HAVE TO START EARLY!!!!!
This is the second big ride I've done where I started with the huge crowd and that part really sucks. Aid stations are so busy that I pass some of them. It's my own damn fault - I should've learned my lesson last time. At least it thinned out after Loveland Pass.
I carried a bottle of gatorade and a bottle with concentrated perpetuem in the cages. Also carried a full sized bottle of water in my jersey. My other jersey pockets had a bandana (to clean the glasses), grenade of hammer gel, cell phone, baggie of endurolytes. That's not enough for the ride, but I planned to use the aid stations for the difference. Aid stations had Accelerade, fig newtons, hammer gels, oranges, pbjs, turkey sandwiches, watermelon, and other stuff i can't even think of!

Leave earlier.
Otherwise, I had it nailed. Carried a flat kit in pouch under the seat. My wallet and keys fit there too. I was able to wad my rain jacket and tuck it into the straps too. It never fell out and i was glad to have it along when the rain started.
At the finish I felt great! A marathon would have been very difficult, but not out of the question!

walk, stretch, eat.


I performed at a solid speed, but didn't want to be trashed. I'd rather practice keeping a steady effort, thinking of the run that will follow in November. ;)


Excellent event, but riders definately have to be responsible for themselves!! Weather, bad road, and potential for high speed crashes could all be part of your day. If riders take the circumstances seriously and are able to resist the lemming-like urge to be the fastest rider down the hill - this event is fantastic and unique. Sure, you can do the ride any summer day, but you won't have the luxury of (mostly) ignoring traffic because johnny law is there to take care of it for you! Also no need for a friend to be conscripted to sag. All taken care of! And most important was the feeling of comraderie. My ride buddy got antsy so he took off early and I never did catch him. I ended up befriending who ever was around and I really enjoyed the day.
Finally - the post race setup and spread was top notch!!! The entry fee is more than fair to get such a high-powered jersey and a catered, first-class, all-you-can-eat dinner. Not a power bar and an orange wedge. Freshly grilled burgers with a fixins table. Grilled chicken, baked potato, tossed salad. They also fenced a football-field sized area that only riders and paying guests could enter. Most of the sponsor's booths and all the bikes were around the periphery. It created a nice mellow area for riders inside where there was plenty of room to picnic and chat. I have NEVER enjoyed a nicer post race.
Oh, BTW, didn't realize til Friday night that return transportation is not included in the race fee. Big touring buses were provided - for an additional $65. HAH, I met some nice people and scored a free ride right to my car in Evergreen. priceless :)