Fifty Plus (50+) - I won the lottery!! Ride the Rockies!

Anyone else riding??

June 13-19, 500+ miles

Do I bring the red bike or the blue bike?????

I'm off to buy a Power Ball ticket now. After that I'll start practicing riding some hills.

Anyone else riding??

June 13-19, 500+ miles

Do I bring the red bike or the blue bike?????

I'm off to buy a Power Ball ticket now. After that I'll start practicing riding some hills.

It should be a great ride, and you will do fine.

Congratulations

As always in CO, it can snow at any time - specially the high passes. A couple of years ago, Trail Ridge road was closed due to snow and they had to bus everyone to Granby through Berthoud Pass. Be prepared.

When I did RTR a few years back, folks from FL and other states were simply NOT prepared for very cold weather in JUne.

However, it can also be 105F in the lower elevations - so alco be prepared!!

It should be a great ride, and you will do fine.

Congratulations

As always in CO, it can snow at any time - specially the high passes. A couple of years ago, Trail Ridge road was closed due to snow and they had to bus everyone to Granby through Berthoud Pass. Be prepared.

When I did RTR a few years back, folks from FL and other states were simply NOT prepared for very cold weather in JUne.

However, it can also be 105F in the lower elevations - so alco be prepared!!

Yes, what he said. Be prepared for anything in the mountains. Cold, hot, snow, rain, ice... don't underestimate what the Rockies can throw at you in June. There are several passes that down open until August if we get enough snow in the winter.

Congratulations!

Forget the red or blue bike......I think this calls for a new bike.:)

Congratulations!

Forget the red or blue bike......I think this calls for a new bike.:)

Beverly my wife might have seemed nice, but I'm not sure how many more times she will let me use "I just put you through school" to get a new bike. BUT! If I find a great deal on lightweight frame I might just have to give it a thorough luck. In fact I was just reading some reviews some new frames.

Thanks to others for the advice on the weather. I had planned to camp as well. Guess I'd better pack some warmer stuff just in case.

If I find a great deal on lightweight frame I might just have to give it a thorough luck. In fact I was just reading some reviews some new frames.

Forget the frame, get lightweight wheels, decently lightweight tires (as opposed to stupid lightweight), and gears you spin on a climb all day long. That was my formula for success two years ago. It wasn't RTR, but this lifelong flatlander rode some Rockies on a rig that weighed 27 pounds total.

Oh, and work on your breathing. They don't have air up there.

And congratulations!

Beverly my wife might have seemed nice, but I'm not sure how many more times she will let me use "I just put you through school" to get a new bike. BUT! If I find a great deal on lightweight frame I might just have to give it a thorough luck. In fact I was just reading some reviews some new frames.

Thanks to others for the advice on the weather. I had planned to camp as well. Guess I'd better pack some warmer stuff just in case.

I stayed in motels both times. However, as I recall the route this year. there likely are not motels in some stops. I figured the ride was hard enough for someone 58 and 59 years old - who had just started riding - at the time - so sleep was important. Be prepared for hot snd stuffy high school gyms if you stay in the gyms.

Get a hypobaric sleeping tent to prepare for the elevation. Or go out a month before and gradually move up in elevation. Or go out before the ride and suffer. lol

What he said...The more days you can get out there before to get used to the altitude, the better. I've done a few multi day rides in the mountains and although I seemed to do OK riding, (this included Trail Ridge Road and Mt. Evans) I had a hard time sleeping and kept waking up feeling like I couldn't breathe. Loss of sleep night after night was harder on me than the riding!

And at that time of year the weather can change from 95 to 35 in an hour. Its not just the elevation, its them Rockies. You will be awed fellow rider. Get a couple of memory cards and spare batteries. As long as you're prepared you can scoff at those clouds.

Elevation sickness is serious. get the lungs ready and if you can get there early, get a hotel in Leadville and do some slow hikes.

Don't wear cotton in the rockies. it holds the moisture then you can get hyperthermia easly. I used 28 28 gear on my trek 1420 for boulder canyon

Hey Joe, where you going with that bike in your hand? lol

Ok, my previous comment on the hypobaric tent was a bit tongue in cheek so here is my experience with riding in Colorado at elevation. As you probably remember my brother lives in Grand Junction so I get out there on a regular basis to ride. I also have a sister-in-law that lives in Denver and ride around there too.

Here's the dope about coming from lower elevation East Coast humidity. It's dry in Colorado compared to CLT. Especially in Western Co. So you will have to drink more. Drink when off the bike, keep a water bottle next to the bed, drink when on the bike. Make sure you use a sports drink on the bike to help replace electrolytes because you will want to drink a lot.

Your power output on the bike will be lower at elevation. Lower oxygen levels will affect your power output. My experience equates to about 20 beats a minute in HR. So if you normally climb at 170 bpm, expect that to drop to 150 bpm. So in other words, your threshold will be lower both in power and HR. If you had the time to fully acclimate to the elevation then you could ride close to how you ride back home. But that would take 6 weeks or more at elevation for that to occur.

If you get a headache from elevation a can of coke can help. Caffeine helps but it also can cause other problems so getting to a lower elevation is the answer.

Wear sunscreen and reapply during the day. High elevation UV can burn you to a crisp in no time.

Even on a bluebird day it can be cool or cold at 11K'. When the sun goes behind a cloud it gets really cold fast. Try to plan your ride so that you are off the higher elevations by 2pm when thunderstorms are more likely. At the higher elevations, a thunderstorm can become a hailstorm or snowstorm quickly.

Expect the wind to build each day. Wind can be a real pain in some of the valleys so be prepared. Early starts can help.

You'll have a great ride I'm sure. You have the experience to handle anything on the ride so enjoy the scenery and the social aspects of the event. Have fun!

jppe rode with us in Glenwood SPrings last year at the first annual 50+ ride.

He is a great rider and will have no problems at all as regards bicycling endurance.

jppe rode with us in Glenwood SPrings last year at the first annual 50+ ride.

He is a great rider and will have no problems at all as regards bicycling endurance.

Heck I know jppe is a good rider. He's better than I am, which makes him great in IMO. lol.

Just thought I would mention a few things he might not have thought about. There's a big difference riding the relative flats around Glenwood and climbing at 11K'. Either way he'll have no problem enjoying the ride as long as he pays attention to how he feels. It's not a race.

With winning that lottery I would start betting on the horses soon. The dogma frame would arrive pretty quickly then.

500 miles in 6 days? should be a doddle but I reckon the overnight stays would be a problem. All those young riders out to prove themselves and having no energy for the "Apre Ride" entertainment- so take a good book with you for the evenings.

Reckon you will be taking a few extra jerseys as layers for the cold starts or cloudy days and one tip I learnt from the Tandem rides was a Camelback. Not only for the water carrying- but when you have to take off a layer- then you have somewhere to stow the surplus clothing (Or have somewhere that the warm jersy can be carried for when it gets cold). I only have the basic version with 2litres of water in it and limited stowage inside but it have external webbing straps that have successfuly taken my old Polaris cycling top.

So enjoy the ride and get out now on the cold days to get acclimatised to those cloudy days up on the mountains.

Here's the dope about coming from lower elevation East Coast humidity. It's dry in Colorado compared to CLT. Especially in Western Co. So you will have to drink more. Drink when off the bike, keep a water bottle next to the bed, drink when on the bike. Make sure you use a sports drink on the bike to help replace electrolytes because you will want to drink a lot.

Having lived in Colorado for 8 years now, this to me, is the best advice you'll get. Guzzle water at every opportunity on and off the bike. Trust me, it will help immeasurably when it comes to adjusting to the altitude.

Keep us posted as you prepare for the ride. You have my envy.

congratulations on getting in. I have done RTR3 times-- and once it included most of the roads you will be riding. I went out 2 days ahead of the start all three times, and made it a point to ride on each of those days-- just to get acclimated. I went to Boulder one year and we went up Flagstaff mountain (my avatar)-- It gets you into the Colorado mindset. Make sure you have 2 bottles (and fill them constantly). You will find you dehydrate much faster and don't realize it because your sweat evaporates so quickly. When we did Independence Pass, (over 12000 ft) I wore knee warmers, arm warmers winter gloves and a vest. I was cold at the start-- for the first 3 miles or so, but then was OK. You will find that as yo come down off the mountain passes the temperatures go up very quickly.

I slept in the gyms every time, and when I go again (maybe next year or the year after), I will do that again. Camping sounds good, but you have to pack the tent into the one bag you have, so it makes taking all the stuff you need a challenge. Get a pair of those eye covers that black out all light and a pair of earplugs and the gym will be fine.

Regarding bikes-- I have used 3 different ones on the 3 rides. First time the gearing was 53/39 with a 12/26 8 speed cluster on the back. Had no problems with that. Second time it was with a fixed gear bike (48/17). Issues with the down hills because leg speed became a big issue, but otherwise, no major problems. Third time with a 50/34 12/25 9 speed cluster-- no issues on gearing. WIth your riding in the Carolina mountains you should have no issues with the Rockies. The climbs are longer, but typically not as steep. (there are always exceptions)

Enjoy the little towns you go through, and take advantage of any sightseeing possibilities. The Black Canyon is pretty spectacular.

Have a great ride!

train safe-

Forget the frame, get lightweight wheels, decently lightweight tires (as opposed to stupid lightweight), and gears you spin on a climb all day long.
Oh, and work on your breathing. They don't have air up there.

I have some of the lightest weight clinchers and tires available so I should be fine. I've to learned to "breathe while climbing" but will keep that as a reminder.


Don't wear cotton in the rockies. it holds the moisture then you can get hyperthermia easly.

Agree. I'll only wear cotton on the plane flight in case there are "flaming issues." Otherwise all my riding gear is technical fabrics.


Having lived in Colorado for 8 years now, this to me, is the best advice you'll get. Guzzle water at every opportunity on and off the bike. Trust me, it will help immeasurably when it comes to adjusting to the altitude. Keep us posted as you prepare for the ride. You have my envy.

Thanks for the repeated advice on hydrating. I'm the absolute worst at hydrating-I know and still don't do anything about it. The result has been numerous kidney stones. I'll keep this as a reminder to start hydrating a week or so ahead of time. I then might toss in an extra margarita or dark beer on the ride just for good measure!!

I got in my first training ride yesterday!! I climbed Caesars Head which is about 6 miles and probably averages 7-8%. I could tell that I definitely need a LOT more of that. The extra 6-7 pounds I'm carrying right now will hopefully be evaporated by then as well. If not some of the hillier centuries I have planned in between now and then are going to be a disaster.


congratulations on getting in. I have done RTR3 times-- and once it included most of the roads you will be riding. I went out 2 days ahead of the start all three times, and made it a point to ride on each of those days-- just to get acclimated. I went to Boulder one year and we went up Flagstaff mountain (my avatar)-- It gets you into the Colorado mindset. Make sure you have 2 bottles (and fill them constantly). You will find you dehydrate much faster and don't realize it because your sweat evaporates so quickly. When we did Independence Pass, (over 12000 ft) I wore knee warmers, arm warmers winter gloves and a vest. I was cold at the start-- for the first 3 miles or so, but then was OK. You will find that as yo come down off the mountain passes the temperatures go up very quickly.

I slept in the gyms every time, and when I go again (maybe next year or the year after), I will do that again. Camping sounds good, but you have to pack the tent into the one bag you have, so it makes taking all the stuff you need a challenge. Get a pair of those eye covers that black out all light and a pair of earplugs and the gym will be fine.

Regarding bikes-- I have used 3 different ones on the 3 rides. First time the gearing was 53/39 with a 12/26 8 speed cluster on the back. Had no problems with that. Second time it was with a fixed gear bike (48/17). Issues with the down hills because leg speed became a big issue, but otherwise, no major problems. Third time with a 50/34 12/25 9 speed cluster-- no issues on gearing. WIth your riding in the Carolina mountains you should have no issues with the Rockies. The climbs are longer, but typically not as steep. (there are always exceptions)

Enjoy the little towns you go through, and take advantage of any sightseeing possibilities. The Black Canyon is pretty spectacular.

Have a great ride!

train safe-

I recall your post on doing RTR fixed and just can't imagine even thinking about that. I'll be taking my travel bike which as a 50/34 with the 11/32 which I can "climb walls" with so I'm not worred about the climbs. I'll be sure and pack the various layers for clothing I might need as well-if I haven't put all that stuff away by June!!

I might have to rethink the camping thing. My first preference might be to just use the tent renting service where I don't have to worry about the tent bag deal. I'll give the gym sleeping another thought as well.

I'll also need to rethink the timing of going out that way. I'll need to look at the schedule and see how it might work. I'd love to get in a round at the new golf course near Grand Junction anyway so that might work out. I'll just need to figure out how to get from Denver to Grand Junction......Maybe I just fly into GJ instead of Denver???


Bike WNC-have you looked at the new Parlee frame? I read a little on it last week.

[/QUOTE]Bike WNC-have you looked at the new Parlee frame? I read a little on it last week.[/QUOTE]

I haven't seen the Z5 yet. I'm trying to talk my friend, who is opening a new bike shop in Asheville, into carrying Parlee bikes. I read it has a great ride and is pretty light.

BTW, there is a train that goes from Denver to Grand Junction though I don't know about taking your bike. You might consider that if you fly into DIA.

Bike WNC-have you looked at the new Parlee frame? I read a little on it last week.[/QUOTE]

I haven't seen the Z5 yet. I'm trying to talk my friend, who is opening a new bike shop in Asheville, into carrying Parlee bikes. I read it has a great ride and is pretty light.

BTW, there is a train that goes from Denver to Grand Junction though I don't know about taking your bike. You might consider that if you fly into DIA.[/QUOTE]

Had not thought of the train. I'll be shipping my bike so it will just be me and a bag.

It took us 6 hours to ride the train from Denver to Glenwood. I don't know how much longer to GJ. However, it is a beautiful ride, including the Moffat tunnel. ALong the CO river from Winter Park to Dotsero is real pretty. Cars don't go there much.

Bring your wife and let her be your SAG. One year Nora and I rode - I would ride and she would drive and vice versa.

Going from Ridgeway to MOntrose, she wanted to ride with me, so I drove the car 10 miles down the road and rode back on the bike. A very narrow road with no shoulders and trucks.

She got scared, so I rode down to the car again, and I drove the car back and she drove to near MOntrose, and I rode there. Near Montrose, the road was better, so I changed with her!!

We had only one "ticket" - but heck, these are public roads. They can't close them down to non-ticketed folks. ANd, only one of us was on the "ride" at one time.

For Glen Canyon consider flying into Phoenix AZ. or Salt Lake UT DIA is a mad house.
I believe you can get a train from Salt lake.
Visit the Hot springs at Glenwood Springs.


I believe they have a bike path from Vail to Grand Junction ( Glenwood Springs?)

I would take the train. For a day trip I took the train to Granby. I really cant imagin why people want to drive when they can relax on a train.

For Glen Canyon consider flying into Phoenix AZ. or Salt Lake UT DIA is a mad house.
I believe you can get a train from Salt lake.
Visit the Hot springs at Glenwood Springs.


I believe they have a bike path from Vail to Grand Junction ( Glenwood Springs?)

I would take the train. For a day trip I took the train to Granby. I really cant imagin why people want to drive when they can relax on a train.

No bicycle trail from Glenwood to GJ.

I personally find DIA one of the easier large airports.

I believe jppe flew into DIA when we rode Glenwood Springs last summer.

Obviously DIA will be an easier airport to get to than GJT will be from CLT. I flew from CLT through Phx to GJT last time I went out there. But I have also had to fly through DIA and Salt Lake. To me, it makes sense to fly to Denver since you will finish your ride nearby. I guess it all depends what you want to do before or after the ride while you are out that way.

I don't find DIA any more difficult than any other large airport. The access is pretty good in and out of the area. GJT is small and super easy. Expect a bumpy flight into Junction if you arrive in the afternoon.

Congratulations. Enjoy the ride. I considered entering but decided to go for tropical vacation instead.

Congratulations. The route looks really nice this year, but I think they said it was also the longest ever. But having read your post for a while (another week, another century ride:) ), I have no doubt you will find it enjoyable. Someday I'll sign up for this ...