Bucket list ride completed: I rode up Pike's Peak yesterday

[BRad704]

I'm in Colorado Springs with the fam for vacation and since yesterday was my birthday, I decided to rent a bike (Giant Contend SL2) and ride up and down Pike's Peak.

I randomly met a local married cyclist couple and got to ride with them all day. That made the whole experience so much greater.

The ride itself was spectacular. Going up was a 4 hour lesson in pace/HR control. And the last 1.5 mile kicker to the top was brrrrrutal. Lots of traffic coming back down, top speed of 42, which we only achieved by letting gaps open to the cars.

I feel like my hydration, fueling, pacing and everything was spot on for me, as an out of shape Cat 4, to make it to the top. Had some quad and hamstring cramps but nothing so bad that I had to bail.

Overall, 10 out of 10 experience and I'll be back one day to do it again.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190705/9f5cd55723c4d5d704f01e78ec0eec2a.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190705/084a85b2c70d94d1568b16dbe1f75d68.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190705/c619e189f67f88b86213d846249d574b.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190705/4e6383cede7abb6794fe0f373d483bb0.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190705/e5c8feaf69aaa23cbec1a6a375fbaa1c.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190705/fd65d5e23b410e73d2cab5a7fc5a6810.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Clean39T]

Awesome! That looks incredible - congrats on crossing one off the list.. And for being able to handle the altitude. Even when I lived in Boulder for a year I struggled above 10k-ft.. Chapeau and thanks for sharing the pics.

[joosttx]

nice job:)

[BRad704]

Awesome! That looks incredible - congrats on crossing one off the list.. And for being able to handle the altitude. Even when I lived in Boulder for a year I struggled above 10k-ft.. Chapeau and thanks for sharing the pics.



I'm from Memphis, which is about 280' elevation. I really expected to feel worse on the climb, but it didn't hit me until I stopped at the summit. Only stayed long enough to fill up bottles, take pics and gtfo.

Thanks for the cheers. [emoji16]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[AngryScientist]

Strong work!

You don’t look gassed at all to me there at the top. You probably had another couple thousand feet in your legs!


:)

[Hellgate]

Well done [emoji106]! What an experience.

[saab2000]

Excellent report! Well done!

[CSKeller]

Awesome!! Congrats and great job!
I live in the Springs but haven't ridden up Pikes Peak...yet.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

[pdmtong]

well done! I used to fly into the springs often for work (satellite office).
I got gassed just going up the stairs to the second floor!
Embarrassing really. Riding up to PP - thats saying something!

[bitpuddle]

Amazing ride. Well done.

[BRad704]

Thanks y'all. I really do appreciate the support. As for a few extra thousands of feet.... I'm looking at 6 Gap Century in September.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Dino Suegiù]

That is a fantastic achievement. Congratulations.
Nice photos and great that you met some new companions too.

[ultraman6970]

Looks like a fun ride :)

[54ny77]

Stellar! Wow, heck of an uphill. :cool:

[CNY rider]

Well done!
I leave in an hour to do Selle Ronda. Wish me luck!

[Rudy]

Lotta vert there! For an encore head to Rocky Mountain and climb Fall River Road (one-way, unpaved) and descend Trail Ridge.

[Matthew]

I leave in a few to do a flat 42 mile west Michigan ride. Thanks for making me feel like crap! Kidding!! At least I get views of Lake Michigan. Years ago my wife and I drove to the top. It's spectacular. Congrats on a great ride and beautiful pics.

[jzinckgra]

Nice job. I rode up mt Evans one year. You definitely have to discipline yourself on pacing so you don't blow up

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk