First Hill Climb Road Race (Mt. Evans)

[Mr. Pink]

Originally Posted by 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.

It's really not that steep. Colorado passes are relatively mellow, grade wise. It's all about the altitude. The roads leading up to the Blue Ridge parkway are much steeper.

[45K10]

Like mentioned previously, the altitude will be the killer. I used to bring my bike every time I went to Colorado to visit friends but man did it hurt. Even just climbing around Denver and Golden.

Mt Evans is a sweet ride, I would suggest just going with no expectations and don't put yourself in the red. If you pop at that altitude you'll pretty much have to get off the bike to recover.

Have fun and good luck!

[fignon's barber]

Originally Posted by TronnyJenkins

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....

No! This is absolutely the opposite of what you should do. You have to ride at your own pace the entire time, as if you were the only one on the road. Take a page out of the Froome handbook, and manage your efforts with your Garmin (either HR or power).

[chuckred]

In any of the cat 4 groups, you are an amazing climber and it's a great strategy.

Otherwise, since it's your first try, you may want to go grand fondo. In any case, it is a great race and worth doing just to get the ride without traffic at the top.

Don't underestimate the need for warm clothes on the way down, and a wicked rough decent.

Don't underestimate need for rain gear on triple by pass, either. 90% chance you will get wet, and it's not a refreshing shower when it rains! Start EARLY!

[Mr. Pink]

Originally Posted by fignon's barber

No! This is absolutely the opposite of what you should do. You have to ride at your own pace the entire time, as if you were the only one on the road. Take a page out of the Froome handbook, and manage your efforts with your Garmin (either HR or power).

Yeah, I wound up catching about six people who motored by me on the lower parts, and, trust me, I'm slow. They were hurting. Best lesson I got from an experienced friend was not to try to keep up, and just find your zone. I was pretty amazed I made it.
And, yes, come prepared for quick changes in weather. You're going to be above tree line for about 4000 feet, and it's a long way down. Don't be fooled by a nice, warm, sunny day in Idaho Falls.

[TronnyJenkins]

Originally Posted by Mr. Pink

It's really not that steep. Colorado passes are relatively mellow, grade wise. It's all about the altitude. The roads leading up to the Blue Ridge parkway are much steeper.

Originally Posted by 45K10

Like mentioned previously, the altitude will be the killer. I used to bring my bike every time I went to Colorado to visit friends but man did it hurt. Even just climbing around Denver and Golden.

Mt Evans is a sweet ride, I would suggest just going with no expectations and don't put yourself in the red. If you pop at that altitude you'll pretty much have to get off the bike to recover.

Have fun and good luck!

Originally Posted by fignon's barber

No! This is absolutely the opposite of what you should do. You have to ride at your own pace the entire time, as if you were the only one on the road. Take a page out of the Froome handbook, and manage your efforts with your Garmin (either HR or power).

Originally Posted by chuckred

In any of the cat 4 groups, you are an amazing climber and it's a great strategy.

Otherwise, since it's your first try, you may want to go grand fondo. In any case, it is a great race and worth doing just to get the ride without traffic at the top.

Don't underestimate the need for warm clothes on the way down, and a wicked rough decent.

Don't underestimate need for rain gear on triple by pass, either. 90% chance you will get wet, and it's not a refreshing shower when it rains! Start EARLY!

Originally Posted by Mr. Pink

Yeah, I wound up catching about six people who motored by me on the lower parts, and, trust me, I'm slow. They were hurting. Best lesson I got from an experienced friend was not to try to keep up, and just find your zone. I was pretty amazed I made it.
And, yes, come prepared for quick changes in weather. You're going to be above tree line for about 4000 feet, and it's a long way down. Don't be fooled by a nice, warm, sunny day in Idaho Falls.

Just saw all of these posts. Pure gold. Also read this. I also bought an 11-32 for this trip, even though I'd never use the 32 here (even in the big ring, LOL).
I'm nervous, semi confident, and excited to try this. Yeah, I could do the Gran Fondo, but it's $30 more, so what the heck. I've got enough jerseys. Haha. If I come in dead last... I come in dead last.

Definitely glad I read all the stuff about taking warm clothes for the descent!

I wonder which group would ride smarter... Cat4/5 or Cat3/4? If it's like a race around here, the Cat4/5 would get super strung out, but the 3/4's who are supposed to be more experienced will still burn all their matches first half...

[bigreen505]

Use a heart rate monitor and keep yourself in an aerobic zone. Going anaerobic when the road pitches up above Summit Lake will take even an elite athlete a while to recover. You don't have to spin like crazy if that's not your usual climbing style, but mashing all the way probably isn't smart. Consider the 11ish miles from Idaho Springs to Echo Lake as a warmup. The road only goes up, but after every steep pitch it flattens back out. Don't harass marmots and don't assume all white furry things are friendly. The really big ones are not.

[godfrey1112000]

https://triplebypass.org/home.php

[TronnyJenkins]

Originally Posted by godfrey1112000

https://triplebypass.org/home.php

Yeah, I just saw this! Majorly bummed. My jersey doesn't even fit.

[Mr. Pink]

Colorado, the skinniest state, btw, will probably see a per capita increase of a few pounds after all that carb loading and no burn off.

Actually, the events now planned around Evergreen are plenty challenging for most riders. There's even talk of a group ride up Mt. Evans.

[TronnyJenkins]

Originally Posted by Mr. Pink

Colorado, the skinniest state, btw, will probably see a per capita increase of a few pounds after all that carb loading and no burn off.

Actually, the events now planned around Evergreen are plenty challenging for most riders. There's even talk of a group ride up Mt. Evans.

Hahaha

Yes, we are making the best of it. The rides listed on the official email sound cool. I think we are doing the Copper Triangle which should be pretty awesome in its own right.

[chuckred]

Did you race it? Enjoy it? Hope you got the chance!

[TronnyJenkins]

Originally Posted by chuckred

Did you race it? Enjoy it? Hope you got the chance!

I ended up doing the "citizen's race" Gran Fondo. We Triple Bypass goers got half off registration which saved me $30 off of the race plus a free jersey. I didn't know how competitive I would be in the race anyway. Ended up with 2:56 official time which I'm ok with. Comparing my time with the men's 4/5 I would have done would have put me in 35th or so out of 50 if I rode an identical race. Average heart rate was 154, so I could have pushed a bit more theoretically. Maybe next year I'll try the USAC.

That summit was freezing cold! Haha.

[deluxerider]

Good work there. Hope you enjoyed it.

[chuckred]

It's an accomplishment and a great ride!