Copper Triangle Ride Report and Pictures

[Bruce K]

So having settled in after a week in Colorado here are a few brief takes:

1. Serotta Pete, Bradford, and tiretrax are great folks to ride with.
2. Link is cool too, but he could rip your legs off at any moment. :rolleyes:
3. It shouldn't freakin' snow in July - I don't care where you are. :crap:
4. Riding in Colorado is beautiful, fun, and lung busting if you live at Sea Level.
5. I LOVE long, high speed descents. They make the climbs worthwhile.
6. Davis Phinney and his family, freinds, and Foundation workers are great hosts. :banana:

Here are a few pictures from the trip:

1. The Bedford about 3/4 up Freemont Pass.
2. Fresh snow on the mountain peaks is not a promising wake-up if you are riding up to there.
3. The Three Amigos - tiretrax (Douglas), Bruce K, Serotta Pete (Bradford was working in Denver)
4. Dillon Dam bike path
5. The scenery on the bike path
6. Swan Mountain is FREAKIN' STEEP !! :eek:
7. The view at the top is worth the pain.
8. A view of Dillon Reservoir. The bike path is in the background.

Pete and tiretrax need to post more pictures.

Enjoy.

BK

[ahumblecycler]

Beautiful. And thanks for the ride report.

Maybe next year ...

[1centaur]

Bruce: Would you prepare for the hills and the thin air any differently next time?
Or, given the realities of our local geography, do you think it's not worth spending a lot of effort here in order to make the riding a little easier there?

[Bruce K]

Actually, this year was easier and almost 1 hour faster than last.

Proper gearing solves a lot of issues and arriving early and riding some each day help a lot.

I don't seem to have major altitude issues so I guess I'm lucky.

I HIGHLY recommend this ride and this area for a vacation.

BK

[gman]

I HIGHLY recommend this ride and this area for a vacation.

BK

+1

Vacationed in Breckenridge in June for the first time and I'll be back next year, and likely subsequent years.

[joelh]

Breckenridge, Frisco, ect. is Heaven! I was up there a few weeks ago and so wish that I was back there now! Awesome riding (except for my NC lungs) Thanks for the pics and the ride report.

[Ahneida Ride]

holy Moley !!!!!!

[Bruce K]

Douglas sent a few more pictures along:

1. Yes, it was VERY chilly in the morning - mist on a small lake
2. Bradford (left) and Bruce K at Tenessee Pass Rest Stop
3. Battle Mt. - the road carved out of the side is always impressive to see
4. Douglas, Davis Phinney, and Bruce K - nice jerseys too!

BK

[tiretrax]

Bruce, thank you for posting the pictures for me.

I recommend participating in any ride in Colorado in which you can get registered. They are well organized, challenging, and gorgeous.

Arriving 5 days in advance gave me a chance to acclimate, and preriding some of the climbs alleviated my trepidation since I live at 500' on the Texas prairie. I didn't get in as many miles as I thought I would at altitude the week before the ride due to rain, but it was still sufficient. I think that is essential to a comfortable time (as well as 200+ mile weeks at home).

Bruce gave me tips on gearing, and the drivetrain made it possible to get over the climbs - also, thanks to Mavic for letting me demo some R-SYS. They are fantastic wheels. I hope to stretch my time in Colorado into two weeks next year and participate in two rides.