These tips were collected from vetran double century riders who are members of the Almaden Cycle Touring Club.

Sheia S.

1. Hang out with long distance riders to build up your base and pick the brains of seasoned veterans/recently hooked rookies. These rides will get you used to long rides, building endurance, keeping stops to a minimum and taking care of yourself (drinking/eating/electrolytes).
2. Start with a goal of finishing the distance, without bonking.
3. Keep track of your training so you have a REALISTIC view of how long it will take you to finish given the climbing and difficulty level.
4. Don't worry if this time is much different from the times of other friends going to the Double. GO YOUR OWN PACE so you don't blow up or DNF on your first attempt. There will inevitably be someone on the ride that fits your pace very well so you can share the load in the wind or pass the time talking.

Russ S.

1. Pace yourself. Know your limits and don't go beyond them - ever. Use a heart rate monitor or power meter to monitor and limit your energy output.
2. Make sure you eat. A double century requires about 8,000 cals. Eat a good breakfast and then make sure you eat at least 4,000 to 5,000 more calories on the ride.
3. Limit your rests and keep pedaling. You will be amazed what you accomplish if you just keep moving and don't give up.

Judy I.

1. Start as early as possible.
2. Think about 100 miles as your midpoint, a nice time to have lunch.
3. Try not to spend too much time off the bike before lunch. Be prepared for a rough patch between 140 and 170 miles. (This is usually longer than your long training rides, but not long enough for you to be smelling the barn and getting excited about the finish, so it goes pretty slowly...)
4. Have a special treat to eat on the second half. Sing.
5. Do it with a friend. Do it on a tandem.

Lane P.

1. Stretch when you're off the bike for rest stops or lunch or bio breaks. At least three or four times during the ride. Take your shoes off once or twice on longer stops and stretch your feet.
2. Wear sensible shoes. I wore mountain bike shoes for my first few doubles which were too flexible for 12+ hours of peddling, especially up difficult climbs. The shoes should be comfortable but stiff to spread the pedal pressure.
3. Don't eat too much but make sure you do take in enough calories. You'll burn 500 to 1000 calories an hour depending on the exertion. I'm not sure what the rules are on this but at least half of those calories need to be replaced during the ride. But not 100% and especially not 120%.
4. On hot rides make sure you have at least one bottle of water on the bike. A little water on the head or back of the neck can work miracles on a hot day. If both bottles contain a sport drink then that would be a sticking dousing.
5. Wear a Camelbak unless you're certain the water breaks are close enough together. The happiest I've been on a double is when I filled my camelbak with ice on mile 120 of a scorcher and had ice cold water to drink for the next 50 miles.

Christin S.

1. Drink before you're thirsty, eat before you're hungry.
2. Some athletes have trouble eating on big events (nerves, heat, whatever).  Although the event may be well supported, bring your personal back-up just in case food is not agreeing with you (Sustained Energy powder or whatever works for you).
3. Grab food and eat it while in line for the restroom.  Keep off the bike time to a minimum.
4. Utilize pacelines and take turns pulling and drafting rather than going at it alone!
5. For the mental aspect of being on the saddle for numerous hours, break the mileage into 25 mile segments.  When you've completed 25 miles, you've completed 1/8th or if it is a triple, 1/12th.  Having small milestones along the way makes it fly by.
6. Utilize all those club long distance rides that are offered.  Push yourself to participate in many training rides and your big event will be much easier than expected.  
7. No handlebar bags allowed on pink bikes ;-)
8. Have fun out there!

Nina Y.

1. Figure out how to deal with sitting on a bike so long. "Baby products" are very helpful.
2. Make sure things "fit" -- your bike, seat, clothes, shoes
3. Experiment beforehand -- with eating, drinking, training, tapering (on shorter rides like centuries/double centuries) to figure out what works for you.
4. Do some tougher "per mile climbing" rides than the double you plan to do. E.g., if you target a double with 8K ft climbing, do some century+ rides with 8K-10K ft of climbing. It will make the double seem easier.
5. Get plenty of sleep during the week before the double -- you may not sleep much the night before.
6. Use new tires, i.e., replace your old ones a day or two before the double.

Ted B.

1. The best advice I received came from Spencer Fink when he said to me to make sure and keep your effort under 80% of max all day.  
2. For the Davis I followed this rule until after lunch then pushed it a little under a spell of euphoria when I thought I was going to finish.   I paid for it in the last 20 miles when I bonked and almost did not finish.  (thanks be to a club pace line and also pinkie for being in a similar state and having the will and fortitude to continue well past a point you thought you could)
3. On Mt Tam I swallowed my pride and let quite a few people pass me on the climb keeping my heart rate under the 80% mark which I continued to do all day.  Upon the finishing climb I still had something left and finished feeling strong and like I could do more.
4. That advice along with training above that 80% mark on weekend rides in the 70 to 110 mile range seemed to make a big difference (I pushed my heart rate to the mid to upper 80’s on must climbs).  I used the weekday rides to train in the 90% range.  That way during the doubles the climbs and pace seemed easy, like you can go all day.
5. This can be done w/ watt’s, heart rate and even perceived effort for the low tech.
6. The last bit of advice is to set the goal and move toward achieving it for it is not only the finish line but the whole journey that is so rewarding.
7. Thanks to all in the club who have helped my ride my first doubles.

Joe F.

1. Your training rides should mimic the double century you are planning on doing.
2. Your rides should have short brakes, with long stretches on the bike.
3. You should be an accomplished century rider, if you plan to have fun completing a double.
4. Excellent riding shorts are a must!
5. Concentrate on just finishing, and just have fun.  

Paul D.

1. The best advice I have gotten came from a randonneuring seminar.  It applies to many things.
2. There are going to be highs and lows.  Neither will last forever.  When you hit a low, keeping going and know that it will pass.  When you hit a high, keep going and enjoy it, for it will pass as well.  Bottom line, keep moving.  

Barbara M.

1. Solvang is the easiest one to start with.
2. If you are consistently doing 130 mile UDT rides with the club then you can most likely do 200 miles. The last 70 miles is more mental at that point than physical.
3. Stop at all the rest stops, but take short breaks. Be aware of time spent at rest stops. Pick up food at the rest stops to eat on the bike.
4. I recommend grazing on the bike, the worst problem I had as a beginnerwas learning to eat enough.
5. Be prepared for incliment weather, (Solvang 2006) bring at least a wind breaker.

David H.

1. Be confident. Go in with a positive attitude that you can do this.
2. Pick an easier, well supported double (e.g.: Davis or Knoxville)
3. Ride with friends who will stay with you the entire double
4. Enjoy every rest stop. Drink Drink Drink (water) and eat as you feel the need.