Mountain Biking - Do I need an Oxygen canister for this?

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AshleyDoty
07-02-09, 11:27 AM
I'm mt. biking the following trails in a couple of weeks in Col. and want to know if its
normal to need one of thos oxygen canisters to make the trail. My lungs and legs can do just fine
in Durango col. all day, but have never been as high up as Crested Butte.


*401 trail near gothic col. Crested butte loop, 14 miles - never done this one
elevation gain/loss +3000, -2.900

*Teocolli Ridge -Crested Butte loop, 19.5 miles 4-5 hours - never done

*Wasatch -Telluride loop 15 miles - never

*Telluride Trail (ride up Gondola) - Yes, have done this one, no problem...ever.

If you are a local here or have done these trails, your advice would count for me.


scrublover
07-02-09, 02:17 PM
If you have a day or two to hang around town and acclimate a bit, that can help.

Hydrate! So many people have issues at elevation because they've let themselves get a bit too behind on that.

If you start having issues, head back downhill. Simple as that.

EPO.

ca7erham
07-02-09, 03:36 PM
Well, if you're living in Durango, you'll do just fine other than what scrub said. For ref, I'm from Ohio, and we dont have too much trouble hiking fourteener's, and even less trouble riding at around 9000-12000 feet.


DesnaePhoto
07-03-09, 09:59 PM
I came from Los Angeles to Utah and have been riding the mountains here. Rode from Park City (think it is about 7,000 ft) to over 9300 today. After a day of headaches, lots of water, and taking it easy for another day, I have been fine. Yes, my overall power is less and I get tired faster. But riding is going fine.

Drink water ... listen to your body ... you can do fine.

Scratcher33
07-04-09, 03:33 AM
Teocalli trail is brutal. I think it's around 11,000 ft. There was an article about it in Bike magazine this year that was pretty good. See if you can find that.

AshleyDoty
07-04-09, 02:24 PM
Yep, I read that one:

I am quotting page 70 bike magazine, trail issue:

"Eat your wheaties. Pack plenty of gu. And don't forget the oxygen canisters."

Exageration? , dont know, but the only way to know is for someone that has done this
trail to tell me. Teocali Ridge is rated as the best/hardes trail in north america.

scrublover
07-04-09, 02:43 PM
It isn't that bad; yeah, it's a tough one, but there are worse. It's a great ride, but I'd not call it the best/hardest in north america, not by a long stretch. (at least in comparison to some other stuff i've ridden here and there)