Anyone near Vail CO to ride Copper Triangle this Thursday?

[DerekB]

I am looking for company to ride this Thursday July 12 starting in Vail, CO to ride the Copper Triangle. I am visiting from Philly and have been in Vail about a week. I have ridden the Vail pass twice, about 1 hour 20 minutes from town to the top of the pass. I would like to leave around 7:30 am, expect to ride a medium pace and hoping to find someone to help show me the route.

[Bruce K]

I wish I was there to go with you

The route is pretty simple - go up over Vail Pass. Watch your descent on the bike path down to Copper, especially as you get close and through the tunnel. Refuel here or at the convenience store/gas station at the light.

Ride through Copper on the main road and turn right at the traffic light. Up Fremont Pass and down to Leadville (go into Leadville for refuel again).

Come back out towards Copper and turn towards Tennessee Pass (public restriom on left at the top of ghe pass) and Minturn. Up over Tenessee and then down until Battle Mt. (shorter steeper climb). Then down through Minturn (a fun place to stop but you're close to done).

Through Minturn and just after you go under the highway you get on the bike path on your right back to Vail.

Look at the Copper Triangle Alpine Classic site for a decent map.

I am sure locals will have more info

Have fun and bring a light rain jacket just in case.

BK

[chuckred]

If you don't find company, it's not a route that should cause any real navigation challenges. Starting early is smart if the typical weather pattern of afternoon monsoonal thunderstorms returns. Also, just a reminder - if you're still in town next weekend, the Triple By Pass ride is going through, and it'll be a zoo (I'll be one of the clowns). It would be a good time to rent a mountain bike, go rafting, or otherwise hide out!

I am looking for company to ride this Thursday July 12 starting in Vail, CO to ride the Copper Triangle. I am visiting from Philly and have been in Vail about a week. I have ridden the Vail pass twice, about 1 hour 20 minutes from town to the top of the pass. I would like to leave around 7:30 am, expect to ride a medium pace and hoping to find someone to help show me the route.

[Scuzzer]

next weekend, the Triple By Pass ride is going through, and it'll be a zoo

Thanks for reminding me. We were going to ride from Fairplay to the top of Vail Pass and back on Saturday but I think we'll turn around in Frisco instead.

Like chuckred said, start early. Like before 7 am early.

[gdw]

Check the status of Rte 24 before you go. There's a big sinkhole near Red Cliff which has closed at least one lane to thru traffic and there's a chance the whole road might be closed again.
http://www.leadvilleherald.com/article_1c1ad252-ca15-11e1-a954-001a4bcf6878.html?photo=0

[firerescuefin]

Really wish I could shoot up there..was actually supposed to be there all week:confused:

PLEASE bring a lightweight rain jacket...and be mentally prepared for anything weather wise

[DerekB]

Thanks all. I did ride a few days ago with several people getting ready for the Triple Bypass. One is planing to do the Double Triple Bypass!
I heard about the sinkhole today and will check.
Still would love some company!!!!

[pablo pinchasso]

just watched the news and a Large sinkhole opened up north of leadville and the road is CLOSED from Red Cliff to leadville because of this sinkhole. and old railroad tunnel below the road caved in...100 feet below the roadway.....

Will be closed till the road is repaired. I-70 is open but not the above road.

See Channel 9 Denver for info or CDOT website

[DerekB]

Pablo, you are correct. 24 is closed. I do wonder if it is still possible to bike through there. I will check again tomorrow, and perhaps I will just ride an out and back from Vail to Leadville.

[chuckred]

Or go to Loveland Pass... That road seems to have much more room than the highway to Leadville...

[Honey]

but you can ride back and forth over climax (dowd junction[minturn] to redcliff and back) a few times. you can also ride over to avon and ride up to the bottom of the beav if you want to mix in a little variety to satiate your climbing needs.

Personal bias but the dowd to redcliff and back is the best section of the loop, the rest varies from hard to painful to moderately fun. hauling down climax to minturn is the bees knees though. Also, you can stop in redcliff (hang a right after the bridge) and grab some food and a beer at Mangos if you need a breather. It makes for one of the better days you can spend on a bike.

Not sure what your bike selection is but if you have a crosser or a hardtail you can ride the Shrine Pass loop (Up vail pass, then instead of descending into copper, you head up through shrine pass and down into leadville,) I haven't looked at where the collapse is but that might get you around it. it's a great ride.

[tiretrax]

Will you still be there at the end of the month? I am planning to arrive arund the 26th and ride the Eagle River ride on the 28 and CT on 8/4.

[bikser]

I'm doing the Eagle Vail ride as well. Wish I could get up there Thursday, would rather be riding than at work :bike:

[sw3759]

i've been in Frisco all this week and i rode the triangle loop yesterday and hiway 24 wasn't closed.i saw the sinkhole work and they had 1 lane closed for 100 yards in 2 places,bikes go right thru though. didnt even have to slow down.the road condition for the loop is the best i've ever seen besides the tiny bit of road work.
i'm might consider riding the loop again thursday but if you ride it solo it's hard to get lost.

[DerekB]

Sw3759 I would be happy to have company; I PM'd you.

[pablo pinchasso]

http://www.9news.com/news/article/277452/339/Sinkhole-closes-highway-continues-to-grow?source=nletter-%%__AdditionalEmailAttribute1%%

not good... i remember reading about a old D&RGW tunnel that was abandoned.....in the 1920's up there. closed the ends and left it..... fwiw..

LEADVILLE -The sinkhole on the edge of Highway 24 near Leadville is still growing.

The hole leads down to an old railroad tunnel, which is causing concerns that the highway above the tunnel could fall into the hole.

A section of the highway near the top of Tennessee Pass is closed indefinitely because of the hole.

"Closing a highway is absolutely something we hate to do. We want to keep it open. So we are working very hard to come up with a plan to get it open," Stacy Stegman of the Colorado Department of Transportation said.

CDOT has rerouted traffic to Colorado 91 and Interstate 70. These detours could add time to driver's commute.

"We are putting every resource into getting this open," Stegman said.

Stegman said there are still a lot of questions to be answered because of the history involved with the tunnel. CDOT is going through old records to try and get a better handle on the situation.

The sink hole is 30-feet wide and 100-feet deep. Stegman said they are looking to go into an emergency contracting procedure to help repair the hole.

"We are hoping to get someone on board early next week," Stegman said.

[TomNY]

Hi I am visiting my daughter in Vail for a week of cycling, etc. Any recommendations for rides while in the area? I am coming from 600 ft elevation, with my compact gearing. Hoping 11-28 power dome cassette will be enough. If not I am mentally prepared to have the LBS help me.

PS - any shops that can be recommended for Sram would be greatly appreciated.

T