Our Inaugural Solvang Autumn Double Century is now history...  And what a beautiful day it was! Riders enjoyed the new scenery, and tackled some very challenging climbs! Everyone raved about the new course! It's a keeper!

Congratulations to the 26 riders who earned their Grand Slam at Solvang:  John Axtell, Dante Borradori, Russell Cammell, John T. Clare, Jorge Cruz-Rios, Michael Currie, Jeff Dewey, Don DiLuccia, Thomas Fante, David Fischer, Bobbi Fisher, James Gathercole, Kerin Huber, Lynn Katano, Mark Kaufman, William Keesling, James Lesh, John A. Long, Steve Meichtry, Andrew Melczer, Larry Peelen, Jim Poppy, Anna Stewart, Rick Stewart, Tim Sullivan and Phil Thomas. Click here to see the complete list of 2006 Grand Slam Finishers.

Kudos to all of the rookie double century finishers! Here's a list of the riders who told us it was their first time: Anthony Gilbert, Johnny Johnson, Mark Mangelsdorf, and Denise Prue.

A big round of applause to our youngest finisher, Johnny Johnson, who's just 18. Teenagers on single bikes are a rarity at double centuries. We hope he'll keep up the distance riding and join us again in 2007.

Since we're mentioning the youngest, we'd also like to recognize our oldest, Gerd Rosenblatt, who's 73 years young - and who had the tenth best time at Solvang this weekend. Gerd completed 5 Planet Ultra double centuries this year; and has been a Grand Slam Official Finisher three years in a row! Just as impressive as his stats is the fact that Gerd can't be more than 130 lbs soaking wet - and he rides a bike which must weigh at least 35 lbs when you count all the bags and bottles he carries. Reminds us of a quote by the esteemed Grant Peterson of Rivendell Bicycle Works who, when discussing the super-modern, lightweight bikes says: "... If you think a flared & trumpetlike monocoque frame of dark carbon fiber is going to get you up the hill any faster, you are grossly overestimating any contribution it can make and fantastically underestimating the effect of eating less and riding more."

Heartfelt "THANK YOU" to our amazing staff of friendly and tireless volunteers:
Rider Check-In: Brian Bowling and Deborah Bowling
CP#1:  Mike Curren, David Harman and David Slaton
CP#2:  Deborah Bowling, Jackie & Rick Burneson, Kathy Parsons and Jesse Smith
CP#3:  Anny Beck, Dan Crain, Red Davis
Secret CP:  Jay Carroll
CP#4:  Mike Curren, David Harman, Kathy Parsons and David Slaton
CP#5:  Jackie & Rick Burneson, Kathy Parsons and Jesse Smith
Finish:  Deborah Bowling
Roving SAG: Brian Bowling, Mike Currie, Doug Goodwin, Laura Perone, Eric Smith, Katherine Sharpe and Phil Thomas.
Friday Food Prep: Doug Goodwin, Jim Henderson, Frank Neal, Doug Patterson, Marianne Ronay and Jesse Smith
Sunday Staff Ride SAG: Tom Parkes

Click here to check out photos taken by SAG driver and professional photographer, Eric Smith.

Here's what riders had to say (more soon!):

"Thank you for such a great 1st double experience. Your support stops were perfect." -Anthony Gilbert, San Matteo, CA

Solvang Autumn Double Century Results
214 Registered Riders!!!
192 started, 168 finished, 24 riders DNF'd, and 22 no-showed

168 Official Finishers
* indicates Staff Ride