Colorado High Country Challenges

I’ll be riding the inaugural running of a new 1200k bike ride in Colorado in July this year.

Here are a few of the challenges that the organizer has shared about this ride. I think the altitude will be the most “interesting” one based on my experiences living at 6000 ft in Nairobi and 8000 ft in Thimphu and the debilitating impact it can have on you when you first reach that altitude. I need to work out how far in advance I should arrive before the event starts to acclimatize sufficiently.

That said the altitude training should make me that much stronger for PBP in August. At least that’s the theory…

Source: http://coloradohighcountry1200k.blogspot.com/

TOP CHALLENGES:

• Altitude
• Extended Climbs
• Wind
• Temperature Range
• Chilly Precipitation
• Hydration
• Wildlife

CHALLENGES RESERVED FOR OTHER EVENTS (what you won’t be facing!):

• Steep Grades
• Technical Turns
• Complex Routefinding
• Congested Areas
• Crowds of Riders
• Humidity
• Insects
• Poisonous Animals

I mention these topics – and others, such as cattle guards – on the Rider Info page, but here are a few more gratuitous thoughts:

• Altitude – You’ll top out above 10,000 ft. three times on the route, and sleep near 9,000 ft. the final night.  This verges on being “at altitude” as they say here, and does have its effect, even for folks who live here on the Plains (at 5,000 ft.).  What effect??  I’ll discuss this more in a separate post, since a number of you have asked.
• Wind – Canyons can channel wind.  The open high-country areas (“parks” in Colorado terminology) have few trees so wind can have its way there, too.  A good reason to practice those social skills and cultivate riding partners early on?
• Extended Climbs – Those “endless rollers” where you may come from may seem tough (and are!), but you at least get a break every mile or two.  The one, or two, or three-hour climbs on this ride can grind a rider down.  Take this into account.  Take a stretch break; hydration break; chat break; whatever, if you need it.
• Temperature Range – Although it’s a “dry cold” and “dry heat” here because of the low humidity, you may need to carry more layering – for chillier parts of the day –  than you might otherwise in a more humid climate.  Have a look at the statistical low and high temps on the Rider Info page.
• Chilly Precipitation – Summer showers in the mountains can be cold, not a tropical shower.  You should be fine if you have the right outerwear, are smart, and don your gear in a timely fashion.
• Hydration – An arid climate + wind = lots of potential moisture loss.  It’s the same old advice: you won’t know you’re dehydrated in a cool, dry climate until it’s become a big problem.  So keep ahead of the game.  I’ll have a post about hydration-challenging segments later on.
• Wildlife – Each region has wildlife considerations.  Much of the High Country route passes through sparsely-populated areas: National Forests and National Wildlife Areas, where wildlife flourish.  Be mindful of moose, which are large and can be aggressive, and general wildlife on the roads in the pre-dawn and post-dawn hours (coyotes, deer, etc.)