2022 Colorado Triple Crown Finishers

Congratulations to the following riders who successfully completed the 2022 Colorado Triple Crown: 1) Jonathan Fey 2) David Nelson 3) Ricardo Stephen 4) Corinne Warren At 69 years "young," David Nelson is the oldest club member to complete the Colorado Triple Crown. Congratulations, David!

2021 Colorado Triple Crown Finishers

Congratulations to the following RMCCers who successfully completed the 2021 Colorado Triple Crown. This year's series had a limited number of participants, largely due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and because of adverse weather, which resulted in the cancellation of two of this season's new Triple Crown events, the Rampart Epic and Vail River Road Double Century. This year's finishers include: Mark Lowe David Nelson* Ricardo Stephen Corinne Warren *At 68 years young, David Nelson is the oldest club member to ever complete the Colorado Triple Crown. Dave completed this year's series after recovering from a very bad auto vs bicycle crash in 2020, which makes his accomplishment even more impressive. Congratulations, Dave!

2020 Colorado Triple Crown Finishers

Congratulations to the following riders who have successfully completed the 2020 Corona, "do-it-yourself" version of the Colorado Triple Crown series. To successfully complete the series, participants had to complete 3 of the Triple Crown courses without support. These courses are extremely challenging with support, so extra kudos to those RMCC members who have completed this year's series without any help. This year's finishers are: Graham Barnes Paul Foley* Pascal Ledru* Andy Lapkass (single speed) Mark Lowe Tom Miller David Nelson** Rich Rodgers Michael Turek Vernon Smith Corinne Warren *First Colorado Triple Crown **Oldest Colorado Triple Crown Finisher, 67 years old. Congratulations, Dave!

Colorado Triple Crown Update: The Virtual "Corona" Colorado Triple Crown Series

2020 has obviously not been the year that any of us had hoped it would be. The Coronavirus pandemic has adversely affected everything that we consider "normal" in our lives. This includes little things like simply riding our bikes to more extravagant social bike events, including races and organized century rides.

The events conducted by the RMCC, including the Colorado Triple Crown, have also been adversely affected by the pandemic. In an attempt to remain compliant with the public health recommendations of "social distancing" and "staying at home," we canceled the first four events of this year's Colorado Triple Crown series, including AntiEpic Gravel Grinder, the Colorado Mesa Double Century, the Denver to Aspen Classic, and the Colorado Classic Double Century. At first glance, this makes it impossible for any rider to complete three of the events in year's series. There is only one event left on this season's calendar: Colorado Tour de Moose Double Century. However, as social distancing restrictions are gradually lifted, we think that we have a fair and safe solution that will allow club members to complete this year's Colorado Triple Crown series. But it is going to involve some motivation and planning on your end!

To try to preserve the series for as many of you as possible, we are allowing RMCC members to create and ride their own virtual Colorado Triple Crown series for the remainder of this season. This has been approved by our club's insurance for this season.

Here are the steps to complete a virtual Colorado Triple Crown event:

1) Please have an active RMCC membership. This is non-negotiable. 

2) Select a course to ride. See the extensive list below. As in previous years, RMCC members must complete 3 of the rides to complete the series.

3) Email Mark Lowe (mvlowe5@comcast.net) at least 1 week prior to your ride for pre-approval. Please include the names, e-mail addresses, and telephone numbers of every RMCC member who will be participating. Mark will provide you with additional details regarding the logistics of your ride. Please try to keep your group of riders small (< 5-6 riders) to remain compliant with public health guidelines. 

4) You will be e-mailed a copy of our club's insurance waiver. Please have everyone who is participating in your ride sign the waiver and e-mail it back to Mark. 

5) Personal support vehicles are allowed and encouraged for rider safety. But participants must complete the entire course on their own to receive credit for completing the course.

6) Study your course in advance to plan your self-support points. 

7) Have a great ride! 

8) Please post your completed ride to Strava or Ride with GPS to receive credit for completing your adventure.

9) Time limits:
A) Courses that have < 17,000 feet of climbing need to be completed in < 19 hours.
B) Courses with >17,000 feet of climbing need to be completed in < 22 hours.
C) 24 hour time limit for: Clear Creek Crusher, Golden Goliath Double Century (lowland and highland courses), Mt Evans - Pikes Peak Challenge (both directions), and Evergreen to Vail Double Century. These rides are very difficult! 

Colorado Triple Crown courses that can be used complete your virtual "Corona" 2020 series:

AntiEpic Gravel Grinder

Colorado Classic Double Century

Colorado Death Ride

Colorado Death Ride (Clockwise from Ridgway)

Colorado High Country Double Century

Colorado Mesa Double Century

Cripple Creek Crippler

Cycle to Saturn Double Century

Denver to Aspen Classic

Joe Lookingbill Denver to Aspen Classic

Kebler Kamikaze Double Century

Tim Kalisch Memorial Grand Loop

New courses that can be used to complete your virtual 2020 Colorado Triple Crown:

Clear Creek Crusher Double Century

Evergreen to Vail Double Century

Golden Goliath Double Century (Lowland Route)

Golden Goliath Double Century (Highland Route) 

Grand Loop (Reverse Direction)

Mt Evans - Pikes Peak Challenge

Pikes Peak - Mt Evans Challenge (Reverse)

Peak-to-Peak Double Century

Slumgullion Slayer Double Century

Stove Prairie Stampede Double Century

Tarryall Thrasher Double Century

Vail Octopus

Please e-mail me with additional questions, Mark Lowe: mvlowe5@comcast.net

2020 Denver to Aspen Classic and Colorado Classic Double Century Canceled

Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, we unfortunately must cancel this year's Denver to Aspen Classic and Colorado Classic Double Century. We are optimistic that these events will be back on the Colorado Triple Crown calendar in the near future. Many apologies...

Mark Lowe

2020 Colorado Mesa Double Century Canceled

Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, we unfortunately must cancel this event for 2020. Please follow the RMCC website and the Colorado Triple Crown Blog to determine if other upcoming events are canceled. Thanks and many apologies.

Mark Lowe

2020 AntiEpic Gravel Grinder Canceled

Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, we unfortunately must cancel this year's AntiEpic Gravel Grinder. We are optimistic that this event will be back on the Colorado Triple Crown calendar in 2021.

It is possible that we may need cancel additional events as the pandemic continues and as social distancing AND "stay at home" recommendations remain in place. Please pay attention to the RMCC website and the RMCC Meetup calendar for additional information.

Please feel free to e-mail me with any additional questions: Mark Lowe, mvlowe5@comcast.net

What's New for 2020?

We have an outstanding line up for 2020! Click the link below to check out the schedule:

2020 Colorado Triple Crown Schedule

Here are the details about the 2020 series:

1. We will have 5 official rides and 3 brevet-style rides for participants to choose from. Details about the 2020 events are listed on the right sidebar of this blog. As in previous years, participants must successfully complete 3 events to complete the series. To complete the series, participants can either complete 3 of the 5 official events OR complete 2 of the official events and 1 of the brevet-style events during 2020.
2. Next year marks the return of the Colorado Classic Double Century. After a massive 3 year paving project, Cottonwood Pass is finally paved and re-opened to cyclists, allowing us to place this epic event (which is perhaps the most difficult of the Colorado Triple Crown events due to the combination of length and the unpaved Kebler Pass) back on the 2020 Colorado Triple Crown calendar. We've managed to shave 7 miles off of the course by using Jack's Cabin turnoff (also unpaved) to connect US 50 to the south of Crested Butte to Taylor Canyon. 
3. For the 2020 season, we will allow participants to complete 1 of 3 unsupported, brevet-style rides. Get ready for an ass-whooping! All of the brevet-style courses are extremely difficult. Participants can only complete 1 of these courses during 2020 for Colorado Triple Crown credit. And these are the only courses that participants can ride for Triple Crown credit, so please plan ahead! To complete one of these rides for Triple Crown credit, please e-mail Mark Lowe (mvlowe5@comast.net) at least 24 hours in advance. After completing the course, participants will need to upload their ride GPS data to either Ride with GPS or Strava to demonstrate proof of completing the course within the time limit AND provide picture documentation of their bikes at specific locations along the course (see below). The brevet style courses include:  
1. Clear Creek Crusher: 203 miles, 23,000+ feet of climbing. Time limit: 23 hours. Clear Creek County's hardest climbs: Mt. Evans, Squaw Pass, Fall River Rd, Berthoud Pass, Loveland Pass. This course can be ridden after the new bridge that will connect the I-70 frontage road to Fall River Road is completed, sometime during 2020. Picture documentation required at Mt, Evans Summit, Squaw Pass, St Mary's Glacier, Berthoud Pass, Loveland Pass, and Guanella Pass.  
2. Peak-to-Peak Double Century Challenge: 202 miles 24,000+ feet of climbing. Time limit: 23 hours. A point-to-point route from Golden to Manitou Springs, including Mt Evans and Pikes Peak. Simply put, this is the world's most difficult double century: two 14,000+ peaks! This course can also be ridden in reverse. Special attention must be paid to the time restrictions on Pikes Peak (uphill gates open at 9:00 AM and close at 3:00 PM). Recommended start time: between 11 PM and 1:00 AM. Picture documentation required at Mt Evans Summit and Pikes Peak Summit.
3. Colorado Death Ride: 225 miles, 16,500 feet of climbing. The Colorado Death Ride loop is one of our original Triple Crown courses. Participants can ride this amazing loop which encircles the San Juans in the counter-clockwise direction from Durango OR in the clockwise direction from Ridgway. Picture documentation required at Molas Pass, Red Mountain Pass, Dallas Divide, and Lizard Head Pass. 
4. Registration for the 2020 series will open on March 1, 2020. Registration fees will range from $25 - $40 per event and will be non-refundable and non-transferrable. Please plan your schedule in advance. 
5. As during previous seasons, RMCC membership ($25/year) is required to participate in the series. 
6. For those club members who are planning to participate in next year's Colorado High Country 1200 km, we've left the entire month of July open. 
7. In the unfortunate situation of terrible weather, wildfires, natural disasters, or road closures that make it impossible to complete an event on its scheduled day, that event can be ridden in brevet format (i.e., without RMCC support) on any day during 2020 for Colorado Triple Crown credit. Time limits will be lengthened by 1 hour for unsupported rides.
8. Volunteers: We need your help! We've had wonderful volunteer support over the years and we hope that this will continue during 2020. In order to prevent volunteer burnout, we are asking for new volunteers (i.e.,  individuals who did not volunteer during 2019). However, we will not turn away old volunteers. As during previous years, volunteers may pre- or post-ride the event that they are volunteering for, with or without personal support, for Triple Crown credit. 
9. We're excited to announce that his year's Colorado Triple Crown events will included in the Planet Ultra Grand Slam Series. Planet Ultra is one of the nation's premier advocates for ultra cycling events, organizing several of the double centuries included in the California Triple Crown series as well as the spectacular Hoodoo 500. By including the Colorado events in the Planet Ultra series, we're hopeful that this will entice a few riders from California to attempt our challenging series! 
10. And last but not least, special thanks to two-time Colorado Triple Crown finisher, Rich Rodgers, for all of his hard work for helping us redesign the Colorado Triple Crown kit, which is the "trophy kit" for those riders who successfully complete the series. After 11 years, our beloved Colorado Triple Crown kit was due for an overhaul. Thanks to Rich for coming up with a design that is "timeless" (i.e., there are no specific events or dates listed on this jersey) and a bit more visible in the upper torso, which will hopefully improve rider safety. These will be available for order in December 2019.

2019 Colorado Triple Crown Finishers

Congratulations to the following riders for completing the 2019 Colorado Triple Crown:

Graham Barnes (4)
Michael Bass (2)
Blaine Bates (1)
Jonathan Fey (1)
Dustin Harding (1)
Keith Jensen (3)
Mark Lowe (10)
Tom Miller (9)
Rich Rodgers (2)
Ray Rupel (6)
Rico Stephen (2)
Andy Stockman (3)
Jason Turner (1)
Mike Turek (2)
Corinne Warren (5)

A few notes:

1. Congratulations to Corinne Warren for winning the Triple Crown Stage Race. This year's event included the Colorado High Country Double Century, Cripple Creek Crippler, and Tim Kalisch Memorial Grand Loop. 
2. Congratulations to this year's rookie class: Blaine Bates, Jonathan Fey, Dustin Harding, and Jason Turner
3. Congratulations to Ray Rupel who, at 65 years young, becomes the oldest rider to complete the Colorado Triple Crown Series! Truly amazing, Ray! 

Special thanks again to all of this season's amazing volunteers! Thanks so much for your help!

Chris Baker

Will deRosset

Jonathan Fey

Dustin Harding

Keith Jensen

Oksana Kovalenko

Dave Nelson

Ray Rupel

Rico Stephen

Nat Schub

Erika Van Meter

Corinne Warren

2019 Colorado Tour de Moose Results

Old Fall River Road, an unpaved road that ascends into the heart of Rocky Mountain National Park, is the showcase  climb during the inaugural Tour de Moose.

2019 Colorado Tour de Moose Results - 7/27/19
Course: 205 miles, including 20 miles of gravel roads, and 15,000 feet of climbing
Time Limit: 18.5 hours
12:54 - Jonathan Fey
12:54 - Mark Lowe
13:12 - Andy Stockman
13:13 - Ryan Franz
13:55 - Rich Rodgers
14:30 - Graham Barnes
14:32 - Mike Turek
15:10 - Dustin Harding
15:18 - Ray Rupel
15:23 - Rico Stephen
15:43 - Joe Hofeditz
15:57 - Nat Schub
16:06 - Michael Bass
ATL - Tom Ehlman
ATL - Oksana Kovalenko

ATL - After Time Limit

Special thanks to our volunteers! We cannot do these riders in their current timed format without volunteer help!

- Keith Jensen
- Corinne Warren
- Will deRosset 

Ryan Franz and Rich Rodgers climb Old Fall River Road.

Old Fall River Road reaches it's high point at over 11,700 feet at the RMNP Alpine Visitor Center .

Alpine pond at 11,500 feet.

Participants received 15 minute time bonuses for photographed moose sightings.
Take a look, folks! That's a moose! 

Jackson CR 27 is well-maintained 14 mile gravel road and hidden gem in the Tour de Moose course!

The heavens opened up and participants got soaked on Cameron Pass during this year's event. 

2019 Tim Kalisch Memorial Grand Loop Results

Trail Ridge Road, which traverses through Colorado National Park, is arguably the most spectacular stretch of pavement in any of the Colorado Triple Crown events. 

2019 Tim Kalisch Memorial Grand Loop Results - 7/6/2019
Course: 200 miles, 16,000 feet of climbing
Time limit: 18 hours

12:42 - Mark Lowe
13:43 - Andy Stockman
14:00 - Corinne Warren
14:10 - Tom Miller
14:19 - Jason Turner
14:45 - Dustin Harding
15:15 - Blaine Bates
15:15 - Joe Hofedtiz
15:46 - Trent Hovenga
16:08 - Dave Nelson
16:12 - Karl Sanchez
16:15 - Michael Bass
16:27 - Rico Stephen
17:12 - Mike Turek
ATL - Erika Van Meter
DNS - Caleb Carl
DNS - Nat Schub

ATL = After time limit

Special thanks to our volunteers! These rides are very difficult to complete in this current timed format without volunteer help!
- Jonathan Fey
- Oksana Kovalenko
- Dave Nelson

A welcome sight for weary riders: Medicine Bow Curve, the first hairpin curve
during a long descent down Trail Ridge Road.

Local residents of RMNP.

2019 Cripple Creek Crippler Results

Afternoon thundershower prevail during the 2019 Cripple Creek Crippler.

2019 Cripple Creek Crippler Results - 6/15/19
Course: 207 miles, 19,500 feet

14:18 - Keith Jensen        

14:39 - Jonathan Fey   

15:19 - Corinne Warren*

16:07 - Dustin Harding

16:41 - Jason Turner        

17:56 - Graham Barnes

18:49 - Mike Turek       

19:17 - Ricardo Stephen   

DNF - Caleb Carl          

DNF - Michael Bass        

DNF - Tom Ehlman         

DNF - Trent Hovenga   

DNF - Oksana Kovalenko  

DNF - Dave Nelson    

*New women’s course record      

Thanks to our volunteers!

Ray Rupel

Nat Schub

Erika Van Meter

2019 Colorado High Country Results

Jonathan Fey, Josh Peter, and Andy Stockman tear up Poudre Canyon
during the 2019 Colorado High  Country Double Century (Photo: Rico Stephen)

2019 Colorado High Country Results - 6/1/19
Course: 207 miles, 12,000 feet

10:20 - Caleb Carl*       

12:50 - Mark Lowe           

13:02 - Corinne Warren   

13:09 - Tom Miller           

13:47 - Jason Turner        

14:03 - Josh Peter           

14:03 - Rich Rodgers       

14:03 - Andy Stockman   

14:20 - Ray Rupel            

14:43 - Graham Barnes    

15:21 - Blaine Bates         

16:21 - Karl Sanchez  

*New men’s course record   

Thanks to our volunteers!

Dustin Harding

Rico Stephen

Anxious riders at the 4:00 AM start (Photo: Rico Stephen)

Caleb's trusty steed after the 207 mile adventure to Steamboat Springs.

2019 Cycle to Saturn Cancelled. Say it ain't so!?!

We regretfully must cancel this year's Cycle to Saturn Double Century on June 15, 2019. This year's heavy snowfall and avalanches have buried the bike trail along I-70 by the Loveland Ski Resort and it will not be open in time for our event. Unfortunately, this bike trail is an integral part of our course and we cannot legally re-route the course onto Interstate 70, which parallels the bike trail.

In it's place, we will substitute the Cripple Creek Crippler on June 15, 2019, another Front Range course that is just as challenging as Cycle to Saturn.

For riders who are planning on riding the Cripple Creek Crippler course this summer in an unsupported brevet format, they will now be allowed to ride any of the remaining Colorado Triple Crown courses without support for Triple Crown credit. Riders will need to complete the course of their choosing within the respective time limit for that event. These courses include:

• Colorado Classic Double Century (if Cottonwood Pass re-opens this summer as planned)
• Colorado Death Ride
• Colorado Mesa Double Century
• Cycle to Saturn (once the I-70 bike trail re-opens)
• Denver to Aspen (once the I-70 bike trail re-opens)
• Joe Lookingbill Denver to Aspen course
• Kebler Kamikaze Double Century

2019 AntiEpic Gravel Grinder Results

Riding into the fog during the 2019 AntiEpic Gravel Grinder. Photo: Walter Zitz

Course: 206 miles, 11,000 feet of climbing

Time limit: 21 hours

2019 Results:

13:42 - Zitz, Walter

14:26 - Fey, Jonathan

14:31 - Stockman, Andy

15:14 - Jensen, Keith

15:14 - Rodgers, Rich

15:23 - Miller, Tom

17:24 - Heal, Steve

18:08 - Hovenga, Trent

18:29 - Rupel, Ray

19:19 - Stephen, Ricardo

DNF - Ehlman, Thomas

DNF - Kazilsky, Adam

DNF - Kovalenko, Oksana (F)

Volunteers:

Chris Baker

Dustin Harding

Corinne Warren

What's New for 2019?

Here's a sneak peak at the preliminary 2019 Colorado Triple Crown schedule: 

2019 Colorado Triple Crown Schedule

A few notes about the schedule:

1. There are 5 events on the 2019 schedule plus 1 brevet-style event (i.e., no RMCC support). 
2. We've designated the Cripple Creek Crippler course as the brevet-style course. The Cripple Creek Crippler course can be ridden on any day during the 2019 season and is meant to help more riders complete the series. Riders need to e-mail me in advance to let me know that they intend on riding this course for Colorado Triple Crown credit. Although the RMCC will not be providing support for this course, riders who choose to complete this course can ride with a personal support vehicle that can meet them at checkpoints along the course. The time limit for completing this course is 20 hours (total elapsed time). After completing the course, riders will need to send me GPS data (via Ride with GPS or Strava) to prove that they have successfully completed the course within the 20-hour time limit.
3. To pique your interest, we will have one new event on the calendar for 2019: Colorado Tour de Moose. This new mixed terrain event is 205 miles long and includes 27 miles of well-maintained gravel roads. This ride starts and ends in Loveland, CO and climbs Old Fall River Road (unpaved) in Rocky Mountain National Pass, Willow Creek Pass, and Cameron Pass from the west, before making the long descent down the scenic Poudre Canyon. This event will have a rider cap of 24 participants.  
4. As in 2018, we will also give Colorado Triple Crown credit for those riders who successfully complete the Death Ride Challenge on Sunday, June 9, 2019. This is a non-RMCC event and participants must complete the event within the official time limit for the event to receive Colorado Triple Crown credit. 
5. Registration for this year's series will open on March 1, 2019. Registration fees will range from $20-$25 per event and will be non-transferrable and non-refundable. Please plan your schedule in advance. If we are not able to find volunteers/support vehicle drivers for an event, then that event will be free of charge. We will not charge a fee for an unsupported ride. 
6. In the unfortunate situation of terrible weather, wildfires, other natural disasters, or road closures that makes it impossible to complete an event, that event can be ridden in brevet format (i.e, without RMCC support) on any day during 2019 for Colorado Triple Crown credit. Time limits will be lengthened by 1 hour for unsupported rides.
7. As in previous seasons, RMCC membership ($25/year) is required to participate in the series. 

A few notes about volunteers:

1. We need your help. All of us who have completed this series agree that these rides work best with volunteer support. It is possible to complete all of these courses without support, but to truly ride them quickly and in a semi-competitive format, it must be done with support. I'm not going to lie. Volunteering is a BIG commitment. It does involve getting up well before the crack of dawn and sometimes not finishing until well after the sun sets. But it can be a rewarding experience too. We do our best to pay for mileage and personal expenses (food, motels if necessary) for volunteers during the event.  Our goal is to make sure that volunteers are only giving up time, not money for supporting these rides.  
2. We would like to have at least 1 volunteer per ride, but it is easier to support the rides with 2 volunteers per ride. 
3. Volunteers can pre- or post-ride that event any time during 2019 to receive Colorado Triple Crown credit.
4. If we do not have volunteers for an event in 2019, then it will be ridden in brevet format (i.e., without support).
5. Please refer to the 2019 Colorado Triple Crown Schedule above to see which events still needs volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering, please e-mail:
1. Mark Lowe (mvlowe5@comcast.net) OR 
2. Corinne Warren (cwarren@metafloor.com). 

Colorado Tour de Moose

Participants will be on the lookout for moose during the 2020 Colorado Tour de Moose.

This challenging double century climbs into the heart of northern Colorado Rockies via Old Fall River Road in Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP), Willow Creek Pass, and Cameron Pass. Here are the highlights of this adventure: 

Date: Saturday, August 1, 2020

Start: Tortoises: 4:00 AM. Hares: 5:00 AM.

Start/End location: Loveland, CO: Big Thompson Elementary School

Course Map: Colorado Mesa Double Century: Colorado Tour de Moose

Registration: Registration will open 3/1/2020!

This event has a registration fee (i.e., cost-recovery fee) of $25. Registration is limited to the first 24 pre-registered riders. First come, first serve! Registration closes 7/30/19. RMCC membership is also required to participate in this event. For more information about membership: RMCC membership. 

Course Highlights:

• Distance: 205 miles
• Climbing: 15,000 feet
• 5 categorized climbs:

With its wide shoulders and spectacular canyon walls, Big Thompson Canyon is one of Colorado's best cycling canyons. 

Loveland to Devils Gulch Road: Category 2. The gradual 20 mile, 2,800 foot climb from Loveland to Glen Haven are an absolute joy to ride. The steep switchbacks in the final mile of this climb is guaranteed test the best climbers!

Amazing views of RMNP to the east of the Alpine Visitor Center at the top of Old Fall River Road

Old Fall River Road (elev. 11,796 feet): Hors Categorie (HC). Old Fall River Road is one of Colorado's understated cycling gems. Climbing nearly 3,200 feet in 9 miles on well-maintained gravel roads, Old Fall River Road is a must-do Colorado Cycling experience!

Walter Zitz at the top of Willow Creek Pass during the 2018 Tour de Moose reconnaissance  ride.

Windy Gap Reservoir to Willow Creek Pass (elev. 9683 feet): Category 3. The gradual climb up CO-125 to the top of Willow Creek Pass is a lightly trafficked and gains 1600+ feet in 21 miles.

Cameron Pass provides spectacular views of the Never Summer Mountains in Northern Colorado.

Cameron Pass (elev. 10,276 feet): Category 3. CO-14 is another relative gentle climb that ascends Cameron Pass from the west, gaining 1400+ feet in 11 miles.

Stove Prairie climb: Category 3. The climb up to Stove Prairie from Poudre Canyon is well-known to RMCCers. This steep climb gains over 1200 feet in under 3 miles and is guaranteed to test riders near the end of the Tour de Moose.

Time limit: 18.5 hours to receive an official finishing time and Colorado Triple Crown credit. We don't have data on this course yet, so its possible that the finishing time will be extended based on finishing times of the first riders.

Jackson CR 27 is a 17-mile well-maintained gravel road that is an unexpected gem during the Tour de Moose. 

Event organizer: Mark Lowe (e-mail: mvlowe5@comcast.net)

Additional Notes:

• Moose time bonuses. We didn't name this event the Colorado Tour de Moose for nothing! Northern Colorado is home to a dense population of moose. In fact, it's almost guaranteed that you're going to encounter a Bullwinkle at some point in time while riding in this part of the state. Because of this, we will be offering a 15 minute time bonus if you successfully take a picture of a moose during this ride. These pictures must post to your Strava ride data to receive credit for your sighting! If you don't have a Strava account, it's time to get with the times and sign up!
• Each moose picture = 15 minute time bonus. However, groups of moose only count for 1 moose sighting. Moose must be greater than 1 mile apart to get another time bonus. Max: 2 time bonuses.
• Moose are moose. Deer, elk, horses, cows are not moose. Do not request time bonuses for animals that are not moose! If you do so, you will chastised and ridiculed at the conclusion of the ride!
• Attempting to upload a picture of a moose from the internet will result in DQ. Please don't do this. 
• 24 rider limit. Registration cap is dictated by Rocky Mountain National Park. 
• This course passes through Rocky Mountain National Park. Participants will need to pay the $10 entry fee OR use their National Parks Pass to ride through the park. 
• Given the exposure to high altitude, nasty weather can be a major concern with this event. Participants need to be prepared and bring their best winter- and wet-riding gear with them.
• Lights and reflective gear are required!
• Some ultra-distance experience is encouraged (but not required) to participate in this event.

More views of Jackson CR 27.