Elephant Rock

The people I've ridden w/ in CO usually say "on your left" or "car back" etc.  I've never done Elephant Rock, but know some people that did it this year (but not the century) and they aren't very experienced w/ group riding, so it may just be ignorance.  Can't believe the ipod thing -- I hate it when people use them on runs because you can't chat with them, but on a bike it's really stupid!  And if they've been on a bike enough to be able to ride a century they should really know better.  Sorry to hear it wasn't a better experience for you.

I have done E-rock several times, but not this year. Sorry to hear your experience wasn't good. My lable for Ipod wearers is "non-readers", as these people apparently never bother to read the rules pertaining to the event. Either that or they are purposely inconsiderate of others - which tends to be a more common characteristic than it should be. As someone else mentioned, there are 7000 riders out there. Many of those people are just about clueless when it comes to riding around other people. Very likely many of them never ride in groups and thus have no concept of giving verbal and/or hand signals to people around them.

My own experiences at this event have been different. I have no idea what time you started, but I've always started very near to the earliest time allowed and have likely avoided much of what you experienced. Perhaps if you started at the FOP you wouldn't have experienced what goes on at the BOP.

Sorry that you had such a bad experience at ER.  My first ER ride was I think back in 1989 or 1990...my last was 2004.  I don't know that I will be doing ER again anytime soon.  I love the course but this ride has just become too large anymore and it seems to me that even some more experienced riders do some pretty stupid things when riding organized events. 

There are other cycling centuries that don't have the high number of riders that you might enjoy more.  I would highly recommend Buena Vista Century...which was last month but you might put it on your calendar for next year.  Or check out heartcycle and teamevergreen for some organized group rides.  You might find those more enjoyable.

And in my opinion, I think most cyclist in Colorado are pretty aware and want to be safe.  Unfortunately, when you have over 5,000 of them out on one day a handfull can really give cyclists a bad name.

I'm sorry to hear your experience didn't meet your expectations, and I'm not the least bit surprised. My first Elephant Rock was in 1996 and my last was in 2004. My first Triple Bypass was in 1997, and my last (of seven) was also 2004. The venues of both rides are amazing, even epic, and I have some incredible memories, and pictures, of these rides. That said, I'm certain I'll not participate in the Elephant Rock again; and it would take a very special circumstance for me to do the TBP ever again. Both of these rides are just too big for me now; too many riders and too many inexperienced riders.

I accept that cycling is a higher risk activity than say.... golfing or bowling. And, of course, the triathlon events I choose to participate in are not without some risk. However, these large "organized" rides add an additional layer of risk that I choose pass on. I still enjoy smaller organized rides and will continue to support and participate in those events. But when my concern for my safety detracts significantly from the ride experience, I'm done with it.

Sorry to hear about your experience with elephant rock. I've always found Colorado cyclists to be extremely cordial and helpful.

My training ride this weekend happened to bring me across the e-rock pack for several miles (I was going uphill while everyone was wizzing by the other way). And, unfortunately I have to agree with your assessment. At one point I saw a lady walking her bike with a flat - and witnessed 50+ riders fly by without ever offering to help her. So I stopped and helped her change her flat. Again a few hundred people passed without any offers to help. She said that she had been walking for quite a while - and no offers to help - and clearly no sag wagon.  Unfortunately she had the wrong tube, so I couldn't get her going - and my spare was the wrong size for her bike.  Then the final good news is that as I was heading out *finally* someone offered to help another cyclist in need.  

Later when I turned around (and travelled with the pack) I was equally unimpressed. So many people were riding 4-5 wide blocking both lanes of traffic at points. Very little rider courtesy & what seemed to be very little visible support for the ride with the notable exception of the state patrol & sheriff (they were everywhere). At one point I saw a motorcyclist fall off their cycle and within seconds there were 5 police onhand to assist them and keep traffic flowing. It's a shame that this level of support wasn't provided to the 7,000+ riders of the event.

I'm not trying to make this a carping session, and as I said I didn't do the ride so I only have a slice of the entire picture. But from what I witnessed I can't say that I have much desire to ever do this ride.

I'm not much of a cyclists and I'm even less of a pack rider. This was my 3 century in 3 weeks and I have to say that Buena Vista century was much better! It was filled with "real" cyclists who knew how to ride in a pack and were considerate and nice. However, once I made the turn to do the 100 miles I had an AWESOME ride. I started later than most and never had to face the shorter distance riders again. It was killing me the number of people who rode 2-4 abreast, had ipods, talked, had bad etiquette etc. But with 7,000 riders what do you expect? It wasn't until I turned to go 100 miles that the crowd thinned out and the ride got much cleaner and better.

I agree though that the support on this ride was pitiful. I had more support in my cycling jersey than they had on the course. I mean water and off-brand sports drink???? It's a good thing I was training for my IM so I rode off my back instead of the course. Basically E-rock was a training ride for me. I got to see some good climbing routes in my own hometown (COS) and I put another 100 miles under my belt. But for a event ride it was pretty sad.

It was my first century so nothing to compare it to - my 0.02c ...................there were all shapes and sizes, ages and abilities - it was great to see so many embracing the sport -

I am sure that the inconvienence and perceived rudeness that many riders caused the hard core cyclist was not intentional - the ride was for all abilities so as far as I am concerned the hardcore should have expected exactly what they got...especially if you took off with the crowds around 6.30-7.30 - I have no sympathy for you...self imposed mayhem.

I got passed by packs of "fixie" hard core folks that were just as guilty of the infractions mentioned in the thread - so who really is to blame?

Personally I thought it was great to see everyone out there enjoying themselves and the sport of cycling - it was a ride, not a race

As far as support - I carried some of what I ride with usually, ate what they had to offer and refilled the water when needed....I felt the ride did a great job at each station 

As said - my opinions...but frankly the hostility towards the casual rider is a detriment to the sport itself but not unexpected