2009 Updates

2005 Updates

Saturday, July 23, 2005 11:56

Hooray! Dan Tupper sailed in at 11:02am....Followed closely by the intrepid
Jim Kern at 11:35am! Liz and Rich Boettener closed up the GRR Finish at
Tandem Properties and we're all headed to Cantina Del Cabo for a great
celebration feast and awards ceremony...Thanks to Cantina owner Tom
Lovering, a very special DBC member!

It's been fun here at Command Central. We've enjoyed our phone calls and
emails from all the moms,dads, and sweethearts who've been following their
riders on the web site. We've loved hearing the stories of the courageous
rides who braved the scorching temperatures, crashes, bumpy roads and
runaway shoes to complete the Gold Rush Randonnee.

See you again in 2009!
-Joe

Saturday, July 23, 2005 10:56

It's 10:50am and just 2 riders are left to finish...just Dan Tupper and yes
yes yes Jim Kern, who started again in Knights Landing where he was downed
by lung problems yesterday morning and there both comin' down 102 to the
finish line.

-Joe

Saturday, July 23, 2005 08:56

Just visited the finish...where Amy Rafferty and Dave Penegar finished
simultaneously Lance! A raft of GRR staff and riders are watching OLN on the
big screen in the comfy Tandem Properties conference room AKA Finish Line.
Families are waiting anxiously outside to catch a glimpse of their finisher.
Only 13 to go.

-Joe

Saturday, July 23, 2005 07:30

The last 6 riders Duane Wright, Ann Pokocky, Dan Tupper, Doyce Johnson and
Chris Hanson, Daniel Dickinson have just left The Secret Control which is
around 30 miles from home! Sag Jim Skeen just called telling me there are
about 16 riders between the Secret and Davis. Looks like they'll all be in
well before the noon closing. Hooray for them all!

-Joe

Friday, July 22, 2005 23:58

It's midnight Friday with just 12 more hours before the ride ends. Riders
are trickling in by ones, twos and threes now with the last riders just
entering the Oroville control at 87 miles away.

The drop bag truck has returned and finished riders are not-so-eagerly
retrieving a selection of partially used this and thats intermixed with
extra batteries, power gel and wet towels.

The dispatches from H.Q. are slowing as we begin to prepare for tomorrow's
end-of-ride party that begins at 1200 noon at the Cantina Del Cabo on G
Street, next to the Hallmark Inn in downtown Davis.

Just wanted to make sure all the volunteers know to attend the party, it's
on us!

-Joe

Friday, July 22, 2005 14:10

Gold Rush Riders
#80 Michael Sturgill
#57 Scott McIntosh
#50 Ed Koss
#32 Peter Hewitt
are now arrived at the Start/Finish in Davis.

The temperature is on the rise just as we suspected and the trip to Davis
from Oroville is not pleasant. The riders are wary of the heat having
already suffered an extremely hot trip to Susanville on Wednesday this week.
So there will be a gap before more riders finish.

The Susanville control is closed for good now and we all thank Sean and
Camille Buehler and their friends in the Susanville Area Bicycle Associates
for putting on a tremendously successful control for the first time!

-Joe

Friday, July 22, 2005 09:10
The Lantern Rouge duo Anne Pokocky and Duane Wright have headed up the
monster Janesville Grade in high spirits.

Henk Bouhuyzen conquered the mountain earlier...an incredible feat climbing
using one good arm. He hurt his shoulder when he sideswiped a parked car in
Taylorsville on the way out, was checked out by Doc Susan Jacobsen at the
Taylorsville Control and has continued to ride courageously. Daryn commented
how amazingly perseverant he is! Daryn also said Janet Christiansen
demonstrates great courage as well, downed by heat stroke and twice
recovered determined to carry on.

Sorry to report that Scott Chisholm crashed on the Antelope Lake downhill
into Taylorsville due to a carbon fork failure. He was riding with Paul
Guttenberg and is now safe and sound in the Quincy Hospital with some
stitching needed.

Ken Bonner is just a few miles from Davis with Michael Sturgill about an
hour behind.

John Whitehead has just left Davis to join the sag patrol with ice and
water.

More to come
-Joe

Friday, July 22, 2005 05:30

Start/Finish is now open for business with its first 4 customers.
As a group, the following arrived in Davis at 0430hr today, Friday, July
22nd, 2005:
Riders,
#21 Keith Fraser, Vancouver, BC, Canada
#58 Tony Mellsop, Malmo, Sweden
#85 Bryce Walsh, Chicago, Illinois
#89 Tim Woudenberg, Moss Beach, California
deserve our congratulations on the apparent cooperation since Taylorsville,
165 miles ago!

There's a big gap before the next riders will be coming in, possibly as much
as 5 hours.
You can check the rider progress at:
http://davisbikeclub.org/goldrush/riderprogress/ridertimes.htm

-Joe

Friday, July 22, 2005 02:01
Camille Buehler, co-captain of the Susanville control, reported the "crunch"
is over and a big group has been feed and are grabbing a little sleep before
the dreaded Janesville climb.

Just when you think you're up... Just got a call from Jim Kern who's 16
miles from the finish and will be abandoning the GRR. He's OK and we've
picked him up and moved him back to the Secret control. His lungs seem to
be the major problem.

A group of 5 have just left the Secret control and will be finishing within
a few hours.

-Joe

Friday, July 22, 2005 00:01
It's almost Friday here at H.Q. That means 36 hours until the 2005 GRR is
in the record books.
Daryn Dodge's Adin control closes very soon. At last contact there were only
two riders still there.

Let's see... Adin is 293 miles from the Finish and 36 hours to go and a lot
of downhill.

Checking the satellite we notice the disturbance that gave the riders a
relief today is past. Nothing but blue sky and high 90's for tomorrow and
Saturday. We advising riders to get to Oroville, enjoy the pool and free
massage provided by the Oroville Sports Club, eat some lasagna, wait until
the temperature drops to 75 degrees and then head down valley to the Finish.

A special thanks to Bob and Brenda Wentz, owners of the Oroville Sports
Club, for providing such a 1st rate facility. Additionally, kudos to Roy
Shannon, GRRizzly, for making the Oroville control a reality. Roy
continually assists the Davis Bike Club in our adventures in the Oroville
area.
-Joe

Thursday, July 21, 2005 20:31

Robin Neuman called from Oroville to say Jim Kern arrived at 6:20pm and
left for Davis at 6:40pm. He could arrive at Tandem Properties (the north
end of F Street at Anderson) by midnight. So if you're looking for night
time excitement...come over and cheer him in!

Mary Woodside has the Sacramento Bike Hiker group ready at the Secret
Control north of Knights Landing. She's made her fantastic fresh peach
cobbler again.

Just about everyone has left Adin for Susanville...There's been light rain
and temperatures in the 80's so the riders are moving faster. Lois is
heating up the stove for hot chocolate and chicken soup...No spraying the
hose tonight.

Camille from the Susanville Area Bicycle Association is wondering why the
riders there are relaxing at the Susanville Control....Does she know there
resting up for the infamous Janesville Grade just south of Susanville? Many
riders like to climb that devil in the early morning light with fresh legs.

-Joe

Thursday, July 21, 2005 18:31

While some riders are bearing down on Oroville on the last stretch others
are still in the high desert plain of Modoc County.
Larry and Dee Burdick have closed the turnaround at Davis Creek which ends
their stint for the GRR.

The Alturas control staffed by the Rex family are also closing down after
having waited as long as possible before waking a couple of sleeping riders.

With the weather moderating and the ride back to Davis being more down than
up, we're expecting a slight increase in average speed for the riders.

The distance between the first and last riders is now 250 miles.

-Joe

Thursday, July 21, 2005 16:31

Donn King reports that Jim Kern arrived in Tobin, stayed a minute or two and
is heading for Oroville. When you read the stats page on this rider you know why he's in front;
No time off the bike.
Michael Tigges reports that Bryce Walsh and Keith Fraser just left
Taylorsville.
Charlie Rex from Alturas tells me the last rider Duane Wright has arrived
back at Alturas after turning around at Davis Creek. The riders are loving
this relatively cool overcast weather...although some of them may be dodging
thunderstorms near Susanville.
-Joe

Thursday, July 21, 2005 11:57

Just talked to Camille Buehler, the Susanville control co-captain and she
gave me times for the riders on the return leg.
Seems a recumbent, with Jim Kern in control, has been very impatient with
Jim in the controls and as a result, Jim has now managed to do with little
time off the bike.

We at H.Q. really have to publicly acknowledge a failure of the rider
safety-net system during last nights operations.
We sincerely apologize to Earl Magpiong, who spent the night by the side
of the road at the Boulder Creek Water Stop waiting for support crews to
pick him up. Somehow the communications broke down and we at H.Q. failed
to actually make sure he was transported to Susanville to await pickup by
a friend. Apologies to his wife, Susan, too who even alerted us that he
may have not been picked up in a timely manner.

We never quit learning how to do these events better! Sorry to Earl and
Susan, but happy to know everyone is safe and sound at this point.

-Joe

Thursday, July 21, 2005 07:20

Lois Springsteen reports from Eagle Lake that Keith Fraser, Bryce Walsh and
Jim Kehr have just passed through on their way back to Susanville.

Good news for the riders with the weather prediction of cloudy skies,
thunderstorms and temperatures 10 degrees cooler than yesterday.

Daryn let us know that all but one rider have reached Adin. He has about 15
minutes and Daryn's hoping to see him come down the hill. A light cloud
cover has already begun in Adin, so that should give the riders a bit of
courage as they head for Alturas and the Davis Creek turnaround.

-Joe

Thursday, July 21, 2005 00:20

The Susanville control, at mile 263 is now closed.
All riders have either left or decided to try the GRR again in 2009, when
the weather will be cooler.

The heat has definitely taken it's toll. Tomorrow promises little relief.
Meanwhile controls are restocking with fluids, electrolytes and plenty of
ice for the return trip.

Some statistics on the first part of the ride will be available at:
http://davisbikeclub.org/goldrush/riderprogress/riderstats.htm

It's now Thursday in sunny, sunny Northern California.

-Joe

Wednesday, July 20, 2005 23:50
Back from OLN

Hey - Who's been messin' with this machine. These keys are hot!!!!!

Time to tell you about the Randonneusses:

Janet Christiansen from Tustin, CA was found by a CHP 'copter taking a
little break on the side of the road on the road just this side of Adin.
After a brief rest and some fluids, she will be back on the road.

Charlene Barach from Red Deer, Alberta is having such a good time in
Susanville that she is thinking about turning volunteer. JUST SAY NO
Charlene.

Lisa Butkus from Orlando, FL, Nancy Guth from Stafford, VA and Merry Vander
Linden from Bloomfield Hills, MI have left Susanville and should be in Adin
soon.

Patty Jo Struve from Sonora, CA, last seen wearing a lovely Zebra outfit
with furry cuffs, is speeding on her way to Adin as well.

Three PBP anciennes have joined us for this event.
Lisa Antonino from Belmont, CA made it to Taylorsville before her bronchitis
took its toll. DBC's very own Amy Rafferty is on her way to Adin. Laurie
Waynewright from Cameron Park, CA is resting at Susanville with her tandem
partner Doug.

Anne Pochocky from Whitby, Ontario is also resting in Susanville.

- Joe

Wednesday, July 20, 2005 22:10
Dispatch from Hades

Since Joe took a breather, seeking out ice, air conditioning and OLN, I've
taken control of the DBC system.

Tires as well as riders were melting on the roads leading to Adin. I decided
to leave things a bit cooler for the riders - a mild 102 degrees in
Susanville. A few hardy souls continued through the heat while several
decided to seek shelter from my inferno until sunset before setting off for
Adin.

Lois, Bill and their little water hose saved the day earlier. I'll have to
see if they are up to the task tomorrow.

-Lucifer

Wednesday, July 20, 2005 21:30
News from the front at 9:30pm Wednesday

Two riders, Terry Mellsop and Tim Woudenberg have located Larry and Dee
Burdick at Davis Creek, the half way point. Larry didn't let Terry stay very
long - a one minute turn around was all he was given. Being a PBP ancien,
Larry knows the value of quick stops.

- Joe

Wednesday, July 20, 2005 18:21
We just received the final call from Michael Tigges at Taylorsville with the
rider times. We also heard from Sean Buehler in Susanville with the latest
info so check the DBC web site for your rider's progress.

Looks like lots of people are spending time at the Susanville
control...sounds very comfy with showers, cots, food...A good way to spend a
very hot afternoon.

News flash from Daryn in Adin.. The front-running 5 arrived around 4:30,
stayed awhile for dinner and left about 5:30.

Just talked to Peggy Rex in Alturas...The Donut guy around the corner is
open for them 24 hours a day as is the grocery store. Peggy's made some
great rice balls rolled in sugar. Those riders are going to be happy
tonight.

-Joe

Wednesday, July 20, 2005 17:03
Word has it that a rider anxious to leave Taylorsville and finish the
Antelope Lake climb before it got any hotter, accidentally put on the wrong
shoes!
Elly Olsen, RAAM experienced crew person, raced after. Upon being notified
of his mistake, the rider commented, "I was wondering what was making my
feet feel so good!

Good news! Rider #52 Earl Magpiong is recovered from some cramping and is
back in the ride with time to spare. We had prematurely indicated a DNF for
Earl. The Taylorsville crew has physican/rider Susan Jacobson in charge so
we know Earl got some good treatment!

Keep calling H.Q. folks, if you have concerns or comments. DBC Hotline:
530-756-0186

-Joe

Wednesday, July 20, 2005 15:20
Bill Bryant and Lois Springsteen gave a quick welcome with a garden hose to
Swede Tony Mellsop at the Eagle Lake water stop at 2:10pm. Shortly
thereafter Keith Fraser and Bryce Walsh buzzed through the cold spray as
well. Lois tells me the thermometer has just hit 91 degrees, hot but not yet
in the over 98.6 danger zone. She says it's so exciting she'd be "trimming
hedges" if there were any in sight.

I gave Daryn Dodge in Adin a call and he's ready for the onslaught. I can
just detect the aroma of the famous Adin dinners starting to cook. Just
about the whole town turns out to entertain the troops. I can just picture
the little kids preparing to greet the riders and take their orders for
dinner. Makes me want to start the BBQ here at Command Headquarters.

-Joe

Wednesday, July 20, 2005 14:46
Michael Tigges just called to report that all riders have left Taylorsville.
Sag drivers are taking care of 2 possible DNF's Earl Magpiong and Michael
Schmit who did not reach Taylorsville.

The climb from Taylorsville up to Antelope Lake is brutally hot in the
afternoon. Michael Aberg, who has ridden the Terrible Two Double Century
more times than anyone else in the last 25 years, and has experienced the
ungodly heat of Skaggs Springs, has cold water for the riders at the top of
the climb.

-Joe

Wednesday, July 20, 2005 14:10
Susanville Control just called in with more data...It's getting hotter and
some of the riders are staying to cool their heels for a bit.

New arrivals are Sean Smith from Huntington Beach, Janet Christiansen,
front-running woman from Tustin, Ken Holloway from San Jose, Tom Lawrence
from Mountain View and Michael Sturgill from Phoenix Arizona.

An aside on the home states of 42 riders
6 from Georgia
5 from Washington
4 from Florida
3 each from Tennessee, Illinois and Missouri
2 each from Ohio, Virginia, New York, Colorado, Arizona and Nevada
1 each from New Jersey, Texas, Massachusetts, and Oklahoma

and 45 from California

Daryn and Lois have called back, anxious to know when they'll begin to see
riders...Very little excitement out in the hinterlands without
Randonneurs...and as RUSA Prez Bill Bryant always reminds
us...Randonneusses!

Later...-Joe

Wednesday, July 20, 2005 12:04
5 riders in between 11am and 12pm...Corrected Names
Tony Mellsop from Sweden,
Keith Fraser from Vancouver BC
Bryce Walsh from Chicago,
Jim Kern from Sunnyvale,
Tim Woudenberg from Moss Beach

-Joe

Wednesday, July 20, 2005 12:04
Lois Springsteen, Eagle Lake Water Stop, just checked in. She says "The
weather is very pleasant...only 80 degrees and the South wind is picking up.
We've battened down the canopy. The riders will be blown to Adin!"

A bit more about our riders...
We have 8 from our northern neighbors Canada...4 from Ontario, 2 from
Alberta, and 2 from British Columbia.

Just got a call from Sean Buehler in Susanville...5 riders in between 11am
and 12pm...Tony Mellsop from Sweden, Bryce Walsh from Chicago, Jim Kern
from Sunnyvale, Peter Morrissey from Oakland, and Tim Woudenberg from Moss
Beach. Sean says that they're stripping off their tights and heading off for
Eagle Lake.

-Joe

Wednesday, July 20, 2005 10:30
Well, just when we thought we were perfect...
Scanning our own results sheet, we noticed that front of the front is
occupied by Tony Mellsop, a rider from Randonneurs Sverige out of Malmo,
Sweden.

Wednesday, July 20, 2005 08:30
The phone has not stopped ringing...

Donn King reports that the last rider through the Tobin control on the
Feather River left at 7:30am. Daniel Kincaid 45 from Sparks Nevada has
retired from the ride and returned to Oroville. This leaves 96 riders on the
road.

The first rider Keith Fraser from Vancouver BC arrived at Taylorsville at
6:15am and left at 6:37am. He was closely followed by 12 other riders who
all left before 8am. Michael Tigges and Susan Jacobsen are busy preparing
breakfast at the Taylorsville Grange for the upcoming riders who are on a
more leisurely pace. Don Main from Fayetteville Georgia who had to retire
from the ride due to a mechanical is now heading towards Taylorsville in a
reliable vehicle to help out Mike and Susan at Taylorsville. Thanks Don!

Sean Buehler called in from Susanville to report they are ready for the
riders coming from Taylorsville.

Daryn Dodge called in from Adin with reports of beautiful weather and a
South wind blowing. Riders will appreciate the tailwind as they head up 395
later today.

-Joe

Wednesday, July 20, 2005 05:50
As dawn breaks over the Feather River Canyon, Elinor Olsen, sag coordinator,
reported in that 44 riders have passed through the Tobin control and are on
their way up the river to Taylorsville. What an exceptionally beautiful
section of the ride this is with the rushing river turning pink in the
morning sun.
-Joe

Wednesday, July 20, 2005 00:50
All riders are through the Oroville control ahead of the closing time by 2 hours.
Unfortunately, we've acquired 3 additional DNF's at the Oroville control.
We've lost:
30 Sterling Hada
76 Eric Simmons
106 Rob Hawks
These riders made it to the Oroville control, yet decided not to continue
for reasons unknown, but more than likely due to heat during the first 100 miles.

We're now at 97 riders out of 101 starters.
It was a curious statistic that in 2001 all riders that made it past
Susanville on the outbound leg completed the ride successfully.
The data from the Tobin control are starting to come in so a few riders are
at or past mile 143.5. It's now 0350hr Wednesday and to Tobin control
opened at about 0100hr. It will close at 0925 Wednesday.
-Joe

Wednesday, July 20, 2005 00:50
Wow, what a night. The moon is bright and not a cloud in the sky. The
temperatures are perfect for riding, upper 60's lower 70's. All but 18
riders have passed the first control, Oroville, and started the climb into
the Sierra along SR-70 up the beautiful Feather River Canyon. I've seen the
Sierra in moonlight and it's a sight.
Control workers report the liquid consumption is high yet so are spirits of
the GRR riders.
Were waiting for results from the Oroville control at just over 100 miles
into the ride.
-Joe

Tuesday, July 19, 2005 23:50
At 2130hr some riders are arriving at the Oroville control. We will be
getting results soon and put the rider tracking sheet up on the web.
The controls for the GRR are exceptionally staffed. All but one is
captained by a 1200km experienced rider or just as experienced. What a
volunteer group to choose from!

Water Stop: Dave Taillon Race Team Director DBC
Oroville: Robin Neuman, DBC's Double Century Director; Dr. Roy Shannon, GRRizzly
Tobin Resort: Donn King, PBP ancien
Taylorsville: Michael Tigges & Susan Jacobson, Both PBP anciens
Susanville: Sean Buehler, Susanville Area Bicycle Association
Adin: Daryn Dodge, PBP ancien (4 Times)
Grasshopper Water Stop: Bill Bryant and Lois Springstein, Both PBP anciens (Lois is a GRRizzly and 4 time PBP)
Alturas: Steve and Peggy Rex, Rex Cycles in Sacramento, Both PBP anciens (2 Times)
Davis Creek: Larry and Dee Burdick Larry, PBP ancien, and Dee along with Gerry Peterson were the founders of the DBC Ultra Distance era back in 1987.

Countless other volunteers are "out there" too!
-Joe

Tuesday, July 19, 2005 22:30
Looks like we're back to 100 riders. Don Mayne from Fayetteville GA has
suffered mechanical problems that prevent him from continuing. It's got to
be very disappointing to get only to the 50 mile mark and be thwarted by
your machine

The captains of controls further out on the course are calling in to
establish communications with H.Q. We are fortunate to have better cell
phone coverage in some of the rural areas than we had in 2001. The Tobin
control, deep in the Feather River Canyon on SR-70, has communication this
year thanks to David Pyle. David is one of the riders in the GRR and
offered the use of his satellite phone to us for the week. Thanks David!

-Joe

Tuesday, July 19, 2005 20:30
The reports of water consumption for the first 50 miles are coming in from
Dave Taillon, DBC Race Team Director. Thirty riders, 20 gallons. Some
scrambling and quick thinking got all riders through with both water and ice
for the next 50 miles into the 1st official control at Oroville.

The bulk of the riders were past the first water stop by 1730hr and about 10
remained to pass. Of those Dan Tupper, a 2001 finisher (GRRizzly), was
reported to have light problems, but seems to be OK now.

We mistakenly said there were 100 riders in the starting group, but it was
really 101.

The full moon and moderating temperatures are making the evening drastically
changed from the 95 degree start at 1804hr in Davis, a four minute delay due
to the cheering for all the European riders during the pre-start briefing.

Stay tuned
-Joe

Tuesday, July 19, 2005 18:30
With the Delta breeze at their back, 100 Randonneurs pedaled North towards
Goose Lake Oregon at 6:04pm on their quest for the gold. Among them were 16
GRRizzlies, seasoned Gold Rush riders, who'll show them the way and give
them a boost if they falter along on the route. Seven riders flew in from
across the Pond, three from Germany, two from Finland and two from Sweden.
As I visited with Ove Nillson this morning, he mentioned he'd never been in
heat like this in his life. What a challenge these 4 days will be for the
Northern Europeans!

More to come!
-Joe

Tuesday, July 19, 2005 14:32
Hi folks-
Well here we are getting set for the 2nd running of the Davis Bike Club's
Gold Rush Randonnee.

As the start of the first GRR approaches, staff are busy with last minute
details. All the control volunteers are looking forward to spending some
time away from jobs, and regular duties.

The big factor in the ride continues to be the weather. Riders from the
local area that are heat acclimated will be affected by heat the least. Word
from many riders around the States, indicates those from cooler areas are
doing as much as possible to be prepared.

Some hints:
Hydrations systems plus regular frame mounted bottles
Tube socks for filling with ice and wrapping around the neck
Careful planning to avoid the hot areas during daytime hours
Skin care, including sun screen and ointments for other areas of the body

Down at Start/Finish we lucky to have the President of RUSA, Bill Bryant
checking to make sure riders have good lighting systems.

The ride starts at 6:00PM, so come on down to 3500 Anderson Road in Davis,
CA to help cheer on these 104 brave souls.

More later
-Joe