Triple Bypass report
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- Created on Sunday, 11 July 2010 02:20
- Written by Nathan
AVON - The 22nd annual Triple Bypass brought thousands of cyclists, including hundreds from the Pikes Peak region, to the high country Saturday.
The tour, put on by Team Evergreen, is a 120-mile ride over three mountain passes - Squaw/Juniper, Loveland and Vail.
Many of the field of 3,500 were off and riding before the sun peeked over the horizon. Temperatures were in the low 50s as cyclists left Bergen Park in Evergreen. The first 15 miles of the day involve a steady climb before cyclists race down into Idaho Springs.
On Saturday, riders faced a steady headwind while climbing to Loveland Ski Basin. The final 4 miles to the summit were fairly void of wind, but the steep grade and high altitude more than made up for it.
From the top of Loveland Pass, it's a blur past ski areas Arapahoe Basin and Keystone. Then riders head up Swan Mountain Road around Lake Dillon. The final climb is from Frisco to Copper Mountain and on to Vail Pass. Then riders are rewarded with a refreshing descent into Avon.
Most were affected by weather as rain fell periodically in Summit and Eagle counties in the afternoon. But the ride again was an overwhelming success.
The five aid stations along the way are very well stocked with just about everything imaginable. Ride support and traffic control from the first climb to whizzing through round-abouts in Vail and Avon are well-organized.
There isn't much to criticize about this ride unless you blame the tour committee for all of the climbing. For the second straight year, however, there was a 2-mile stretch near Georgetown on dirt road -- and again caused a few flat tires.
The Triple Bypass has become THE one-day ride in Colorado. The field reportedly filled in less than an hour on Jan. 1. So if you would like to do it, sign up quickly and don't forget to train.
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