Cripple Creek Crippler

Pikes Peak is one of Colorado's best known 14,000 peaks! Participants attempting to complete the "Crippler" will ride past this spectacular peak en route to Cripple Creek. 

Date: Back in the future!

Start time: 

Tortoises: Check-in: 1:45 AM, Start: 2:00 AM

Hares: Check-in: 2:25 AM, Start: 3:00 AM
If you expect to finish > 17 hours, start with the Tortoises!

Start location: Ken Caryl at RTD park-and-ride on the northeast corner of Shaffer Parkway and Ken Caryl Avenue in west Littleton, just east of interchange with C-470.

Distance/climbing: 207 miles, 19,500 feet. 

Brief Description: Making its debut in 2012, the Crippler Creek Crippler is one of our newest Colorado Triple Crown events. Featuring relentless rollers and steep climbs, this event is anything but flat! Riders can expect a long, "crippling" day of climbing. From Ken Caryl, the route passes through the foothills communities of Conifer, Pine Junction, Deckers, and Woodland Park. Riders will then navigate the scenic (but steep) loop through the rustic mining community of Cripple Creek (elev. 9,494 feet) to the southwest of Colorado Spring, capturing spectacular views of Pikes Peak and the Pike National Forest along the way. Riders will then may the long journey home, passing through Woodland Park, Deckers, Pleasant Park in the reverse direction. Better get out your granny gear! This one's gonna hurt! Long, steep climbs of 8-12% will be the norm for the day.

No, this is not an EKG rhythm strip. This is the elevation profile for the Cripple Creek Crippler. However, as participants ride this extremely challenging course, it is very possible that their EKGs would resemble the above profile a times. As you can see, there's nothing flat about the Crippler. Riders can expect to be either climbing or descending for the duration of the event!

Course map: Cripple Creek Crippler map. Cue sheet: Cripple Creek Crippler

Registration: Cripple Creek Crippler Registration

Note: RMCC membership is required. For more information regarding RMCC membership: RMCC Membership. 

Additional notes:

1. Pre-qualification is encouraged to participate in this event. Please refer to the What's New for 2019? link for more information regarding pre-qualification. Please e-mail Mark Lowe for specific questions regarding pre-qualification.
2. This event has an 20 hour time limit (10.9 mph). Riders must finish in less than 20 hours to receive an official finishing time and Colorado Triple Crown credit.
3.  Lights and reflective gear are required!

Course Description:

Course description: The Cripple Creek Crippler can be broken down into six segments:

Scenic Views from South Valley Park. Impressive rock formations are the norm for the Crippler!

Section 1: Ken Caryl to Conifer, 32.1 miles
Starting in Littleton, CO (elev. 5,351 ft) to the southwest of Denver, the Cripple Creek Crippler will hit riders like a "ton of bricks!" Riders can expect to start climbing right from the start! The climbs featured in the first section of this route (Deer Creek Canyon Road, High Drive, and Brook Forest Road/Shadow Mountain Drive) are well-known to RMCC members as these climbs are part of the RMCC Foothills Climbfest, which is contested in May. These climbs include short, steep pitches that exceed grades of 14-15% in places. Riders can expect to climb 4,500 feet in the first 32 miles alone! Note: When ascending Deer Creek Canyon Rd, do not turn left onto Deer Creek Rd (toward High Grade Road). Stay right on Co Rd 124 (S. Deer Creek Canyon Rd) as it veers to the right! After completing the first three climbs, riders will eventually make the well-deserved descent down Shadow Mountain Dr to the first checkpoint, Checkpoint #1, Conifer, CO (elev. 8,278 ft) at Junction of Co Rd 73 and Shadow Mountain Dr.

Scenic pastoral views from Co Rd 126 (a.k.a Pine Valley Road and Deckers Road)

Deckers, CO, which lies along the beautiful South Platte River six miles to the southeast of Cheesman Lake, is a fly fisherman's dream (and a cyclist's paradise)!

Section 2: Conifer to Deckers, 32.6 miles. 
After arriving at the base of Shadow Mountain Dr in Conifer, riders will turn north onto Co Rd 73 for one mile before turning west onto US 285. Riders will venture west along US 285 for nearly seven miles to the community of Pine Junction, CO (elev. 8,448 ft). Please note that this section of Hwy 185 generally has a descent shoulder to ride on. However, riders need to be cautious as traffic can be brisk! From Pine Junction, riders will turn south onto the beautiful Pine Valley Road (Co Rd 126). This road, which features long rollers and punchy climbs, is simply one of the best kept cycling secrets in the state of Colorado! Co Rd 126 is never short on scenery and has a peaceful, "back country" feel to it, but is very exposed in places and can get brutally hot on a toasty summer afternoon. One ominous feature that riders will notice as they venture south through the communities of Pine and Buffalo Creek, however, are the barren hillsides, stripped bare of their trees by the 2002 Hayman Fire (which at the time was the worst wildfire in Colorado history, burning nearly 140,000 acres of pristine mountain wilderness in the Pike National Forest). The area of destruction is visible for miles and miles and is a constant reminder of how quickly our beautiful, back country wilderness can be destroyed by wildfires! Riders will appreciate this section as it features two long descents, including the long descent down Pine Valley Rd to Buffalo Creek, CO (elev. 6,762 ft) and the blazing four miles descent toward the next checkpoint, Checkpoint #2: Deckers, CO (elev. 6,400 ft) at the Deckers store. 

The 2002 Hayman wildfire destroyed large sections of pristine mountain forest along Co Rd 126 in 2002. At that time, this was the largest wildfire in Colorado history. 2012's Waldo Canyon wildfire (Colorado Springs) and High Park wildfire (Ft. Collins) even eclipsed the magnitude of the Hayman wildfire. 

Woodland Park, CO, with spectacular views of Pikes Peak in the background, will be a welcome site for riders after  23 miles of almost continuous climbing from Deckers. 

Section 3: Deckers to Divide, CO, 29.9 miles. 
From Deckers, riders will continue to head south as Co Rd 126 changes names to CO 67. Riders can
expect to climb gradually for nearly 30 miles! Many riders will find this section very difficult!! None
of the climbing in this section is very steep, but because it is long, it is guaranteed to take its toll on the psyche of many riders! As riders ascend gradually through the Pike National Forest, riders will continue to appreciate amazing mountain vistas, but also the barren hillsides destroyed by wildfires. As CO 67 meanders south, the road will continue to undulate upward toward Woodland Park, CO to the northwest of Colorado Springs. At this point in time, riders will begin to catch spectacular glimpses of Colorado's famed Pikes Peak to the south. As riders approach Woodland Park, traffic will become noticeably heavier. As such, riders need to exercise a bit more caution during the final few miles of this section! Once in Woodland Park (elev. 8,465 ft), riders will turn west along US 24 (also CO 67, which has a very wide, safe shoulder for cycling) for almost seven miles until they reach the town of Divide, CO (elev. 9,165 ft) and Checkpoint #3: Divide, Venture Foods (small grocery store) on the north side of the road.

Beautiful rock formations adorn Teller County Rd 1 as riders approach Cripple Creek from the northwest. 

The rustic mining (and gambling) community of Cripple Creek (elev. 9494 ft) marks the official "turn around" point of the Cripple Creek Crippler.

Section 4: Divide-to-Divide, the Cripple Creek Loop, 40.7 miles. 
This loop is a complete gem! It is one of the finest in the state!! From Divide, riders will continue their trek west along US 24, cresting Ute Pass (elev. 9,165 ft) to the west of Divide. Riders will then veer left onto the scenic, hilly Twin Rocks Road (Teller Co Rd 42) which eventually T-intersects with Teller Co Road 1 near the Florrisant Fossil Beds National Monument. Riders will turn left onto Teller Co Rd 1, which is part of the Gold Belt Tour, one of Colorado's Scenic Byways. Views from Teller County Rd 1 are truly beautiful! This road is never short on scenery! Impressive rock formations to pristine mountain pastures are visible from every direction and will help distract fatigued riders, who will have 108 miles in their weary legs before the real fun begins!  After riders reach the Evergreen Station restaurant eight miles to the northwest of Cripple Creek, the road will steepen significantly! Better get out your granny gear...this section is gonna hurt!! As Co Rd 1 pitches upward, riders will face an onslaught of steep climbs with sustained pitches between 8-12%. Riders should take caution as the pavement along Co Rd 1 is extremely rough in places with lots of potholes and cracks! After this seemingly endless series of climbs batter the weary legs of "Crippler" participants, riders will crest one final climb before making a well-deserved plunge into the rustic mining town of Cripple Creek, CO (elev. 9,494 ft). Shortly after reaching the Cripple Creek city limits, riders will ride past the Ace Hardware/Shamrock gas on the south side of Co Rd 1. (Please note that this is an event support point, but not a checkpoint!) Upon reaching Cripple Creek, riders will turn south onto 2nd St and make a quick left onto Bennett Ave, which eventually turns into CO 67 as it exits town to the east. As riders exit town, the climbing begins again in earnest! In fact, riders can expect to climb almost another thousand feet before reaching the high point of the Cripple Creek Crippler, just over 10,200 feet! The views of Cripple Creek to the west, however, are stunning, making this ascent to the course's high point worth it! 

Views of the rustic community of Cripple Creek from  CO 67, over 10,200 feet in elevation, the high point of the Cripple Creek Crippler. Riders can let out a sigh of relief after reaching this point as they can expect almost 46 miles of continous downhill (with a few short climbs along the way) as they make the long return to Deckers.

Finally...a reprieve!! After reaching the high point of the course, riders will embrace nearly 46 miles of extremely scenic downhills. As riders make the well-deserved plunge down CO 67, riders will continue to appreciate beautiful mountain scenery, including majestic views of Pikes Peak to the east. Riders need to continue to exercise caution during this descent as the road remains very rough in many places! As riders approach Divide from the south, they will cruise past the beautiful Mueller State Park. Eventually riders will reach Checkpoint #4, returning to Divide, CO. 

Riders can further appreciate the impressive scale of the wildfire damage as they ride CO 67 in reverse. 

Section 5: Divide to Deckers: 29.9 miles. 
This section of the course, which is almost entirely downhill, will be the best opportunity for riders to make up time. Don't dilly dally! From Divide, riders will turn east onto US 24 (also CO 67) and ride back to Woodland Park. Participants will then turn north onto CO 67. Please be cautious of traffic when making this left-hand turn! From Woodland Park, riders will experience nearly 23 more miles of glorious downhill (except for one short climb) before making the final plunge to Checkpoint #5, Deckers, CO at the Deckers store.

Beautiful views of the Cathedral Spires from SW Platte River Rd in Foxton Canyon, one of Jefferson County's best-kept cycling secrets! 

Serene views of the north fork of the South Platte River in Foxton Canyon

  
Section 6: Deckers to Ken Caryl: 42.3 miles.
Okay...every double century has its "cruel" moments. The Devil Mountain Double Century in San Ramon, CA features Sierra Road...3.5 miles and grades of 12-18%! The Mulholland Double Century in Agoura Hills, CA features several steep climbs, including Balcom Canyon...1/3 mile with grades as steep as 25%! The Terrible Two in Santa Rosa, CA features Skaggs Springs Rd, containing steep pitches and temperatures as high as 120 degrees! The "Crippler" never features climbs that are as steep as those found along the California coast, but the final 42 miles of this event are equally as cruel, especially at the end a double century! From Deckers, riders (who will already have over 13,000 feet of climbing in their crippled legs) will be facing an additional 4,500 feet of steep climbing in a little over 40 miles! The first climb out of Deckers will (once again) hit riders like a "ton of bricks!" This climb is long and steep...over four miles long and constant grades of 8%. Additionally, with the heat of the afternoon sun, road temperatures have the potential to reach 100 degrees during this climb! And shortly after cresting the top of this nearly 1,700 foot climb, the road will pitch up again for another mile or so. Riders will then catch a well-deserved reprieve as the road makes a steep plunge toward the community of Buffalo Creek. Riders will then turn east onto the beautiful Southwest Platte River Rd. This five-mile stretch of pavement, which lies adjacent to the north fork of the South Platte River, is simply beautiful! Adorned with amazing rock formations and plush vegetation, it is one of the best kept secrets along the Denver Front Range! After cruising through the beautiful Foxton Canyon, riders will turn north onto Foxton Rd for six miles, which will continue to gradually ascend through plush mountain forests, passing the Reynolds Park along the way. Participants will then turn east onto Running Deer Rd, where the pavement will once again pitch up. The series of roads approaching Pleasant Park from the south, in fact, reaches grades as steep as 8-12 percent...a cruel finish to a crippling day of climbing! Please note that this final series of roads is very rough with lots of gravel and potholes. Please ride carefully! Finally, riders will reach the serene foothills community of Pleasant Park to the west of Littleton. At this point in time, riders will be "home free" as they make the final exhilarating, twisty 3,000 foot descent down High Grade Rd and Deer Creek Canyon back toward Littleton. With one final short climb past the beautiful South Valley Park, weary riders will make the final descent back to Ken Caryl.

Riders will embrace the twisty descent down High Grade Rd as they make their final descent down Deer Creek Canyon to the final checkpoint in Littleton. 


Congratulations on completing the "Crippler!" 

New for 2012!

1)      The RMCC presents the Cripple Creek Crippler, a new Colorado Triple Crown series event! For those riders who want another chance to become a Colorado Triple Crown Finisher, here’s your opportunity! But you’re gonna have to work for it! Climbing 17,000 feet in 207 miles, the Cripple Creek Crippler is not for the faint of heart!

2)      Successful completion of any three of the four Colorado Triple Crown events will earn the rider the distinctive honor of Colorado Triple Crown Finisher. As such, the RMCC will not be offering make-up rides for the Triple Crown events in 2012.

3)      To recognize our Colorado Triple Crown finishers for their accomplishments, the RMCC—with the help of Jeff Wu and Clair Lochridge at Team Alchemist in Boulder, CO—has created a new RMCC Colorado Triple Crown cycling uniform, including jersey and bibs. Thanks to Jeff and Clair for their hard work on our Triple Crown kit! Additionally, we would like to thank Hammer Nutrition, whose donation helped make this possible. Please note: in order to be eligible for this kit, you must complete any three (of the four) Colorado Triple Crown events in a single cycling season.

4)      In November 2011, the RMCC Board of Directors unanimously voted in change the name of the Grand Loop to the Tim Kalisch Memorial Grand Loop in remembrance of long-time RMCC member, Tim Kalisch, who passed away in August 2011.

5)      The original three events of the Colorado Triple Crown Series (Joe Lookingbill Denver-to-Aspen Classic, Colorado Death Ride, and the Tim Kalisch Memorial Grand Loop will be run as a “staged” event. The fastest cumulative time of these three events is the Colorado Triple Crown champion!

Registration and Pre-Qualification

1) Registration for the events of the 2020 Colorado Triple Crown will open 3/1/20! 

2) Register early! Pre-registration is required to participate in the events of the Colorado Triple Crown. Participation is limited to the first 50 pre-registered riders; however, participation for the Tim Kalisch Memorial Grand Loop and Tour de Moose is limited to 24 riders! Complete registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Once we reach our rider caps for a particular event, registration for that event will be closed for 2020 Pre-registration closes two days prior to the start of an event. There is no day-of-event registration.

3) RMCC membership is required to register for the Colorado Triple Crown. This is for insurance purposes. Please note that club membership has a very affordable $25/year membership fee. RMCC membership has its advantages because it gives you access to other club events and discounts. For more information on RMCC membership: RMCC Membership

4) Each event of the Colorado Triple Crown will have an additional $25-$40 registration fee. These registration fees are cost-recovery fees to help defray the expenses of running the event, not to turn a profit for the club. Registration fees must be payed the event volunteers at rider check-in prior to the start of the ride.

5) Pre-qualification. Participants who have not met the pre-qualification requirements listed below can still register and participate, but they will need to ride with a personal support vehicle until they can demonstrate that they can safely complete at least one of the Triple Crown events within its designated time limit. 

To pre-qualify, prospective participants must complete one of the following events in the previous 24 months:

1. Any Colorado Triple Crown event
2. A mountainous double century (or longer) event in another part of the country (time required for verification)
3. One of the RMCC-sponsored 300 km brevets in less than 14 hours
4. Successful completion of another extreme endurance event of at least 12 hours duration:

• Ironman Triathlon < 14 hours (time required for verification)
• 50+ mile mountainous running ultra-marathon < 12 hours

Participants who have not met the pre-qualification requirements listed above can still register, but they will need to ride with a personal support vehicle (which is allowed and encouraged) until they can demonstrate that they can complete at least one of the Triple Crown events within its designated time limit. After registering, these riders will need to e-mail me with the name of their support person.

General Information

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!

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/ .

                          

Rules, Regulations, and Safety

1) All participants are required to wear an approved helmet at all times while they are riding. Failure to ride with a helmet will result in disqualification.

2) By participating in the events of the Colorado Triple Crown, participants are riding at their own risk. The routes used during the events of the Colorado Triple Crown (and other Challenge Series events) are open to traffic! There are no road closures, police escorts, or course marshals. Cyclists must ride defensively with safety as their utmost priority! Neither the RMCC nor its volunteers is responsible for the negligence of motor vehicles during these events, even if it results in injury or loss of life. 

3) Riders shall obey all rules of the road! It is the rider’s responsibility to know the laws of the State of Colorado and to follow them. These are detailed at: http://colobikelaw.com/law.php. Flagrant disregard of local and state traffic laws will result in disqualification. Please come to a complete stop at all stop signs and red lights and use hand signals appropriately.

4) Lights that comply with Colorado law are required while riding during hours of darkness. Riders must have a white front headlight and a red taillight. Be sure you have fresh batteries! Participants riding during hours of darkness without operating lights will be disqualified! Please keep in mind that it is prudent to ride with VERY GOOD lights! Colorado mountain roads can often be strewn with rocks, sticks, or an occasional deer that wanders into the road! It is much easier to descend mountain passes safely when you can confidently see where you are going. Additionally, you will be able to ride more safely when weary-eyed drivers can easily see you from behind.

5) Cyclists must also ride with reflective gear during the hours of darkness. At at minimum, riders must ride with reflective ankle bands so that they are visible from all directions in low light conditions. Reflective vests (or a triangle) are also strongly encouraged.

6) During the week prior to an event, each pre-registered rider will receive an official cue sheet and a copy of the Garmin file that will provide turn-by-turn directions and locations of support points and checkpoints. Participants must stop at each checkpoint to have his/her time recorded by an RMCC official. If a RMCC official is not present, the cyclist should record the time they reached a checkpoint and have the time validated by an RMCC official at the next checkpoint along the course. A participant may be disqualified if he/she misses a checkpoint. If a cyclist leaves the route, he/she must return to the route at the exact same location.

7) Each event of the Colorado Triple Crown has a time limit. All participants must complete the event within the time limit to be listed as an official “finisher” and receive Colorado Triple Crown credit. The time limits for each event are posted below:

AntiEpic Gravel Grinder: 21 hours
Denver-to-Aspen: 16 hours
Colorado's Classic Double Century: 21 hours
Colorado Death Ride: 19 hours

Colorado High Country Double Century: 16.5 hours

Colorado Mesa Double Century: 17.5 hours
Cripple Creek Crippler: 19 hours
Cycle to Saturn Double Century: 19.5 hours
Kebler Kamikaze Double Century: 18 hours
Tim Kalisch Memorial Grand Loop: 18 hours
Tour de Moose Double Century: 18.5 hours

8) Various checkpoints along each stage may also have time cut-offs. The time limits are imposed to maintain event integrity and allow other participants to receive the support they need to successfully complete the event. A cyclist who falls behind and reaches a checkpoint after it closes can continue riding, but may have to continue riding without support or access to his/her drop bag unless he/she can catch up with the support vehicle at the next control point. Bottom line: if a participant who falls behind is able to successfully complete the event within the time limit, he/she will still receive an official finishing time! 

9) As a courtesy to the drivers of our support vehicles, we formally request that participants do not lean their bicycles up against a support vehicle. This can cause scratches to the support vehicles and may inhibit other riders from gaining easy access to their gear bags.

10) The RMCC reserves the right to remove any rider from the course for the reasons related to their own safety or the safety of others!

11) The RMCC requests that riders do not urinate in public view. Whenever possible, riders are encouraged to use the designated restroom facilities at checkpoints, including parks, convenient stores, restaurants, etc.

12) The use of MP3 players/I-PODS is not allowed as riders cannot safely hear other participants or approaching traffic.

13) Any rider found cheating (e.g., intentionally cutting a course) or deliberately violating the above rules will be disqualified.

14) The RMCC ride director reserves the right to interpret any existing rule or regulation, or to invoke new rules or regulations that are deemed necessary. The ride director’s interpretation and decisions regarding the rule is final.

15) Results for each event will be listed in finishing order, including name, gender, and age.

16) As rider safety is out top priority, the RMCC reserves the right to postpone or cancel any of the Colorado Triple Crown events due to adverse weather conditions or dangerous road conditions.

17) Unsportsmanlike conduct, including, but not limited to, foul or abusive language, insults and rude behavior, acts of violence among riders or event officials or volunteers, failure to follow the instructions of an event official or volunteer, or intentionally causing a crash may result in disqualification of the rider(s) involved and possible suspension from future RMCC-sponsored events. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1) Do you offer support and gear (SAG) support?

Yes. Unless otherwise stated, we will make all attempts have at least one SAG vehicle on the course at all times. Participants are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the support vehicle. Each rider may provide an easy-to-identify gear bag that he/she may use to transport extra food, nutritional supplies, clothing, etc. The support vehicle will transport each participant’s gear bag from one support point to the next. Each cyclist may access his/her gear bag at these support points. As previously mentioned, 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 money to purchase food and beverages at stores along the route if necessary.

2) Can I provide my own SAG vehicle?

Yes. The RMCC will allow (and encourages) individual cyclists to be supported by personal SAG vehicles while participating in the Colorado Triple Crown series. Participants should notify the event organizer or ride leader that they will receive personal SAG support prior to the start of the event. Cyclists who have personal support vehicles may be asked to provide support other participants, especially in the case of an emergency. When supporting a rider, a personal SAG vehicle may only provide support for a rider at designated support points and checkpoints along the route. Riders who receive support at locations other than the designated support points or checkpoints will be disqualified! SAG vehicles may not follow, pace, or repeatedly “leapfrog” a rider, as this may disrupt to flow of traffic on narrow mountain roads and jeopardize the safety of other riders! Cyclists may not receive water bottle hand-offs from moving SAG vehicles.

SEVERE WEATHER CONTINGENCY: If a cyclist encounters severe weather conditions, he/she may seek cover in a private support vehicle at any location along the course until the passage of the severe weather. Participants must resume cycling in the exact location where they left the course or will be disqualified.

3) How come the RMCC does not provide more elaborate aid stations?

Because nutritional requirements vary greatly between cyclists, it is impossible to meet the dietary requests of every participant! Additionally, cyclists who are riding events of this caliber usually know what works best for them during ultra distance events. As such, participants must provide their own nutritional supplies (bars, gels, energy drinks, etc.) to successfully complete their event! The RMCC-provided support vehicles will be stocked with water. 

4) How much water/food should I carry?

There may be as many as 50+ miles between checkpoints, so cyclists should carry at least 2 water bottles with them at all times. Some cyclists may even benefit from riding with a small Camelback. The official support vehicle will supply water to participants at designated support points. We also request that each cyclist ride with at least one energy bar between checkpoints to ward off the dreaded “bonk!” For additional nutritional needs, participants may stop at restaurants or convenient stores along the course to purchase additional food and beverages if necessary.

5) Is aero equipment (e.g., aerobars, aero wheels) allowed?

Yes. The RMCC, however, requires that riders use aero equipment responsibly! Drafting is allowed! Please do not use aerobars while riding in pacelines or descending mountain passes! This can be extremely dangerous and can jeopardize the safety of other riders! Additionally, Colorado mountain passes are probably not the best place to use you deep-profile aero wheels as these wheels can be very difficult to safely handle in gusty mountain winds!

6) How much climbing will I do during my event?

Each event of the Colorado Triple Crown has between 12,000 and 20,000 feet climbing. None of the climbs the Triple Crown events exceed 12% (for long periods of time); however, many of the climbs are LONG…be prepared for 20+ miles of continuous climbing! Altitude is also very important consideration!!! Each event of the Colorado Triple Crown spends a substantial amount of time above 10,000 feet! We strongly suggest that riders coming from out-of-town arrive a few days early to become acclimated to our thin Colorado air. High altitude sickness can affect any rider who is not adequately acclimated!

7) What sort of mechanical support is provided during my event?

There will be very limited support available. Your bicycle needs to be in exceptional working order prior to start of your event and all participants need to be self-sufficient at fixing basic mechanical problems. The official support vehicle will be stocked with a floor pump for topping off your tires in case you flat. The drivers of our support vehicles are also willing to lend a hand if you have a mechanical problem; however, please keep in mind that the drivers of our support vehicles are NOT bicycle mechanics. If you have a mechanical failure that prevents you from completing a ride, you will be listed as a DNF. As such, we encourage you to use equipment that is reliable first, then lightweight or aero second.

8) How will I navigate the course?

Each participant will receive an official map and cue sheet via e-mail during the week prior to the ride. Cue sheets will provide turn-by-turn directions for navigating the event course. Each participant will also be given access to the official Garmin file from RidewithGPS.com to upload to their Garmin computer prior to the event. Each cyclist is responsible for navigating the course!  Courses are not marked!

9) What sort of weather conditions will I encounter?

Colorado weather can be very unpredictable. On almost any given day in the summer it is possible to experience rain, hail, intense lightning, and even a freak snowstorm with sub-freezing temperatures! Riders are strongly encouraged to pay close attention to local weather forecasts in the days preceding their event and prepare accordingly! At a minimum, you should have a rain jacket, leg/knee warmers, shoe covers, and long-fingered gloves.

10) What additional equipment or supplies should I bring?

All cyclists MUST carry some form of identification and an emergency contact phone number! All participants should also carry spare tubes, a pump, a patch kit, basic tools, money/credit card, and a cell phone.

11) What should I do if I need to withdraw from my event?

If a rider is unable to complete a Colorado Triple Crown event for any reason, he/she must contact the chief volunteer as soon as possible. Unfortunately, we are not set up to immediately pick you up if you need to withdraw from an event. If you must discontinue for a reason that is not an emergency and you do not have personal support, please attempt to arrange for private transportation to pick you up. Otherwise, please be prepared for the fact that it may be many hours before our support vehicle can pick you up.

12) What should I do if I experience an accident or serious medical issue?

If a rider is experiencing symptoms of a serious medical condition OR if a rider is involved in a collision or crash, he/she should contact emergency medical services ASAP (i.e., call 911)! Please notify the chief volunteer as soon as possible!

13) Can I volunteer to support a Colorado Triple Crown event?

Finding volunteers to support our events can be a challenging endeavor! After all, the RMCC is a club of cyclists and we want to participate in these events too! If you (or a friend) are willing to volunteer for a Triple Crown event, please let us know! We can always use an extra hand!