Acclimation to elevation?
 

I'm from Springfield Missouri which is about 1300 feet above sea level. I will be starting my tour in Canon City (about 6000 ft) Colorado on Aug. 22nd and was wondering if anyone had any advice on acclimation to the elevation? I was planning on riding through Kansas (starting the tour tomorrow), but my mother is going to visit family in Canon City on the 22nd and needs someone to help her drive. Since my trip had me arriving in Canon City around the 22nd, I decided to stick around another two weeks and help her drive. I'll just add an extra two weeks to the end of my tour now.

I'm wondering if I should wait a few days to start the tour once I arrive there. I don't know too much about acclimation to elevation and the time it takes, but I am 27 years old and in good health.

Driving is better than flying - it will give you some time to adjust. You aren't that high around Pueblo, but you quickly climb to the highest point on the Trans Am. Since you'll be starting out - and starting uphill - I'd start with modest mileages. 30, 40, no more than 50 for the first few days. Also, avoid alcohol and caffeine and drink lots of water.

You will be almost a mile higher than you are used to. That is a lot!

Keep your mileage low for the first several days at higher altitudes. Climbing will probably be more tiring than usual for several days.

Here is an interesting article on acclimatization and altitude sickness:

http://www.elbrus.org/eng1/high_altitude1.htm

When I was 27 I biked from Denver to Jasper National Park, Alberta. I flew to Denver from near sea level, where I was raised. I had no problems. I biked the very first day to Boulder, and the next day to Estes Park. I went hiking for a day and then tackled Trail Ridge Road which goes over 12,000 ft (3,700 m). I found that once I was above 10,000 ft on Trail Ridge Road, I had to make frequent stops to catch my breath. However, a couple of days later (after more hiking above 9,000 ft. on the west side of the national park), I biked over Berthoud Pass easily and Independence pass fairly easily. However, I met a large group of cyclists near Bethoud Pass who had begun their tour on the Pacific Coast. They told me that 2 people in their group had biked from Oregon to the Rockies and were strong cyclists and in good shape, but both suffered from altitude sickness when they reached higher elevations and had to fly home. I realize this is all anecdotal, but it seems that some people are inclined to suffer from altitude sickness, and others will have no problems. Even if you're in great shape, your response to altitude can't be predicted. Nevertheless, it seems that the odds are in your favor. I also suspect that even those 1,300 feet you've been living at will make it less likely that you encounter problems compared to a sea level person.

I've been through this before. You don't have to wait to start riding, but you will probably notice the altitude. Just start slow - take it easy, low miles per day. Pay attention to how you feel - if you're feeling crappy, just rest. Drink lots of water and don't drink alcohol until you acclimate. Try to sleep a lot. Also, you sunburn faster at altitude.

I rode a bunch in CO last year, it was fantastic! What route are you doing?

It is true that no one can predict whether they will get altitude sickness unless they have had it previously, but as long as you don't just get out of the car, hop on your bike and head for a 10,000 foot summit, you should be just fine. But just in case, some of the symptoms of altitude sickness are dizziness and nausea. It would be very very unlikely to see any of the more serious signs/symptoms of HACE (high altitude cerbreal edema) or HAPE (high altitude pulmonary edema) would be present. These really only show up in cases at truly high altitudes, like 14,000 feet and above for example and mostly in extreme climbers (which makes sense, since if your not a climber, what business do you have above 14,000 feet anyways?!) Anyways, in short, just take a few days for your system to adjust and if you feel a little more than normal fatigue on your rides, don't be afraid to stop and get some air in your system! Have a great time while your here in Colorado, I've ridden here for 20 years and love it!!

Good advice. I've never had to deal with the altitude since I was born here but I might suggest that you start you tour in Pueblo (if you are doing the TransCon). It's a bit lower and about 50 miles away from Canon City. I'd just do something easy for the first couple of days...like ride from Pueblo to Canon City and then to Hartsel (or Eleven Mile Res.). Then from Hartsel to Fairplay (the big climb is after Fairplay). These are all short little hops but they are at the highest altitude so if you are going to have problems, it will be here.

There are roads here in Colorado that go nearly to 14,000 feet! :p I believe we also have the worlds highest paved road at some insane elevation, as well.

That would be in Peru (15 807 feet). Mt Evans is at 14 258 feet.