The California Triple Crown Stage Race is the three of the toughest double centuries in the state, over 600 grueling miles with 42,000 feet of climbing. How hard are these double centuries? Brutally hard.

The Mulholland Double Century on April 17 was a true challenge with over 13,200 Feet of Climbing. Only 106 riders started this brutally hard ride and only 88 finished. Ride organizer Chris Kostman reported, "This year, Mulholland was the first event of the 2004 California Triple Crown Stage Race ... and oh, what a race it was. The initial lead pack of seven riders eventually dwindled to a quartet before Balcom Canyon: Lasse Bjerga, Robert Choi, Jeff Landshark Landauer and Graham Python Pollock. They rode together most of the day, battling it out for the early lead. Lasse and Jeff surged ahead on the long climb up Mulholland on the way back, but missed a turn about 40 miles from the finish. Graham Pollock, riding strong, took the lead and never looked back ... winning the first stage with a course record time of 11:18." Way to go, Graham! Robert Choi came in second, with Lasse and Jeff getting back on course and finishing together with the third best time of the day.

The Central Coast Double Century on May 8 was a challenge as always with 210 miles and over 13,200 feet of climbing!! Of the 163 riders that registered, only 127 finished. The lunch times for the Central Coast Double Century have traditionally been subtracted from the times of the Central Coast Double Century. Unfortunately, the lunch times were lost for the 2004 Central Coast Double Century so the times below include the lunch times, and in the future, lunch times will be included in the stage race times.

Cool weather, great support, and a little good luck conspired to make the 2004 edition of the Terrible Two Double Century about as close to perfect as it could be. 272 riders set off into the sunrise at 5:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 19, which is the largest field in the history of the Terrible Two. This year's riders caught a break with the weather. At midweek, it was 104° in Cloverdale, but on the 19th, the official high was a comfortable 82°. The only downside to the weather was a bothersome headwind that seemed to pop up all over the place, regardless of which direction one was riding (except for the brief run down the coast: that at least was a tailwind). The pleasant weather played a big part in allowing 216 entries to complete the course (203 within the "I Did It!" time limit). However, let there be no doubt about it, the Terrible Two Double Centujry is loaded with 16,000 feet of brutally steep climbing and white-knuckle descents.

The Triple Crown Stage Race competition was closer than ever this year with just 17 minutes separating the top three finishers after 600 miles and over 42,000 feet of climbing!!

Robert Choi, age 43, from Rohnert Park, CA, took first overall in the Stage Race. He was second on the Mulholland Double Century, tied for first on the Central Coast Double Century, and tied for seventh on the Terrible Two Double Century!! This is Choi's third year on the double century crcuit after finishing in third place in the California Triple Crown Stage Race in 2002 and second last year!! Congratulations to Robert!!

In second place this year was Lasse Bjerga, 50, from Cedar City, UT. Lasse was third on the Mulholland Double, tied for first on the Central Coast Double Century, and tied for second on the Terrible Two Double Century!! This is Lasse's third year on the double century circuit and his first year competing in the Triple Crown Stage Race. Congratulations to Lasse!!

Jeff Landauer, 36, from Fair Oaks, CA, was third this year. Jeff was tied for third place on the Mulholland Double Century, tied for first place on the Central Coast Double Century, and tied for seventh place on the Terrible Two Double Century!! Jeff won the California Triple Crown Stage Race last year. Congratulations to Jeff!!

An Honorable Mention goes to Graham Pollock, age 36, this year. Graham came in first on the Mulholland Double Century with a course record time of 11:18. He took first in the Race Across Oregon on June 5 and just a couple of weeks later, he cranked out a very fine Terrible Two Double Century!! Congratulations to Graham!!

In the Women's Division, Janet Christiansen, 43, from Palm Springs, CA took first place. Janet completed her first double century in 2002 with the Heartbreak Double Century. In 2003 she completed two double centuries but those were just warm up rides for her excellent time of 37:51 in the Furnace Creek 508. Janet came back this year with three excellent double century rides. Congratulations on a great California Triple Crown Stage Race, Janet!!

In second place was Doris Bingo, 41, from Anaheim, CA. Doris completed her first year of double centuries in 1996 and has now completed over 32 double centuries!! Congratulations to Doris on a great California Triple Crown Stage Race!!

Margie Biddick, 45, from Aptos, CA was third in the Stage Race. Margie completed her first year of double centuries in 2003 including the Terrible Two Double Century. Margie came back this year with three excellent California double century rides. Congratulations to Margie!!

An Honorable Mention goes to Michelle Kashima, 44, from Irvine, CA. Michelle completed her first year of double centuries last year. She came back this year and tackled the three hardest doubles in California and was only 48 minutes behind Margie. Congratulations to Michelle!!

In the Tandem Division, Mike Chester and Karen Koppenhaver came in first place. Mike and Karen are long-time California Triple Crown Double Century riders: Mike started riding double centuries in 1992 and Karen in 1991. Mike has completed over 43 double centuries and Karen has completed over 54 double centuries. They were flying on the Stage Race this year and a big congratulations to Mike and Karen!!

Dan Crain and Anny Beck took second in the Tandem Division. They are also long time California Triple Crown Double Century riders: Dan started riding double centuries in 1996 and Anny in 1990. Dan has completed over 70 double centuries and Anny has completed over 29 double centuries. Congratulations to Dan and Anny on a fine California Triple Crown!!

In third in the Tandem Division were Bill Ellis and Evelyn Buchwitz. Bill started riding the Terrible Two Double Century in 1994 and has ridden it eight times!! Evelyn has completed 11 double centuries since 2001!! A tip of the hat to Bill and Evelyn who tackled these extremely tandem unfriendly rides!!

California Triple Crown Plaques will be awarded to each of these riders at the California Triple Crown Awards Breakfast on September 26, 2004, the morning after the Knoxville Fall Classic Double Century, in Vacaville, California.

Each of the 30 finishers is to be commended - just to complete these three extremely difficult California Triple Crown double centuries is a major accomplishment!!

In 2005, the California Triple Crown Stage Race will consist of the Mulholland Double, Devil Mountain Double, and the Central Coast Double, each of which will be included in the John Marino Competition.

California Triple Crown complete results

California Tripe Crown Stage Race Results

Rider/Age/Home Town	Time Back
Choi, Robert, 43, Rohnert Park, CA	34 hours 14 minutes
Bjerga, Lasse, 50, Cedar City, CA	+0:10
Landauer, Jeff, 36, Fair Oaks, CA	+0:17
Pollock, Graham, 36, Folsom, CA	+1:24
Parish, Mark, 41, Chino Hills, CA +	+2:26
Locker, Shawn, 38, Lafayette, CA	+2:30
Evans, Paul, 52, Waynesboro, VA	+2:34
Christiansen, Janet, 43, Palm Springs, CA	+3:57
Sheeran, Marty, 44, St George, UT	+4:07
Thomas, Robert, 48, Atascadero, CA	+7:00
Clare, John T, 62, Long Beach, CA	+7:36
Chester, Michael, 49, Oceanside, CA	+9:08
Koppenhaver, Karen, 43, Fallbrook, CA	+9:08
Milton, Tom, 50, Fairfield, CA	+10:37
Crain, Dan, 59, Irvine, CA	+10:43
Beck, Anny, 50, Bellflower, CA	+10:43
Bingo, Doris, 41, Anaheim, CA	+11:02
Buntrock, Robert, 39, Discovery Bay, CA	+11:24
Boyle, Craig, 42, San Jose, CA	+11:29
Biddick, Margie, 45, Aptos, CA	+12:02
Desantis, James, 43, Oak Run, CA	+12:02
Birnbaum, Mark, 51, Novato, CA	+12:25
Kashima, Michelle, 44, Irvine, CA	+12:50
Hastings, Geoffrey, 45, San Francisco, CA	+14:02
Hesse, Mark, 50, Fairfax, CA	+14:10
Ellis, Bill, 45, Santa Rosa, CA	+15:02
Buchwitz, Evelyn, 40, Novato, CA	+15:02
Koivisto, Gary, 47, Santa Maria, CA	+15:02
Anderson, Bruce, 48, San Luis Obispo, CA	+15:43
Watters, Vern, 58, San Rafael, CA	+17:06