Mountain - Plains - Some thoughts needed regarding riding to bergen park

I am pondering riding to bergen park from Thornton to start the triple.
My only concern is getting from Golden to Bergen Park in the dark.
Should I head up Lookout, 40, or a different route?
I believe I will be riding on i-70 and then evergreen parkway in the dark. I have quite a bit of lighting (1200 lumens).
Is this idiotic or doable?
After last weekends 120 mile hammerfest I need something even more epic.

Thoughts?

It's very doable. I used 40 to I-70 to Bergen Park.

Last year I camped out at Chief Hosa campground with a fellow Bike Journal rider and three of us rode to the start together.

I am pondering riding to bergen park from Thornton to start the triple.
My only concern is getting from Golden to Bergen Park in the dark.
Should I head up Lookout, 40, or a different route?


I've gone up Lookout, and I've also gone *around* Lookout via 40, to get to Echo Lake via Bergen Park
The Garmin reported 870' more climbing going up Lookout, however going up 40 is boring as h*ll, so you might want to take Lookout anyway.

http://www.dim.com/~ryoder/Echo-Lake/echo-lake-gtc.png (http://www.dim.com/%7Eryoder/Echo-Lake/echo-lake-gtc.png)
http://www.dim.com/~ryoder/echo_lake_2.png (http://www.dim.com/%7Eryoder/echo_lake_2.png)



I believe I will be riding on i-70 and then evergreen parkway in the dark. I have quite a bit of lighting (1200 lumens).
Is this idiotic or doable?
After last weekends 120 mile hammerfest I need something even more epic.

Thoughts?You will be getting on I-70 at exit 254 where 40 ends and dumps you into the entrance ramp.
You will be getting off at exit 252 at Bergen Park.
Look over your left shoulder as you pass the 253 exit ramp to ensure no one is trying to take it as you cross it.
It *is* legal for bikes to be on this section, because there is no other public road available.
The paved shoulder is as wide as a lane of traffic, so it is not all that exciting, but might contain assorted debris.

Excellent. Thanks for the info. Ascending lookout in the dark is going to be cool. Now if I can figure out how to keep my garmin alive the entire ride.

It's very doable. I used 40 to I-70 to Bergen Park.

Last year I camped out at Chief Hosa campground with a fellow Bike Journal rider and three of us rode to the start together.

Now that you mention it I remember passing you in my van with Kevin H on the way to Bergen park. :D

Now if I can figure out how to keep my garmin alive the entire ride.

305 or 705?

I stopped in at the local Home Depot last week, and as I was passing by the tools dept, something new caught my eye: An entire display of assorted electrical accessories by a tool company whose name escapes me.

One of them was a little case that held a battery, (sold separately in the same display), that could recharge USB devices. The battery looked something like those 18650's that power many of the powerful LED flashlights.

305
I hear that electronics stores are now selling usb rechargers that would work.
However, now that valygirl is calling me a wuss I may need to start at bergen park and climb evans instead. Jeeze... :p

305
I hear that electronics stores are now selling usb rechargers that would work.
However, now that valygirl is calling me a wuss I may need to start at bergen park and climb evans instead. Jeeze... :p

You can find those chargers at most stores these days, including grocery stores.

I have one that takes two AA batteries and will charge my phone twice. Got it at K-mart some time ago for $20

I don't get out much. :p

However, now that valygirl is calling me a wuss I may need to start at bergen park and climb evans instead. Jeeze... :p

I was planning to do Mt Evans next week, but just had a big wrench thrown into my plan;
Yesterday I was hearing some annoying noises, and trying to figure out if it was pedals or BB.
It then started making the noises even when I was not pedaling, and the guy I was temporarily riding with even heard them.
It is the Phil Wood rear hub.:cry:
D*mm*t!
That hub may be the oldest part on the bike, but it's only 12 years old.
They just don't make them like they used to.:mad:
So now I need to call them on Monday about sending it in for an overhaul.
My remaining bikes are a mtn bike with bars way too low and way too far forward (part on order), or a road bike with too tall gears.

Dang. That stinks.

Oh come on, I'm just kidding... I'm only riding the standard TBP and not really even planning to ride back to Evergreen the next day. I am the queen of the wussies.

I know. :p
Just playin'

I think I am back to riding to the start. Evans would be cool with company but riding with my friends takes priority. I have enough solo rides.

...and here is the proof of all that....BMC at Chief Hosa.

http://www.sagebum.com/BikeJournal/Summer08/BMC.JPG

All dressed in his Hypoxia kit and ready to go at Zero Dark Thirty. Thanks for lighting the way BMC and have a great TBP Hypoxians!

Hehe... yup. that's me. Counting on my fingers to see if there's time for 5 more minutes of sleep! :D