Ride Report: 2006 Ride the Rockies

[Bud]

Last week was Ride the Rockies, so I've got some forum reading to catch up on. In the mean time, I put together some pages of elevation profiles, maps, and pictures from last week. You can view the RTR 2006 info here (http://ucsu.colorado.edu/~talbotr/RTR_2006/RIDE_THE_ROCKIES_2006.htm).

I met a few forumites there (can't recall their names- I didn't see them much) and we made some new friends. As usual, it was a great time.

[CalfeeFly]

Bud...were you camping or using their option of going to motels? I've looked at the ride often but I'm not a camper. I always wondered how well the motel option works.

How about a little more information for us poor souls who see the ads every year and never do it? :) I'd be most interested in just your personal impressions.

Thanks.

[ada@prorider.or]

nice ride´s
you have some foto´s too?
meaby a google map would look better
just a idea!

[Bud]

We camp each night, but on the second night this year we stayed with some friends who live in Durango. The camping is usually located at a school or community facility (in Alamosa, it was at the Recreation Center). There are hundreds of tents pitched (see the pictures from Pagosa Springs) in ball fields and lawn space all around the schools. You can setup in densely populated areas which are nearer to the baggage trucks and facilities or go off a little further if you want some more privacy.

Each cyclist is allowed 1 70 lb. bag which gets transported in a semi from location to location. I highly recommend a bag with bigger wheels (not the inline skate type wheels) as you have to move these bags a fair distance from the truck to camp and back. WHen you get to a town, you go pick out your bag from the pile (which is easy- there are 3 53' semi trailers: early, middle, and late loading), drag it to a spot and set up camp.

The school (or other local facility) is open for those who prefer to sleep inside on the gym floor, but we haven't done this. It always seems stuffy and noisy in there. Our tent is much more comfortable. The bathrooms and showers are available for use inside, too. Most people prefer to use the mobile shower truck which travels from town to town. It is very clean, always has hot and cold water, and has sinks outides for shaving, etc. As well, there are the ever-present "Super Bowls" (portajohns) at all camping locations and aid stations.

Some people prefer to stay in motels. They must have to book these as soon as the route is announced, because thesse are small towns with limited facilities. Large coach busses follow us from town to town and serve as local shuttles to take people to their hotels (with their bags) and to restaurants for dinner. Third party companies (like Alpine Cycling Adventures) will also provide baggage transfer to and from hotels, etc. Each community also has community meals at which they provide pretty good food. The proceeds from these meals goes towards their local organizations (such as the chamber, Kiwanis, etc- see the Chama pictures).

Bike security is provided in each town as well. Usually, the local boy scouts or some other group stays up all night and guards the bikes as they sit in a fenced area, usually the tennis courts or a baseball field. They have a tip jar and we always give them a few bucks. A big part of the trip (for us, at least) is supporting these small towns by dumping some money there. I'm happy to tip, pay a few more bucks than normal for a meal, etc in order to thank them for hosting 2000 lycra-clad freaks. In addition, the Ride itself donates about $5000 to an organization in each community.

There are aid stations on the route every 10 to 20 miles, depending on terrain and site availability. Gatorade, water, and fruit (bananas or oranges) are provided free of charge. Vendors are also at each station and sell food ranging from PB&J to fajitas. Each station also has a bike shop present for repairs, adjustments, etc. Each route is very well marked and attended by volunteers who direct cyclists. A fleet of 10 Colorado State Patrol motorcycle police escort the ride each day, riding up and down the route to keep us safe. That is a great benefit and a real feeling of security. The pull over and ticket any bad motorists.

Overall, the ride is great and well supported. The route changes from year to year, but always provides some great scenery. If you're on the fence about whether to give it a try, I'd say go for it. You will definitely enjoy it. Try to apply in a group, as I think more selection weight is given to groups of applicants. They say selection is "by lottery," but I think there is some more complicated algorithm at work here. Feel free to ask more questions, pm me, etc. I'll try to talk you into it!

[mwos]

My SO did RTR and here are some of his impressions.

Organization was great, there was police escort, officially 6 motorcycles cops, (the CSP went into New Mexico with them), lots of sag support, major bike shops from Denver and Boulder were there as well as Serotta, Shimano, Mavic, Trek, Specialized, Cane Creek demo trucks.

There was lots of support from the communities. The passes spread out the riders so it didn't seem like there were 2,000.

Wheatridge cyclery gave away a Serotta Fierte.

My SO camped but his suggestion for motel rooms is to book rooms the day they announce next years route. Be sure to have a cancellation policy in case you don't get accepted in the lottery.

There were lots of nice bikes, including Serottas but not many tandems (my observation).

www.ridetherockies.com
for links to newspaper articles on the ride

see

http://cbs4denver.com/local/local_story_169190116.html

there are about 5 or 6 video's on the ride (right of news article)

Kathi

[Bud]

I added some entries to the daily reports.

Cees: pictures are in the daily report pages. The links are above each day's profile. And I probably will add other maps to the page- maybe topos, maybe google. As a first go, I thought the LANDSAT images looked cool.

Thanks for looking!