Fifty Plus (50+) - Longest Ride the Rockies in History - 532 miles

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perfect 70+ leisure ride.


http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_14350736

Several major passes for your enjoyment.

Anyone entering the lottery?

Here is the route - using Silverlight

http://ridetherockies.com/about-the-tour/route/

That is some ride and it would have to be a leisure ride for me. At my current milage it would take me 2 months to complete:rolleyes::rolleyes:

Scheduling wise I could fit it in-We have a TT I'd need to be at a little before that but there is plenty of time in between for traveling. Couple questions if anyone knows:

Do they bus you back to the start from the finish?
Is this a good/scenic route + good towns to spend the night or have there been better RtR's from that perspective?

I might just have to see how my luck runs in the lottery.

Didn't you do RTR a few years back, Denver?

It's a social event with some bike riding involved. Not that there is anything wrong with that.

Scheduling wise I could fit it in-We have a TT I'd need to be at a little before that but there is plenty of time in between for traveling. Couple questions if anyone knows:

Do they bus you back to the start from the finish?
Is this a good/scenic route + good towns to spend the night or have there been better RtR's from that perspective?

I might just have to see how my luck runs in the lottery.


Didn't you do RTR a few years back, Denver?

About 10 years back.

As to buses, youneed to check the website. I am not sure what they are doing now.

Scenery should be spectacular and extremely varied.

Wolf Creek Pass, alone, is - well, WOW!!

Along with Ouray - little Switzerland. Then there will be drier and lower spots.

2009 Demographics

• 68% Male, 32% Female
• Median age: 48
• Household income:
O 29% over $150,000
O 42% over $125,000
O 56% over $100,000
O 73% over $75,000
• 100% have internet access
• 68% Colorado residents
• 66% employed in professional/managerial positions
• 72% married, 28% single
• 95% have college degrees, 49% have graduate degrees

Near Wolf Creek Pass

http://www.theyeagergroup.com/four%20corners%20to%20liberal%202007/wolf%20creek%20pass,%20us%20160,%20and%20colorado%20402%20from%20the%20scenic%20overlook%20on%20the% 20continental%20divide%20near%20wolf%20creek%20pass%201.jpg

Ouray

http://www.red-october.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/ouray-colorado.jpg

Million Dollar Highway between Ouray and Durango - no guard rails, thousands of feet of drop. No guard rails because they have to have someplace to push the snow. And, yes, they lose both snowplows and people over the edge. A lady was killed last winter.

http://www.ltolman.org/colorado2006/Sept21-MillionDollar-390.jpg

2009 Demographics

• 68% Male, 32% Female
• Median age: 48
• Household income:
O 29% over $150,000
O 42% over $125,000
O 56% over $100,000
O 73% over $75,000
• 100% have internet access
• 68% Colorado residents
• 66% employed in professional/managerial positions
• 72% married, 28% single
• 95% have college degrees, 49% have graduate degrees


Thanks for the warning.

2009 Demographics

• 68% Male, 32% Female
• Median age: 48
• Household income:
O 29% over $150,000
O 42% over $125,000
O 56% over $100,000
O 73% over $75,000
• 100% have internet access
• 68% Colorado residents
• 66% employed in professional/managerial positions
• 72% married, 28% single
• 95% have college degrees, 49% have graduate degrees


Thanks for the warning.

ok-I'm registered for the lottery

Sounds fun, but we think a ride with more than 10 people is too big!
R&J

It's a social event with some bike riding involved. Not that there is anything wrong with that.

The Colorado Springs Bike Club is said to be "an eating club with a biking disorder" or something.

Looks like a nice route this year. I will say, the climb up the Grand Mesa is the toughest one on the tour. Just because it's not in the "mountains" do not discount it!

Looks like a nice route this year. I will say, the climb up the Grand Mesa is the toughest one on the tour. Just because it's not in the "mountains" do not discount it!

+1

Looks like a nice route this year. I will say, the climb up the Grand Mesa is the toughest one on the tour. Just because it's not in the "mountains" do not discount it!

How so? Length, grade, wind?? Or could it be too many beverages consumed the night before. I like to be mentally prepared!!

How so? Length, grade, wind?? Or could it be too many beverages consumed the night before. I like to be mentally prepared!!

First, the ride through Colorado National Monument is awesome. But June temps will wear you down if you don't get an early start. The Grand Mesa climb is almost 6100' total but the main part is about 5700' in 21 miles into ever thinning air. There are a few steep sections thrown in for fun. Add the June heat and it is especially tough. Oh, and don't stop on the Mesa because the mosquitoes will carry you away.

This is close to the same route used a few years ago--only then it was a loop that started in Salida and ended in Salida-- WOlf's Creek was the first day--with 97 mile total ride. It is a beautiful part of the country. Also, Silverton is beautiful--however, you want to get there early because they run out of hot water in the gym...cold shower at whatever altitude it is (high) is no fun... RTR tripled the population of Silverton for 24 hours. Red Mountain pass is also beautiful-- I would love to go back, abut it is not to be this year... Maybe nest year :) oh-- if you can get someone you know to go with you you will enjoy it a whole lot more. I've done RTR 3 times-- once alone (worst of all), then with 3 friends (best time of all) and then again with 6 friends--too manyu to stick together... Also, I've done it on a 16 sp road bike, on a fixed gear bike and on an 18 speed road bike. I enjoyed the fixed gear the most, but the downhills were terrible-

train safe-