Mountain - Plains - Triple Bypass - who's in?

Anyone else gonna be there?

been their, done that x 2. Have fun, hope you have great weather

Ready to rock.

How is everyone carrying their gear (rain jacket, arm/leg warmers, etc.)? Don't have anyone providing vehicle support so I am thinking either a frame triangle bag or a camelback of some sort.

I have this Detours (http://detours.us/product_info.php?cPath=33&products_id=115)bag that I totally love. I bought it for Bike Tour of Colorado last year. I do a lot of rides that require carrying a bunch of extra clothes, and this thing is great - don't even know it's there, can get a ton of clothes and junk in it. There are several models, REI and University Bike carry a few locally.

http://detours.us/images/2007%20high%20tail%20ul_3052%20mod%20xs.jpg

I did the Triple a couple of years ago and the weather was fantastic and I didn't have that bag yet - so I carried everything in my jersey pockets, and it just barely fit, but it sucked having the pockets so full. I saw every conceivable carrying solution: nothing, camelbacks, backpacks, big seat bags, rack trunks, panniers, handlebar bags... use what you have or buy something you might use again, is my advice.

I am in. My friend in my bike club who lives a quarter of a mile from me is also in. I think a few others from my club are making it as well.

Last year I carried a ton of stuff in my jersey and our club had a private SAG vehicle. I am an idiot.
This year I may use my comfy messenger bag. Who knows.

Next year I plan on finding a different obnoxious ride. Perhaps the death ride, mt shasta, or something along those lines.

out.

I'm in. This will be my second year in a row. Last year I kept everything in my camelback. It worked out fine so I plan to do so again this year.

I'm in. I may use Camelbak or may just stuff my jersey pockets. I cannot bare to have anything but the smallest seat wedge. I brush my thighs against anything that clamps to the seatpost. Just been through 5 different solutions, looking for an alternative to the Camelbak.

This is my last real training weekend because I will be flying to and from Australia over the next two weekends. I do hope to take some time off early in the week of the 6th to ride though.

I'm in. I'll be using a rack trunk on my rack. :)

I think this year I'll leave the kitchen sink at home... may bring everything else, though.

I'm in. Did it last year with a full back pack on. It was my first ride ever so had no clue what to expect. Figured they would be handing out water bottles like you see on TV, so didn't pack one till just before leaving the house :) I had rain gear, cold weather gear, umpteen sandwiches and snacks. Ummm, a little wiser this year.

So, let's talk about what you plan to carry. I am up in the air about surviving on their food. I don't like Accelerade and I will want to try a long ride with it before I commit to using it. Assuming that I can tolerate Accelerade, here is what I am planning to carry with a couple of questionable items:

-Two 24 oz bottles
-Showers Pass rain jacket
-Plastic bag with iPhone, ID, some cash & Credit card
-A couple of Hammer Bars & Gels
-light gloves?? (I know the first descent can be cold)
-leg warmers?? (if the weather looks cold)
-arm warmers?? (also if the forecast is bad)

That said, if the spacing for the rest stops is ok for two bottles and I can tolerate their nutrition, I don't need more than pockets. If I need to carry a big bag of Perpetuem and need more water, I am considering a camelbak.

Personally, I can't carry enough clothes in just my pockets - but that's because I run pretty cold. I'll carry minimally for a good forecast:
lightest semi-rain jacket I own (unless the forecast is bad, in which case I take a more serious one)
arm warmers, leg warmers, windproof gloves, ear band, vest

if the weather is supposed to be rainy or cold, I'll bring an additional l/s jersey or base layer and possibly windfront tights, possibly toe covers.

come to think of it, if the weather is supposed to be really bad, I'll be wearing my living room.

Last time I did it, the weather was as perfect as can be, but the first descent was still insanely cold - freezing, literally. If you don't want to bring real gloves, you could bring some surgical gloves and baggies for your toes and toss them when you are done with them.

and for food, I know I'm fine with their solid food (the usual boring pastries, bananas, PB&J, fruit, nuts), I know I can't use accelerade so I'll have one or two servings of Heed, and I'll have about 4 Gu packets because that's my standard ride-food, and a few Enduralyte capsules. I won't bring any solid food.

All this stuff will fit comfortably in my little tailrider bag.

I carried way too much last time. My pockets were jammed with stuff.
I bring heed as well.
Plus a couple energy bars and gels in case I goof up or can not stand their food.

During the first descent I was shivering to the point I was having issues riding in a straight line.
Anyhow, my clothing choices wont be made up until the last moment. I tend to throw everything into my van and then pick and choose when heading out.
Last year I wore leg and arm warmers, a PI jacket, long finger and short finger gloves, skull cap, jersey, shorts, socks, and shoes. :p


I am still thinking about using my messenger bag. I have used it on centuries before. With only clothes in it I usually forget it is there. Yay bailey works!

I hate riding cold so last year I had toe covers, leg warmers, a l/s jersey, light rain jacket as well as long and short finger gloves. That first descent from Echo Lake was seriously cold but I wasn't. Most of that stuff went back in the Camelbak and stayed there once I got to Idaho Springs but at least I was warm.

Yeah, I get cold too. My wife says it is my lack of insulation :)

I am usually drenched when I get to the top of a climb and then freeze on the way down. This is why I am considering leg warmers. The showers pass jacket is really wind proof, but I am also considering a winter baselayer for the first descent.

It is great to see this thread. I will be doing the Bypass for the first time this year, and as I am coming from Southern California I have no idea what to expect. It sounds like the weather can be quite variable so I am thinking that I will need to pack more that bibs and a ss jersey! Can anyone make any other suggestions as to what someone who has never done this ride may need to have with them?

Thanks

It is great to see this thread. I will be doing the Bypass for the first time this year, and as I am coming from Southern California I have no idea what to expect. It sounds like the weather can be quite variable so I am thinking that I will need to pack more that bibs and a ss jersey! Can anyone make any other suggestions as to what someone who has never done this ride may need to have with them?


A good rain jacket is a must in Colorado when riding the summits in the afternoon. It would be nice if it were lightning proof too ;)

Oh I want a lightning proof jacket!!!

whistler, the descent off the first pass is always cold because it is still early. You saw my list above - I'll be wearing all that - arm, leg, jacket, long finger gloves, ear warmers.

We have been getting very strong afternoon thunderstorms now, hopefully that will mellow out, but it's pretty common. so by noon or so (2nd and 3rd summits) you may get a t-storm. this can include anything from a little drizzle to howling 40mph winds and driving pea sized hail and torrential rain. If the forecast is for that stuff, be prepared with maybe an extra warm layer and a true waterproof jacket, head/ear covering, maybe toe covers.

If there is a "real" storm - a weather system, as opposed to afternoon thunderstorms, I will probably bail (that's just me).

The year i did it i was cold descending the first pass, then I was in short sleeves the rest of the day, except I put on arm warmers & a wind jacket coming down off loveland pass.

Here are some weather sites - note this shows hour-by-hour, so you can guess where you are at what time. Notice the thunder and wind portions, they are as important as the temperature and rain:

Start (http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?w0=t&w3=sfcwind&w4=sky&w5=pop&w7=thunder&w8=rain&AheadHour=0&Submit=Submit&FcstType=graphical&textField1=39.63370&textField2=-105.34230&site=den)
First Summit (http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?w0=t&w3=sfcwind&w4=sky&w5=pop&w7=thunder&w8=rain&AheadHour=0&Submit=Submit&FcstType=graphical&textField1=39.661897&textField2=-105.652508&site=den)
Second Summit (http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?w0=t&w3=sfcwind&w4=sky&w5=pop&w7=thunder&w8=rain&AheadHour=0&Submit=Submit&FcstType=graphical&textField1=39.66500&textField2=-105.87900&site=den)
Third Summit (http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?w0=t&w3=sfcwind&w4=sky&w5=pop&w7=thunder&w8=rain&AheadHour=0&Submit=Submit&FcstType=graphical&textField1=39.53100&textField2=-106.21800&site=den)
End (http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?w0=t&w3=sfcwind&w4=sky&w5=pop&w7=thunder&w8=rain&AheadHour=0&Submit=Submit&FcstType=graphical&textField1=39.65250&textField2=-106.53310&site=gjt)

If anyone is looking for that ultimate rain jacket. I broke down and bought a Showers Pass Elite 2.0 this year and it has turned out to be one of the best things I ever bought with this wet spring. It is not the smallest jacket when rolled up, but it is also a great wind stopper on dry descents when you are all sweaty because it breaths well.

It is not lightning-proof :(

I've wanted to avoid bypasses since David Letterman.

I'm in. Worried about the weather and the cold on the first descent. Thinking I need to buy some clothing and log a lot of miles in the next two weekends!

Also, did anyone else find the jersey to be a tad small? Considering swapping my M for a L.

I haven't picked up the jerseys yet, but it would be good for me if they are small. I ordered large, but was thinking I would need to swap. I won't be able to get mine until July 5th (on my way to Australia now), but I can let you know if it is too big and work a swap.

I am 5'9" and 150-155 lbs. The medium I get fits perfectly.

I'm a 7 time vet (including '06 in the cold and rain) but am not in this year. I've seen lots of good advice here ,and I'll chime in with mine.

You should be able to make it to Idaho Springs on 2, 24 oz bottles if you want to skip the RS on top of Squaw. You can get water at the Ranger Station or at a convenience store and dodge the masses at the top. If you upload some food, then you can likely skip Georgetown RS as well and ride to Loveland. The Loveland RS has lots of food and Clif bars as a rule, but has occasionally had longish water lines in the past.
Skipping or minimalizing the rest stops and getting the earliest possible start is advisable because of the oft mentioned afternoon storms, which may or may not occur. You want to get as many miles under your arse as possible as early as possible.

I would start out with arm and leg warmers, preferably IMO wool, because they will keep you warm when you are wet. Sometimes a light jacket is advisable, but you will likely warm up quickly because you start climbing first thing in the AM. Be prepared for 1.5 to 2.5 hours to reach the top of Squaw, it's about 15 miles, all up.

If you have to carry a lot of gear, one trick is to use a Roadie style Camelback with the bladder removed. This will provide just about the right amount of space for all your necessities. On long rides, I have started to use a Bento Box or similar device. I don't care how tri geek or Fred like that is, they are very useful to carry a couple bars, some gels, and some capsules.

Another clever idea I have seen, is to wrap your shoes in a WalMart or other thin, cheapie shopping bag for the descent or for the rain. They pack real small. You simply step into the bag and tie it as snugly as you can over the top and then clip in. The bag should only minimally interfere with your cleat engagement. try it at home first to make sure. A garbage bag won't breathe worth a flip, but they sure are water proof and pack small; they are useful in a downpour with slots cut in for your head and arms.

The descent into Idaho Springs is about 15 miles and fast. it can be cold, take some liner gloves or other thin gloves if you have a low tolerance for the cold. If there was only one RS that I could avoid, it would be in Georgetown. It is a genuine and total CF. There are always lines for the Porta Potties in Georgetown. If you must go, there are some brushy thickets just up the road about a mile that you can use (if you're a guy and you only have to do #1). You'll also see lots of bikes off to the side of the road on the way to Squaw Pass.

The Loveland RS is a good one as it prepares you for the final assault to go up and over. Don't dilly dally around. Get your stuff and get back on the bike before you get cold and stiff and have to restart on the toughest part of the climb. Many times you will have a headwind from Georgetown to Loveland, it's a beetch.

No matter which energy drink you use, premix it in snack bags and mix your own at the RS even If you drink Accelerade. They rarely mix it in the proper proportions, you are warned. The Frisco stop is the only one at which I might stay a little bit long. They have lots of sandwiches, fruit and other goodies there. From this stop, there is more of a warm up before you start the climb to Copper and Vail.

After you conquer Vail, start looking for some folks to group with for the last 25 miles. There is usually a headwind, and it is nice to go through Vail and onto the finish in a paceline.

Have fun and wish for good weather. Of the 7 I have done at least four have had some amount of precip.
Few things taste as good as the beer at the finish.

Zagnut

Thanks Zagnut for the great advice!

I like to ride light and am thinking that stuffing my rain jacket, arm warmers, and long-fingered gloves in my jersey will be enough for the elements. Not sure if this is enough though and might get a camelback like you suggested.

Anyone else going to the jersey exchange? The large is definitely too big on me. I need a medium.

Anyone with a medium, needing a large?

So I am back from Australia and fighting a bug. I was hoping to be riding today, but I figure that being healthy for the ride is more important than being fit :eek:

I have a medium and almost need a small. Ugh...
Either I am getting smaller or the sizes keep increasing each year. 5'9" 155lbs should not be a small.

I just picked up a packet tonight, CL is full of them this year. Oh boy, I better get in shape fast;)

The CL packet thing is what saved me on jersey exchange yesterday. They didn't have any men's mediums, but all these people were coming in with packets that clearly weren't theirs (a few men came in with packets with women's shirts). I waited around for about 10 minutes until a guy came into exchange a medium for a large.

Mine was a women's packet so I gave the jersey to my wife. She just started riding and was pretty thrilled when she discovered the pockets in back.:thumb:

If anyone has an XXL jersey for sale let me know.

It's getting late. We should all be getting ready for bed :D

Hope to see some of you tomorrow.

Ugh, I wish you weren't kidding. I also wish I had air conditioning - too hot to sleep!

See you tomorrow, I hear I may meet you dark13star.

:)

Look for a golden bear bikes jersey with a white and silver bell sweep helmet and that should be me. The jersey is primarily white with blue and black accents. I should be nice and slow after hauling arse up lookout.

I am on a black Cannondale Synapse and will be wearing a blue and black Giordana jersey with a blue and white Giro helmet.

DataJunkie, I have your cell from your PM, maybe I will ring you when I am at Avon and see if you are around.

valygirl, I will be with telenick and sniz for a 5:30 start and we will look for you.

Since a lot of us have phones with data, feel free to post meetup info here when you are in Avon. I will check the thread from there (assuming coverage).

Well, this turned into a hell of a ride for me. It took me 12 hours to finish because I completely f-ked up my knee. It started after Georgetown, so I took a long lunch at Loveland and stretched it out. It got worse on Loveland Pass and Swan did it in. I literally pedaled from Frisco to Avon without the ability to push with my left leg. I was pushing and pulling with the right. Not to mentioned that I got rained and hailed on for most of that segment as well and had ditched my leg warmers and shoe covers in the car at Loveland.

I should have quit. It would have been the smart thing to do and I probably wouldn't be getting a sports medicine referral this week, but I had to finish for my own reasons.

How did others do? I enjoyed meeting some of you, and still hope to meet others that I didn't find.

I will need to have my knee better for the next one.

I posted mine in a separate thread. Quite epic for some wrong reasons and some right ones.
If you tried to call I think my cell was off or stashed due to the rain.

I didn't try to call. I figured everyone was done long before me. I also posted a longer report over in your other thread.