One week and counting until next weekend's Joe Lookingbill Denver-to-Aspen Classic! Here's a few extra notes for this weekend's ride:
1) Weather: The weather forecast looks good for next Saturday for Littleton, Fairplay, and Aspen. Obviously the forecast can change quite a bit in the days to come! Please keep your fingers crossed that the forecast holds!
As of 6/9/11, the forecast still looks favorable...mostly sunny in Fairplay (low 38, high 62) and Aspen (high 72)!
2) Registration: You need to pre-register for this event! Pre-registration for this event closes on June 8, 2011. To pre-register, select the following link: http://www.rmccrides.com/challengeregister.html. All riders need to have active club memberships to participate!
3) Check-In: Rider check-in begins at 3:00 AM at the Ken Caryl and C-470 RTD Park-n-Ride. The ride starts at 4:00 AM.
4) Course notes: 1) As of June 4, 2011, CDOT is not reporting any delays from road construction on Hwy 285 (at least the sections we're riding), Hwy 24, or Hwy 82. Independence Pass is open! Riders can expect large snow drifts on the sides of the road as they summit the pass. 3) Please do not miss the turn for Smith Way, which is the second-to-last turn before reaching Woody Creek! It is easy to miss, especially after a long day in the saddle. Remember: it is one of the first right-hand turns after passing the Aspen Airport (which is to the west).
5) Official SAG vehicles: We will have one support vehicle to SAG this ride, which will be driven by Charlie Henderson (cell phone: 720-480-9714). Participants riding without private SAG support should plan to use this support vehicle to transport gear bags. These gear bags will be accessible at checkpoints along the course. Participants riding with private SAG support should notify Charlie prior to the start of the ride that they will have support from family or friends.
6) Checkpoints: All riders should plan to have their event passports validated at the following official checkpoints: 1) Ken Caryl and C-470 (RTD Park-n-Ride), 2) Conifer (the RTD Park-n-Ride on the north side of Hwy 285), 3) Kenosha Pass Summit, 4) Buena Vista (the intersection of Hwy 24 and Linderman Avenue along the right side of the road), 5) Twin Lakes store, and 6) Woody Creek Tavern. Finishers should have their event passports validated by Charlie or by staff at the Woody Creek Tavern. If Charlie is not present at the finish, you can mail your event card to: Charlie Henderson, 2 Blue Grouse Ridge Road, Littleton, CO 80127.
7) Additonal Support Points: All riders should consider stopping at the following locations to refuel if they are running low on supplies: 1) Bailey (Conoco station on the right) and 2) Fairplay (the Sinclair/Strip mall on the right as you enter town). Riders with private SAG support may also receive additional support at these locations, as well as the summit of Independence Pass.
8) Special notes about support: 1) If the weather turns nasty, support can be anywhere! 2) There are no guarantees that official SAG vehicle will be able support riders at Twin Lakes store. Faster riders will likely out-run the support vehicle after Buena Vista and will not be to access their gear bags after leaving Buena Vista. These riders need to plan ahead and bring the supplies and gear that they will need to complete this ride! Remember: temperatures will likely be considerably colder on top of Independence Pass! Additional water can be purchased at the Twin Lakes store, but not on Independence Pass.
9) Time cut-offs: To successfully complete Denver-to-Aspen, you must get to Buena Vista expeditiously! Riders should plan to take the shortest breaks possible at checkpoints and support points. To ensure rider safety, we have 2 time cut-offs: 1) Buena Vista: 3:00 pm, 2) Twin Lakes store: 5:00 pm. If riders do not arrive at these checkpoints by these times, they will not receive official finishing time and will be asked to be SAG'd to Woody Creek. It is RMCC policy to not have participants finish this ride by descending Indendence Pass in the dark!
10) Safety: Please ride with extra caution durign the event at the following locations: 1) Pine Junction to Baily: watch for rumble strips!, 2) Trout Creek Pass: the shoulder narrows considerably as Hwy 285 descends into Johnson Village. Traffic is fairly brisk! 3) Independence Pass (Aspen side): Hwy 82 is often littered with rocks and there are several large potholes on the descent into Aspen! The road is also very narrow in places and can have lots of traffic!
11) Abandonment: If you need to abandon the ride for any reason, please call Charlie Henderson at 720-480-9714 as soon as possible to let him know! Additionally, if you are going to leave Twin Lakes after 4:00 pm or arrive in Woody Creek after 8:00 pm, please call Charlie to let him know! We don't want to spend all night worrying about where you are! Please note that we do not sweep the course!
12) Emergencies: If you have an accident or injury that requires emergent attention, please call 911. Please call Charlie ASAP to let him know!
13) Event Rules: Please review the event rules before the ride on Saturday: http://coloradotriplecrown.blogspot.com/2011/05/rules-regulations-and-safety.html
