Accommodations and Other Riding Details

OVERNIGHT STOPS

• Places to Sleep - Overnight accommodations are at motels in Saratoga (evening of July 9), Steamboat Springs (evening of July 10), and Walden (evening of July 11).
• Sleeping Arrangements - Riders will be assigned rooms as they arrive, generally double occupancy, depending on the room size.
• Dropbags - Your dropbag will be available by late afternoon of the day when overnight support is offered at the respective motels.  You'll need to return the bag to the common area before you departing.  (Do not leave them in your room.)
• Food at Overnights - Hot and cold food items will be provided in the evening and the next morning, including items suitable for taking with you the next day.  Remember that the first leg of succeeding days can include several hours of riding before encountering any stores or cafes.  Example:
• Saratoga over Snowy Range to Centennial (47 mi.) - including 4,000 ft. of climbing 
• Other Food at Overnights - There are also supermarkets, convenience stores, and fast food and other restaurants in these towns.  (The Saratoga motel is next door to the supermarket, for example.)
• Not Following the Stages? - If you plan not to follow the recommended stages (not sleeping at the overnight venues), let us know.  You should be aware that there are long stretches with no towns, or no facilities open overnight, and cold temps at altitude, and our course monitoring is oriented to riding the suggested stages.

ON THE ROAD

• Course Monitoring - You may encounter staff monitoring the course, but for every stretch - especially the challenging ones mentioned in the Hydration post - you should prepare, hydration-wise, etc., as if you won't.
• Phone Reception - As in many remote and scenic areas, cell-phone reception can be spotty, and can vary from carrier to carrier.
• Personal Support - If you have personal support, a reminder that (1) they may only meet you at checkpoints and (2) you must identify them to us at inspection or sign-in so they can be registered and oriented.

-jle

Updated Route Map

I've posted an updated route map using RideWithGPS.  The link is on the CHC main page.  The route hasn't changed; it's just that the maps that were posted hadn't been updated.  I've also posted a picture of the satellite view of this map:

The satellite view makes it easy to see where you're crossing major passes.

On the RideWithGPS map, I have flagged controls as "i", except that overnight controls are shown as beds.  RideWithGPS reports over 40,000 ft. of climbing.  That's inflated.  But their course elevation profile underneath the map is useful.

-jle

Ordering CHC Jerseys and Vests

You can now order CHC jerseys and vests - details here.

-jle

Update 8: The Finish!

Our valiant riders had a sunny, pleasant day to descend Poudre Canyon, with only some sprinkles on the plains.

Veteran 1200k randonneur Ron Himschott is full of pep and vinegar even at the finish:

And yes, some folks clumped up and rode together at times.

Here are George Hiscox, John Flanigan (in a great sartorial choice, a Last Chance jersey), Ashton Lambie, James McKee, and Ian Shopland:

The Olsen Brothers, Mark and Bill, did not disappoint, heading straight to the banquet:

In the end, it's all about the riders - and hopefully you've had a great experience - and the volunteers, who've in many cases made the difference in your rides!

Multi-1200k finisher Irene Takahashi (of the Steamboat Springs overnight) drove back, slept a bit, and then pitched in at boisterous finish in Louisville:

We look forward to your photos and stories ... and thanks for joining us on a rewarding mountain adventure!

-jle

Update 7: Thursday Morning - The Home Stretch!

Four riders have now finished, continuing from Walden yesterday afternoon and evening.

After a very nice day both in the mountains and here on the Front Range, heavy thunderstorms returned here in the evening, leading to flood advisories in Denver and Boulder.

Kurt Searvogel tangled with hail and thunderstorms on the Plains - between Fort Collins and Loveland - and had to hole up in a firehouse in Loveland.

Vincent Muoneke, heading out later, describes a mild summer evening under a full moon - hardly needing his headlight descending Poudre Canyon - with the occasional deer for company.

Most everyone else headed out from Walden between 2:30am and 4am this morning in what looks to be a splendid, sunny day!  We expect most riders to finish in the course of the afternoon.

-jle

Update 6: Wednesday Evening

While some severe storms have continued to batter the Front Range, life was good for our riders, west of the Continental Divide, with sun, mild temps, and general cheer all around:

Paul Foster, Julie Gazmararian's husband, sent these cheerful and inspiring photos from the Grand Lake Conoco control.

Larry Ide, Julie, Carl Andersen and Ann Trason enjoy the shade at the Conoco:

It's much more serene than when Foon and I encountered it on a Sunday:

A lilting breeze, shade, and refreshments!

Paul surprised rider Julie Gazmararian by following the Rider Progress and being there to greet her.

The riders are doing well today - less climbing, more sun, the birds singing. 

And for tomorrow it's just an early-morning jaunt up to Cameron Pass, and then sailing home!

-jle

Update 5: Tuesday Evening

On the whole a good second day for our intrepid riders!  Despite a soggy weather forecast, weather over the Snowy Range and through Laramie was dry.  A few showers on Rabbit Ears Pass for earlier riders, and more of a spirited storm with hail sweeping through Walden towards evening.

As before, the violent storms have stayed east, on the Plains, around Cheyenne, south of Denver, and east:

There are many seasoned riders on the CHC 1200 - some faster, some more measured - and their progress both today and yesterday has been impressive!

Five riders had to abandon earlier in the day, and two later on.  For each individual, it's a disappointing outcome, each for his/her own reasons.  It's encouraging that they made it so far, and hopefully enjoyed the great scenery.  And so far a great "continuing" (and hopefully finishing) rate on this challenging ride.

One abandonnée, Peggy Petty of Texas, jumped in to help out the event with Linda Metcalfe, and were, according to Jim Kraychy, invaluable in helping feed the voracious randos descending on Walden this afternoon.  Thank you, Peggy and Linda!

As night falls, the precip is abating, and it looks like a quiet night for those still out on the course sailing to Steamboat.

A big thanks to Jim Kraychy, who's staffed the Walden transit control for Monday and Tuesday, and to Rick and Sherrie Isham, who staffed the Saratoga control, and bore the brunt of hungry riders arriving and departing!

-jle