Mountain - Plains - Mt Evans racers, what's your training?

I'm doing the Mt Evans Hill climb this year (first time), and 5-ish weeks of training left I'm curious how you're training for it, and also your expected tactics on race day.

I'm not a greyhound or mountain goat (just shy of 200lbs), so I know I won't be in contention, so I'm thinking I treat it as a TT, though if I align with a group or two that's a bonus. My goal is 3hrs.

So, other than lots of trips up High Grade between now and then, what other pain should I be mixing in?

+1 on first time, would like to hear some training plans.

im simply rolling long distance/medium stress stuff all week and then one or two hillclimbs on the weekend (magnolia, sugarloaf, etc)...i dont expect to be in contention though..

I will continue to do some of the local climbs around Boulder such as Flagstaff, Sunshine, Ward, Super Jamestown in addition to a few rides up Mt. Evans later in June and early July. I also plan to do some light cycling/relaxing/carb loading in Leadville days before the race in hope the altitude acclimatization helps. I've ridden Mt. Evans many times and it seems above 11K-12k feet I start to fade. Those last few switchbacks are killer.

I will continue to do some of the local climbs around Boulder such as Flagstaff, Sunshine, Ward, Super Jamestown in addition to a few rides up Mt. Evans later in June and early July. I also plan to do some light cycling/relaxing/carb loading in Leadville days before the race in hope the altitude acclimatization helps. I've ridden Mt. Evans many times and it seems above 11K-12k feet I start to fade. Those last few switchbacks are killer.

I did this race last year for the first time and my best advice is to at least ride the route once before race day. I didn't, and blew myself up fairly quickly and barely made it up to the top. I think the plan by c_bake is really good. I just did Ride the Rockies, so I feel pretty good about the amount of climbing I've done so far. I definitely want to ride up Evans a couple times in July prior to race day, and get some more threshold rides up Deer Creek in the next few weeks.

posted this in the race forum but i'll put it here too, mostly just to reinforce that knowing/pre-riding the course is the single most important thing you can do to prepare.

aside from that, spending time riding at altitude will help psychologically, thoguh i'm not really sure it makes a difference psyciologically, unless you live at altitude for a week before the race.

theres nothing hard about the route other than the length and the height. its not steep, its not technical, the roads are in decent shape, its just a really long time to grind away with very little relief. hydrating (not just on the ride but in the days before) is important, pacing yourself is important, being prepared for weather changes is important, but above all just be familiar with the road, the length is unique among colorado climbs, and specifically the last couple of miles, starting from summit lake, are a serious headgame.

will probably be headin gup mt. evans with the RMCC guys tomorrow...

Mt. Evans isn't really a tough climb as far as the grade...It's more mental than anything. People get freaked out about the altitude. As long as your rested and hydrated, the race should be a breeze(not really but it sounded good). I think 3 hours is a lil excessive as long as your prepared 2-2 1/2 hrs isnt that difficult. Keep it steady until Summit Lake. Then go for it the last 5 mi. or so. Dont get excited about how hard your breathing or how hard your heart is pounding its just your bodies best reaction to carry that thin air to your muscles.

I'm considering doing it. I know space is running thin - but I usually leave things for last minute. I'm coming from the western slope.

citizen and several other categories have sold out.

3 hours is a pretty realistic and challenging goal for someone whos never done it before.

2:30 is good

under 2:15 is impressive

Not racing Evans --- just thought I'd stick these Evans pics from a few weeks ago in here:

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j203/TeteDeCourse/IMG_2259.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j203/TeteDeCourse/IMG_2258.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j203/TeteDeCourse/IMG_2256.jpg