Pikes Peak Bike Challenge

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2 members have voted

May 18th, 2018 at 3:05:03 AM permalink
Fleastiff
Member since: Oct 27, 2012
Threads: 62
Posts: 7831
Quote: Wizard
I don't think I've ever publicly declared mine.
M casino in the background?????
May 18th, 2018 at 4:20:06 AM permalink
Wizard
Administrator
Member since: Oct 23, 2012
Threads: 239
Posts: 6095
Quote: Fleastiff
M casino in the background?????


Nope. It was taken on Fremont Street, near the D I think.
Knowledge is Good -- Emil Faber
May 18th, 2018 at 6:02:10 AM permalink
Pacomartin
Member since: Oct 24, 2012
Threads: 1068
Posts: 12569
Quote: Wizard
I met her and spoke about this trip. As I recall, she made it to the highest camp at least one of the attempts and maybe both. I don't recall all the details, but I think she was rebuffed by a combination of bad weather and altitude sickness. It is possible another person in her party caused her to not summit, which is a common story in mountaineering.


This video shows the climb from Camp Colera to the summit (about three hours in the early morning). Visually they never seem to bend over, but you can see how slowly and painful every step is.
May 18th, 2018 at 3:41:02 PM permalink
SOOPOO
Member since: Feb 19, 2014
Threads: 22
Posts: 4156
Quote: Wizard
I met her and spoke about this trip. As I recall, she made it to the highest camp at least one of the attempts and maybe both. I don't recall all the details, but I think she was rebuffed by a combination of bad weather and altitude sickness. It is possible another person in her party caused her to not summit, which is a common story in mountaineering.


So I knew she was travelling but couldn't remember where to.... Until I got the picture of her on top of Mount Fuji.... I guess she is in Japan today.....
May 18th, 2018 at 5:08:32 PM permalink
Pacomartin
Member since: Oct 24, 2012
Threads: 1068
Posts: 12569
Quote: SOOPOO
Despite the name "SOOPOO" I am a heterosexual male, thus my ex is a female! SOOPOO was my nickname for her and I got to keep it in the divorce


SOOPOO is a district in Singapore.
June 1st, 2018 at 3:20:51 PM permalink
Wizard
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Member since: Oct 23, 2012
Threads: 239
Posts: 6095
I haven't done a progress report in a while. I'm proud to say that, according to my Garmin bike computer, I did a training ride today with 8,178 feet of elevation gain. This consisted mostly of 18 laps of what I call the Reverence Hill. This is a new neighborhood in Summerlin, still early in construction, but with a fairly steep and extended bike path between it and the 215. To put 8,178 feet into perspective, the city of Denver is exactly one mile high, 5,280 feet. I gained 1.55 times the elevation between sea level and Denver.

You can see all the details of the ride on Garmin.com. Here are the key statistics:

  • Starting time: 5:44 AM
  • Moving time: 5:41:02
  • Total time: 6:42:14
  • Elevation gain: 8,178 feet
  • Elevation range: 2,611 to 3,324
  • Average temperature: 80.8 F.
  • Maximum temperature: 100.4 F.
  • Distance: 62.94 miles
  • Calories: 4,491


I must admit that the computer itself registered only 7,250 feet of elevation of gain. That is why I rode in circles in my neighborhood at the end, trying to add about 80 more to hit that benchmark. However, I always thought that figure was low. The elevation gain on the unit would go up in spurts, often not recording anything when I knew I was climbing. Also, the same bench would register at different elevations every time I passed it, with differences up to 25 feet. I trust the data on the web site much more than a cycling computer the size of garage opener remote control.

So, I'm calling 8,178 the true figure! That sets a new personal record for elevation gained in one day. As a reminder, Pikes Peak has 6,315 feet of elevation gain, although its steeper and at higher altitude. All things considered, I think I'm in good shape for it.

Knowledge is Good -- Emil Faber
June 6th, 2018 at 1:56:13 AM permalink
Ayecarumba
Member since: Oct 24, 2012
Threads: 89
Posts: 1744
Congrats on the progress Wizard! I am concerned that you don't have a place to train with grades as steep as you will encounter on PP. I recall seeing video of riders zigzagging, but also almost stopped, but balanced due to the grade and exhaustion. Having toe clips on makes slow grinds on steep grades sketchy. Do you have rides on equivalent grades planned soon?

Here's a pretty slick video of what to expect:


Here's an amateur version of the same experience. He sounds like he's in real pain, but finishes the ride.:
June 6th, 2018 at 4:07:11 AM permalink
Wizard
Administrator
Member since: Oct 23, 2012
Threads: 239
Posts: 6095
Quote: Ayecarumba
Congrats on the progress Wizard! I am concerned that you don't have a place to train with grades as steep as you will encounter on PP. I recall seeing video of riders zigzagging, but also almost stopped, but balanced due to the grade and exhaustion. Having toe clips on makes slow grinds on steep grades sketchy. Do you have rides on equivalent grades planned soon?


I saw both those videos before, but thank you. The first guy looked like an elite cyclist who was striving for a fast time.

No, there are no hills that steep in Vegas. However, I have done Fargo Street in Los Angeles, which is about a 30 percent grade. If there aren't too many cars I'll zig-zag my way up if necessary. I'd like to get in the Lee Canyon Climb before I go if I can get a fairly cool day here before I leave.
Knowledge is Good -- Emil Faber
June 6th, 2018 at 12:23:31 PM permalink
Ayecarumba
Member since: Oct 24, 2012
Threads: 89
Posts: 1744
What will the weather be like in Colorado? From the first video it seemed like it was really cold at the start, but I don't know what time of year that was. A good portion of the ride is above the tree line, so there is no shade on the sunny side of the slope. Do they have water stations, or allow support vehicles to participate?

Also, are you swapping out the gears on your bike for a cluster specifically made for climbing?
June 6th, 2018 at 1:13:21 PM permalink
Wizard
Administrator
Member since: Oct 23, 2012
Threads: 239
Posts: 6095
Quote: Ayecarumba
What will the weather be like in Colorado? From the first video it seemed like it was really cold at the start, but I don't know what time of year that was. A good portion of the ride is above the tree line, so there is no shade on the sunny side of the slope. Do they have water stations, or allow support vehicles to participate?

Also, are you swapping out the gears on your bike for a cluster specifically made for climbing?


As for the weather, the closest town Cascade has an average high in the 75-85 range this time of year. Of course, as you climb it gets colder, all other things being equal. I'll go with layers and play it by ear. I don't even own biking clothes for cold weather so will have to improvise with my climbing clothes.

There is one source of water about half way up.

It is a public road so if I had a friend with a vehicle to support me, that would be great, but the closest people I know are in Denver and I don't want to ask them. If I can't do it physically, it is at least downhill back. My biggest worry is some kind of bicycle malfunction. Hopefully I can call an Uber from up there. If not, I'm not to proud to beg for a ride. Us bikers stick together and I think one would help me out if I looked like I needed it.

I will be flying there and having to rent a bike out of Colorado Springs. I'm sure they have had the request before for good climbing bikes so will hope they have some with a large cluster in the back or small one in front.
Knowledge is Good -- Emil Faber
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