Heathpack 

Ok, here's the scoop: Mr. H and I are heading to Denver + Breckenridge next June for vacation. I'll be bringing a bike so that I can get some cycling in. Mr. H does not ride but is a most excellent SAG driver.

We have not booked flights or Denver accommodations yet, but the semi-formed plan is:
Friday June 17: LAX to Denver, overnight in Denver area
Saturday June 18: Denver area, no plans. Possibly get in a ride.
Sunday June 19: Drive Denver to Breck, possible am ride in Denver area.
Sunday June 19-Sunday June 26 (or more likely, we'll depart on Sat, June 25): Breckenridge. Probably riding 4-5 days. Plus other fun stuff like whitewater rafting?
Sunday June 26: Amtrak California Zephyr, departs Denver 8:05am, arrives Sacramento Monday June 27 at 2:13pm

Lots of wiggle room in the plan. We don't mind pushing the plan by a day on either end to make room for a ride in the Denver area.

We are staying in a timeshare exchange at this place: Grand Lodge on Peak 7 | The Finest Luxury Lodging Option in Breckenridge, Colorado We have a 1BR condo unit with a full kitchen and washer/dryer, so could host some gatherings. However, I'm not sure I'd recommend this place because the confirmation paperwork that we received after we booked specifically says no bikes in the units. I'm ignoring that. (Worst case scenario is that I bring my bike bag and have to put the bike into it to move it in/out of the condo.)

The radiologist who reads my MRIs lives in Breckenridge. I've never met him but we talk on the phone all the time and are friends to the extent that he wanted us to just stay with him for the week. He is a cyclist and his brother-in-law also lives in Breckenridge and races his bikes. So plenty of access to local knowledge and support and I'm sure they will want to hang out too.

Also: even though I titled this thread "BF Master's Racers Colorado Training Camp," I really don't care if other want to join. I'm envisioning fairly low-key vacation-type rides anyway, although probably with a good amount of climbing.

@Racer Ex, the California Zephyr goes right to Reno. You should get a room in the sleeper car, too. Cross the Rocky Mtns by train.

Who is at least a little interested?

Racer Ex 

Oh yes.

That might be very cool...train ride.

LAJ

I heard cycling in Colorado is pretty good. I'll likely attend the rides near Denver.

Heathpack 

happybday29475

I hope to join, will be there if possible!

You didn't ask, but if it were me, I would spend zero days in Denver and head to the mountains immediately. Even if your Breck condo is unavailable, there are lots of other cool mountain towns not too far away.

On the other hand, there is a 3-day omnium in South Denver on the race calendar Jun 17, 18, and 19. It's a new race, and no details have been published yet, but it's put on by one of our better promoters. It'll likely draw the attendance of a good chunk of local racers.

One other thought: Breck has awesomely great MTBing right out the door, and lots of it. Depending on snow, the trails might not be open yet, that's right on the cusp. I would be happy to lead an MTB ride if there's interest.

Heathpack 

Thanks @rapwithtom. No way is Denver off the table if that means no ride with @LAJ, and I'm speculating he can't make Breck based on the timing relative to an annual trip he takes.

I have never mountain biked but am considering giving it a try before June. So I might be interested, unless it turns out I'm too weak & ****zy for MTB-ing.

When do you think you'd be in Breckendridge? The entire week? How far of a drive is it?

valygrl

I'm planning on doing that race rapwithtom mentioned, and possibly have to travel during the week, but want to ride on the 2nd weekend, more if I'm able to get out of work. If it was my thing to (selfishly) plan I would plan Copper Triangle on 6/25 and you should stay in the front range on 6/26 and do a ride in the plains/foothills, and not train out until Monday. I ride C.T. on the July 4th weekend every year, so that would mean doing it two weeks in a row, but it's such a gem, I wouldn't mind. Would have to be flexible around weather though, you can get bad days in June in the mountains.

Copper Triangle in Copper Mountain, CO, United States | MapMyRide
You can do it from breck but it really doesn't need to be any harder
Copper Triangle from Breck in Breckenridge, CO, United States | MapMyRide

One thing, it's better to leave the mountains on Saturday afternoon than Sunday, traffic can be crazy bad. Although Saturday is no guarantee either.

Heathpack 

Haha, I am already taking more vacation time than I am allotted this year (not sure why no one has called me on this) and I'm not sure the train trip can be rescheduled. But say I'm willing to take the extra day unpaid from work (which is no big deal, plus I'll tell them not to pay me & they probably will anyway) and I can reschedule the train trip- are you saying you think you'd be as in as you could be at this stage for Copper Triangle? That is one of the rides my friend in Breck has strongly suggested.

Heathpack 

Wait, @valygrl, why not Copper Triangle on Sat June 24?

happybday29475

VG is giving good local scoop. The Copper Triangle is a great ride.. there are many places to stop for food and water...it's a very nice 70? mile ride with 3 moderate passes..the only thing is that the altitude may have you low-landers gasping for air like fish out of water...but we locals won't mind. Anyway the CT would certainly make a fun group ride, with a nice lunch stop along the way or at the end. To be honest, it's the only road-riding I've done near Breck.

With no traffic, Denver (or Boulder) to Breck is <90 minutes. Traffic in the summer is less but not non-existent...avoid leaving the city Friday evening or returning Sunday evening, but you'll survive just fine if that's what your schedule requires.

Most likely, I wouldn't overnight in the mountains, but would just drive up from Boulder for the day.

Denver/LAJ - absolutely! I would like to ride with him too, don't ride enough with him even though we're on the same team. Be forewarned, LAJ doesn't really get warmed up until, say, 100 miles in....

One other thing: there is lift-assisted downhill MTBing around, too. You can just rent all of the equipment at the ski area. It can be beginner friendly, with easy trails, instruction, etc. (Or it can be GoPro worthy! A lot of the kids love it.) I likely wouldn't join you, but just thought I would make you aware of it if it interests you.

One other other thing: There are "14ers" nearby, meaning nice 1/2 to 3/4 day non-technical hikes for the days when you're not biking (if there is such a thing). Again, it might be too early because of snow, we'll have to wait and see (typically July is the start of the 14er season).

valygrl

Er... June 25th is saturday, right?

Heathpack 

I know.

I met these people on a double century. They were half of a relay team who won RAW. He lives in Tennessee. She lives in California. Ever since then I have imagined that @LAJ & I could drum up some other people & do something like that.

So the @LAJ ride is essential.

valygrl

From Breck, the loop around Lake Dillon or an out and back up Loveland Pass are also good - combine those for a pretty long day with less time at really high altitude than the triangle.

Heathpack 

Whoops, you are right. Why delay the train trip, then?

valygrl

so we can ride together on sunday in the front range too - but totally not necessary for the C.T. plan.

Heathpack 

Oh. Where is the front range? Just name a city & I'll googlemap it.

valygrl

Oh sorry - it's slang for the swath of cities just east of the mountains - Denver/Golden/Boulder.

LAJ

Swath. Excellent, valygrl. Some amazing riding starting from any town east of the Rockies, from Colorado Springs to Fort Collins. Likely from Pueblo and beyond too, but I've never done one from there.

shovelhd

Hmmmmmm.

revchuck 

My thought exactly. 1124 miles/19 hours each way according to Mapquest.

Heathpack 

@shovelhd and @revchuck, it would be seriously fun and beautiful. You should really see if you can make it work.

Dalai

There are a couple reasonable roads to ride...

Will be there in spirit and living vicariously via all the great photos that will be posted.

If you like hills Heatpack you will not be disappointed! Just gear the bike adequately for the altitude. At 4000m + expect power to be around 72% of your sea level FTP...

Enjoyed a week in CO back in 2013 as part of a 3 week peak bagging trip. CO rides were:

-Grand Mesa (both sides).
-Independence pass (both sides).
-Copper Triangle.
-Trail ridge rd (both sides).
-Mt Evans.
-Pikes Peak

chasm54

Gloom. Riding In Colorado has been on my list since I spent three weeks in the Rockies there twenty years ago. And distance isn't a problem. But the end of June is full of other things, I can't squeeze this in.

I'll send an avatar.

Heathpack 

@Dalai, we will miss you, hope that Mrs. Dalai is enjoying her chemo respite.

@chasm54, I have one comment:

valygrl

Bummer chasm54! When it does work out for you, don't forget you have friends here to help with planning and show you around.