Cattle Guards (aka Stock Gaps)

I refer to cattle guards in the rider info.  There aren't many on the route: a couple descending from the Snowy Range, and a couple descending Gore Pass.  Here's one on our Stove Prairie 200k:

You may be familiar with cattle guards.  For those who are not ... these are devices (in coordination with fences, as in the photo) to hem in cattle in Open Range areas (see sign in photo), where cattle may be on the open road.  Some are signposted, but not all.  So keep an eye out.

Riders out West routinely ride over them, but with care.  You should be at right angles to the bars, and avoid any gaps or uneven places along the width of the cattle guard.  In wet conditions, they could be slippery.

If you feel at all uncomfortable at the prospect of riding across, simply dismount and walk across.  The five-second walk will do you good.

-jle

Hydration!

As I've mentioned on the rider info page and in the Altitude post, hydration is at least as important here as on other events.  While heat in general may not be an issue, that doesn't mean hydration takes a back seat.

Official Event Hydration in Quebec on Boston-Montreal-Boston 2006

A few route segments deserve special attention:

• Walden to Saratoga (Day 1) - 67 miles - Exposed, with a number of rollers.  (It's only 49 miles to Riverside, but their store closes at 7pm).
• Walden to Steamboat Springs (Day 2) - 57 miles - Including the climb to Muddy Pass and over Rabbit Ears Pass.
• Granby to Walden (Day 3) - 55 miles - Including the climb over Willow Creek Pass.

All of these segments are the final ones on their respective stages.  So:

1. At the start of those segments, make sure you're well-hydrated, not depleted - more of a challenge later in the day.
2. Consider extra liquid-carrying capacity, and not count on staff presence somewhere along the way.  (In my case, that would mean two large water bottles plus a hydration pack, rather than the one large and one small bottle I normally carry.)

If your prep and equipment cover these cases, you should be set (hydration-wise) for the route as a whole!

-jle

Altitude Effects - What to Expect?

A number of you have asked about altitude effects on the High Country 1200.  Here are some considerations:

• Highest Points - The HC 1200 route reaches 10,000 ft. three times - at Cameron Pass (twice) and over the Snowy Range.  By comparison, the Colorado 400k, 600k, and 1000k brevets reach 9,200 ft.  The track record of riders from lower elevations (California coast, Texas, Maryland, etc.) on those events has been good.  Most of these riders have reported more fatigue at elevation, but have otherwise performed well.
• Extended Altitude - One difference from the 400k/600k/1000k brevets is that more of the HC course is at altitude.  The third overnight control, at Walden, is at 8,100 ft.  (Saratoga and Steamboat Springs are lower.)  Assuming you're reacting well to the altitude per se, you should still allow extra time for a slower pace and more rest.  And stay hydrated. 
• Acclimatization - True acclimitization takes weeks or even months.  However, true acclimitization aside, some folks report they feel better after spending an extra couple of days at the start (5,300 ft.).  There is also a theory in recent articles that it is better to arrive a couple days in advance, rather than a week in advance.  Most non-local riders last year arrived 1-3 days in advance and most seemed to take the altitude well.
• Altitude Sickness - Data suggests that altitude sickness is very individual and hard to predict.*  You're advised to do some research as to symptoms and treatment.  While it may not be common across the population, you need be alert, know the signs of altitude sickness (a serious condition) and react to it quickly.
• Tips for Altitude - It's especially important to monitor your hydration at altitude.  This is more of a challenge because the arid climate makes perspiration less obvious (and draws more water out of you).  And of course mind the sunscreen, as the clear, dry (and somewhat thinner) air lets more radiation through.

-jle

Descending from 9,254 ft. on last Saturday's Lefthand Canyon 400km brevet:

* Some years ago, I came from Charlotte to ride a solo bike tour in Colorado, crossing a 12,000 ft. pass a couple days after I arrived and climbing to 14,000 (Mt. Evans) at the end of the trip.  I experienced no altitude sickness, and am not an isolated case.  However, as I said, it's hard to predict how a given individual will react.

Revised Qualifying Policy!

Some riders from more northerly climes have had difficulty scheduling all their qualifying rides to complete by June 5.  So here's the revised policy:

• You must complete all but one of your qualifying rides by June 5.  (It is still preferred that you complete them all by that date.)
• If you will not complete qualifying by June 5, e-mail me requesting an extension for the final qualifying ride (as a few of you have done).
• Regardless, by June 5 or a couple days after, e-mail me the documentation for the qualifying rides you've completed to date.
• When you send qualifying info, if any of your results have not been posted on the RUSA website, send a link to a local results page, or have the organizer (RBA) send me a note certifying your finish.
• If you've arranged with me to ride your final qualifying ride in June, e-mail me the documentation that you finished as soon after the event as possible.

Why this procedure?  To avoid the situation where a rider fails to qualify at the last minute, but folks on the waiting list have too little time to take advantage of an open slot: we want to accommodate as many qualified riders as possible.

Let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Happy training and qualifying!

-jle

Jersey Design Now Posted!

Have a look at the Colorado High Country jersey (and vest) design:

I really like this design.  A special thanks goes to graphic designer Ali Holt, veteran endurance cyclist and BC Randonneurs officer.

Remember that you can still order jerseys or vests even if you've registered: details here.

-jle

What Are the Big Challenges?

Any Grand Randonnée or other big ride is a big challenge.  It's supposed to be!  But each event is different.  So where does the High Country "excel" in the challenge aspect?

TOP CHALLENGES:

• Altitude
• Extended Climbs
• Wind
• Temperature Range
• Chilly Precipitation
• Hydration
• Wildlife

CHALLENGES RESERVED FOR OTHER EVENTS  (what you won't be facing!):

• Steep Grades
• Technical Turns
• Complex Routefinding
• Congested Areas
• Crowds of Riders
• Humidity
• Insects
• Poisonous Animals

I mention these topics - and others, such as cattle guards - on the Rider Info page, but here are a few more gratuitous thoughts:

• Altitude - You'll top out above 10,000 ft. three times on the route, and sleep near 9,000 ft. the final night.  This verges on being "at altitude" as they say here, and does have its effect, even for folks who live here on the Plains (at 5,000 ft.).  What effect??  I'll discuss this more in a separate post, since a number of you have asked.
• Wind - Canyons can channel wind.  The open high-country areas ("parks" in Colorado terminology) have few trees so wind can have its way there, too.  A good reason to practice those social skills and cultivate riding partners early on?
• Extended Climbs - Those "endless rollers" where you may come from may seem tough (and are!), but you at least get a break every mile or two.  The one, or two, or three-hour climbs on this ride can grind a rider down.  Take this into account.  Take a stretch break; hydration break; chat break; whatever, if you need it.
• Temperature Range - Although it's a "dry cold" and "dry heat" here because of the low humidity, you may need to carry more layering - for chillier parts of the day -  than you might otherwise in a more humid climate.  Have a look at the statistical low and high temps on the Rider Info page.
• Chilly Precipitation - Summer showers in the mountains can be cold, not a tropical shower.  You should be fine if you have the right outerwear, are smart, and don your gear in a timely fashion.
• Hydration - An arid climate + wind = lots of potential moisture loss.  It's the same old advice: you won't know you're dehydrated in a cool, dry climate until it's become a big problem.  So keep ahead of the game.  I'll have a post about hydration-challenging segments later on.
• Wildlife - Each region has wildlife considerations.  Much of the High Country route passes through sparsely-populated areas: National Forests and National Wildlife Areas, where wildlife flourish.  Be mindful of moose, which are large and can be aggressive, and general wildlife on the roads in the pre-dawn and post-dawn hours (coyotes, deer, etc.)

Here is a detailed rundown on moose behavior, threats, and what you should do about them (sign seen last Saturday on the Devil's Thumbs Ranch nordic trails - click to enlarge - and yes, I have encountered moose hoofprints in the woods and on the trails, showing no respect for trail grooming):

 Stay tuned for more reflections and answers to your questions!

-jle

Registration Open!

High Country registration opened on February 8.  And as you may have noticed, the current Confirmed and Waitlisted rider list has now been posted.

Thanks to everyone for your interest and enthusiasm!

What's next?  Stay tuned for answers to some good questions you've asked about training, route challenges, altitude considerations, and more.    -jle