BUTTERFIELD DOUBLE CENTURY (Now affectionately known as "Butterflood")
FEBRUARY 19, 2005
Rain, Rain, Rain!
What a Way To Start The Season on the Planet!!!

Without doubt, this was the worst weather ever on a Planet Ultra event. And that's an understatement. The rain was coming down so hard on Saturday morning that pretty much half of the registered riders peeked out their windows and then went back to bed. The brave souls who started, did so in a torrential downpour which drenched them before they left the parking lot, and lasted for hours and hours. Although riders got a bit of a break from the rain when they hit the coast in San Clemente, they were treated to gale force winds instead. Hey, at least the wind dried their soggy clothes (for a little while)!

Before the first riders made it to CP#3, we learned that later parts of the course, and all alternate roads in the area, were flooded and closed, and that two tornados had touched down in Temecula. Crazy! Just like that, our route became an out-and-back course. Now that sounds all fine and dandy - but we didn't have a route sheet for the course in reverse... So until we could get some spray paint and hope that it would stick on the soaking wet road... riders had an extra challenge in navigating the route backwards. Add the afternoon and evening "showers," mud puddles, slick roads, and tons of flat tires, to the adventure - and give a HUGE round of applause to all 86 riders who toughed it out and finished the 2005 Butterfield Double Century.

It takes serious dedication to be out there riding in those conditions. But without doubt, the riders wouldn't have made it without the help of the amazing, generous, and devoted volunteers who were out all day in the storm. We can't say enough nice things about these great people - and we're so grateful for their tireless and cheerful efforts for all of the riders. Thank you everyone!

Rider Check-in:  Brian Bowling & Deborah Caplan
CP1:  Bill Hinds, Henry & Susan Holt, Mark Nielson, Anne Marie Slaton, Ashley Slaton.
CP2:  Steve Barnes, Brian Bowling, Greg Kibble and Mark Nielson
CP3:  Bill Hinds, Linda & John Hopkins
CP4:  Brian Bowling, Lynn Katano, Eric Smith
CP5:  Deborah Caplan, Lynn Katano, Eric Smith
Roving SAG: Steve Barnes, Fred & Peg Bauer, Chuck Bramwell, Deborah Caplan, Susan Damron, Frank Neal, Kriss Okubo, Tommy Simmons, Eric Smith, Cathe & Wick Waltmire
Finish line: Brian Bowling
Course Arrow Painter: Tracey Lynn White
PB&J Team: Anne, Marie, Ashley & David Slaton   

Ride stats:216 registered riders; 111 actually started; 86 dedicated riders finished!