Saturday August 1st, 2009: The Copper Triangle

Well, this is what I had worked up to all summer... The Copper Triangle. This is a charity ride that Benefits the Davis Phinney foundation for Parkinson's disease. I'll be honest, my nerves in the days leading up to this were on high! I didn't fully know what to expect and was fearful of not being able to finish. However, nerves quickly turned in to adrenaline and the rest is history! :)

I always think of great and wonderful things to say in my blog postings while I'm on my bike, but then quickly forget them once I get off. I'll try to summarize :)

We started at about 6:23am... about 45 minutes or so after we had originally planned. No worries though, we were still in a pretty good pack of people (3200 people participated in the ride). The temperature was FREEZING at 40 degrees and got chillier as we climbed up the first pass, Fremont Pass. Once the sun peaked out over the mtns, it warmed up a little and our blood was pumping also. Although, I was pretty sure that my toes were going to be black when/if I pulled my shoes off! :)

Our first aid station was 11 miles in at the top of Fremont Pass. Wow... what a well supported ride... there was water, cytomax, bagels, fruit, energy bars, cookies, crackers, etc. along with medical support and bike mechanics. This was the case for each rest/aid station. It was always nice to pull up to that... and friendly people working the stations too!

Next was the downhill on the back side of Fremont Pass in to Leadville. I LOVE downhills, but when it is only in the 40s and you are in the shade of the mtns... it is really, really, really, chilly!!! I was shivering on my bike and pushing just that much harder to get myself to the sunny spots! Max speed on this downhill was 40.3mph.

The cruise then had us turn right before Leadville to head west on highway 24. This had some beautiful views as this area is filled with some of Colorado's highest peaks. The sun was up but still casting some awesome shadows on the mountains and valleys. A nice cruise for sure. The temperature was starting to warm up now and was probably in the 50s or so.

Rest stop #2 was on top of Tennessee pass. A healthy climb, but fairly gradual. Sat for a little while refueling, bathroom break, and just general people watching. I was wondering how much the bikes standing up next to me cost... my guess... well over $7,000 each... if not plenty more!

The next stretch between here and the next aid station was a long one, but mostly downhill. Max speed on this downhill and for the day was 40.7mph!! I did get a kick out of breaking the speed limit for cars (25mph) going around a turn at 35mph with a state trooper on a motorcycle next to me. :) It was fun! State Troopers patroled the entire route on both motorcycles and vehicles to be sure that both the cars and bikers were staying in check. It is always a good thing for the bikers to remind them to stay in single file (unless passing) on highways without shoulders. People forget that a lot and it is really frustrating because they give the rest of us bikers a bad name!

The next rest/aid station was in West Vail. Here, more than anything, I was mentally preparing myself for the final climb of the day... Vail Pass. I was very thankful that I had done the Pass from this direction two weeks ago. It isn't an overly difficult pass, but when you are starting it after already having done 58 miles for the day, it will take whatever you have left out of you! So, after some more Hammer Gel, water, and fruit, I pressed on...

The next rest/aid station was near the bottom of where the climb actually started (we had to ride through Vail first - kudos to the police officers that manned each intersection for us). I really didn't want to stop because of the incline that we were stopping on, but figured one last refuel probably would be a good idea. I then continued on my way, counting down the miles to the top, fearing the imfamous "Dip". I made it through the Dip without stopping, dodging the people who were walking it and the tourists that ride down the pass (they get a ride to the top, sissies!!!). I was pretty spent at this point, but new that I was almost done and the last downhill in to Copper Mountain was going to be a great reward! And that it was!

Mom and Tomba were waiting for me at the finish line. The finish line was in the Village of Copper Mountain and it was great to be cheered in as the goal was met! I did it... all 78 miles and 5,981ft of elevation gain! I would be lying if I said I wasn't damn proud of myself and had to fight back the tears of joy to avoid looking silly! What an accomplishment!!

So how am I going to top this next year... we'll have to wait and see!

More pics here: http://picasaweb.google.com/mtatzmann/CopperTriangle#

Ride Stats:

Distance: 78 miles

Time: 8 hours total including rests and breaks

Elevation gain: 5,981ft

Max Speed: 40.7mph

Challenge: Overcoming the mental block of being able to complete this!

Goal: To enjoy nice short recreational rides for the rest of the summer... stay tuned for next summer!

Maps:

Saturday July 25th, 2009

I wanted to get the miles in today and a few hills in prep for the big ride next weekend. I ended up doing four climbs (Lookout Mtn, Dinosaur Ridge, and both hills in Bear Creek Lake Park) about 50 miles. It was a pretty good ride. I felt kind of sluggish heading up Lookout Mountain, but I made it so that is what matters. Judy is letting me borrow an old running GPS of hers that also accommodates biking. Sweet! Along with the normal stuff - speed & distance - it does elevation and percent grade of the slope!!! PERFECT for biking!

Ride Stats:

Distance: 49.6 miles

Time: 3.75 hours (I think)

Challenge: Just staying steady

No Map, sorry!

Sunday July 19th, 2009

Late post = quick entry

I did Vail Pass on mine, Chad's, and Scott's way back from climbing in the Glenwood Springs area. I wanted to do the Pass from West to East (opposite of what I did last time) because it is more difficult than East to West and this is the direction that we are going to be going for the ride in two weeks. I had almost chickened out and didn't do it, but figured I had crammed by bike in the back of the Jeep with 3 people, a dog, and camping and climbing gear, so not riding would be a little silly. It was rainy, windy, and cold, but being that it was also late in the afternoon, there was no one else on the path, so I didn't have to worry about the tourists that get a ride to the top and bike down :)

Ride Stats:

Distance: 25 miles or so (East Vail to Frisco)

Time: Don't know

Challenge: "The Dip". This is infamous on this portion of the trail... the path sits on the north side of the highway until it dips below the highway to then be on the south side... the bad part is the up side of the dip feels like you're climbing straight up a wall! Kills your energy instantly!

No map!

Sunday July 12th, 2009

Today, Nanci and I headed up to Evergreen again to tackle Sqauw Pass. I'm very impressed with myself for the first major climb of this ride. As stated on Bicycling.com, the climb to the top of Squaw pass is 18 miles with a net elevation change of 2895 ft. This makes for a very steady, but looong climb! I kept a great pace and was able to make it to the top with only one brief break to snack on a plum. The views on the way up and at the top were quite incredible!! The best was on the down side heading in to the Echo Lake area where there is a turn off that overlooks a HUGE valley... still, after living in Colorado for 3 years, some things still make me say "Holy, shit... look at that" (which I did say out loud... even though there was no one else around).


The cruise down the other side of the pass was a ton of fun! A very nicely paved road without tight switchback turns. This allowed for only minor slowing around the turns and I was able to cruise around them pretty quickly. Ended up in a really cool canyon that I haven't been in yet. This road is a very touristy road and it is fun to see people's heads turn as you wizz by at 35-40 mph on your bike down a mountain!

We headed in to Idaho Springs and had a short break for refueling. Then, we headed back to Evergreen... this is where the pain begins... we had to climb Floyd Hill! If you've been out here to Colorado and have driven west into the mountains on I-70, you have driven over Floyd Hill. The only catch is that the Frontage road is MUCH steaper than I-70 and it kicked my ass!!! Our climbing wasn't done there, either... we ended up climbing all the way back to Evergreen where Nanci's car was parked. I was sufficiently pooped!!!

I will agree with Nanci that I am a little disappointed that we only did 42 miles today (we had hoped to do 60) considering our Aug 1 ride is 78 miles! I keep reminding myself that our only goal for Aug 1 is to finish the ride... and let me tell you... I'm going to be pretty damn stoked when we do!!

Ride Stats:

Miles: 42

Time: I really don't know...

Elevation change: 2895ft for the Sqauw Pass climb... not sure of total change for the whole ride

Challenge: Making it up Floyd Hill without feeling like I was going to die... had to stay slow and steady (make that really slow and steady).

Goal: To stay positive for Aug 1. I got my jersey this week and that is excited. I know I can do it... just have to remind myself of that!

Map:
We didn't do the little off shoot on the right hand side of the map... just made a mistake when making the map.

Thursday July 9th, 2009

So I hit the road after work for a quick ride up Lookout Mountain. I suppose I should use the term "quick" loosely, but I did do the climb in 41 minutes, which is less than the last time I did it!

August 1st is quickly approaching, and I won't lie, I'm getting nervous. Gotta get on the bike more during the week otherwise I think I'm really going to regret it!

Sunday July 5th, 2009

This morning I headed out for a long ride. I actually didn't do as many miles as I thought I would, but nonetheless, it was a good ride. Last weekend I did a loop around the southeast suburbs, so today I did a loop around the southwest suburbs. Good ride... good cruising... a few good climbs. All-in-all, a good ride.

Ride Stats:

Distance: 43-ish miles

Time: 3 hours

Challenge: None really comes to mind... just a good ride in general

Goal: To bike 3 times a week from now through the end of the month... wait... haven't I said this before?

Map:

Friday July 3rd, 2009

Just a quick ride down to Treads, a bike shop a little south of where we live. I had planned to go for a real ride, but just wasn't feeling up to it. So, instead of completely wasting the ride, I picked up a spare tube from the bike shop. Don't know the mileage for sure... probably 8-10... really quite pathetic!!

Saturday June 27th, 2009

Today was a mileage ride as opposed to a climbing ride like the past two weekends. Nanci was out of town this weekend so I hit the paths on my own. I did a big loop around the southeast-ish part of the city and suburban areas. The ride was quite eventful: I ran over a snake, saw deer munching on grass 20 feet off the path, and had a lady totally wipe out on her bike right in front of me which led to a really really nasty gash on her elbow... ow! The ride felt good, although by the time I was on the return part of the loop, it was pretty toasty outside and I was almost dripping from sweat... definitely summertime in Denver!

I found myself struggling with transitioning between cruising pace and climbing pace. The C/E-470 trail has some nice rolling hills. I would get going on a pretty good pace on the downhills and flats, but then found myself trying to keep that pace when the next hill came along to climb. Needless to say, I would die halfway up the hill. Something new to think about!

Ride Stats:

Distance: 56 miles

Time: 4.5 hours including a bathroom break and stop at a bike shop for tire air and some energy supplements.

Challenge: Transitioning between cruising pace and climbing pace.

Goal: As said before... get on the bike at least 3 times a week and/or do some sort of training to keep active.

Map:

Wednesday June 24th, 2009

BIKE TO WORK DAY!!!

Not a long post here, but I was very excited to bike to work. I even won the prize at work for commuting the furthest... 15.9 miles! It was a great ride, especially meeting up downtown with a co-worker, not to mention all the free stuff being handed out and the after work party downtown. Good times!!

Saturday June 20th, 2009

What a ride!!!! I'm sure had I posted this yesterday after my ride, it would have been much more animated than what it will probably turn out to be. However, after crashing from my adrenaline high, I wasn't in the mood for computer-ing.

So, why the adrenaline high, you ask? Well... I biked up Vail Pass for the first time!!! I think what made it such a rush for me was that we had already biked roughly 16 miles (including a climb) and I honestly didn't think I was going to be able to make it to the top of Vail Pass. However, determination and pride got the better of me and to the top we went!

Nanci and I headed up to Frisco early Saturday morning to not only get some more climbs in but to also bike at a higher elevation to get used to how our Aug 1 ride will feel. We started out with a ride around Dillon reservoir. This is about a 16 mile trek on very nicely paved paths except for a brief section while heading over Swan Mountain. This was our first climb; a fairly steady one. I kind of pooped out at the top a bit (feeling the elevation), but had fun cruising down the back side. We headed back to the car and took a refueling break. Once again, I ended up talking to someone in the parking lot who was also from the U.P. and he got a smile out of my Sports Rack jersey that has Marquette, MI on the back.

After getting back on our bikes, we headed up towards Copper Mountain with the goal of doing Vail Pass. However, on the climb up to Copper (which was a very deceiving climb - seemed much flatter than it was) we both started feeling it. My legs were burning pretty badly and Nanci's IT band was acting up. Making it to the top of the Pass was looking pretty dismal. However, we decided we would at least give it a try and we could always turn around if needed. Well, this is when determination and pride set in for me. I'm not known for starting something without finishing! So, we climbed, and climbed, and climbed a little more. Just when I was about to stop and take a break, I came around the bend and saw our destination... the rest stop on the top of Vail Pass!!! Adrenaline kicked in and I was at the rest stop in less than 5 minutes!! What a damn good feeling!!! Wow! I don't remember the last time I felt quite like that! Accomplishing a goal such as this when I started out thinking that there was no way I would make it was overwhelming! IT FELT AMAZING!!! It reset my confidence for the Copper Triangle ride Aug 1. When I was thinking I wasn't going to make the Pass, I was really doubting my ability to do 3 major passes and 78 miles just 6 weeks from now! On the way back down Vail Pass, I had a perma-grin on my face and just soaked in the amazing ride... even though once again it started to rain (why do we always get rain on our way down?).

Ride Stats:

Distance: 45 miles

Time: 3.5 hours (I think)

Elevation change: From Frisco to Vail Pass is 1479ft climb. Not sure what our total climb was today including Swan Pass.

Challenge: Mind over matter... Matter = burning legs!!!

Goal: To keep training for Aug 1! Next weekend is a 55 mile ride around the city. Focusing on miles instead of climbing.

Map:

Thursday June 18th, 2009

This was just a quick after work ride. Nanci and I had a few different options for rides but ended up just cruising around the Lakewood area. We were going to do Lookout Mountain again, but I wasn't in the mood seeing as how I was functioning on about 2 hours of sleep (late night replacing the breaks on my Jeep). So, not much to post on this one, but it was a ride nonetheless!

Ride Stats:

Distance: 14 miles

Time: Not sure... didn't keep track

Challenge: None really beside staying awake!

Goal: To get on the bike at least 3 times a week from now until Aug 1st!

Sorry, no map this time!

Sunday June 7th, 2009

Ok, so I'm a little late on getting this one posted, but it could definitely not be missed. Nanci and I headed up to Lookout Mountain as planned. My goal was to make it to the top without stopping and under 45 minutes (climb time). I succeeded at both goals!!! Man, it was pretty tiring though, it is a constant climb for 4.75 miles. Our warm up was biking the 12 miles to the start of the climb. I was pretty damn proud of myself for sticking with it despite wanting to take a break a few times. However, my pride prevented me from doing so as this is a very popular biking route for Denver-ites and no one else was taking a break, so why would I! The ride down, of course, was quite exciting also, not only because of the speed, but the rain and hail that was falling with the thunder made the hairpin turns rather interesting!

I'm very proud of myself for this one and it is really setting the tone for our Aug. 1 ride! Next weekend we are planning on doing Vail Pass... climbing may be a little different at 10,000ft!

Ride Stats:

Distance: 33 miles total, 4.75 mile climb

Elevation start to top of climb: ~2500ft

Time: Climb time was 41 minutes... not sure what total time was.

Challenge: Staying steady on the climb - maintaining breathing and cadence

Goal: To continue my endurance training. I have started swimming again to help with this aerobically!

Map (click on it to enlarge and see the terrain change):

Sunday May 31st, 2009

"Oh shit", Oh F*ck", "I can do it", and "Nope, gotta stop" were all statements that went through my head or verbally came out of my mouth on today's ride! Nanci and I met up with the Team Evergreen riding group for a mountain ride today. Oh boy! The morning started out with what looked like a bikers convention. We met at the Bergen Park-n-ride... us and like 50-60 other bikers. They weren't all heading out with our group but apparently this is the place to meet if you are going to be riding in Evergreen. After figuring out which group was ours, we headed out on our way. After two mishaps on directions, Nanci and I started climbing. I pulled ahead from Nanci a bit as she is recovering from knee surgery (and doing quite well, I might add). The first climb up Blue Creek Rd was a long and steady one. After talking to some others at the top of the climb, we found out that the last part of it is about an 11% grade! Whew!

The next bit was some rolling hills with some fun downhills. Next were some really really fun downhills. Two things with this though: 1) managing your speed and placement on the road at 30+ mph isn't so easy on switchback mountain roads 2) it is a little unnerving riding down at that speed when there is absolutely no shoulder and there are plenty of cars!

Unfortunately, however, when you're biking... what goes down, usually must come up. And here is where the fun began...

High Drive is named so for a reason... it climbs... very quickly! OUCH! I had a little bit of an ego kill here... well, actually a lot of an ego kill! However, I still give myself a fair amount of credit for doing it and making it... slowly... and stopping a handful of times, but I made it! I was thoroughly spent after it though. But the downhills on the other side of this one were even better than the first downhills. I was cruising pretty damn quick and it was quite the rush (insert expletives now)!!

Unfortunately our ride ended in rain. But, it was the playing softball immediately after that really put my sore legs over the top!

Overall it was a great ride and a great training ride for our Aug 1st goal! I am impressed with myself that I did the whole ride, even though I had to stop a few times. For a first time mountain road ride, I can't complain!

Ride Stats:

Distance: 35 miles

Elevation gain: 3,400ft

Time: 4 hours

Challenge: High Drive, keeping a steady pace on the hills, breathing, and shifting smoothly to keep the cadence regular

Goal: Keep working on long distance climbs.

Next weekend we are doing Lookout Mountain. After today's ride, it is supposed to seem easy... I hope!

Map & Elevation chart (taken from the handout we were given - click to enlarge):

Thursday May 28th, 2009

No better way to kill stress than to head out for an evening ride after work. Tension has definitely been building up at work along with everyday life. Nanci and I finally were able to meet up for a ride and we had a great one! The evening was beautiful and the riding was perfect! I was thoroughly impressed with myself on the hills... of which we had a few good ones! All the hills that I struggled with last year I was able to make it up without stopping tonight! Wooo! Its all about pacing and breathing! I feel great now, hopefully I will sleep well tonight and be ready for another ride this weekend... maybe Lookout Mountain? Maybe an Evergreen ride? Hmmm...

Ride Stats:

Distance: 22.25 miles

Ride Time: 1 hour 55 minutes

Challenge: Keeping a steady pace on the hills to avoid burnout half way up

Goal: A mountain ride this weekend that feels as good as today did!

I was too lazy to make a new map so this is one from last year. Take out the eastern branch of this one and you have tonight's ride... mostly :)

Saturday May 23rd, 2009

Today was a little on the cooler side, but still a ride worthy day. I decided to have an urban ride starting downtown and heading east towards Cherry Creek State park. The ride was a nice one. The Cherry Creek Trail is one of the more well used trails in the metro area. I got an early start (about 8:30) figuring that there may be a few less people. This was the case until my way back from the state park. Nonetheless, it was a good ride.

Ride Stats:

Distance: 34 miles

Time: 2.5 hours

Challenge: getting my but comfortable in the saddle again

Goal: To ride again tomorrow... shorter distance though! :)

Saturday May 15, 2009

Yay!!! First ride of the season. I could have been riding weeks ago, but I was an idiot and what I thought was an issue with my front tire ended up simply being user error... after figuring out my tire issue, I became instantly stoked and packed up and headed out for the road. I rode up to mom's house figuring it would be a easy ride, minimal hills, and if I did run in to any issues, she could come and get me.

I'm hoping that this season will be an eventful one. My goal for this year is a ride in the mountains called the Copper Triangle. Basically, it is a 78 mile ride through the mountains over a few very significant mountain passes along with a total elevation change of almost 6000ft (read more here). I haven't registered for it yet, but should do that soon so #1) the cost doesn't go up and #2) then I'm 100% committed!

So, here's the info on today's ride. Again, a pretty easy one, but a good one for the first of the year. It will be a good ride for after work during the week and I get to take a potty break at Mom's so what could be better?

Ride Stats:

Distance: Just under 16 miles round trip

Time: 80 minutes - 40 each way. I should be able to knock that down to 30 minutes.

Challenge: Just getting back in to it. Gotta get my breathing rhythm back.

Goal: To bike at least 2-3 times a week and to complete the Copper Triangle alive!

Map: