Mountain - Plains - June or July Group Ride

Due to the proliferation of exhausted and injured riders the last go around I thought it would be prudent to plan a second ride.

The first order of business involves seeking input on the ride.
I figure we can either make it more friendly or more epic.
This would be something like a ride up to Evergreen versus a ride up Mt Evans.
We could do lookout again but I like to mix things up.

The second order of business is the date.
I have every other weekend open starting 6\13. However, the 27th I have a 120 mile ride with a ton of climbing. I can do the 28th if we make it the non epic version. July 11th is TBP.

What does everyone think?
Route suggestions welcome.

June 13th could work for me. I get back from DC late Friday night, so as long as it isn't one of those early rides. I am out for the weekend of the 27th, since I have to fly to Australia that weekend (losing the next one to travel home too).

Assuming I get back on the bike soon, I would say that I am interested in a climbing ride. My available training days between now and the triple are getting low, so I will be hoping for some epic rides in June.

I could always arrange two rides.
I am pondering Mt. Evans from Bergen Park on the 13th.

I am pondering Mt. Evans from Bergen Park on the 13th.

I think I will just start hurling now.

I could always arrange two rides.
I am pondering Mt. Evans from Bergen Park on the 13th.

I am definitely interested. That certainly is one of those early rides though and I think I land pretty late the night before (after a week at sea level too!). I was thinking of doing it the following weekend (I know you can't), but would probably do it on the 13th too.

I have that sunday open as well. The 14th may be a better option.
As for hurling, that climb kills me each time. Perhaps being in better shape this year will yield better results.

My wife just reminded me of a birthday party for a friend on the evening of the 13th, so I would probably do better with jet lag than hang over. ;)

All this is depending on my knee pain going away anyway, but today seems a lot better.

It generally takes me about 2.5-2.75 hours to get to Echo Lake, and another 3-3.5 hours up Mt. Evans, depending on stopping. I don't even like to think about how long it takes to get down...

How does this compare with your pace? I know we both call ourselves slow, but there are a lot of versions of slow and this is a hill where you want to be in the same ballpark for pace.

Edit: 2.5-2.75 hours to Juniper Pass. Takes a few to get down to the lake...

Honestly, I can not remember how long it took me last time. I think your pace sounds good.

We can plan on the 13th. If need be we could always start at echo lake instead to save time.
What time do you usually start? I think the last time I started at the crack of dawn.

Boy, I'd love too but I have a thing....

I'm down if I can get a ride up to Bergen Park. Don't know if I could make it from Denver to Mt. Evans and back in one shot yet.

I'm open to the 13/14 weekend; the 27/28 weekend is the MS150. A killmyselfrideuptothesky sounds like a good training ride....

DataJunkie, let's see what the interest is and I will get back to you as my week progresses. My only concern is that my business trips often turn into 16 hour work days for a week and I sometimes need a day of sleep to recover (hey, I am getting old).

As for start times, I usually start around 8:30 from Echo Lake, but at 6:00 from Bergen Park. With the moisture in the atmosphere this year, I think an early start is essential.

sniz, I know I offered you a tentative ride and fell through before, but if this pans out, I will gladly haul you up from Denver.

I am going to see if I can possibly get home from DC on Thursday night to have a better cycling experience for this weekend, but I need to talk to the powers in charge tomorrow.

Sounds good. :)

Crap... am I crazy or what? I just volunteered to buy someone's TBP packet.

I better start RIDING.

When is this ride? Or EVERY ride?

This one is tentatively scheduled for 6\13 depending upon interest.
I also offered to schedule an easier ride if there is interest.

Welcome to the club of unprepared TBP registrants!

I'm up for the ride if someone can give me a lift to the start!

I could always arrange two rides.
I am pondering Mt. Evans from Bergen Park on the 13th.

Hmmm...I am intrigued. My knee just heeled (bursitis) and I am ready for a sick, nasty climb...not that I have ever really done one. :)
I could probably fit at least one other person, maybe two depending on if my wife comes along. I would be coming from NW Denver. Has a date been nailed down?

I think we have enough interest. The 13th, 6am at bergen park.
Does anyone need a map?

Bill,
I can pick you up or you are welcome to come stay the night at my home in Thornton on Friday to make things easier.

I hope to be there. Haven't been able to shorten my trip so far, but at least the knee is better. I just did 62 miles from my house to Morrison, up to Golden, back side of Lookout, back home. Nothing too strenuous, but no real pain.

I think we have enough interest. The 13th, 6am at bergen park.
Does anyone need a map?

I presume the park-n-ride parking lot?

Yes, exactly. :)

For people who haven't done this ride, I generally bring a camelbak, leg warmers, gloves, and a rain jacket. You can get by without the CB, but I highly recommend the clothing. Water is available at Echo Lake.

<Sigh> What time would we be done?

Early afternoon. Why the sigh?
This would be epic you know. :p

Probably about 5 hours up, an hour down, an hour of breaks (water at Echo, top, photos, etc.). Like a cruise in the park ;-)

I was hoping to have a thing. But got nothing. Might be in on this one. We'll see.

You have to do this one at least once. It is one of the premier Colorado climbs.
The grades are not bad. More the altitude than anything.
Epic I tell you!
Though, the descent sucks.

Everyone, remember the $3 entry fee for bikes.

The weather is looking, interesting... Here is a link. (http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Mount+Evans&state=CO&site=BOU&textField1=39.586&textField2=-105.642&e=0)

Given the chance of storms is low, but it is going to be cold, we might want to consider a later start.

Up to you DJ, since you started this craziness ;)

I've started at 8:00 in Idaho Springs and still beat the rain. It all depends on the day.

You never know what next week will bring. If the weather does look like this week we can push it back and\or meet at echo lake instead.
I would like to play that one by ear.

Doh, I am a week off in looking at the weather.

Time for more coffee...

lol

I can't make it 6/13, but if it pushes back I'll try. Mt Evans is on my 2009 to-do list.

Thanks darkstar, I was going to ask what to bring.

It looks like you can count on me and wife coming on the 13th if the weather works out. I am pretty excited about this ride, I've heard a lot about it.

It is a good ride. There is nothing quite like it.

Can someone post up the details of the ride. Start time, where to meet, miles, elev. Gain, blah blah blah, yada yada yada, and all that stuff. K thanks.

You don't ask for much.
:p
Jeeze. Now I have to go map the ride.

I cheated.
Someone had already mapped it.
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/co/evergreen/542567259

Bergen Park at the RTD park-n-ride.
If you change to the satellite view it is right next to the start location.
6-13-09 at 6 am.
Approximately 66 miles with over 7000 feet of elevation gain.
Max grade around 10%. Max elevation around 14K feet.

sounds like fun! If anyone wants to carpool from Boulder let me know, I can take 2 maybe 3.

I cheated.
Someone had already mapped it.
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/co/evergreen/542567259

Bergen Park at the RTD park-n-ride.
If you change to the satellite view it is right next to the start location.
6-13-09 at 6 am.
Approximately 66 miles with over 7000 feet of elevation gain.
Max grade around 10%. Max elevation around 14K feet.

And all of that elevation gain is in the 1st 33 miles. Ugh, I won't be ready for that for at least another month.

Have fun.

And all of that elevation gain is in the 1st 33 miles. Ugh, I won't be ready for that for at least another month.

Have fun.

Sure makes for a nice finish to the ride, though! :D

It's a brutal descent. The road is in bad condition and I would say that goes for the road down to Evergreen too. I usually take it easy and stop to stretch at least once or twice.

Yes. This is the one ride where you take it easy descending. Plus, my head gets a tad fuzzy from the lack of oxygen.

Yes. This is the one ride where you take it easy descending. Plus, my head gets a tad fuzzy from the lack of oxygen.

Between the endorphins, lack of oxygen and brain fuzziness I can see myself taking a beeline straight into the clouds while trying to negotiate a downhill turn at 13k.

*laughs* It's not all that bad. Last time I passed all the cars (And motorcycles) on the way down. Didn't get sketchy till it started hailing on me! :eek:

Just expect some REALLY bad patches and be ready to take some jarring as you cross some pretty good cracks in the road.

I ride on worse roads every day on my commute. (Granted, they're not going downhill at 13,000 or 14,000 feet, but....)

Just got some meetings moved and got a flight home late Thursday night. Hopefully, that means I am in!

Excellent. :)

Only a few days to go. Weeee!

still looking mostly good. I have to get a metric in this weekend, dunno if I want to spend it mostly coasting....

still looking mostly good. I have to get a metric in this weekend, dunno if I want to spend it mostly coasting....

Time spent will be mostly climbing, milage, half is coasting.

I am really excited for this ride. I can't wait to get out of this humid swamp and get back to CO. When it is good, Evans is my favorite ride, but when it is bad, it sucks. It is the closest thing to mountaineering on a road bike.