. To experience it on a bike is like kissing it. To ride alongside the rivers, to feel the flow, to be among the trees. It's inspiring."

The Tour was equally inspiring to Ferndale Chamber of Commerce representative, Katherine Queen. At a meeting in Eureka, Tubbs and Queen proposed to start and finish the Tour in Ferndale. Additionally, Tubbs came up with an idea for both a race and a ride - a three-event stage race: a criterium in Eureka, a circuit race in Arcata, a time trial in Trinidad.

The TUC ride would cap off the entire affair. Tubbs was elected to direct the event. It would be called the North Coast Cooperative Classic Tour of the Unknown Coast.

"The Coors Light team came up for the race," Tubbs said. "Chico Velo (promoters of the Wildflower century) helped out. We paid them a fee to use their sanction."

The '88 Tour was a huge success. All events went smoothly, and Humboldt County cyclist Karl Moxon won the 100-miler. Impressed with the professionalism and enthusiasm that Tubbs demonstrated was the title sponsor, the Co-op.

"Larry Tubbs is superb at building drama and organizing an event," said John Corbett, Co-op general manager. "He puts on a class A race."

Spirits were high the following year. Tubbs again directed the event, and the Co-op stayed on as sponsor.

"'89 was another good year for local talent," Tubbs said. "It was the year triathlete Mike Pigg won the Tour in a record-breaking time of 4 hours, 42 minutes."

Pigg's time was impressive, Tubbs explained, because he rode the entire course alone, without the advantage of the "slingshot" drafting exchange shared by team riders.

Wind resistance is a big factor in bicycle racing. When a cyclist drafts, he positions himself behind a row of teammates to keep the air moving smoothly around him, thus conserving energy. To go the same speed as you do when riding by yourself, you use 60 percent effort. You use an additional 30 percent to 40 percent more energy when riding by yourself.

Pigg's solo effort did something else: It erased Jim Allen's long-standing course record of 4 hours, 45 minutes, an achievement many thought impossible.

Allen's commitment to personal conditioning is unmatched. When he is riding well, when the speed is up, he is almost untouchable.

At 44, Allen has spent a good portion of his life on the saddle. He has traveled across the country on his bike and won countless races (including the U.S. Cycling Federation nationals). He has completed the TUC 12 times, and has won it probably more than anyone.

"I started way too late to go professional," Allen said. "I was 30 when I started riding. Most retire at 32 or 33."
Jim's brother, Tom, 47, is an equally talented cyclist who won last year's TUC 50-mile ride in 2 hours, 24 minutes.

In preparation for the Tour, Jim rides 300 to 350 miles a week. "I used to ride 400 miles a week," Allen said. "It (cycling) takes a lot of time. Over the years you develop a base. You get smarter. Otherwise, it wears you out."

Worn out was what Tubbs began to feel in his dual role as TUC race director and full-time insurance agent.

"By then the race had built up to 1,000 participants," Tubbs said. "It was a major undertaking to stage a three-day event, and there was no compensation. My phone was ringing off the hook.

"The Tour had become the focus of my life. And no one in the Humboldt Cycling Club assisted in taking on any of the duties."

Tubbs, himself a member of a cycling club, said he requested help in organizing the Tour. But problems were brewing. John St. Marie and several other HCC board members were not happy with the direction the Tour was headed.

"Larry started HCC," St. Marie said. "He was the first president. When Larry directed the Tour, there was participation from the club, but there was alienation, too.

"HCC's stand was that the Tour was primarily for local folks. We felt that racing or timing the event took away from the family-oriented activity. And we didn't want to spend advertising dollars outside the area.

"But Larry had bigger ideas. Then, there were elections, and Larry didn't get re-elected. That's what started the friction between Larry and the cycling club."

Club politics aside, the '90 race went as planned and was notable for attracting a number of elite riders, including Greg Spencer and the Specialized Team from Seattle. Spencer set a new (team-assisted) record of 4 hours, 34 minutes. '89 champion Sandra "Pony" Klingel of Eureka returned for another victory in a time of 6 hours, 38 minutes. Shortly thereafter, Tubbs resigned as TUC director. According to John Corbett, the timing couldn't have been worse.

"The '91 race was to be a pivotal year for the Tour," Corbett said. "We were all set to go on television. The Tour de Trump was going under, and ESPN was looking at our event. The Co-op was prepared to invest over $8,000 in the race. But the constant disputes between Tubbs and the cycling club eventually made us pull the plug."
After Tubbs resigned, St. Marie stepped in to become TUC '91 director. He said he received little help from Tubbs.

"I came in pretty naive to the job," St. Marie said. "It was a rude awakening."

Against this backdrop of turmoil came a calamity: A local cyclist, Tom Ross, was struck by a car while training for the Tour.

Ross, of Fortuna, was not exactly an exemplary athlete. He smoked, chewed tobacco and ate anything with plenty of fat on it. Then his daughter was born, and all that changed.

"I threw my chewing tobacco out the window on a deer-hunting trip," Ross said. "I decided to set a good example for my new daughter. It was time to lead a better life."

In '87, Ross entered a road race at College of the Redwoods. Soon after that he began riding longer distances.

He loved the solitude, the mental release of being on a bike. This was the "something more" he had been looking for. The following year, Ross decided to enter the Tour.

Ross was a strong competitor. He challenged every inch of the Tour. By the time he reached the 80-mile mark, he was hurting. His knees shook, and his legs filled with lactic acid. Then Ross started up the Wall and something strange happened.

At the edges of old maps, cartographers would draw sea monsters with which to warn of the unknown. In disregard to the possible danger, a sailor had no idea what fate awaited. Likewise, Ross had no idea what fate awaited him as he painfully inched his way up the Wall.

Then, in one magical moment of fatigue and serenity, he encountered a strange dislocation of ordinary time. Tom Ross stepped over his pain, and found himself suspended in a state of perfect aerobic motion.

"I went into a zone and that was all," Ross said. "I didn't remember anything after than until I reached Ferndale."

Ross finished the ride in a time of 5 hours, 17 minutes. The following year he was back to prove the time was no fluke. He completed the course in 5 hours, 24 minutes.

Here was a young man going places. He was a cyclist with a head full of dreams and almost a lifetime in which to accomplish them.

Then, in March of '91, on a training ride to Ferndale, Ross was struck from behind by a drunken driver and left paralyzed from the waist down.

He prefers not to talk about the accident.

"The accident is behind me," Ross said. "I don't want it to be the central part of my life. I'm at College of the Redwoods now, studying general education and business, getting up to where I should be.

"The support I got from other people has helped me not be bitter. A lot of it is because of people like Larry Tubbs. He's played a big part in helping me get to where I'm at today."

"After the accident, Co-op contacted Larry and asked him to come back and take part in the Tour," Stanley said. "He decided to do it, if the proceeds of the ride would go to Tom Ross and his family. Co-op agreed. So Tubbs laid aside his problems with the club and pitched in as TUC '91 promotions director."

The action proved to Stanley that even Larry Tubbs' charcoal soul has a soft chewy center.

Unfortunately not enough planning had gone into the '91 event. Even with Tubbs' involvement, TUC's unlucky 13th edition would be remembered for a paltry 981 starters.

"In '91 the Tour almost collapsed from lack of organization," recalls Corbett. "HCC had to scale it back quite a bit."

The event, which was scheduled to feature four stages, was cut back to two: a criterium in Arcata and the Tour.
Arcata's Vince Smith rode the '91 Tour. Smith, 44, has been riding the TUC for 16 years, and has a personal best of 5 hours, 38 minutes.

"Last year I did 12 centuries," Smith said. "The Tour was by far the hardest. The course is unpredictable."

For Smith, the most difficult part of the ride happens to be at the start.

"That's because everyone is going faster than they should go," Smith said. "The Tour starts like a race. You can't go at your own pace. You have the psychological aspect of staying in touch with the group. If you drop out of the pack, it's over.

"Half the riders go out over their head. Another big mistake people make is that they don't eat right away and run out of energy. It's important to start eating as soon as you leave Ferndale. And don't stop."

What happens when a rider goes out hard or doesn't eat properly? They bonk, a cyclist term for fatiguing, or hitting the wall. When a rider bonks, he is left struggling against the course like a mastodon in a tar pit.

"Riders also bonk if they haven't trained properly for an event," added Smith. "A good formula for the Tour is, six weeks before the race ride a full century. Three weeks later do a second one. And three weeks later, do the race. And don't train at an anaerobic level too much. It wears your body out."

For both the cycling club and Co-op, the '92 event would again be a trying experience. TUC '92 was besieged by organizational problems, financial difficulties - and then came a major earthquake that caused widespread damage to much of the Lost Coast area and the town of Ferndale. Because of the quake, the Tour was rescheduled to a month later.

That year the squabbling between Tubbs and the Humboldt Cycling Club continued and Tubbs did not participate. The event was eventually managed by the HCC.

"When (Tubbs) pulled out, HCC formed a tour committee because we wanted it to continue," said Carol Schillinger, a member of HCC.

Among the many cyclists happy to participate in TUC '92 was Tom Ross. He came back on a specially equipped bike to ride the 50-mile event tandem with Ross Jantz, an HCAR employee.

In an emotional and stirring moment, Ross pulled off the course just short of the official finish. He had not ridden the 50 miles for applause or adulation. Nor had he done it for sympathy. Tom Ross rode the Tour for the same reason he had always ridden it: to challenge himself.

"It was a good feeling doing it," said Ross, "but it wasn't the same. It was an aided 50 miles. It wasn't truly me."

Another cyclist eager to ride in TUC '92 was Eureka's Larry Kluke. At 46, Kluke is hardly a candidate for Geritol. A husband, father, role model, attorney and a fearsome mega-mile cyclist, Kluke has ridden in 33 organized centuries, and completed several 200-mile rides, including Death Valley.

"I never get bored," Kluke said. "It's interesting. I get into a state where I monitor my body and don't go over the edge. You run out of glycogen, and it's terribly difficult to catch back up."

Kluke will need all the glycogen he can muster when he competes later this year in the Paris-Brest-Paris race.

The event, scheduled for Aug. 21, a cycling race from Paris, France, to the coastal city of Brest and back, has become the Olympics of club tours. The 768-mile trip is held every four years.

"The Paris-Brest-Paris Race is a 100-year-old race," Kluke said. "All participants must finish in under 90 hours. Last year's race had 4,000 riders. I figure I can finish it in 60 hours, with a rest."

To ride the Paris-Brest-Paris, Kluck will need to ride four qualifiers, or brevets, of 200, 300, 400 and 600 kilometers (620 miles). For a cyclist who has ridden the TUC more times than he can recall, the brevets should pose little problem.

Like Kluke, Tubbs couldn't stay away from the Tour. While he stepped back in '92, Tubbs came back with renewed spirit the following year.

Tubbs claims he was appointed TUC '93 director by the Co-op, which owned the rights to the title of the event. The Co-op's Corbett said not exactly.

"In '93 the Northcoast Cooperative sold to the HCC any legal rights it may have to the Tour," Corbett said. "This was done because at the time the Co-op purchased the Tour, we promised the club that it would sell the race back to them if we should ever decide not to sponsor it."

Amid the confusion, Tubbs continued to promote the ride locally and nationally.

"I called Jay Leno's CBS office and asked him to introduce the ride on the air," Tubbs said. "Leno did it. He joked about the distance of the ride, and mentioned that it was a benefit event.

"TUC '93 was a big success, with almost 2,000 cyclists in attendance," added Tubbs. "The rider turnout was phenomenal."

On the down side, '93 will be remembered for its shortage of food and water services.

"It was a logistical nightmare," recalled Tubbs. On race morning, there were people lined up at the registration tables.

Cycling is the only sport - with the possible exception of bowling - where eating and drinking are an integral part of the action. The average rider, if you're riding hard - say about 20 mph - will burn approximately 11 calories a minute. If you're out for 60 minutes, that's 660 calories - a lot of food.

One unhappy rider that year was Bob Ornelas of Arcata. "At the base of Panther Gap and Endless Hill there was no water. It's not healthy to make people climb a hill with no water."

Ornelas is a member of Team Lamprey, which consists of the North Coast residents Dick Koenig, Peter Lehman, Brian Cox and Ornelas. They excel in riding the slipstream of other cyclists.

"We're not fast, but we're not slow," Ornelas explained. "We're sucktorial. If the other cyclists are faster, we hang on as long as we can. Team Lamprey grabs on and pretty much sucks the life out of the competition."

Ornelas loves the Tour, but he does not agree that it should grow bigger. "Tubbs fails to see his limits, and the problem of that many people on that little road," he said. "He should limit the race to 1,000 riders.

"To me, personally, Tubbs is no hero. But like most local riders, I'm grateful that someone has taken it on themselves to ensure the Tour's continuation."

You can fry a hamburger on Schillinger's forehead when you mention TUC '94. It was a year of even greater friction between Tubbs and the cycling club if that were possible.

"Last year, prior to the '94 Tour, HCC went to Co-op and told them we wanted to buy the Tour," Schillinger said.

"That, in effect, did happen. When Larry found out we had purchased the rights, he started another `tour'; he called it `Tour of the Lost Coast.'

"Larry was going to hold his tour on the same day, and on the same course. He sent out flyers and put advertisements in cycling newsletters. And he did it all with absolutely no warning."

A meeting was called and all parties showed up with attorneys. When the dust settled, the race was on, to be run by a steering committee. But Tubbs was still out in front banging the drum.

"In '94 we set a goal of 2,000 riders," Tubbs said. "We had 2,091. Jim Allen won the men's ride in 5 hours, 15 minutes. And Mary Pincini, of Arcata, won the women's ride in 6 hours, 6 minutes.

"The Tour is not only for hammer heads," said Tubbs' wife, Linda. "Last year a 67-year-old woman participated in the ride. It's a family ride, as well. Brian Claussen and his family ride it every year."

Claussen, a Luthern minister in Ferndale, has ridden the Tour 13 years straight. The family does it as a reunion.

"May 14th is my birthday, anniversary and Mother's Day," Claussen said. "We celebrate it all. My older brother, Steve, rode it the first year. Then all five brothers, dad and my sister-in-law joined in. My younger sister, Lisa Meinzeu has won twice in the last couple of years."

Last year Brian Claussen and nephew Joshua Hoopes, 14, set a tandem record. Their time was 6 hours, 7 seconds.

What lies ahead for next month's TUC?

Already, Tubbs and the new TUC committee are scrambling to produce a spectacle even more entertaining than ever. For '95 he has added a 200 mile ride to the Tour - a ride called "Toughest Times Two."

"This will be our first year for a sanctioned 200-mile ride," Tubbs said. "Seven people have already registered."
And there will be enough food to save an African nation, Tubbs promises.

While the Co-op has not renewed its option to sponsor the Tour, interest remains.

"I was always amazed," Corbett said. "Despite all the human foibles behind the scenes, come race day it all came together."

"This year the Tour will be celebrating its 17th anniversary," Tubbs said. "Yakima has come on board as a key sponsor. The ride is expected to expand to a maximum of 2,500 participants, the biggest field ever."

A tour of the tour
The Tour starts in Ferndale. In the chill darkness before dawn, riders unload bikes from car carriers and cruise the streets. Others make last-minute preparations. Jackets are pulled on. Helmets and gloves appear. The excitement is almost palpable.

Snap! At the signal to start, you attach your feet to the clipless pedals and accelerate out of town with the pack.

The first section of the course is relatively flat. Hands on the drops, you wind your way south along the Eel River, hammer through the Avenue of the Giants and fly past Pepperwood.

The first major climb begins at Albee Creek and continues up the 2,700-foot Panther Gap ridge. Conversation wanes, water bottles appear. The pack begins to fracture.

From Honeydew (the 50-mile point on the course) to the Mattole Valley, the silence is broken only by heavy breathing and the constant whir of thin tires against pavement. After Mattole, you wind your way down to the Lost Coast, a wide stretch of beach where breakers pound against the rugged shore, and strong winds threaten to blow you to a standstill.

Geographically, this is lowest point on the course. Psychologically, the ride gets a whole lot lower than this. Looming a few miles ahead is the Wall, a grueling 17 percent grade, a one-mile ascent that leaves even the best cyclists fumbling for their shifter and praying to the Quad God for strength. No one smiles on the Wall. No one talks, or looks up from the pavement.

There are several ways to climb the Wall: You can grab a low gear, stand on the pedals and push your gears (and body) to exhaustion. You can embark on an irresolute, crooked stitching back and forth across the road until you find the top.

Or, you can walk - one hand on the bar, one behind the saddle, body folded at the waist, head bent downward. It doesn't matter how you climb the wall. The enabling motto is: Get to the top by whatever means possible.
Once you've made it up the Wall, prepare for the next challenge: the Endless Hills. The Endless Hills, 17 miles of intense climbing, leave your lungs torched.

You'll spend a lot of time in your geriatric gears on the Endless Hills. Everyone does. Try to relax. You'll need every drop of adrenaline you've got to make it to the Wildcat. Finally you crest the last hill. Now comes the descent. Nestle into the drops and dive in.

The ride down Wildcat is an exhilarating, white-knuckled swoop; a semi-breathless, 40-mph tumble on sharp (and sometimes graveled) switchbacks that leaves your mind in a cocoon of concentration, empty of everything but fear.

Careful. Fall, and - in the colorful language of cyclespeak - you will "crayon" (leave a long, red streak on the asphalt). Stay aboard, though, and you will jam back into Ferndale, and across the finish line.

For families, too
The 1995 Tour of the Unknown Coast will be held on Sunday, May 14. The 10-Mile Farm Tour is a safe, scenic ride through the Ferndale farmlands. Excellent for one-speed bikes.

The 20-Mile Family Fun Ride follows along the Blue Slide Road and returns along the same route to Ferndale. The ride has several hills.

The 50-Mile Challenge travels down Blue Slide Road, to Highway 101 and the Avenue of the Giants, and back. The Challenge also contains several hills.

The Century (100 miles) travels south from Ferndale to the Avenue of the Giants, up Panther Gap, down into the Mattole Valley, up the Wall, and Endless Hills, down Wildcat, and back into Ferndale.

The Toughest Times Two (200 miles) follows the same course as the Century. All rides are mass-group starts: 200 mile, 5 a.m.; 100 mile, 7 a.m.; 50 mile; 8 a.m.; 20 mile, 10 a.m.; 10 mile, 11:30 a.m.

All rides start and finish at the Humboldt County Fairgrounds in Ferndale. Register by calling TUC Director Larry Tubbs at 839-8296.

Tim Martin is a part-time writer and a full-time heating and ventilation specialist at Humboldt State University.
Comments on this story? E-mail the Journal:

ncjour@northcoast.com

1994 Tour of the Unknown Coast

2008-01-30T17:27:00.000-08:00

Date: Sunday, May 8, 1994
Start Location: Humboldt County Fairgrounds, Ferndale
Number of riders: 2,000 plus
Tour Director: Larry Tubbs

Top Finishers

1. Jim Allen, Eureka, 5:17:05
2. David Andersen, Eureka, 5:19:33
3. Brad Taylor, Eureka, 5:27:42
4. David Hayes, Arcata, 5:33:27
5. Mitchell R. McCurta, Brentwood, 5:33:29
6. Bob Beede, Arcata, 5:34:03
7. Coaustin Bos, Anderson, 5:37:14
8. Kevin Hodge, Santa Rosa, 5:41:59
9. Curt Ferguson, San Mateo, 5:42:16
10. Benjamin Sligar, Eureka, 5:45:56

1. Lisa Claasen Meinze, 6:39:18

Tandem record set by Brian Claasen and Josh Hoopes, 5:59:54

Times-Standard article, “North Coast tradition” by Steve Gress, May 5, 1994, page C3. Click on the article for a larger view.

Times-Standard photo, "100 miles ahead of them" by Michael Hughes, May 9, 1994.

Times-Standard article, “Pedal Power” North Coast Snapshots, photos by Michael Hughes, May 9, 1994, page A5. Click on the article for a larger view.

Times Standard article, “Allen wins 100-mile ride” subtitle “TUC mark for tandem ride broken” May 10, 1994, page B7. Click on the article for a larger view.

1993 Tour of the Unknown Coast

2008-01-27T20:35:00.000-08:00

Date: Sunday, May 9, 1993
Start Location: Ferndale Fairgrounds
Number of Riders: 1,900
Tour Director: Larry Tubbs

The tour was revived this year and had the highest number of participants since its inception.

Top Finishers
1. Bob Beede, 5:08
2. David Andersen

Times-Standard article, "Tour 1993 has cycle events for all" by Larry Tubbs, Feb 11, 1993, Page B3. Click on the article for a larger view.

Times-Standard article, “91: A gorgeous but grueling race” by Ted Sillanpaa, March 28, 1993, page F14. Click on the article for a larger view.
Times-Standard article, "TUC events draw thousands" by Ted Sillanpaa, May 6, 1993, page C3. Click on the article for a larger view.

Times-Standard article, "TUC offers something for everyone" by Ted Sillanpaa, May 7, 1993, page C3. Click on the article for a larger view.

Times-Standard article, “Teacher claims TUC” by Steve Gress, May 10, 1993, page A5 and A7. Click on the article for a large view.

David Anderson (left, 2nd place) and Bob Beede (right, 1st place), both from Redwood Spinners Velo Peddlers, after finishing the 1993 Tour of the Unknown Coast (photo courtesy of David Anderson)

1992 Tour of the Unknown Coast

2008-01-27T20:06:00.000-08:00

Date: Sunday, June 14, 1992
Start Location: Ferndale
Director: John St. Marie

This was a transitional year. The professional stage race did not take place and the tour occurred at a later date in June because of the large earthquake that damaged Ferndale in April of 1992.

Top Finishers
1. Colin Brant (unknown time)
2. Jim Allen (unknown time)
3. David Andersen, 5:09

If you can provide additional information please provide comments to this post or contact me. Thanks to David Andersen for the above, unpublished information.

Times-Standard article, "Co-op dream dies" by Mark Willett, May 23, 1992, page C3. Click on the article for a larger view.

Times-Standard photo, June 15, 1992, page A1. Click on photo for larger view.

Here is the artwork from the 1992 t-shirt, thanks to Frank Onstine.

1991 Tour of the Unknown Coast

2008-01-27T19:36:00.000-08:00

Date: Sunday, May 12, 1991
Start Location: Portugese Hall, Ferndale
Number of riders: 1,005 (May 12th)
Director: Larry Tubbs

This year two separate rides were planned. The first was a "citizen" ride on Mother's Day and the second a stage race in August.

Top Finisher "Citizens" ride, May 12th
1. Mike Pigg, 4:53:12

Winner of the Tour of the Unknown Coast Race, August 18th
1. Karl Maxon (Saachs-Fila), 4:43

Times-Standard article, "Race has new format" by Mark Willett, page C1 and C2, March 13, 1991. Click on the article for a larger view.

Times-Standard article, “Pigg to lead citizens’ tour” by Mark Willett, May 9, 1991, C1 and C3. Click on the article for a larger view.

Kevin Hodge, training for Paris-Brest-Paris, finished 7th in 5:39 and then completed the loop again for a double century time of 12:28:34. Times-Standard article, “Twice the fun” May 14, 1991, page D1.

On Sunday, August 18, Karl Maxon, a Eureka native, won the final stage of the Co-Op Classic stage race covering the tour course in 4:43. Times-Standard article by Mark Willett, August 19, 1991, page D1 and D2. Click on the article for a larger view.

Here is the artwork from the 1991 t-shirt, thanks to Frank Onstine.

1990 Tour of the Unknown Coast

2008-01-27T13:58:00.000-08:00

Date: Sunday, May 20th, 1990
Start Location: Ferndale
Director: Larry Tubbs

The route was again part of a stage race that featured riders such as Victor Dewees, Lance Armstrong, and Karl Maxon.

Top Finishers
1. Victor Dewees, Specialized Bike Gallery, 4:33:24 (Course Record)

Karl Maxon (Shaklee), Eureka native, finished 6th in 4:38:39. Lance Armstrong (Subaru Montgomery) finished 12th in 4:44:36. Jim Allen (Humboldt Cycling Club/Co-Op) finished 17th in 4:46:39 (Times-Standard, May 21, 1990, page 10).

Times-Standard article, “Tour of the Unknown Coast now one of regions legendary events” by Paul Stanley, May 13, 1990, page 10. Click on the article for a larger view.

Stage 1 Time Trial

Times-Standard article, "Maxon tears up time trial" by Mark Willett, May 18, 1990, page 21. Click on the article for a larger view.

Stage 2 Circuit Race
Times-Standard article, "Maxon retains cushion after 2 stages" by Mark Willett, May 19, 1990, page 17. Click on the article for a larger view.

Stage 3 Criterium
Times Standard article, "Caldwell grabs TUC lead" by Mark Willett, May 20, 1990, page 14 and 16. Click on the article for a larger view.

Stage 4 Tour of the Unknown Coast Road Race

Times-Standard article, “Dewees eases to TUC win” subtitle “Cyclist sets 100-mile record” by Mark Willett, May 21, 1990, page 9 and 10 including results on page 10. Click on the articles below for a larger view.

Here is the artwork from the 1990 t-shirt, thanks to Frank Onstine.

1989 Tour of the Unknown Coast

2008-01-27T10:32:00.000-08:00

Date: Sunday, May 21, 1989
(1 week after Mother’s Day) during the Co-Op Classic stage race.
Start Location: Ferndale
Director: Larry Tubbs

Top Finishers
Cat 1/2
1. Mike Pigg (Humboldt Cycling Club), 4:44:59

Cat 3
1. Tom Ross, Fortuna, 5:20:24

Times-Standard article, "Pigg will ride in TUC road race” by Mark Willett, May 15, 1989, page 9. Click on article for a larger view.

Times-Standard article, “The Wall falls to Arcata’s Pigg” subtitle “Triathlete pulls away for 100-mile tour victory” by Mark Willette, May 22, 1989, pages 9 and 10. Click on the article or a larger view.

Article continued:

1988 Tour of the Unknown Coast

2008-01-27T09:55:00.000-08:00

Date: Sunday, May 22, 1988
Start Location: Ferndale
Number of riders: 682
Director: Larry Tubbs

This was the first year that professional racers covered the coarse during a 2-stage road race. Amateurs started after the professionals in a separate category. The start location also changed from Rio Dell to Ferndale.

Top Finishers

1. Chris Huber (Ten Speed Drive), 4:42:10 (Course Record, previous by Jim Allen 5:01)
2. Karl Maxon (Ten Speed Drive), Eureka native
3. Kent Bostich (Ten Speed Drive), national road race champion
4. Stefan Spielman (7-Eleven)

“Citizens Race”
1. Chris Hinshaw, Arcata, 5:07
2. Tom Ross, Fortuna, 5:17
3. Scott Winfield, Arcata, 5:23

Times Standard article, “A new Tour for Ferndale” by Mark Willett, May 20, 1988, pages 25 and 27. Click on the article for a larger view.

Times-Standard article, “Put down the paper and pedal along with the pros” by Paul Stanley, May 22, 1988, page 7. Click on the article for a larger view.

Stage 1 was won by Karl Maxon, a Eureka native, and professional on Ten Speed Drive.

Times-Standard article, “Karl Maxon wins Pro-Am Criterium” by Mark Willett, May 22, 1988, pages 14 and 18. Click on the article for a larger view.

Times-Standard article, “Top riders gear for 100-mile today” by Mark Willett, May 22, 1988, pages 15 and 18. Click on the article for a larger view.

Stage 2 was won by Chris Huber of Ten Speed Drive in 4:42:10, eclipsing Jim Allen's 5:01 course record.
Times-Standard article, “Huber wins Tour of the Unknown Coast race” by Kent Harris, May 23, 1988, page 9. Click on the article for a larger view.

1987 Tour of the Unknown Coast

2008-01-27T09:16:00.000-08:00

Date: Sunday, May 17th, 1987
Start Location: Rio Dell Elementary School
Director: Peggy Brouillard, St. Bernard Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization
Number of riders: 425

Top Finishers
1. Jim Allen, 5:08
2. Wes Thornton, 5:33

Times-Standard article, “To race or not to race: A sticky issue” by Randy Hammericksen, May 15, 1987, page 21. Click on the article for a larger view.

Times-Standard article, “Allen struggles in gusting winds, but leads bike tour riders home” by Kent Harris, May 18, 1987, page 9. Click on article for a larger view.

1986 Tour of the Unknown Coast

2008-01-27T08:46:00.000-08:00

Date: May 18th, 1986
Start Location: Fireman's Hall, Rio Dell
Number of Riders: 418
Director: St. Bernard's Parent Teacher Organization

According to the Times Standard, no times were officially kept this year, so Jim Allen’s 5:01 was considered the standing official record.

Top Finisher

1. Mike Pigg, 4:58 (Times-Standard, May 15, 1987, page 21)

Times-Standard article, “Get ready for upcoming tour along coast” by Paul Stanley, April 27, 1986, page 31. Click on the article for a larger view.

Times-Standard article, “Get ready for the half-century tour” by Paul Stanley May 15, 1986, page 18. Click on the picture for a larger view.

Times-Standard article, “Reflections on the tour” by Paul Stanley, June 8, 1986, page 11. Click on the article for a larger view.

1985 Tour of the Unknown Coast

2008-01-26T07:26:00.000-08:00

Date: Sunday, May 19th

Start Location: Rio Dell

Director: St. Bernard's Parent Teacher Organization

Top Finishers:

1. Jim Allen, 5:01 (New Course Record)

For complete results click on the article below published in the Times-Standard, May 28, 1985, page 17.

Times-Standard article, “Challenge Ride is a fun distance race” by Jody Lawlor, North Coast Cycling column, May 5, 1985, page 14. Click on article for a larger version

1984 Tour of the Unknown Coast

2008-01-26T06:49:00.000-08:00

Date: Sunday, May 20, 1984
Number of riders: 325

Oldest Finisher: Jasper Davis (66), 9:55
Youngest Finisher: Jon Bergenski (13), 9:46

Top Finishers
1. Jim Allen, 5:04 (Course Record)
2. Andy Shafer (16), 5:29

1. Karen Tanaka-Nitchman, Anita Parsons, Laura Vander Parker, tied at 7:56

Times-Standard article published on May 24, 1984, page 14.

Times-Standard article, "A trip for less ambitious bikers” by Paul Stanley, May 20, 1984, page 10. Click on the article for a larger version.