sarals 

I'm late to the party, sorry! I had my family trip to Florida, and then I had a flight check yesterday and major stressed out over it (even though I killed it, like I usually do).

I'm OUT, I'm sorry. I'd love to come! I spent too much money on my Florida trip, and I'm planning on racing at the Huntsman Games this year and have to budget for that.

SORRY!!

valygrl

I'm really sorry some of you can't make it.

HP - I'm in for the 19th Copper Triangle (weather permitting) and possibly something on the 18th, but I will need that to be a training day so if you guys do something moderate on the front range I might join for part of it and peel off for more training, but probably won't go up to the mountains that day.

Actually - @LAJ - maybe we could do a ride on the 18th that incorporates the road race for the Boulder Element into a flatter front range cruise - start out together on the farm roads north of Boulder, then those of us with training needs could peel off and do the Lyons-Ward-LHC loop. @rapwithtom could maybe do the flat part without compromising his crit on the 19th?

Just a thought.

happybday29475

It's looking like (but it's not completely settled just yet) I'll be in town for the HP extravaganza.

While fully realizing that accommodating everybody is impossible...I'd suggest the Copper Triangle on teh 20th. That way I can race on the 19th and join you on the 20th.

Also, the Omnium the following weekend starts with a TT on the 24th wherein a certain modern Beryl Burton could teach these Colorado wahoos a thing or two...

Heathpack 

@rapwithtom and @valygrl, I am up for whatever ride on whatever day. I just assume Mon June 20th is a bad day because people need to go to work.

If this assumption is correct, then maybe we should just stick with the Sun June 19th plan for Copper Triangle. @rapwithtom could plan on June 20th if that's the rain date. Alternatively, @rapwithtom could try to make the second epic ride on Friday June 24. The big negative to that is if I'm wiped from the altitude and trying to keep up with @valygrl and @robabeatle earlier in the week, there's a chance I will be non-functional by Friday.

But if taking a day off work is an option for people and its appealing enough to everyone to try to ride together, I'm totally game for CT on Mon June 20.

valygrl

Yes, I need to work, I can't take Monday off.

Heathpack 

Ok, then let's leave the schedule as-is.

I may not be able to pin the nephew down until fairly close-in because he's looking for a summer job. If he gets one, then we'll likely spend Sat June 18 with him because he'll be out of the Breck plan. If he doesn't get one, I can ride on June 18 because we'll be seeing him all week anyway.

If people need to otherwise make a plan for Sat June 18, by all means do so. I don't want my nephew to hold up anyone's show.

happybday29475

The thing that I'm running into, and maybe others too, is that for the 2 weekends you're here, the race schedule used to be clouded in uncertainty, but just recently the races have been revealed and they're all quite enticing. For me it's a crit June 19, a road race June 25, and a Circuit Race June 26. Decisions, decisions...

For those not reading my diary, I've been training my arse off and hope to be, if not competitive, well at least pack-fodder, before the end of the season.

FYI, my power numbers have been increasing about 5% per month, which is terrific, but they're still not where they were last year. I believe that I just don't have the strength/muscle mass that I did pre-surgery. But, the trend is undeniably positive, and I'm optimistic...

Heathpack 

For @rapwithtom and anybody else, I totally get it. You guys have crazy weather and a limited racing season and racing is a big part of what we all like to do. You might be on a roll or trying to just get a few appealing races in. Nobody should turn their schedule upside down just to get some fun rides in. Even though I'd love to meet and ride with all ya'll I am very emotionally healthy about stuff like this. I am also very content to ride by myself, I do it all the time.

So do whatever it is you really want to do in the end. I will be just as happy to hear that you had a productive race as I would be to meet and ride with any of you. No kidding.

Also remember that I will be visiting with a friend while in Breck and he wants to ride and socialize too. So I will have plenty going on to keep me busy. And maybe the nephew too.

Heathpack 

Ok, nephew is in for the week in Breck. This means that Sat June 18 is free for a ride in the Denver area or Breck. We will be in Denver for Friday night (hotel somewhere) and then Breck for Sat night (at my friend's house). It doesn't matter to me what time we head to Breck on Sat June 18.

At some point, people will need to let me know what if anything they want to do on Sat June 18.

@robabeatle, as a practical matter that pertains to you, this means nephew is on the sleeper sofa (remember this is a 1BR condo unit). But I called the timeshare resort and learned that our unit is large enough for a rollaway bed and there is no additional charge for the rollaway. Check-in for the timeshare is 4pm, so we can head over there after Copper Triangle. The unit has a full kitchen and a washer/dryer. This is the place: Grand Lodge on Peak 7 | It supposed to be pretty nice. You can plan on at least an overnight with us, and then we can figure it out from there.

Here's the latest schedule:
Fri June 17: Arrive Denver
Sat June 18: Easy ride in Denver or Breck, 30ish miles
Sun June 19: Copper Triangle
Mon June 20: Recovery ride, (rain day for Copper Triangle)
Tues June 21: Off, maybe rafting
Wed June 22: Mountain bike
Thurs June 23: Off, maybe pool/hot tub day
Fri June 24: Epic ride like Independence Pass or Loveland Pass
Sat Jun 25: Recovery ride in Breck or possibly Denver, (Rain date for Epic ride)
Sun June 26: depart Denver 8am

beatlebee 

@Heathpack: thank you very much, that is very generous. I am not sure if I will take you up on that or not...

Heathpack 

Haha, if you come ride Copper Triangle, we'll know what we think of each other before the decision is made as to whether you drive back to Grande Mesa that evening. The details will sort themselves out of their own accord. As they always seem to when bikes are involved.

beatlebee 

Heathpack 

Ok, @LAJ and @rapwithtom, fair warning that at some point soon (by Monday say), I need to have some idea when/if you're riding. Because I have to figure out where I'm shipping the Magic Bike to (Denver or Breck) and where we're staying Fri night June 17 and also set up a ride for Sat June 18 either in Denver or Breck.

BTW, it turns out the BIL of my Breck friend (who is at least riding Copper Triangle) knows you both & races on a competing team & considers you to be formidable opponents. He has requested that I distract you both from racing as much as possible.

valygrl

It's looking like I will be riding with my coaching group on 6/18, and I'm still planning to join for the triangle on 6/19.

happybday29475

I too plan to join for "The Triangle" on 6/19.

Also happy to help with logistics. Have you considered using bikeflights to get your bike out here more cheaply, and also ahead of time...if you choose the delivery location wisely enough your bike might actually assemble itself...

LAJ

Dang. The 19th may just work out well. It may be just perfect "openers" for the Boulder thing the following week.

Heathpack 

Yep, I will probably use bike flights. However I own a soft sided bag for the TT bike (because minimal disassembly is required with this bag). Mr. H does not want to use it for the road bike because that assembly/disassembly is not as big of a deal. So we're borrowing a hard case, which we pick up tomorrow, and that's what it will travel in. He's opposed to anything less than the hard case because this is the Magic Bike after all. Once we get the case & know its exact size/weight, we can check the Bike Flights cost and can figure out if it makes more sense to ship it vs carry as luggage (which I'm surprised to learn is only $75 each way). This is why I need a little lead time.

I am thinking if I don't ride with any of y'all in Denver, I'll just ship the bike to/from Breck and not have to mess with getting a vehicle big enough to fit luggage plus the bike box

Sweet that you're in for the 19th.

Heathpack 

Sweet @LAJ!

Ok, I've got everyone in for Copper Triangle on the 19th: Me, @valygrl, @LAJ, @rapwithtom, @robabeatle, the arch rival/BIL, and maybe for the beginning my friend.

That means I'll head to Breck on Sat and maybe ride with the enemy, so if you all need any spy action, let me know.

Here's the final schedule:
Fri June 17: Arrive Denver, drive to Breck
Sat June 18: Easy ride in Breck, 30ish miles
Sun June 19: Copper Triangle
Mon June 20: Recovery ride, (rain day for Copper Triangle)
Tues June 21: Off, maybe rafting
Wed June 22: Mountain bike
Thurs June 23: Off, maybe pool/hot tub day
Fri June 24: Epic ride like Independence Pass or Loveland Pass
Sat Jun 25: Recovery ride in Breck or possibly Denver, (Rain date for Epic ride)
Sun June 26: depart Denver 8am

beatlebee 

shovelhd

Remember that if you have a USAC license, you get $5 off Bike Flights.

beatlebee 

I'm thinking about riding up Mt Evans from Idaho Springs at some point during the next few weeks, very weather dependent. Anyone in the area interested in joining?

Heathpack 

Is this the best Copper Triangle route? Start at Copper Mountain and ride clockwise?

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/13760135

LAJ

Hate that ride. The race isn't much better. I know I sure didn't volunteer any useful information at all, but I do feel better for letting my feelings be known. Of course, if you're totally bored, there is the Guanella Hill Climb next Saturday. It goes above tree line, and everything!

withoutlimits

LAJ

I've never ridden the Copper Triangle, to be honest. Typical Native. I hear there's skiing round these parts too.

happybday29475

that ride is often the Colorado HC state championship. Tommy D has the record, I think. Anyway they have the domain name bicyclerace.com, which is impressive in its own right.

Bob Cook Memorial Mount Evans Hill Climb | Saturday, July 23, 2016

July 23rd. Go get some!

I'd join you, of course, but I already know where I stand amongst hill climbers 'round here...I'll be with LAJ cheering you on!


In all seriousness, it is a great ride, and a great race, too.