Mother nature was unkind on this 10th Anniversary Planet Ultra Solvang Double Century. Rain came in San Luis Obispo and followed the riders all the way back to Solvang. Add that to the cold temperatures, and it was a super tough day for riders and volunteers alike. Rain and cold were in the forecast all week - so 105 of the 484 registered riders didn't even show up. Then we had our largest DNF rate ever. More on that below... But first:

Kudos to all of the rookie double century finishers! Here's a list of the riders who told us it was their first time: Dan Ayres, Ariel Bayot, Jodi Cassell, Tylor Coupe, Giles Douglas, Gary Feldstein, Charles Hammond, Robert Hassler, Lauren Johnson, Rubin Johnson, Jeff Mullins, Brian Myers, Steve Ogilvie, Mary & David Park, Kurt Richards, Kurt Scholtens

Check out our amazing 70+ riders who finished in the cold and rain: John T. Clare, Ronald Quitoriano, Jim Pettett, Eugene Pori, Roger Coombes and Thomas Potter.

And congratulations to our youngest finisher, Trevor Ellsworth, 15.

A million thanks to our awesome volunteer staff, who made it a superb day for all the riders!
Rider Check-In: Deborah Bowling, Linda & Lee Scott, Gary Ward
CP#1: Phil Chavez, Zenaida Gutierrez, Jon Shellenbarger, Jennifer Sieve, Johanna Spitzer, Deb Vanderwal
CP#2: Dayna Bergstrom, Xenia Bixler, Julie Stokes, David Wu
CP#3: Lana Bulatov, Sasha Bulatov, Katia Bulatov, Zenaida Gutierrez, Frank Neal
CP#4: Linda & Lee Scott, Francesca Marcus
CP#5: Phil Chavez, Jon Shellenbarger, Jennifer Sieve, Johanna Spitzer
Finish: Deborah Bowling
Roving SAG: John Robbins, Beth Sanders, Catherine Sharpe, Michael Tigges, Russell Tuazon, Deb Vanderwal, Gary Ward, Jim Watson

Greatly appreciated rider feedback:

"Hey Guys, thanks for a great event even though the weather sucked, you did a great job on it, This was my first double, and was glad to have finished it... Period." -Dan Ayres, Fresno, CA

"Remember yesterday morning when you asked: "Chuck, is that a waterproof rain jacket?" Got me thinking ... So I went back to my car and swapped it out for my Goretex Rain Jacket I bought in Italy!! The result was that my upper body was dry the whole day. And it breathed well on the climbs. That was the real test of that jacket and it scored an A+ in my book. And you scored an A+ in my book for asking that perfect question.

For me, the ride was a real test. I started late ... Not smart. It started raining on me at mike 60 heading up to RS2. It was a deluge from RS2 Through San Luis Obispo. Hard rain. Strong headwinds. Of course, I had a flat on "flat alley" before RS3. Tons of flats there. The next deluge came for like 30 miles from Guadalape to Los Alamos. Hard rain. Stiff head wind. Brutal. I thought to myself what Winston Churchill said, "If you're going through he'll, keep on going!!". Sure glad I had a great headlight for the final piece off Foxen Canyon and Ballard Canyon in the pitch black dark and the rain. I look forward to riding that in better conditions and in the light one if these years.

Thanks to each volunteer. It was a cold and rainy day for them as well. Each of them made a difference. Great attitudes like they had kept us fueled even more than their supplies!!" -Chuck Bramwell, Irvine, CA

"This years double was great as usual. You guys always do an excellent job. We did notice what seemed to be an unusual number of flats, including ours. In almost every instance their was a sag vehicle there to assist and if nothing else pump up tires with the floor pump. Those people seemed to be everywhere and really did save riders a lot of time and effort. We sure got your moneys worth from all the volunteers. Thanks again." -Bob Esch, San Diego, CA

"Thanks for all the work that went into yesterdays epic ride. It was my first Double and one I'm sure I'll remember for a long time. I'm sure it was just as hard on your staff as on the riders so please thank everyone for me." -Gary Feldstein, Ojai, CA

"We had a great experience at the Solvang ride, our FIRST double ever. The SAG support and volunteers were great! The rain wasn't so bad." -Lauren & Rubin Johnson, Whittier, CA

"Thank you…Thank you…Thank you for not making us rattle to pieces on the Drum canyon descent. I was so grateful to be riding through Foxen Canyon with a few hours of daylight left, just taking in the sights, sounds and smells of the incredible surroundings – and I couldn’t stop thinking about what an outstanding job you guys did in rerouting the course. I feel this has been one of the best double century routes I have ever ridden. Please, please don’t change a thing. And as always, a standing ovation to the outstanding support of the volunteers!!!" -Tony Musorafite, Torrance, CA

"This was a great first double for me.  About what I expected in terms of the course but I wasn't prepared as I should have been for the weather!  The SAG support on the course was amazing.  Keith and I both had flats and all three times (I had two) a vehicle came by as we were fixing the tires.  The food at lunch and the last stop was also great.  We also crowded around the stove/heater at the last stop to try and get warm.  Also, thanks for letting me use the shower at the end before Keith and I drove back to San Diego.  Made the trip much more enjoyable.  I didn't get into bed until 4:00 AM." -Brian Myers, Chula Vista, CA

"Just got back from Solvang. What a great ride! First time double and even with the elements, am so glad I did it. I was very impressed with the organization and the support. THANKS to the SAG team as well -I only finished because of them! Had a blown TIRE at mile 190 and the sag team was right there to help and thankfully had a spare tire for me. I had tubes, but not a tire. (If you have same SAG team for Mullhound, I will bring their tire back and let them help someone again. Sounded like they help quite a bit.) Couple of really kind guys - cold, wet and tired by that point and they jumped right out and said 'let us do that for you.' And they took right over and changed it for me. Encouraged me on for the last eight miles. Great guys, I really appreciated them. Great support at the check points and great food selection/availability as well. You went all out at the final check point and the hot food and chocolate was just what was needed. Bottom line, I really enjoyed it and say kudos to you and the team. I look forward to riding another! See you at Mulholland." -Steve Ogilvie, Riverside, CA

"First off, thanks again for hosting another fantastic Spring edition of the double. I’ve done this one 3 years in a row now. A little wet on Saturday, but it could have been a heckuva lot colder. Awesome to see so many friends on the staff." -Jason Pierce, Oakland, CA

"Great event, I love the course (even with the weather) and the ride support. Fabulous job! I plan to be back again." -Dan Schaefer, Danville, CA

Solvang Double Century Results
288 finishers:

92 riders didn't finish: