199 miles with 16,200 feet of elevation gain*
Locate ride on interactive map.
[Interactive Course | enlarge]
[Route Profile]
Terrible Two Double Century - Counties Visited:
Sonoma County and Napa County
Terrible Two Double Century - Cities/Towns Visited:
Sebastopol, Santa Rosa, Glen Ellen, St. Helena, Calistoga, Cloverdale, Stewarts Point, Cazadero, Monte Rio, and Occidental
Terrible Two Double Century - Climbs:
Mile 12 (cat. 4), 22 (cat. 2), 32 (cat. 4), 58 (cat. 4), 76 (cat. 2), 82 (cat. 3), 111 (cat. 3), 117 (cat. 3), 122 (cat. 3), 141 (cat. 3), 145 (cat. 4), 162 (cat. 3), 167 (cat. 4), and 183 (cat. 4)
Terrible Two Double Century - Stops:
Mile 55 (Calistoga), 85 (Geysers Road), 111 (Lake Sonoma), 138 (Camp Gualala), 162 (Fort Ross), and 183 (Monte Rio)
Terrible Two Double Century - Description:
The Terrible Two is a very difficult double century through Napa and Sonoma wine country, climbing the surrounding peaks, and leading down the Pacific Coast in a big loop.
The ride starts in Sebastopol at first daylight and remains neutral behind a pace car all the way through Santa Rosa. The first minor climb leads up Bennett Valley Road. After passing Glen Ellen, the next climb winds up Trinity Grade, which includes double digit grades (featured in this year's Amgen Tour of California). A technical descent is followed by the lesser Oakville Grade.
The route then continues through Napa Valley, passing through St. Helena and Calistoga, before hitting the highest climb of the day, Geysers Road, which includes double digit grades and exposure to heat. A long descent eventually leads to Cloverdale, from where the route continues towards Lake Sonoma, the lunch stop.
Skaggs Springs Road, fully exposed to the heat of the mid-day sun, leads over the next two peaks, with some parts of the road reaching 20 percent grades. A long descent is followed by a shorter but even steeper climb («the wall»), this time under the cover of redwood trees.
Eventually the road reaches Stewarts Point at the Pacific Coast. Here the wind picks up and the temperature drops significantly. The next miles on Highway 1 are relatively flat and fast, and offer a spectacular view of the rugged coastline.
Fort Ross Road is the last major climb with up to 20 percent grades, followed by a shorter climb and a long descent and flat section, passing through Cazadero and Monte Rio. Another minor climb leads up to Occidental and eventually back to Sebastopol.
Terrible Two Double Century - Pictures:
[Lake Sonoma]
[Sonoma Coast]
Terrible Two Double Century - Personal Notes:
Some riders say that the Terrible Two is the most difficult double century. While the Devil Mountain Double Century has more elevation gain, the climbs of the Terrible Two are steeper, and the temperature is generally hotter (triple digit degrees on double digit grades). The steepest climb recorded by my bike computer was a 30 percent grade!
Another factor that contributes to this ride's difficulty are the cut-off times. I encountered a mechanical problem and had to ride hard to make the lunch cut-off. Later on, I was able to gain some time, but a wrong turn could have proven fatal. The DNF (did not finish) rate for this ride was 20 percent.
I met Tony M. from Cherry Valley, Joel K. from Berkeley, and ran into Linda B. from Ventura. Linda and I passed each other several times, she was faster at the stops, I was faster on the climbs. After sunset, we ended up riding together for a while.
Terrible Two Double Century - Current Weather:
See also California Triple Crown.