Triple Bypass Ride Report:
WOW…..In addition to being the longest ride with the top speed of my short cycling career, this was the most beautiful way to spend a sunny (rainy, windy, hailing) day in Colorado. To focus less on the 120 miles and 10,000+ feet of climbing ahead of me, I decided to split my ride into four 30 mile quarters.
I arrived at the start in Evergreen around 6am. By 6:20, I was riding. Step one was focusing on the fact that this was not a race. Not knowing anyone however, still made me inclined to push myself to each rest stop to meet Diane. However, I couldn’t help but back off a bit as I approached the summit of Squaw Pass at 11,140 ft. The snowcapped peaks in the distance were breathtaking. The descent into Idaho Springs at 7,526 ft. was a blast. I had never bombed down a mountain pass so fast and after a few miles of fear it became exhilarating and FUN. By the time I met Diane at mile 30 it was getting hot. Fifteen miles of climbing followed by 15 miles of coasting was a great start. The first quarter took about 2:15. At this rate, my goal of under 10 hours was on track.
The second quarter was the toughest. Thirty miles of climbing. From Idaho Springs to the summit of Loveland pass at just under 12,000 ft. provided little coasting time. The halfway point at Loveland ski area was a cycling Woodstock. Tons of food, drink, sweat, testosterone and a few delirious cyclists. The next 2000 ft. of climbing would occur within four miles. Once again it was breathtaking (literally). Fatigue was setting in. However, I knew that there was just one more big climb with lots of screaming descents. Coming down Loveland Pass was even more fun than the previous descent. I expect I travelled over six miles at around 38-45 mph without pedaling. I was no longer fatigued as adrenaline diluted lactic acid. The second quarter took about 2:30.
The third quarter was another mix of climbing and coasting. The ride on the trail through Frisco to Copper mountain was leisurely and relaxing. As I entered Copper, the sky opened up and the hail and rain came down. It didn’t appear to be a brief storm, so I put on the rain jacket and figured the next 40 miles would be miserable. In typical Colorado fashion, the sky cleared and the sun and rainbows appeared within five minutes. The remaining climb up Vail Pass was HOT, sunny and beautiful. The third quarter took around two hours. With 6:45 hours of riding under my belt, I realized that not only would I beat ten hours, I would probably go under nine.
The final 30 miles was all downhill. Rain began again but with the heat it was rather refreshing. Once again the ride down Vail Pass was rarely under 30mph with several miles well over forty. As with a race, as the finish nears, fatigue fades and adrenaline flows. The final quarter was completed in around 1:10.
My total time (minus munchies breaks) was 7:52 with an average pace of 15.3mph. If anyone is considering this ride, go for it. It wasn’t as hard as I’d expected and basic yet aggressive hill training will get you through the day relatively pain free. Practicing descents would be helpful as well. The main lesson I learned from preparing and completing this ride is that I’m not the “loner” I make myself out to be. In training I love riding and running by myself. I never know how I’ll ride and like to either hammer or slack without fear of being too fast (ya right) or too slow for the group I’m riding with. In races I tend to focus inward since I’m too deaf to notice people yelling at me and just want to finish. HOWEVER, a ride like this should be shared. I was focused on seeing Diane at various points along the course and was a bit envious of other groups encouraging, waiting for, and meeting fellow riders at the aid stations. I guess this qualifies as one of those “Epic Rides” I hear people talk about. Can’t wait for next year…..with friends. Time now to focus on Kona. The road bike goes in the back room and the tri bike will come off the trainer.
WOW…..In addition to being the longest ride with the top speed of my short cycling career, this was the most beautiful way to spend a sunny (rainy, windy, hailing) day in Colorado. To focus less on the 120 miles and 10,000+ feet of climbing ahead of me, I decided to split my ride into four 30 mile quarters.
I arrived at the start in Evergreen around 6am. By 6:20, I was riding. Step one was focusing on the fact that this was not a race. Not knowing anyone however, still made me inclined to push myself to each rest stop to meet Diane. However, I couldn’t help but back off a bit as I approached the summit of Squaw Pass at 11,140 ft. The snowcapped peaks in the distance were breathtaking. The descent into Idaho Springs at 7,526 ft. was a blast. I had never bombed down a mountain pass so fast and after a few miles of fear it became exhilarating and FUN. By the time I met Diane at mile 30 it was getting hot. Fifteen miles of climbing followed by 15 miles of coasting was a great start. The first quarter took about 2:15. At this rate, my goal of under 10 hours was on track.
The second quarter was the toughest. Thirty miles of climbing. From Idaho Springs to the summit of Loveland pass at just under 12,000 ft. provided little coasting time. The halfway point at Loveland ski area was a cycling Woodstock. Tons of food, drink, sweat, testosterone and a few delirious cyclists. The next 2000 ft. of climbing would occur within four miles. Once again it was breathtaking (literally). Fatigue was setting in. However, I knew that there was just one more big climb with lots of screaming descents. Coming down Loveland Pass was even more fun than the previous descent. I expect I travelled over six miles at around 38-45 mph without pedaling. I was no longer fatigued as adrenaline diluted lactic acid. The second quarter took about 2:30.
The third quarter was another mix of climbing and coasting. The ride on the trail through Frisco to Copper mountain was leisurely and relaxing. As I entered Copper, the sky opened up and the hail and rain came down. It didn’t appear to be a brief storm, so I put on the rain jacket and figured the next 40 miles would be miserable. In typical Colorado fashion, the sky cleared and the sun and rainbows appeared within five minutes. The remaining climb up Vail Pass was HOT, sunny and beautiful. The third quarter took around two hours. With 6:45 hours of riding under my belt, I realized that not only would I beat ten hours, I would probably go under nine.
The final 30 miles was all downhill. Rain began again but with the heat it was rather refreshing. Once again the ride down Vail Pass was rarely under 30mph with several miles well over forty. As with a race, as the finish nears, fatigue fades and adrenaline flows. The final quarter was completed in around 1:10.
My total time (minus munchies breaks) was 7:52 with an average pace of 15.3mph. If anyone is considering this ride, go for it. It wasn’t as hard as I’d expected and basic yet aggressive hill training will get you through the day relatively pain free. Practicing descents would be helpful as well. The main lesson I learned from preparing and completing this ride is that I’m not the “loner” I make myself out to be. In training I love riding and running by myself. I never know how I’ll ride and like to either hammer or slack without fear of being too fast (ya right) or too slow for the group I’m riding with. In races I tend to focus inward since I’m too deaf to notice people yelling at me and just want to finish. HOWEVER, a ride like this should be shared. I was focused on seeing Diane at various points along the course and was a bit envious of other groups encouraging, waiting for, and meeting fellow riders at the aid stations. I guess this qualifies as one of those “Epic Rides” I hear people talk about. Can’t wait for next year…..with friends. Time now to focus on Kona. The road bike goes in the back room and the tri bike will come off the trainer.
