Triple Bypass 2016
Alright peeps, who's got logistical advice for Triple Bypass?
I'm signed up for the Saturday trip, Evergreen to Avon, 120 miles with 10k+ feet of climbing! Can't wait!
I'm also interested in getting up there a few days in advance (4th of July is the Monday before) and doing some light riding and altitude/elevation acclimation (as much as I can), as well as hitting some MTB trails after.
Advice, info???
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What do I need to be prepared to carry with me during the ride, including:
-clothing
-food/hydration
Scott, I have two pieces of advice, based on my one ride (I did the Double Triple, but same concept):
Remember, the rule of thumb is 3-5 deg F for every 1000 feet of elevation change. You start at about 7500, and go over passes between 10,500 >> 11,900. You do the math. Also, summer time here is monsoon season, meaning the air is moister, and daytime heating generates those mountain storms, totally unpredictable in location.
Good luck!
Clothing:
Mandatory: Either an impenetrable, cheap plastic rain jacket or an expensive ($120+) waterproof, breathable jacket. Anything else could lead to hypothermia.
This is not an exaggeration. It regularly rains in the late morning and early afternoon at altitude in Colorado. That rain is extremely COLD! The rain is especially dangerous going downhill and my family has personally witnessed hypothermic TCP riders descending down Loveland who needed assistance to warm back up. I know other riders who have bailed on the TBP simply because of hypothermia. On the other hand, I have been soaked at least three times doing the TBP while wearing an impenetrable, cheap plastic rain jackets and have been OK.
Recommended: Sunskin arm warmers to add some warmth and keep your arms out of the sun. The rest stops have sunscreen, but apply before you leave. If you want to make sure you always have some with you, then carry a small tube. Remember that the at altitude the UV radiation is more intense.
Food: The rest stops at the TBP are excellent and have a wide variety of food. I do not like carrying food up the climbs or stopping long. So when I stop, I grab and stuff food in my pockets and eat on the descents or low grades. If you are doing the west to east route, the last climb is long, so do consider bringing some food and extra water from the second to last rest stop for that climb.
Hydration: Most folks I know ride with full bottles up the first climb. I, on the other hand, do not like carrying weight I do not need. For the first climb I carry about 1/2 a bottle and refill two bottles at the top, rest stop. This may be a bit extreme, but I am a weight weenie. Unless you are having headaches from the altitude, one bottle should be enough to get you to Juniper Pass. At Juniper Pass, I fill up both bottles and replenish as need be on the way to the base of Loveland. The leg from Idaho Springs to the base of Loveland is a slog. It starts as a low grade ascent and soon you are riding in 4-6% grades along Hwy 70. There is often a head wind coming down the Hwy 70 channel. When riding from Juniper Pass to the base of Loveland, carry more water with you.
From the rest stop at the base of Loveland to the next rest stop, Summit High School, one bottle should be enough if you are not in any distress. This leg has two climbs, the 3.75 climb to Loveland Pass and then 12 miles later, the two mile ascent up Swan Mountain Road that leads to Summit High School.
After Summit High School, you have 12.5 miles to Vail Pass on a bike path. (If you need food/hydration before Vail Pass, there is a modern gas station at 8.5 miles)
Al's comment at the top was that this was the warmest, nicest weather he ever saw at the top. I had his wind vest, a base layer, arm warmers, etc... Was NOT enough... fine on the climb, but not fine on the downhill. Rain would have made it absolutely miserable & probably hypothermic! And yes, it rained many afternoons last week...
bring warm & waterproof clothes, enjoy the ride & take lots of pics!