2010 Tour of the Unknown Coast

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.