What is the Colorado Triple Crown?
The Colorado Triple Crown, the most difficult events of the Rocky Mountain Cycling Club (RMCC) Challenge Series, is a collection of single day, timed double century road cycling events. They are, simply put, the most challenging road cycling events in the state of Colorado! These original three events of the series include the Joe Lookingbill Denver-to-Aspen Classic, Colorado Death Ride, and the Tim Kalisch Memorial Grand Loop. In recent years, other events, including the Cripple Creek Crippler, Cycle to Saturn Double Century, Colorado High Country Double Century, and the Colorado Classic Double Century have been added to the arsenal of Triple Crown Events.
Since the early 1990s, members of the RMCC have been riding the individual events of the Colorado Triple Crown as preparation for Paris-Brest-Paris (PBP), Boston-Montreal-Boston (BMB), and other longer endurance cycling events. In 2009, the RMCC formally organized these events into the Colorado Triple Crown, Colorado’s most challenging double century road cycling events. Completion of three of the Colorado Triple Crown stages in a single calendar year earns the cyclist the unique designation of a Colorado Triple Crown Finisher!
Since the early 1990s, members of the RMCC have been riding the individual events of the Colorado Triple Crown as preparation for Paris-Brest-Paris (PBP), Boston-Montreal-Boston (BMB), and other longer endurance cycling events. In 2009, the RMCC formally organized these events into the Colorado Triple Crown, Colorado’s most challenging double century road cycling events. Completion of three of the Colorado Triple Crown stages in a single calendar year earns the cyclist the unique designation of a Colorado Triple Crown Finisher!
1) The Colorado Triple Crown, presented by the Rocky Mountain Cycling Club (RMCC), is a series of double century (i.e., 200 mile) bicycling events. These events are timed, single-day bicycle tours. They are currently the most difficult road cycling events in the state of Colorado.
2) The purpose of the RMCC Colorado Triple Crown is to promote the growth and development of ultra-cycling in the state of Colorado, encourage participation in long-distance cycling events, and recognize individual cyclists for their accomplishments.
3) The events of the Colorado Triple Crown are NOT races; however, each stage is ridden as single-day, draft-legal timed cycling event. Each stage has an overall time limit and each participant must complete each event in the designated time to receive an official finishing time. When participating in a Triple Crown event, the primary goal is simply to finish safely! However, participants are encouraged to challenge themselves and put their best effort into each event!
4) Cyclists do NOT have to participate in all of the events. Participants may select the events they would like to participate in. Each official finisher will be recognized for his/her accomplishment! In order to earn the designation of Colorado Triple Crown Finisher, however, a cyclist must successfully complete at least three events in a single calendar year.
5) These events are not elaborate bicycle tours. You will not get fancy aid stations or a lavish post-ride pasta dinner. You will not get a plastic bag full of event memorabilia and coupons. You will not get a personal massage after completing your event. You will not get a sparkly "I did it!" medal. Each participant who does successfully complete three of the four Colorado Triple Crown events, however, will receive a certificate of recognition for completing the series. More importantly, each rider will earn the pride, recognition, and bragging rights of completing the most difficult sporting events on two wheels in the state of Colorado! And, of course, memories to last a lifetime!
6) The RMCC will attempt to provide minimal support for each event, including at least one support-and-gear (SAG) vehicle that will carry water and gear bags. Each participant is responsible for providing a well-marked gear bag containing additional supplies (food, clothing, and other gear) that he/she might require to successfully complete the ride. Cyclists may access their gear bags at checkpoints along each course. Please be aware that the support vehicle is first and foremost a safety vehicle. In the event of an emergency, the vehicle may have to leave the course. Riders should always be prepared to support themselves by carrying the provisions (e.g., money, food, etc.) necessary to complete the event in case of an unforeseen emergency.
7) Please be forewarned: each event of the Colorado Triple Crown is VERY challenging!!! At a distance of approximately 200 miles—and many thousands of vertical feet of climbing—each event is an extremely difficult physical and mental feat!!! Cyclists must have the ability to be self-sufficient and should be comfortable riding over 50 miles without support. An "I can do it!" attitude is fantastic but will likely NOT be adequate to successfully complete these events! You need to come prepared for your event!
8) The RMCC is fortunate to once again have each of the events of the Colorado Triple Crown included in this year's UltraMarathon Cycling Association (UMCA) Ultracycling Cup, a point series that recognizes some of the world's most accomplished endurance road cyclists. UMCA membership is NOT required to participate in the Colorado Triple Crown but is always encouraged. To inquiry about the UMCA: select: http://www.ultracycling.com/ .
