Touring - 24,000 feet of climbing - I'm scared!

I thought about this tour last year and was going to diet and train seriously during the winter and spring. My riding buddy backed out of me early so I didn't train. I always have to have something like a tour (and one day an unsupported tour) to keep me motivated. So, one night at work, I was bored....bored by a ride I said I would do with a friend (GOBA) 7 days of 50 miles of flat riding....so I just signed up for Pedal to the Peaks in Colorado. Now I'm scared. Should I replace my front wheel from a Bontager to a Bontager Lite? (steal it off my husbands bike, I'd take his rear wheel but he only has a double and I have a triple) Do I go to the gym and work out on leg presses? I only have 2 weeks to train. Once each week,I will find some serious hills in southern Ohio or northern Michgian to ride. Should I take some kind of medication for altitude? Any recommendations? I currently have an Ultrega 30,42, 52 crank and 12-25 cassette. Should I replace front crank to a 28 and the rear cassette to a 26? Should I have mountain bike gearing put on? I have sports induced asthma. I can handle 1/2 mile hills of 10-12% or long hills of 7-8%, I just have to do them slow. Should I still ride the GOBA ride the week before? or should I rest. Why did I do this? Please help!

Hi,
you have a series of choices here. You can attempt both, or decide not to do one. The problem is we really can't know what you're capable of. But there are some obvious suggestions. First, get a rear cassette from the mountain bike world. This will prob also require a new rear der as well. My cassette is a 12-34.
You would prob be fine with a 30 or a 32. I changed my front small ring to a 28.
You will have to guess how low a gear you will need for a very long, very steep, climb. But my instinct would be to be conservative and get a 12-32 cassette; and prob the 28 tooth small ring as well. That way, if you need a super low gear, it's there. The 12-34 cassette is also an option, but I was told it wouldn't last as long.
About training, just go ride. Unless you know someone with a pressure chamber that can simulate high altitude. I would definitely take a least a couple days off before the Rockies; and if you can fly in a couple days early and
spend a couple days acclimatising yourself to that altitude....that would be even better. Good luck

I changed my small front chain ring from 30 to 28.

You don't do the 24,000 feet in one day. But, it is a daunting adventure. I did Ride the Rockies in 1998 and 1999 (very similar to Pedal the Peaks) and did 1,100 miles of training over 3 months in preparation in the Colorado Rockies and passes - which was still not enough.

With just 2 weeks to go, there is little you can do to prepare except to be well rested and allow as much time for acclimatization as possible.

Make NO CHANGES to your bike at this late date. Changes always seem to be accompanied with problems, and the last thing you want is for an improperly adjusted thing a ma jig to poop out on you in the middle of a mountain climb. Don't change your wheelset. It will make little difference.`

http://www.pedalthepeaks.com/peaks2002/details.htm

One of the things that those not from Colorado are sometimes unaware is the very major changes in temperature and weather we can have in even one day. You may start out at 5am freezing with arm warmers and gloves, by noon be hot, and by 3:00 pm have a snow shower or hail storm on a pass.

On RTR in 1999, we started from Cortez quite cold (I was out by 5 am) went comfortably up the Dolores River to Rico, and on the pass into Telluride we had a terrible snow storm and hail, and they sagged 100's of riders in any vehicle they could find. There were also several accidents and a number of ambulances were used.

On RTR in 1998, as we got to the top of Left Hand Canyon out of Boulder and were getting ready to drop down into Estes Park, there was a hail storm and it was absolutely freezing, and a lady from Florida said, "Why didn't they tell me about this!" She dropped out that day. Those of us "in the know" were properly prepared for any weather.

On the HardScrabble Century in 2000, we had a snowstorm just before HardScrabble Pass, and just about everyone turned around. It was a VERY fast descent, and without proper gloves (which I had) your hands would literally freeze. I stopped to recoup at a wide spot in the road, and some lady stopped with me. She was blue with no jacket nor decent gloves. I didn't know what to do for her, but, somehow she made it down.

FYI, your route takes you over Trail Ridge Road, at 12,000+ feet, the hishest continuous paved highway in the US. They just finished plowing it (it closes all winter) and the drifts are up to 30 feet high (as reported on the TV). (We had a heavy snow year). They will be melted some by the middle of June, but not all.

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_1977184,00.html


I don't mean to scare you, but this (pedalthepeaks) is a challenging ride requiring top conditioning and proper preparation.

Good luck. You are braver than I!! But, heck , you will probably be fine. Many people seem to do it that way okay, despite the problems. And the weather may be absolutely great!!

Please feel free to use the sag wagons, if needed.

I expect that your biggest challenge will be dealing with the high elevations (less oxygen) on those brutal, and I mean BRUTAL, hills. I moved to Yellowstone Park (8000 ft.) from a sea level town in '83. Took about three months to become fully acclimated.

At 12,000 feet, oxygen partial pressure (availability) is down to about 65% compared to sea level. On a hot summer day (hot at that elevation is about 60 degrees) it's even less. Also, every time I've been up there the wind has been blowing 20-30 MPH.

If possible, you should go to some high-elevation - 8000+ feet - locations for some really hard-core training. Some mega-powerful multi-vitamins with iron will do wonders too. I've done the Trail Ridge Road twice as a one-day round trip out of Boulder (failed to make the crest three other times) and I can tell you it's by far the hardest ride I've EVER attempted!

I'm not trying to discourage you, just telling you the facts.

I wish you the very best of luck on your trip!!!!

Rock On!

I rode the BTC last year with a triple and a 25 rear cog. I would suggest going to the largest rear cog you can get on the bike. With Campy, that would be a 29, which would also require a rear derailleur (or at least cage) change. If you are riding on Shimano, then I think you can do the 28 before needing a derailleur change. If you do spring for the derailleur change, then go up to a 32 if you can. If you get it installed soon you should have a week or two to get it broken in before taking off on your tour. Might also want to make sure you have a good chain. They are relatively inexpensive, so if you change the cassette I would suggest a new chain, as well. Your LBS can do for you in under an hour and make all adjustments. And don't worry if it needs a bit more adjustment on the tour. There will be plenty of folks there to help out with same if you can't handle yourself.

Your triple doesn't care whether the rear wheel came off a double or triple equipped bike. It only cares that there are the same number of cogs in the cassette. If you and your husband are both riding 8-speed or 9-speed bikes then you can trade out both wheels. You might also want to look at the tires. I didn't change mine before going on the ride (didn't think of it). But something like a Performance Kevlar Pro tire (or other good lightweight Kevlar tire) might be a helpful change. Lighter wheels do make a difference in climbing. And lighter tires are a big part of this because they are the furthest from the center of rotation (its all physics). Lighter wheel/tire combination will help.

One last hint. Don't wear yourself out in the last two weeks trying to get ready. You will only overtrain and be tired to start with. Just follow your normal routine. Perhaps even less by gradually tapering off until you leave. You will definitely make up for it in the mountains.

It will be a grind. I live near the shore and took an extra week in Colorado before the strat to insure that I had some altitude lungs. But there were a bunch of folks who did the ride who did not and no one expired. And rolling off the backside of the climbs is well worth the grind up the front side. You'll meet a large number of folks with whom you will have a great time. And it is beautiful country. You can do it. And not only can you do it, you will wonder why you waited so long and will want to do it again next year. Enjoy!!

Your fitness level sounds similar to mine. I too have mild asthma which kicks in during hard riding and I will be tackling 2750m (9100 feet) climbs in September and worry about the effects of altitude. I am just touring so can take my time. I guess make sure you have your Ventolin handy.

I have a hybrid bike with 42/32/22 on the crank and 30-11 on the wheel and it gives plenty of low range. I don't often use the lowest gear but sometimes it is good to give your legs a break in the middle of the climb and go a lower gear for a while.

I discourage going the leg press as you don't want to exhaust the muscles now or risk an injury. Unless you use leg presses regularly they can strain the joints if you go heavy without taking weeks to build up properly. They are something I use in the 'off season'.

Best of luck with the ride and it would be very interesting to hear how the altitude affects you. I have never riden above 300m (1000 feet) so have no idea what to expect.

I did the RTR a few years ago with about 500 miles of flatland training prior to going out. I didn't find the climbs to be a problem. Most of the climbs out west are long, but gradual. Just relax and spin your way up and don't worry about being slow. The elevation wasn't a problem either, but I adjust to elevation well. The biggest challenge I found was the wind. It can be nasty out there. Bottom line - if you have been riding regularly you will be find. One hlep with the elevation is to start taking an asprin a day a few days before going out then continue it while at elevation.

I think the advice is good.
If you have a good local bike shop, get them to gear your bike down, with compatable rear mech for the cog size.
Think about gearing down your front rings. I found a 29/38/48 works OK, but your chainset may limit the size of your middle ring.
Whatever changes you make, ride the bike to bed in the changes. I changed my chainset just before a tour, but managed to get a couple of rides in, and the bike mechanic knew his stuff.
Ride the hills at your own pace. Gear down, spin up, and enjoy the ride.

You've got some good advice on the mechanical aspects of your quest, but I'd like to add my $.02 on the physical side.

I live at 640' on the Lake Michigan shoreline and biking (especially those big Northern Michigan hills) is my mountain climbing primer.

Before I tackle any peaks, I head out a few days before the climb and get acclimitized--every little bit helps! I would suggest you do the same and ride a little bit out there at "lower" elevations.

You didn't say what your peak elevation will be, but I usually try backpacking on a trail at about 30% to 50% of the elevation I'll be climbing. E.g., when I climbed Mt. Rainier (14,411') I trained my butt off at home but spent three or four days hiking between 2,000' to 6,000'. I really think the acclimitization effort a few days before the climb were more effective than the training ahead of time.

Also try a technique called pressure breathing--Ed Viesturs summited Mt. Everest without supplemental oxygen by doing this. Get your lungs working their best for you by blowing out three quick and forceful breaths every few minutes--this will purge the CO2 from your lungs and make more room for oxygenated air to fill in. The more area in your lungs you have to absorb O2, the better you will feel!

Another aclimitization technique is to "climb high, sleep low." This gets your body used to working at higher elevations but gives it a good rest at altitudes it may be more used to.

Oh, and drinking good beer at lower elevations is clinically proven to be effective as well--carb up!

Good luck and have fun!

B.


:beer:

I get a real kick out of folks who post a question without ever a thank you or at least some recognition that they are still around and have read all the well-considered responses.

Bah, humbug!!

Thanks everyone for the advise. Denver Fox, I work midnights at the Post Office and have a difficult time getting weekends off. After I posted this cry for help, I went on a training ride in upper Michigan. (I took a vacation day and added it to my non-scheduled days) I rode 80 miles today and drove home for 260 miles. It is 9:44 pm and I have to get ready for work. I will write back again. I ordered the 28 chain ring and the mountain gearing and a new chain. I rode 160 miles the last 3 days in large hills. I've lost 30 pounds since last year and the hills were a breeze. Thank you everyone.

p.s. I was on my way to lower Ohio and W. Virginia with my 63 year old coach. He lost his $3500 Serotta off the back of his car. (My bike was inside the car.)No one beeped and we didn't see it disappear. The Michigan and Ohio State Police have the report. So I drove up north by myself.

Okay. Glad to see you are around, and aren't one of those who posts and runs. You have a heavy work schedule. Sounds as if PedalthePeaks will be a breeze for you. Geez - a "coach." Way outclasses me!!

Have fun.

If you can make it to the area a week or so before the ride, you can start to become acclimatized to the elevation and also get a little training in. As I said in my earlier post, the thin air will almost certainly be the most challenging aspect of your trip.

Email me if you want.

Wishing you the VERY BEST of luck on your trip.

JP

Okay, I'm normal again. Worked last night (awake 24 hours), slept today, spent time with the hubby, went to the cinema. Now back to biking. After re-reading everyones responses, my heart is beating rapidly. I can't wait.

Late & JWP: I would love to fly in early, but I made plane reservations already through Expedia and the tickets are non-refundable or exchangeable. I will be getting in on Friday night and the ride starts on Sunday. It is a real shame I didn't think this through--I have a nephew who lives in Denver who would enjoy my company :) I have some Atkins vitamins that I never used--will check to see about iron content.

Paramount Scapin: For some reason the LBS told me I couldn't exchange hubby's wheels for mine. It broke my heart when I bought him a nicer and more expensive bike than my own for Christmas. Even more so, since he has only been on it one time. (He doesn't ride in the cold and his leg is currently in a cast and he is waiting for surgery on his shoulder-excuses, excuses.) If I can, I will exchange wheels, if not--I will still "borrow" his tires. Just wondering how the downhills will feel with lighter wheels, will I loose some control?

Fujitive: I will not go the gym. Thank you, I love sports but hate to work out.

Braumeister: I will write a note to practice forcing out CO2. I will practice next week.

Blwyn: Asprins will be in my camel bak. Do I take regular strength or the lower dosage like heart patients?

Denver: Thank you so much for mentioning the weather. I have frozen so many times on rides when the weather has changed. Even my training ride, the day started at 65 degrees, I was @10 miles from Lake Michigan. When I got closer, I added leg & arm warmers and then a wind breaker. I had to stop at a gas station and buy some cotton work gloves as my fingers were frozen. Next I found a re-sale shop and started to buy a men's knit tie to cover my ears, when the saleslady found a hat. We cut it down so it would fit under my helmet. I plan on taking vinyl raincoat, arm and leg warmers. I used mittens and heat packs during the winter. Do you have any suggestions for warm gloves/mittens?

My bike will be going through a retrofit unfornately. On TOSRV on May10 & 11 the back hub housing became damaged and I am waiting for the parts to come in. The bike shop is also replacing the cables as they have to keep adjusting both the front and rear derailers. I am definately going to learn to do my own adjustments as I know the cable will stretch. I will have about 400 miles on the new equipment before Pedal to the Peaks.

Although I did not specifically train for this ride, I did ride most of the winter and have ridden @2000 miles this year including a double-century. (That's with 5 weeks off after surgery on 2/24.) I have been involved in dance roller-skating for the last 20 years and have leg muscles that rival most men. My main concern is breathing with the altitude and the asthma. Hopefully the lower gearing will compensate. Thank you again everyone.

. I had to stop at a gas station and buy some cotton work gloves as my fingers were frozen.

On RTR after we left Granby and when going through Kremmling, a whole lot of folks who had not brought proper gloves stripped the local markets of all the cotton gloves they had. Not one glove left. Brr!!

It sounds like your name "outashape" is not actually true, and initially it sort of gave me the wrong impression. You will do great on Pedal the Peaks. You are not "outashape."

Have fun. Wish I was going with you.

Re: vitamins:

I've been using Fresh Start mail order vitamins for about 25 years. I would recommend the "Super Start" packs (11 different pills/capsules per sealed, individual pack) for your adventure. They're "sustained release" so they work all day. This pack is formulated to boost the oxygen transferance of hemoglobin which means that you get more oxygen to your muscles and brain with every breath.

The thirty day supply is about $25.00. The company is family owned and operated and they're really great people. I am NOT affiliated with this company in any way, just truely convinced of the quality and value of their products!!

Fresh Start Vit. Co. Tel. 800-727-1226

Be warned, once you've used them, you'll wonder how you ever got along without them. They make a HUGE difference!!

Keep crankin'

John

I used regular asprin. You'll love riding out there. Have a great one!

Do you have any suggestions for warm gloves/mittens?

The best gloves I ever found for biking I got at Target for $6.00. I eventually ended up getting 3 pair, which I still have.

They are soft leather like, light, thin and black, and fit easily on my big hands. They are warm down to about 28F.

They far outperform my expensive Specialized gloves, which leak air like a sieve.

Sadly, I haven't seem them there for the last couple of years.

Forecast for Colorado Mtns (Silverthorne) for today:

Today: Rain and snow showers this morning with thunderstorms during the afternoon hours. High 47F. Winds NNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%.

I just went to the pedal the peaks website. That is a KILLER trip!!! Looks to me that if you make it thru the second day of riding (Estes to Granby), you've got it made.

I would suggest stopping at the gift shop at the top of Trail Ridge Road and buying one of the orange "Rocky Mountain Park" pennants. They're great to hang on the wall along with the dated receipt from the park gate to commemerate the hardest, most extereme and relentless continuous bike climb you'll probably ever do!!

The two that I've collected will NOT have to share their space with any additions!! I've done the trip successfully twice - solo out of Boulder, both were one-day round trips. That's PLENTY for me!!!
Please be SURE to post your thoughts on the trip when you get back and let us know how it went.

Wishing you and everybody else on the tour the very best of luck and have a safe and unforgettable ride.


JP

So, did you live through it??? :confused:

I rose to the Challenge of Pedal to the Peaks and conquered. I have been on about 15 different organized tours and this one was a tad different. Rather than your typical 10-50 pound overweight touring rider, these riders were more racer wannabes. I overheard one gal say, “ I eat on rides, because if my weight drops below 100 pounds, I have trouble climbing.” The last time I saw 100 pounds, I was probably in elementary or middle school. I did not walk the bike or use the SAG; however, I did stop frequently on steep inclines. I had one asthma attack on Trail Ridge Road and after that incident, I decided to use the inhaler before I encountered problems.

The inclines were longer than I anticipated. I don’t think you can prepare for 20-25 mile inclines of 5 -7% in a flat state. I heard you just take your time and grind it out. Well, after 10-15 miles, you get plain sick & tired of the same hill. For some reason, I had trouble moving around on the seat on the long inclines, so either my butt would get sore, or my hands would lose all feeling. So for me, stopping for 1-2 minutes would get the blood moving again. Another thing I discovered, I have muscles called Pectoral Muscles. I’ve seen them on the machines at the gym, just kinda ignored them. Well on a 7 miles descent of 7% grade, they will be used, and you will notice this new muscle group when you try to pick up your luggage that night.

The scenery is absolutely breathtaking. The first day my neck was sore from looking up at the mountains and trying to spot longhorn sheep. Starting in the canyon, you hear the river water rumbling over the rocks. Later that day, you see where the snow is melting in the tundra and beginning to form small streams and brooks that become the rivers below. The first day I heard a lot of riders gasping for the elusive oxygen—especially during the 1 mile 10-14% grade of switchbacks, but by the end of the tour, most were breathing normally. Also, by the end of the tour, when the route indicated a hill, I was looking around for a climb—they were so easy now, I didn’t even realize I had climbed a 4 mile hill.

The hardest day for me was the 128 mile day. It started with a 20 mile climb and then there were strong headwinds for the rest of the day. I rode by myself so there wasn’t anyone to share pulling with. I must have eaten something that was spoiled, because I had severe cramps and then diarrhea. (Remember the posts about where to go when you are out in the open, well sage bushes are about 1 ½ foot high and that is what I used.) My right calf kept cramping up so I was trying to ingest more Gatorade and water. What a cycle! I was determined not to sag and I didn’t. My jaws hurt from chewing food, and I didn’t want to taste or see Gatorade again. I was so tired that night after 11 hours of riding that I put my tent up halfway and with the wind howling, I laid down inside the tent with sweltering heat and with my face on the plastic bottom and fell asleep for ½ hour. Funny thing though, after a shower and dinner, I felt fine.

The ride is touted as a bicycle challenge. On the long inclines, I’d be pedaling up at 4.4 mph and see someone in my rearview mirror creep up behind me and eventually pass me at probably 5 mph. If you trained hard, I’m sure you wouldn’t have to stop like I did, but this ride is a challenge for everyone. My goal was to pass 2 people per day and not to sag. Next year I plan on losing 20 pounds and actively training beforehand and then I will not stop on any of the inclines. Twice on the tour, I cried out of sheer accomplishment. It was like a spiritual encounter. I discovered inner strength and an iron will that I didn’t know were buried deep inside. Cycle America the group that sponsors Pedal to the Peaks is an excellent company. The meals were delicious and plentiful. The sags were on the route all day, whether you just wanted to cross a gravel road, or bypass a climb. I will definitely be on the tour next year.

Congratulations on a successful trip!!! Now you're "one that has" instead of "one that talks/thinks about it"! (you might think about changing your handle to "inshape" now though) ! ;)

Do you feel turbocharged now that you're home after getting acclimated to the altitude and exertion of the tour?

Later,

JP

Congrats. Was the weather great? I hope so.

It is pretty impressive that you had no sags. That is a real accomplishment!!

The weather was excellent. It rained the night I flew in and thunderstorms & lightening on the shuttle ride to the airport at the end of the ride. The day after we rode Trail Ridge Road, they had snow and had to close the road. It was cold on top of the mountains and one night it was freezing. Daytime the temperatures were lower than normal which is fine by me.

When I came back, I was sick. Thought it was allergies or getting used to local climate, but I had a fever and chills the last couple nights at work. Too bad I can't call in sick. I have been on 2 club rides since being back. I didn't feel strong, but my riding partner was sweating, and I wasn't. And I logged 2 rides in bikeprolog as easy/med club rides when the speed was 20-22 mph for 30 miles-- so maybe I am stronger. I still feel OUTASHAPE, my goals have just changed. 3 years ago I couldn't keep up with the "C" riders, now the "B" riders are considered an easy ride and I'm struggling to keep up with "A" riders. I'm not fat anymore, (and definately not thin) but I have to lose at least 20 pounds to be a better climber.

This year was my second PtP ride, last year being my first. It was a great trip. The 127 mile day from Steamboat to Saratoga was especially challenging, could have done with about 30 less miles that day though. That long hill at about 90 miles was tough mentally as you could see it looming ahead of you for 10-15 miles. No sags for me this year. Last year I was sagged on the first and last days, but my excuse was that I had an accident in April (broken rib being the worst part) that kept me off my bike for a month. The hands were definitely cold a couple of mornings - sure could have used my long fingered gloves. My son went with both this year and last and was in the Kids Camp that they offer, which he really enjoyed.