Yesterday I completed the Heartbreak Double, a maniacal ride from Palmdale to Gorman and on into the Los Padres National Forest; 204 miles, 15,500' of climbing, 13:35 riding time, and 14:55 elapsed. In addition to being tough - there is no such thing as a flat section anywhere, and there is wind, and cold, and heat - this ride is beautiful; in particular the views of the Central Valley from Mil Potrero Highway are amazing.
You just might remember I rode this event last year too, and managed to get lost in the dark (!); I succeeded in turning a long ride into a much longer ride, and almost didn't finish. This year I found the key was to ride faster so I finished before nightfall.
Yes of course I took some pictures :) you can find a gallery here:
2010 Heartbreak Double
And I have posted a selected few below...
![](../images/0301/HeartbreakDouble/hb0.jpg)
the route: 204 miles, 15,500' - the crosshair is on Heartbreak Hill
![](../images/0301/HeartbreakDouble/hb1.jpg)
full moon in the early morning leaving Palmdale
![](../images/0301/HeartbreakDouble/hb2.jpg)
the amazing beauty of Los Padres National Forest
![](../images/0301/HeartbreakDouble/hb3.jpg)
incredible views into the Central Valley from Mt. Pinos
![](../images/0301/HeartbreakDouble/hb4.jpg)
descending route 54 for miles and miles
![](../images/0301/HeartbreakDouble/hb5.jpg)
halfway: 104 miles down and still smiling
![](../images/0301/HeartbreakDouble/hb6.jpg)
entering Lockwood Canyon; a road sign or a metaphor? (or *both* :)
![](../images/0301/HeartbreakDouble/hb7.jpg)
climbing Heartbreak Hill - 3 miles and gets steadily steeper, topping out over 10%
![](../images/0301/HeartbreakDouble/hb8.jpg)
looking back down the Heartbreak climb
![](../images/0301/HeartbreakDouble/hb9.jpg)
late afternoon self-portrait, blasting home
Next weekend: theOjai Valley Double Metric (a double metric is 200km = 130miles instead of 200miles). Interestingly it heads up route 33 from Meiner's Oaks and almost connects up with part of the Heartbreak. Stay tuned!
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