Pedal Dancer®: COLORADO CYCLING
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COLORADO CYCLING

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2013 Posts

CALENDAR OF COLORADO RACES AND EVENTS - 2013

Schedule of Bike Rides, Bike Events, Citizen Bike Races in Colorado
It is the time of year to plan which bicycle events you will ride in 2013. Here is a list of Cycling Events in Colorado - mark your calendars! If you live in Colorado, or plan to visit as a tourist, you might be looking for some events to use as training, or as your ultimate goal in 2013. There are plenty of bike events and races to fill your calendar in 2013.
It's a new year - time for new goals !

List of cycling EVENTS and dates in Colorado for the 2013 season 
February 22-24 - North American Handmade Bicycle Show Denver
March 16, 2013 - Pedaling for St. Pat's Colorado Springs
April 20, 2013 - MOG Sale, Bike Gear Sale, Grand Junction
April 25-28, 2013 - Fruita Fat Tire Festival
May 11, 2013 - Mission to Ride, Montrose
May 19, 2013 - Community Classic Bike Tour Loveland
May 25, 2013 - Durango-Silverton Iron Horse Bicycle Classic Race
June 1, 2013 - Buena Vista Bicycle Festival 
June 2, 2013 -  Subaru Elephant Rock Cycling Festival Castle Rock 
June 8, 2013 - Pedaling for Parkinson's Denver 
June 8-10, 2013 - Death Ride Tour Silverton 
June 8-15, 2013 - The Denver Post Ride The Rockies  
June 9, 2013 - Pedal through the Puzzle (family fun) Colorado Springs
June 15, 2013 - Denver Century Ride
June 22, 2013 - Mountain Top Experience Ride Woodland Park 
June 28-July 4, 2013 - San Juan Huts 200 (Mtb), Durango-Moab
June 29, 2013 - Boulder Sunrise Century Race
June 29, 2013 - Coco Century Ordway 
June 23-29, 2013 - Bicycle Tour of Colorado 
June 29-30, 2013 - Newmont - Bike MS, presented by Great-West Life
June 30, 2013 - The Silver Road Half Century Georgetown
July 7, 2013 - Honor Ride Denver/Ride 2 Recovery
July 13, 2013 - Tour de Ladies Parker
July 13-14, 2013 - Triple Bypass Evergreen-Vail
July 20, 2013 - Tour de Steamboat 
July 20-22, 2013 - Courage Classic Summit and Eagle County
July 20-27, 2-13 - 109ยบ West Bicycle Tour, southwest Colorado.
July 21, 2013 - Pikes Peak Cycling Hillclimb  
July 27, 2013 - SOS Outreach-Eagle River Ride
August 3, 2013 - Colorado Cyclist Copper Triangle Copper Mtn
August 4-10, 2013 - Colorado Rocky Mountain Bike Tour
August 10, 2013 - Stonewall Century Bicycle Ride La Veta 
August 10, 2013 - Colorado Park to Park Challenge Denver-WP
August 10, 2013 - Red Rocks Century Red Rocks
August 10, 2013 - BStrong Ride Boulder 
August 17, 2013 - Circle the Summit - Bob Guthrie Memorial Ride
August 17, 2013 - Colorado Tour de Cure
August 17, 2013 - Vuelta a Salida
August 18, 2013 - Span the Rockies, Boulder
September 1, 2013 - West Elk Bicycle Classic, Gunnison/CB 
September 14, 2013 - Ride Westcliff Century
September 20-22, 2013 - The Denver Post Pedal The Plains Yuma 
September 21, 2013 - Bikes and Brews Canon City
September 21, 2013 - Cystic Fibrosis Cycle for Life Longmont  
September 28, 2013 - Durango Fall Blaze Bicycle Tour 
September 29, 2013 - Venus de Miles Boulder
October 5, 2013 - Icon LASIK Tour of the Moon Grand Junction
October 19, 2013 - Veloswap Bike Gear Sale, Denver 

At Elephant Rock 2012. A clear sign you are at a cycling event.   Photo by Karen at PedalDancer.com
Other cycling EVENT rides near Colorado for the 2013 season: (CA, UT, NV, NM, OR, WA, AZ, IA, WY) including gran fondos and week long cycling events in western United States.
* For the traveling cyclist - some cycling events in nearby California, Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Iowa, Wyoming.
*Throughout the Year - RAAM Cycling Challenge (TX, CA, OR, MN, OH, FL)
February 9, 2013 - Tour de Palm Springs California
March 9, 2013 - Solvang Century California 
March 9-12, 2013 - Moab Skinny Tire Festival Utah 
March 23, 2013 - Spring Rush Century Palm Desert, California 
April 4-7, 2013 - Redlands Bicycle Classic California
April 6, 2013 - Gran Fondo Las Vegas Nevada
April 13, 2013 - Tour de Fire Nevada  
April 13 2013 - Mulholland Challenge California
April 18-21, 2013 - Sea Otter Classic California
April 20, 2013 - Gran Fondo Giro d'Italia at Sea Otter Classic, California
April 21, 2013 - Primavera Century California 
April 27, 2013 - Zion Gran Fondo Utah 
April 28, 2013 - L' Etape du California - Mt Diablo (Tour of California stage for citizens)
April 28, 2013 - Chico Wildflower Century California
May 4, 2013 - Breathless Agony California 
May 4, 2013 - GranFondo Moab Utah
May 11, 2013 - L' Etape du California - Escondido (Tour of California stage for citizens)
May 18, 2013 - Moonshadows in Moab Utah 
May 19, 2013 - Santa Fe Century New Mexico 
May 26, 2013 - Great Western 100 Century (Central Coast) California
June 2, 2013 - Gran Fondo Giro d'Italia at Pasadena California
June 8, 2013 - Ride Around the Bear, Big Bear California  
June 11, 2013 - Race Across America Oceanside, CA to Annapolis, MD 
June 28, 2013 - Climb to Kaiser, Fresno California  
June 29-30, 2013 - Rough Riders 200, New Mexico
July 6, 2012 - Giro Bella, Sonoma County California
July 12-14, 2013 - Cycle Oregon - weekend ride 
July 13, 2013 - Death Ride California 
July 21-27, 2013 - Ragbrai Iowa
July 25, 2013 - RAMROD, Mt Rainier, Washington
August 2-4, 2013 - Cascade Gran Fondo Oregon 
August 17-18, 2013 - Bike MS Wyoming Colorado-Wyoming
August 25, 2013 - The Reno Tahoe Gran Fondo California 
September 7, 2013 - LOTOJA, Utah to Wyoming
September 7, 2013 - Amtrak Century Southern California
September 7-14 - Cycle Oregon - week ride  
September 14-16, 2013 - Hoodoo 500 (relay/solo), Utah
September 20-22, 2013 - Moab Century Tour Utah  
September 21, 2013 - Viva Bike Vegas Gran Fondo Pinarello, Nevada
September 22, 2013 - Giro di San Diego Granfondo California
October 5, 2013 - Levi's GranFondo California
October 19, 2013 - Santa Barbara Century California 
October 19, 2013 - Tri-States Gran Fondo Nevada 
November 23, 2013 - El Tour de Tucson Arizona
Various dates across the nation in 2013 - Soldier Rides Nationwide
* many many rides in California listed and mapped at: TourofCalifornia.org

Other Gran Fondo events in the U.S.A. for the 2013 season
May 5, 2013 - Gran Fondo Giro d'Italia Five Boro, New York 
May 19, 2013 - Gran Fondo New York - The True Experienc By 303Cycling.com:
November 10, 2013 - Gran Fondo Giro d'Italia Coral Gables, FL
Other events in Canada for the 2013 season:
August 24, 2013 - GranFondo Banff
September 7, 2013 - RBC GranFondo Whistler 

Also read by Pedal Dancer: Best Sportives and Gran Fondos (in the world!)

At Ragbrai   Photo by Karen at PedalDancer.com
List of cycling RACES and dates in Colorado for the 2013 season: road races, criteriums, time trials, hill climbs, omniums.
* For more information on the races, as the race flyers are created and websites become active, please visit the website of the Bicycle Racing Association of Colorado Calendar of Events. 

March 2, 2013 - Frostbite Time Trial 
March 16, 2013 - Cobb Lake Circuit Race
March 23, 2013 - Oredigger Classic Lookout Mtn HillClimb TT CANCELED 
March 31, 2013 - Colorado Springs Classic Criterium
April 6, 2013 - Louisville Criterium Event Flyer 
April 10 - May 22 2013 - Karen Hornbostel Memorial Time Trial Series 
April 13, 2013 - Haystack Time Trial 
April 14, 2013 - Front Range Cycling Classic USAFA
April 20, 2013 - Weld County Road Race  Event Flyer  Results
April 20, 2013 - Maverick Classic Team Time Trial, Fruita
April 20, 2013 - Maverick Classic Downtown Criterium, Grand Junction
April 21, 2013 - Maverick Classic Road Race, Palisade
April 27, 2013 - Denver Federal Center Classic 
April 28, 2013 - Deer Trail Road Race Event Flyer 
May 4, 2013 - Cafe Velo Tri-Lake Time Trial
May 5, 2013 - The Koppenberg Event Flyer
May 11, 2013 - Wheels of Thunder   
May 11-12, 2013 - Eagle Outside Festival, MTB race, Clinics & Marathon
May 17-19, 2013 - Superior Morgul Classic  Event Flyer
May 25, 2013 - Boulder Orthopedics Time Trial Event Flyer 
May 25-26, 2013: Colorado Mini Classic (junior stage race) 
May 26, 2013 - Red Canyon Road Race
May 27, 2013 - Cottonwood Pass Road Race 
June 1, 2013 - Coal Miners Classic
June 2, 2013 - City Park Criterium 
June 8, 2013 - Sunshine Hill Climb
June 9, 2013 - North Boulder Park Classic  
June 2, 2013 - BetiBikeBash (wms mtn bike race)
June 15, 2013 - Colorado Time Trial Championships
June 16, 2013 - Mike Horgan Hillclimb Event Flyer
June 23, 2-13 - Black Forest Classic Gran Fondo
June 22-23, 2013 - Dead Dog Classic Stage Race, Laramie
June 29, 2013 - Sonic Boom - Colorado Master Criterium Championships
June 30, 2013 - Guanella Pass Hill Climb
July 06, 2013 - Rock the River Road Race 
July 07, 2013 - Nationwide Niwot Downtown Criterium
July 13, 2013 - The Firestone Classic Event Flyer 
July 14, 2013 - Longmont Criterum (Colorado Senior Crit Championships)
July 20, 2013 - Bob Cook Memorial/Mt Evans Hill Climb
July 21, 2013 - Pikes Peak Cycling Hillclimb  
July 27, 2013 - Salida Classic Criterium
July 28, 2013 - Salida Classic Road Race (CO Master RR Championships)
August 3, 2013 - ColoBikeLaw.com Lookout Mountain Hillclimb race
August 4, 2013 - Bannock St Criterium (Colorado Junior Crit Championships)
August 10, 2013 - Racing for Hope Cycling Classic 
August 11, 2013 - Littleton Criterium 
August 17, 2013 - Louviers Grand Prix (CO Junior RR Championships)
August 18, 2013 - Colorado Classic Road Race
August 18, 2013 - A Midsummer's Road Race  
September 31-Oct 2, 2013 - Steamboat Springs Stage Race

USA Cycling Events Calendar
BRAC Cycling Calendar 
303Cycling Calandar of bike races 


At Bannock Street Crit in Denver, 2012.   Photo by Karen at PedalDancer.com
Cyclo-cross Race Schedule - for the 2013 season

09/07/13, Saturday - Kick It CX Festival and TT, Brighton
09/08/13, Sunday - Cross of the North, Loveland
09/14/13, Saturday - Green Mountain Sports #1, Golden/Morrison
09/15/13, Sunday - Valmont Cyclocross, Boulder
09/21/13, Saturday - Xilinx Cyclocross, Longmont
09/22/13, Sunday - Body Sync Cyclocross
09/28/13, Saturday - Queens of Cross, Arvada/Golden
09/29/13, Sunday - Storm the Castle
10/05/13, Saturday - Frisco Cross
10/06/13, Sunday - Primalpalooza, Arvada/Golden
10/12/13, Saturday - USGP of Cyclocross SmartWool Cup ***
10/13/13, Sunday - USGP of Cyclocross SmartWool Cup ***
10/19/13, Saturday - CO Cross Classic, Valmont Park
10/20/13, Sunday - Boulder Cup, Valmont Park
10/26/13, Saturday - Interlocken Cyclocross, Broomfield
10/27/13, Sunday - Frites Cyclocross (with Alpha)
11/02/13, Saturday - Schoolyard Cross, Longmont
11/03/13, Sunday - Feedback Cup
11/09/13, Saturday - Sienna Lake Cyclocross, Broomfield
11/10/13, Sunday - Blue Sky Velo Cup Xilinx
11/16/13, Saturday - Flatirons Cyclocross
11/17/13, Sunday - Mile High Urban Cross, Denver
11/23/13, Saturday - Louisville Rec Center Cyclocross
11/24/13, Sunday - Green Mountain Sports #2, Golden/Morrison
11/30/13, Saturday - Castle Cross, Castle Rock
12/01/13, Sunday - Cowboy Cross
12/07/13, Saturday - Boulder Res Cyclocross, Boulder
12/08/13, Sunday - The RLW in memoriam CX
12/14/13, Saturday - Colorado Cyclocross Championships, Boulder
12/15/13, Sunday - Colorado Cyclocross Championships, Boulder

Cyclocross Nationals 2013-14

Boulder, Colorado
January 8-12, 2014 - 2014 USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships will be at Valmont Park in Boulder.
Cyclocross race at Valmont Park in Boulder, 2012.   Photo by Karen at PedalDancer.com
Pro Race in Colorado 2013
Remember the USA Pro Cycling Challenge dates are August 19-25, 2013
At the USA Pro Cycling Challenge in Breckenridge, 2012.   Photo by Karen at PedalDancer.com


POSTS BY PEDAL DANCER - RACING AND CYCLING IN COLORADO

Colorado Racing

2012 Cyclocross
2012/11 USA Pro Challenge
  • USA PRO CHALLENGE a collection of information and race reports from the 2011 and 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge professional multi-stage race in Colorado.  
2011 Cyclocross

Colorado Events, rides, reports and posts

2013
2012
2011


Colorado Ride Reports - by others
Colorado Cycling Articles 
Books - Colorado Cycling 
Colorado - Cycling Websites

FAVORITE COLORADO BIKE RIDES - recommendations

 Copper Triangle (Copper Mountain, Leadville, Vail loop)
Squaw Pass/Mt Evans
Lyons, Ward, Boulder Loop
Lyons, Allens Park, up Trail Ridge Road / Grand Lake
Deer Creek, High Grade, Turkey Creek area loop
Frisco, Keystone, Montezuma, Loveland Pass area
Cottonwood Pass between Crested Butte and Buena Vista
Deckers Loop
Colorado Monument
Independence Pass/Aspen
Grand Mesa and Paonia area
(I am sure there are others, these come to mind first). Enjoy!

COLORADO MOUNTAIN PASSES
Altitude of the mountain passes in Colorado
Mount Evans: 14,160 ft (4316 m), 15%
Pikes Peak Highway: 14,115 ft (4302 m), 8%
Trail Ridge Rd: 12,183 ft (3713 m), 5.4%
Independence Pass: 12,103 ft (3689 m), 6%
Loveland Pass: 11,992 ft (3655 m), 6%
Hoosier Pass: 11,541 ft (3518 m), 8%
Slumgullion Pass: 11,361 ft (3463 m), 9.4%/7.9%
Fremont PAss: 11,318 ft (3450 m), 5.7%
Monarch Pass: 11,312 ft (3448 m), 6.4%
Vail Pass: 10,666 ft (3251 m), 7%
Leadville 100 course: low point is 9,200 ft (2804 m), highest point is 12,600 ft (3840 m)

Cycling Routes in Colorado 

Recommended Reading: Spin Cities in 5280 Magazine, By Lindsey B. Koehler:

" ... With dry roads and sunny days stretching out ahead of us, we’re joining the frenzy—and helping you do the same—by highlighting some of the best road cycling routes (for beginners and experts alike!) along the Front Range and in Colorado’s famed high country. Clip in and enjoy the ride."

Features of the article:

In her article recommending 21 bike rides in Colorado, Lindsey B. Koehler has listed the major nearby city, distance, difficulty level, maps, profiles, and most importantly - rest stops or happy hour locations near the routes. I enjoy a destination or loop ride, and this 5280 article offers plenty of choices. I could fill the year doing all these routes; there remains three I have yet to tackle.

The list of 21 road rides in Colorado that made the Best of list according 5280 Magazine, Spin Cities:
  • Colorado Springs: The Ride: Cheyenne Caรฑon, Distance (Hard): 11.4 miles round-trip, (see the ride)
  • Colorado Springs: The Ride: Pikes Peak Highway (Hard), Distance: 60 miles round-trip, (see the ride)
  • Beaver Creek: The Ride: The Copper Triangle (Hard), Distance: 92 miles round-trip, (see the ride)
  • Beaver Creek: The Ride: Eagle River Ramble (Easy), Distance 27 round-trip, (see the ride)
  • Steamboat Springs: The Ride: Steamboat Springs to Lake Catamount (Easy), Distance: 22 miles round-trip, (see the ride) 
  • Steamboat Springs: The Ride: Emerald Mountain Circuit (Moderate), Distance: 27.7 mile loop, (see the ride, pg 3)
  • Boulder: The Ride: Peak to Peak Highway (Moderate to Hard), Distance: 60 miles round-trip, (see the ride)
  • Boulder: The Ride: Neva Loop (Easy), Distance: 15.4 mile loop, (see the ride)
  • Boulder: The Ride: Super James (Hard), Distance: 40 miles round-trip, (see the ride)
  • Boulder: The Ride: Boulder to Estes Park (Moderate), Distance: 78 miles round-trip, (see the ride)
  • Boulder: The Ride: Super Flag (Hard), Distance: 10 miles round-trip, (see the ride) 
  • Boulder: The Ride: Magnolia (17%!)(Hard), Distance: 9 miles round-trip, (see the ride) 
  • Boulder: The Ride: Carter Lake (Moderate), Distance: 65 miles round-trip, (see the ride) 
  • Bellvue/Fort Collins: The Ride: Rist Canyon Loop (Moderate to Hard), Distance: 42 miles round-trip, (see the ride)
  • Bellvue/Fort Collins: The Ride: Centennial Drive Loop (Easy), Distance 22.7 mile loop, (see the ride)
  • Aspen: The Ride: Maroon Bells (Moderate), Distance: 18 miles round-trip, (see the ride)
  • Aspen: The Ride: Extended Maroon Bells (Hard), Distance: 52.9 miles on two branches, (see the ride)
  • Denver: The Ride: Confluence Park to Cherry Creek State Park (Easy), Distance: 28.4 miles round-trip, (see the ride) [I personally like the extension of the Cherry Creek Path from the Reservoir down past Parker]. 
  • Denver/Golden: The Ride: Lookout Mountain (Hard), Distance: 37.2 out and back, (see the ride)
  • Breckenridge: The Ride: Lake Dillon Loop (Moderate), Distance: 31 miles round-trip, (see the ride)
  • Breckenridge/Keystone: The Ride: Extended Lake Dillon (Moderate), Distance: 38.0 miles, (see the ride)


 COLORADO CYCLING TOURS and RACES

 Cycling Events / Races / Multi-Day Bike Tours in Colorado
Sometimes the best riding can be found when someone else has already planned the route, it is a good idea to look at the routes these planned events use, also check out MapMyRide.com.

Race Name: USA Pro Cycling Challenge - professional stage race
Read more about the race: USA PRO CHALLENGE



Race Name: Tour of Colorado
Don't confuse the USA Pro Cycling Challenge with The Tour of Colorado which has been a collection of local amateur and pro races in Colorado since 2008. It is not a stage race.
Series Name: Tour of Colorado
Website: http://www.tourofcolorado.com/ 
Dates: May through August
Location: various cities in Colorado
Races: The series is comprised of the Rocky Mountain Omnium in Glenwood Springs. North Boulder Park Criterium. Bob Cook Memorial-Mt.Evans Hill Climb. Sand Creek Air Force Academy Road Race, (Colorado Senior Road Championship).
Who you will see: Local Colorado Category 4-1 racers
Description: The name is Trademarked by Sand Creek Sports. Overall Awards are given for accumulated points in specified local races. Tour of Colorado is a series of existing Colorado races. Some races will be permitted with USA Cycling and some with the American Cycling Association. 
In my Opinion: Just a name. They were hoping to sell the name to the Tour Organizers above, but didn't. The series matters to maybe 20 cyclists in the state who race all these events and have a chance at an award.



Event Name: Bicycle Tour of Colorado (BTC)
If you are a cyclist and interested in riding a week long bike tour across the state of Colorado:

Website: http://www.bicycletourcolorado.com/ 
Dates: annually in June
Location: various cities in Colorado, usually a loop route
Who you will see: 1500 amateur cyclists capable of riding 60-100 miles per day.
Description: 463 miles, 7 day fully supported bicycle tour in the Colorado Rocky Mountains over several big mountain passes.
Read a PedalDancer.com previous blog post: Bicycle Tour of Colordo - revisited 
In my Opinion:  Challenging week of long mountain passes and porta-potties

Event Name: Ride The Rockies (RTR)
Website: http://www.ridetherockies.com/ 
Dates: annually in June 
Location: various cities in Colorado, a loop route or point-to-point route
Who you will see: 2000 amateur cyclists capable of riding 60-100 miles per day
Description:  The Denver Post Ride The Rockies is an annual bicycle tour that takes 2,000 cyclists, assisted by more than 100 volunteers, on a 6-7 day ride on paved roads through Colorado's Rocky Mountains each June. 400-530 miles. 
Read a PedalDancer.com previous blog post: Ride the Rockies - revisited 
In my Opinion: Fun mod/hard, very social week, with 2000 cyclists of ALL abilities
Read a PedalDancer.com post about riding Ride the Rockies in 2008  
Read all PedalDancer.com posts related to Ride the Rockies



Event Name: Bicycle Tour of Colorado (BTC)
Bicycle Tour of Colorado (BTC): event ride for citizens
Dates: annually in June
Location: Loop Tour - or point to point week long tour
Length: ~463 miles over 7 days with 1 day of rest.    
Limited to: 1500 Cyclists,
Annual Event: The 17th Annual Tour
Cost: ~ $400
Registration: BTC Website
Pedal Dancer post: Bicycle Tour of Colorado - revisited Yes, I've ridden Bicycle Tour of Colorado too, Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Event Name: Triple Bypass 

Triple Bypass: 120 miles, 10,000 ft elevation gain, 1 day - July 9, 2011
Double Triple Bypass: 240 miles, 20,000 ft elevation gain, 2 days - July 9-10, 2011
what:    Triple Bypass
where:  Bergen Park (Evergreen) to Avon, Colorado (or reverse)
when:   annually in July. There is no mass start time. Start time is 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.
who:     there will be 3,500 riders on the course on Saturday (traveling east to west) and 2,500 on Sunday (traveling west to east).
why:     a chance to ride three huge Colorado Rocky Mountain passes (Squaw, 11,140'; Loveland, 11,990'; Vail, 10,560') on one 122-mile "lung-busting day"with over 10,600 feet of climbing. This is a ride event, not a race (there are no times given).
how:     the event does have checkpoints (where you are unable to pass) where riders must show wristbands and helmet numbers to proceed.
cost: Triple (one-way/either way): $150, Double Triple (two-way): $275
Ride Reports: Colorado High - Squaw Pass. The Triple Bypass is a classic bike ride event every July in Colorado. For 23 years this event has been growing in popularity. Getting into the ride has become the real race. After the event sold out in 45 minutes in 2010, the event organizers at Team Evergreen have devised a new registration plan, entrance into the Triple Bypass is a two step process: pre-registration/drawing and then registration (if your name is drawn).

Triple Bypass Tips

Train
Good bike fit
Hydrate hydrate and eat very well for 3 days prior
Rest prior to the event (according to your training schedule), ride the day before.
Ride very steady on event day, especially up Squaw Pass in the early morning.
Get a good rain jacket, expect to use knee warmers, and arm warmers, maybe a cap. If it is raining wear long finger gloves.
Try to avoid sweating a lot when climbing, to avoid getting chilled on the downhills.
Keep your effort very steady up and down the climbs
Keep rotating the pedals even on the long downhills to keep the blood moving in your legs.
Get used to riding without music.
Do not stop for long breaks, keep moving along, the weather might catch up with you later.
Eat within the first 35-45 minutes of the ride, and continuously through the day, every 15 minutes.
Personally I do not carry 2 full water bottles, I do use 2 bottles, but they are not always full. I study the course and plan since there are so many aid stations. Use the aid stations, but move through them quickly.
I carry my own electrolyte drink powder inside small baggies to add to additional bottles of water. This is not the day to experiment.
The standard is 1 bottle of water every 45 minutes, more if it is hot. If it is cold force fluids. You are still sweating, still blowing off Co2 and getting dehydrated.
I keep my food open in my pocket and eat while I ride, I do not only eat at aid stations. I break bars into small pieces and put them in baggies so I can reach in and chew on a small piece.
Don't psych yourself out when the climb appears hard, it is not, you can do it.
Maintain your straight line while riding.
Expect to be both hot and cold during the course of the day.
Bring ID, money and a phone.
Be nice to the volunteers.
Don't stress, stay steady and positive to save energy. It is an amazing feeling to see the finish line.

After arrival eat as soon as you step off the bike, eat carbs and protein immediately. Rest shower, and then walk to dinner. Getting your heart moving again will actually aid in recovery for the next day. Eat something for dinner that you would "normally eat". Try to get to sleep early, even if you are restless at altitude, lay still and rest your body. Get all your gear ready the night before (and check your tires) so you will be ready to go in the morning.

Triple Bypass Plans & Transportation

 Transportation: Information provided on the Team Evergreen link at 2011 Triple Bypass Lodging & Bus Transportation Information. Bus Transportation: Transportation to and from the Start Line (Evergreen, CO) and Finish Line (Avon, CO) will be available at $70 per person and includes one bike and one bag.  Transportation will be available for purchase beginning in May. Triple Bypass Bus Transportation Schedule: Saturday: Avon, CO to Evergreen, CO 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. ; Sunday:  Evergreen, CO to Avon, CO 5:00 p.m. an 8:00 p.m.

Transportation Tips: In years past the event organizers have offered bus transportation for riders returning to the start area it cost around $90 one-way in 2009). Bikes were loaded into trucks. Honestly, most participants arrange for personal transportation back home. This entails asking a relative or friend to be your shuttle service.

In 2009 I drove my car to the start area in Bergen Park (Evergreen), it is about 10 minutes off of I-25, so I was able to easily pick up the car upon return to Denver. I parked the car and started riding. I asked a friend to pick me up in Avon at 3:00pm. Avon is less than a 2-hour drive from Denver, CO. This allowed me time to arrive into Avon and eat after the ride. I met my ride at the recreation center in Avon where they had a fresh bag of clothes for me so I could change before the long drive back home. (please see the map below).

It worked out very well having personal transportation back home. It also worked out well because one of the guys ended up having hamstring trouble, was unable to complete the ride, and needed the car to pick him up en route. The event offers official sag support, but he was much happier not hanging around in his kit for hours. 

Although personal sag support cannot follow the exact route of the riders, there are key points along the route where it would be great to have a support car to unload or load up on dry clothing, especially in harsh weather. Of course this depends on having a friend willing to devote the entire day to sag support.

Avon, Colorado - The Finish / Start:
Click to enlarge
Triple Bypass Accommodations & Bags

Lodging information provided on the Team Evergreen link at 2011 Triple Bypass List of Lodging  or  Map and names of Hotels in Avon, Colorado

*Vail, Colorado is 18 miles east of Avon. Edwards, Colorado is 4.4 miles west from Avon and a better choice for accommodation than Vail. But try for Avon first. 

For the 500 individuals signed up for the Double Triple Bypass, you will need overnight accommodation in Avon, Colorado or Edwards, CO (if you are alone with your bike). Vail or even Frisco are an option if you have car transportation). Note that Beaver Creek ski resort is UP THE HILL from the town of Avon, CO.  

Also remember that Avon is at altitude, so that means you will be "sleeping high," not the best for rest and recovery for the next day's ride, so be sure to limit your moving around as much as possible to allow for recovery to get out and do it all over again the next day. Try to walk or ride to dinner to get a a little exercise in, it will actually help with your recovery.

I am not certain what sort of service they will be offering (or if) for bag transport for Double Triple Bypass riders. I plan to ask the pick-up driver of a friend whose is doing the East to West route to drop my bag at my hotel in Avon. I'm not sure how to get the bag back to Denver, but chances are I'll find someone who will pick it up, or the Triple Bypass Organizers will have a bag transport truck.

Triple Bypass Route and Maps

Maps of the Triple Bypass
click images to enlarge 


Lots of route information and details including GPS file and instructions may be found at this link: Triple Bypass Route Page


Triple Bypass Route Maps:
Triple Bypass Earth Map

The Double Triple Bypass profile map - 240 miles, 20,000 miles climbing in 2 days.
I recently located the ClimbbyBike.com profile for Mt Evans. This is the profile from Idaho Springs up to The top of Mount Evans. Sure makes it look easy. ClimbbyBike.com climb information on Mt Evans, Colorado
.

Triple Bypass Climb information

Squaw Pass: Pedal Dancer rides Squaw Pass
Squaw Pass: MyBicycleRoutes
Squaw Pass: MtEvans.com

Photo by Karen at PedalDancer

Loveland Pass: Summit Biking
Loveland Pass: SummitCove
Loveland Pass: MyBicycleRoutes

Photo by Karen at PedalDancer
Vail Pass: CyclePass
Vail Pass: MyBicycleRoutes

Photo by Karen at PedalDancer
Triple Bypass Images - pictures from past rides:

Squaw Pass

Photo by Karen at PedalDancer
Photo by Karen at PedalDancer
Photo by Karen at PedalDancer
Photo by Karen at PedalDancer
Photo by Karen at PedalDancer
 Loveland Pass
Kenny Rakestraw climbing Loveland Pass   Photo by Karen at PedalDancer
Kenny Rakestraw climbing Loveland Pass   Photo by Karen at PedalDancer
Kenny Rakestraw at the summit of Loveland Pass   Photo by Karen at PedalDancer
Summit on Triple Bypass day 2009,  Photo by Karen at PedalDancer
Finish Area in Avon, Colorado

 Photo by Karen at PedalDancer
Karen of Pedal Dancer riding the Triple Bypass on Loveland Pass in 2009
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