10 Years of Double Centuries

by Felix Wong | 18 Oct 2006

By riding a self-supported double century—the Wellington-Carter Lake 200—in Colorado the other week, my streak of having completed at least one 200-miler-in-one-day every year since 1996 continues. Generally, I don’t like being a slave to streaks but this is one I intend to continue for at least another 40 years into my 70s.

Some of my fondest life memories are of two-hundred-mile adventures on two wheels so I thought I’d reflect back and pick out some of my favorites.

Most Unexpected Difficulties

1. 2005 Butterfield Double (torrential rain storms, tornado, flat tires, mechanical problems, last-minute course re-routing)
2. 1997 Death Valley Double (physical breakdown, walking, sprained ankle, etc.)
3. 2002 Knoxville Double (3 flat tires in 30 miles)

Biggest Comebacks

1. 1998 Eastern Sierra Double
2. 2004 Mt. Tam Double

Most Difficult

1. Terrible Two (1999 and 2000)
2. Devil Mountain Double (1999 and 2001)
3. Heartbreak Double (2002)

Most Beautiful

1. Mulholland Double (2004)
2. Wellington-Carter Lake 200 (2006)
3. Knoxville Double (2000, 2001, 2002)

Special Occasions

1. 1996 Davis Double (first double)
2. 1999 Terrible Two (my birthday)
3. 1998 Eastern Sierra Double (4th of July)

Fastest

1. 2000 Solvang Double (12:12, recumbent)
2. 1999 Davis Double (12:57)
3. 2004 Tour of Two Forests (13:36)

Slowest

1. 2000 Knoxville Double (19:05, recumbent)
2. 1999 Devil Mountain Double (18:32)
3. 2001 Devil Mountain Double (17:55)