The California Triple Crown Stage Race is the three toughest double centuries in the state, over 600 grueling miles with 45,000 feet of climbing.

In 2003, the Devil Mountain Double Century was a true challenge of over 18,500 feet of climbing. Only 100 riders started this brutally hard double century and only 87 finished.

In 2003, the Heartbreak Double Century was a challenge as always with 200 miles and over 14,600 feet of climbing!! Only 93 riders started this aptly named double century and only 80 finished it

In 2003 the Terrible Two Double Century returned to its roots. The traditional triple whammy of this hardest of all double centuries has always been miles (200), hills (over 16,000'), and heat (100° +). For the past ten years, the heat has been missing.

All that changed this year, as riders sautÈed themselves on the sizzling griddle of Skaggs Springs after lunch. On-bike thermometers were reading as high as 118° over that entire section, and the roadside was littered with stationary, glassy-eyed riders. It was nearly as hot on the exposed sections of the Geysers before lunch, too, with triple digit readings common.

For those who survived the gauntlet on Skaggs, it was cool on the foggy coast. Such are the extremes of Sonoma County's micro-climates.

A comparison to last year's mild weather and fast times is instructive. Last year, when the mercury never climbed out of the 80's, 80% of the starting field finished by 10:00 p.m. This year only 64% made it in time to claim their "I Did It!" T-shirts. Generally speaking, the blistering weather added an average of an hour to most riders' times, depending on how well they coped with the heat.

The competition was incredibly close this year. Jeff Landauer, 35, from Rosedale, CA came in first in the Triple Crown Stage Race: he was fifth on the Devil Mountain Double Century, first on Heartbreak Double Century, and tied for first on the Terrible Two. Jeff started riding the double century circuit in 2002 with Davis, Knoxville, Heartbreak, and the Fall Death Valley double centuries. He really came on strong with his 2003 Stage Race performances!! Congratulations to Jeff!!

In second this year was Robert Choi, 42, from Rohnert Park, CA. He was just 23 minutes back from Jeff after 600 miles and 49,100 feet of climbing!! Robert was fourth on Devil Mountain Double Century, third on Heartbreak Double Century, and tied for third on the Terrible Two Double Century!! This is Robert's second year on the double dentury circuit after finishing in third in the California Triple Crown Stage Race last year!! Congratulations to Robert!!

In third this year was Brian Bowling, 29, from Laguna Niguel, CA. Brian started riding the double century circuit in 2002 with Butterfield, Hemet, Central Coast, Knoxville, Heartbreak, and the Fall Death Valley double centuries. He has completed 10 double centuries so far in 2003 and a complete series for brevets!! Congratulations to Brian on a fantastic year and an impressive third place in the California Triple Crown Stage Race!!

Unfortunately, there weren't any women double century riders who completed the 2003 Stage Race.

In the Tandem Division, Doug Grattan and Carole Breed were flying on these most difficult double centuries. For example, Doug and Carole came in second on Heartbreak Double Century, just 15 minutes behind Jeff Landauer!! Who said tandems can't climb? Congratulations to Doug and Carole for their first place finish in the Tandem Division and third overall! Thanks for giving some of us a big lift on these most difficult double centuries!!

An Honorable Mention goes to Paul McKenzie this year. Paul rode Devil Mountain Double Century on a single, Heartbreak Double Century on a tandem with Janet DeHaven, and the Terrible Two Double Century on a tandem with another partner, Catherina Berge, where they set a new tandem record!! Paul rode extremely well in the Stage Race this year, but since he didn't ride all three Stages on a single bike or on a tandem with the same partner, we felt it was appropriate to award him an Honorable Mention for completing these three most difficult double centuries so well.

Our hat is off to each of the 16 finishers in the 2003 Triple Crown Double Stage Race - just to complete these three extremely difficult double centuries is a major accomplishment!!

California Triple Crown complete results

Top Three Riders by Division

Rank Overall	Rider/Age/ Home Town	Devil Mountain	Central Coast hrs:min	Terrible Two	Time Back
Men
1	Landauer, Jeff, 35, Roseville	12:55	11:10	11:13	0:00
2	Daryn Choi, Robert, 42, Rohnert Park	12:46	11:25	11:30	0:23
5	Bowling, Brian, 29, Laguna Niguel	14:54	12:04	13:53	5:33
Tandem
3	Grattan, Doug, 40, Gardnerville	14:25	11:25	13:20	3:52