Triple Bypass

[Bicycle Belle Ding Ding!]

I am not saying I am committing to this. But here I sit in my dreamy Michigan living room, watching my woods with my cardinals and blue jays at their feeders in a perfect snow globe scene. This is no time for biking. This is time for bike adventure planning.

And I have seen this name Triple Bypass come up more than once. At over 10,000 feet of climbing in 110 miles in Colorado, it sounds rather miserable. But it also sounds like a bucket list thing. Who has done it? What is it like? Is it suffering, start to finish? Can a Riv reasonably do it? I love an adventure and I love good scenery, but maybe there are better experiences closer to home. 

I figured I’d ask, in case anyone has done it on a Rivendell and would like to chat. And anyway, what else do you have to do? It’s JANUARY.

Leah 

[Bill Lindsay]

When I coached the high school mountain bike team, if a team training ride had less than 100ft of climbing per mile, we called that "flat".  Our elite riders were twin brothers, Evan and Matt Garrison, and that 100ft/mile was what I called "the Garrison Ratio".  

Seriously though, that amount of climbing in a day is a pretty serious.  Depending on your constitution, the altitude may pose an additional challenge.  10,000 feet of climbing in 110 miles can definitely be done on a Rivendell.  

Bill Lindsay

El Cerrito, CA

[aeroperf]

I personally think you’re slightly crazy for going for this one, but, ahh, youth.  It appears to be a well-run event.

Since you’ve mentioned before about taking the bike on AMTRAK to get to/from events, the California Zephyr goes from Chicago to Denver.

I haven't done this one, but I've done a few up-and-down tours.  You might want to try the route on Zwift or Peloton a few times before July 12th.  And put Schwalbe Marathon tires on your Riv now, to get used to their ride.  Oh, and get new brake pads - two sets.

[Mathias Steiner]

>> This is no time for biking.

Pshaw.

There's at least three of us biked to work today, and we're an hour NE of you :)

>> Can a Riv reasonably do it?

The Riv will not be the problem.

Seriously: I have no direct experience of this ride, or any organized mountain ride of that length.
A couple cycling buddies of mine have done Ride the Rockies, but they were STRONG then.

I do know that climbing is different that rolling, and it's hard to train for climbing in mid-Michigan.

When I lived in Germany I would ride into hill country, where I had a standard route that had two long-and-hard climbs with descents in between, and I was amazed at how my body got trained to put out power quickly and then recover. It got a lot easier with time. Interval training might prepare you for it. Everyone hates intervals. There's a reason.

Some thought should go into a training regimen so you can actually enjoy the ride.  Not much point doing it for any other reason.

What follows is my opinion on bike selection:

#1 is fit. Are you comfortable, can you pedal for many hours and be happy?

#2 is tires. Figure out what tires you want to ride and pick a bike that can run them.
I have more than one set of Marathons and I use them a lot.
NO WAY would I do a 200 km road ride on them; for the Bypass I'd go 32 mm Conti GPs. It does make a difference.
Marathons will ride through glass and not puncture, which is why I have them on my commuters. They do take a little extra effort, and on that day, it won't be welcome.

I'd ride them on a loaded tour, certainly, but I'd pick the size carefully. I would not use them on a rando-type ride. Yikes.

Somewhere down the list is weight... but it is ON the list.
You really don't want an extra 12 lbs to lug up those ascents.
Whether the bike weighs 19 lbs or 24 lbs is pretty meaningless.
I will confess that I've dumped water out of my bottle before a 20% climb.
Might have been just symbolic.

cheers -m

[Steve]

It's been a good 30 years since I rode the Assault on Mount Mitchell - 103 miles and 11,000 feet of climbing, as I recall. I was in my early 40s at the time. Rode it three years in a row.  My thought is that unless you are already conditioned for a ride of that magnitude, to be successful requires diligent training beginning several months in advance. Ideally the training should culminate in a ride equal to at least 90% of the event.

Can a Riv do it?  I say it's less about the bike and more about the rider. 

Steve in AVL (who these days rarely breaks 40 miles, even on my Platypus)

On Thursday, January 2, 2025 at 3:40:16 PM UTC-5 aeroperf wrote:

[J G]

Hey Leah,

I have ridden the triple Bypass and I did ride it on a bike far closer to one of my Rivendells than one of my road bikes.  Specifically a Ti Lynskey Cooper CX with steel Vicious Canti fork and 32c tires.  I do not try to build light bikes as I lean into performance and comfort over weight.  Ti is an upgrade for me, carbon generally less so.

I would not say suffering from start to finish but as an unacclimated flatlander, time spent above 8500ft does impact after awhile.  I was fine up and down pass 1 and started to feel the elevation by the climb to Loveland during pass 2.  From that point it was tough the rest of the way on flats or climbs, even if bombing the mountains on fat ties after each pass was a blast and those fat tires and my heavier bike left many road bikes in the dust each descent.

In the end, I climbed all 3 passes but had to bail at the top of Vail as we had a shuttle lined up and my tough day had me running late.  All downhill form there, but no time.  I bring this up as logistics is key for a ride like this and ideally you have a 2 cars to get one at the start and one at the end as the shuttle on the back side was tough after a long day (although a gret way for some added beausage, if desired).

My recommend, if you want to ease into a ride like this would be to check out the Buffalo Classic in Boulder.  I think the Epic is down from 120 miles to 100 now and I assume it still goes up Boulder canyon.  Not quite the Triple, but a good ride with some great views and a lot less time in what I consider the low oxygen zone above 8500ft.

Feel free to reach out of any additional questions.

-Justus

Mpls, MN

[J G]

All threads need pics...

A couple miles below Loveland pass taking a needed break before the final push up the switchbacks.

My riding partner's steel Kelly Bedford Rando, my old Lynskey CX and me taking in the scenery.  Elevation and sun exposure.  Never felt better.  LOL.

-Justus

Mpls, MN

[Ryan]

What Justus , Bill et al have to say about adjusting to the altitude makes sense and is good to pay attention to. As well as a good training plan...even though I know you are very fit. 

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/travel-to-high-altitudes mentions that heavy exercise (Triple Bypass certainly qualifies) should be avoided for the first 48 hours at high altitude. 

[Leah Peterson]

This ride was so much more fun when I knew less about it. The photos were wonderful and the website alluring. I have a cousin near Vail and she said, “Well, you could do it but you won’t have fun.” If it’s not fun, I’m out. I’ll find another ride! But congrats to those of you on this thread who rode the Triple Bypass. I bet you are so happy to have done it and maybe you are also happy it’s over. It’s fun to talk ride plans in winter, though. So keep your memories/stories coming, if you like! I’m not as hearty as our Mathias, who is out there sliding his way into work on his bike on the ice! This Michigander is only going out with her YaxTrax and winter boots and stomping around on foot. 

L

On Jan 2, 2025, at 5:10 PM, Ryan <ryte...@mts.net> wrote:

What Justus , Bill et al have to say about adjusting to the altitude makes sense and is good to pay attention to. As well as a good training plan...even though I know you are very fit. 

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[Joe Bernard]

Hi Leah. I see I got here just in time to learn you've wisely talked yourself out of madness. You're a stone cold badass but this one looks BONKERS! 😳

Joe Bernard 

[Nick Payne]

On Friday, 3 January 2025 at 7:28:21 am UTC+11 Bill Lindsay wrote:

Seriously though, that amount of climbing in a day is a pretty serious.  Depending on your constitution, the altitude may pose an additional challenge.  10,000 feet of climbing in 110 miles can definitely be done on a Rivendell.

Yes, I've done numerous alpine randonnees on various Rivendell bikes without problem. Just pace yourself, have suitable gearing, and don't get sucked into the max frenzy at the start when people go haring off in pacelines. I used to tell people thinking of doing our local similar ride here in Australia for the first time - 200km (~125 miles) with about 4300m (a bit over 14,000 feet) of climbing - that they should fit a lower gear than they think they'll need. Much better to have a low gear there and maybe not need it than to find you need a lower gear than you have, and just because you can push a certain gear up a three or five mile climb when you're fresh doesn't mean that you can manage the same gear on the last climb of the day when you've already been over a couple of large climbs.

I agree on the altitude possibly being a problem. You'll be going up to almost 12,000'.

Nick Payne

[ascpgh]

My bulk of high elevation riding has been in south central CO, near the Rio Grande adjacent town of Creede. My longtime friends' family has owned a cabin in a camp called Spar City 14 miles up the valley at +/- 9500'. We were graced to have access to it as a basecamp resource, 850 miles away, for many activities.

My college friend brothers and I commenced on a span of events that explain why rental car companies refuse business to under 25 year olds. We biked, hiked, fly fished, drove around in the old red CJ-2 and skied as we could logistically manage from 850 miles away, coordinating our work schedules to do stupid things with our outdoor interests. Our acclimation usually restricted the major dumb stuff to the later days of our stays. 

I had a digital watch I set with an alarm every 15 minutes to remind me to drink and eat on every other beep. Had to plan to have adequate water and easy to digest foods. By day three we were well able to carry on with less regimen and corrupted by pizza and beer as reward at the Old Miner's Inn, aware that our last 14 miles were uphill on the bikes. The spring of youth's resiliency damps with age dictating better conservation of your integrity. YRMV for sure. Having a good uh-oh bag for real contingencies (diamox) is smart as is at least one partner for travels.    

Highly recommend biking out there with cautions of an adult mind. The elevation changes will mesmerize you with the differences in biomes you pass through and the views from your summits. Be on your schedule, not an imprinted program. One thing I found on dirt roads and paths in that region is that they were long established, likely followed by animal drawn wagons or one up riders and followed lines to be the least challenging to the animals as possible. Many paved roads do the same but there's traffic in those two lanes and adjacent manicured right of way detracting from the enjoyment the trails offer. I did a lot of riding on a 1986 RockHopper with no suspension and 1.95" tires with sidewalls so stiff that they supported me at 20lbs PSI sitting. Your bike is more than fine.

The climate changes dramatically through elevation, angle of sun/time of day, shade to sunlight. Walking in the morning sun can make you feel sunburn coming on one side, frostbite on the shady side.  I have a photo of a 12" wall of snow along a remote dirt road between Lake San Cristobal, CO and Ouray, CO taken on the fourth of July. 

The amount of planning and preparation you do for a pre-manufactured trip on a bike can also produce one for you, by you as well. The grown up (and vocational) perspective will assure that. 

Andy Cheatham

Pittsburgh

[R Olson]

I live in Denver and have friends havve done the Triple Bypass.   I wouldn't say it's so much fun as a bucket list item.  If you're looking to do a short, fun ride in the mountains near Vail, I would suggest riding the excellent bike path from Vail to Copper Mountain and back.   It's short (it's 28-ish miles total roundtrip), but follows I-70 and goes over Vail Pass and gives you all the fun elements of alpine riding; gorgeous views and long, fun descents.  I did this a few years ago in late June on my Roadini, but you could do it on any bike.  Just beautiful.  And there's usually snow up at the top. 

Ryan

[Ron Cramer]

Go for it! Did it in 2023 on my Rambo with a triple. Be prepared for any kind of weather: Friend did it a couple of years ago, it rained and was pulled off suffering from hypothermia.

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[John Dewey]

My tandem pal and I pedaled west to east, up and down the spine of the Cascades a while ago all loaded up with cross-country camping kit. A grand summer’s outing. 

That’s a mean beast. We conquered the climbs, Washington, Loup Loup, etc. one after another, by taking 10 minute breaks every hour by the clock, whether we felt like it or not. Exhilarating when we careened down the last pass and saw all that beautiful, mostly flat landscape ahead. 

All in a day’s work 😎

Jock

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[Peter Adler]

A recent investigation into a non-car method to get to a CR event in North Carolina with a bicycle revealed that multiple long-distance Amtrak routes now permit bicycles, not only as checked baggage, but as assembled vehicles in carry-on storage:

https://www.amtrak.com/onboard/baggage-policy/baggage-special-items.html

In California, the Capitol Corridor line (Bay Area-Sacramento) has allowed carry-on bike storage for normal-sized bikes (no tandems or Xtracycles) for years, but this expansion to long-haul lines like the California Zephyr (Oakland-Chicago), the Coast Starlight (LA-Seattle), the Empire Builder (Chicago-Seattle) opens up a lot of options. Coming from Michigan, my hunch is that a combination of the Blue Water (Port Huron-Chicago) or the Wolverine (Pontiac-Chicago) - whichever one goes through your local station - plus the California Zephyr will get you to Colorado (Denver and Grand Junction, at least) with your bike in a couple of days.

Long trips on a train are a real adventure. They're sort of a more modest land-based version of crossing the Atlantic on a steamship. You can see the scenery, but you don't really stop anywhere long enough to get off, so you stay on the train until you get to your destination, and hang out with the other passengers.

Peter Adler

who went from Oakland>Seattle>Minneapolis>Chicago>Denver>Sparks (when the train had to be replaced)>Oakland in 1995 for a wedding In Madison, WI, with other side trips in Minneapolis, Chicago and Denver and had a great time

Berkeley, CA

[J-D Bamford]

As Justus pointed out, parachuting in from the lowlands and subjecting yourself to repeated climbs near and above treeline (where there's not enough oxygen for trees to grow) is a sure recipe to suffer from AMS (acute mountain sickness) if not just pure exhaustion and demoralization. Trying to eat your first elephant in one bite is not a recipe for success or satisfaction. I'm writing this because a lot of cyclists (even here in Denver) tend to downplay or outright disagree that high alpine environments have special considerations (not just acclimatization, but also afternoon thunderstorms which can turn that next fun descent into a hail-coated ice skating rink on almost any summer afternoon.

As Ryan Olson said, pick a modest 50-100 mile event here in the front range or high country, something with a big climb but not multiples above 8000' el. Make it a 3-4 day weekend holiday trip, or a summer week, and plan a few nice day rides with ambitious climbing and also allow yourself to enjoy Colorado. By your third day of cycling, you'll learn if altitude affects / acclimatization were particularly crucial for your physiology. Read about the famous Coors Classic race routes around Boulder, those climbs that Lemond, Phinney, Hampsten, and all those greats from the time had battled. You could really make a nice multi-day set of rides from a Boulder home base and have a great time climbing too. By the way, the climbs around Boulder are steeper than many of the high elevation passes. You can suffer appropriately (coming from the lowlands) just a few miles from charming Pearl Street mall. Pedal up Lickskillet Road to Gold Hill and reward yourself with a soda when you get to the general store. I promise you'll have stories to tell back home.

Also don't forget resistance training doesn't just mean cycling. Want to ride strong? Hike up your local ski hill (bump) or tall parking garage steps with a 20 pounds of ruck iron on your back once a week. Do some squats, maybe even with a traditional bar and weight plates. That would make a big difference particularly when coming from the flatlands to climb in the rockies.

[John Dewey]

How wonderful it would be if the USofA was all connected by rail as our European friends enjoy. 

So many fond memories of riding the Burlington Zephyr from Chicago to Minneapolis and that great bridge spanning the Mississippi in Minnesota. 

Hop aboard, tether your bike, unpack a couple novels, thick travelogues, plan routes, plan bike builds or just day-dream as the miles pass by. 

Nothing like a cross-country train ride to calm you down. 

Jock

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[Brady Smith]

I actually just signed up for this one. My dad had done the Triple Bypass a few times 10-15 years ago, and my parents and their friends used to do Vail Pass every summer. He died around five weeks ago after a leukemia relapse, and we'd talked about spreading some ashes at Vail Pass. As a cyclist, and the son of a cyclist father, I decided driving up there simply would not suffice, so I'm riding the event in his memory and bringing some of his ashes along. One last ride together. 

I'm not sure I'd do it if I was still a lowlander, but living at the base of the Wasatch mountains gives me lots of good climbing opportunities, even if they top out around 10,000 feet. I've also been skate skiing a lot this winter in the canyons and up at Solitude Mountain Resort (around 8500 feet), in the hopes of giving my V02 max a boost. Seems to have worked, though riding above 12,000 feet still sounds intimidating. I've got 200k, 300k, and 400k brevets on my calendar for the spring, and the latter two top out around 10,000 feet of climbing, so I'll do that and hope for the best. 

Brady in SLC

[Bicycle Belle Ding Ding!]

Brady! 😭 I’m so happy to hear you’re doing this and that you are carrying on the cycling tradition in your family. Have the best time; I wish you good weather and layers of safety.

Leah