First Hill Climb Road Race (Mt. Evans)

[TronnyJenkins]

I'm feeling crazy this summer. I'll start by doing my second 100+ mile mountain ride at the Triple Bypass this summer, but I think the following weekend I will try the Mt. Evans hill climb race. Being as how I'm a flatlander, my 20 or so races have all been crits, flat road races, and maybe a couple you could call "rolling" road races. I'm a Cat 4 by the way.

Is there any wisdom anyone has for me?
As of right now, my plan is basically to try and stay with one of the guys in the top five. I have no real aspirations to podium, but it was either this or the rally, so I figured what the heck...

[old fat man]

If you buy my wheels (that's why you posted in the Classifieds, right? ), you'll have a better chance in the hill climb: http://forums.thepaceline.net/showth...ht=hed+stinger

[joev]

I'll weight in... I do a bunch of "flat" fast rides on the weekends and we have Mt. Lemmon here that I do occasionally. If I hadn't done that mt in awhile, boy can I feel it. You should be OK with the triple the previous week to gauge how you will do. If I had a lay off from the mt, here is what I do:

- break the total distance to manageable chunks, say 4th's,and concentrate effort and focus on those.

- look at the profile for small recovery areas and anticipate those and take advantage of a brief rest/fuel/water.

- you probably know this...don't blow early.

- the altitude can really sap power if you're not used to it. Make sure you have a bail out gear.

Good Luck!

[TronnyJenkins]

Crud! Didn't mean to post in classifieds. Sorry mods, feel free to move.

[rodcad]

If an admitted "flatlander" can hang with the top 5, you will have my utmost respect.

[icepick_trotsky]

Altitude is a bigger issue on Mt. Evans than grade. Do everything you can to acclimate prior to the race.

[rodcad]

Originally Posted by icepick_trotsky

Altitude is a bigger issue on Mt. Evans than grade. Do everything you can to acclimate prior to the race.

Or bring an oxygen bottle

[TronnyJenkins]

Haha, maybe I should lower my expectations to just finishing.

I'll be in Denver for 9 days before, is the elevation there enough for any acclimatizing benefit?

[rodcad]

I'd say not. You'll be starting roughly 2,000' above Denver then climbing another 7,000'. My guess is you'd be light headed driving up there. I hope you do it and give us report after!

[deluxerider]

Denver will help. But Mt. Evans is the highest paved road in NA and tops out over 14,000 feet. quite a bit of elevation difference.

Originally Posted by TronnyJenkins

Haha, maybe I should lower my expectations to just finishing.

I'll be in Denver for 9 days before, is the elevation there enough for any acclimatizing benefit?

[TronnyJenkins]

Thanks for the insight. I'll give a full report following.

[gdw]

Altitude effects everyone differently. Hopefully you'll adapt quickly and enjoy it but you might want to reassess your strategy. Hanging with the top five seems rather optimistic for a cat 4 flatlander.

[Mr. Pink]

Originally Posted by TronnyJenkins

Haha, maybe I should lower my expectations to just finishing.

I'll be in Denver for 9 days before, is the elevation there enough for any acclimatizing benefit?

No. Try moving to Summit County for a few days. Bike Vail and Loveland pass. Then, remember, the top of Evans is still another 2000 ft higher.
I don't race, but, I ski a lot out there, so, I was kinda prepared, attitude wise. Still, I was sorta hallucinating above 13000.

[jumphigher]

Sounds like a cool ride, OP. Wish I was gonna give a go myself. Good luck, though!

[Climb01742]

Have gearing higher than you'd ever imagine. A 34x34 wouldn't be crazy. I've done Mt. Washington twice. Whether you ever use a 1:1 gear ratio, having it could help mentally and physically.