The Triple Bypass in 3 Minutes

It took me all day but you can get the general feel for the ride in under three minutes. Here is a link to the higher quality HQ version.

The Triple Bypass is Over

Originally uploaded by olsenis.

How was it? Something I've heard a lot since the race. The short answer--like an all day bike ride through the Rocky Mountains. While most people were enjoying a leisurely Saturday, a few thousand crazy bikers were kicking the pedals 120 miles. Being in the thick of it all was a rewarding experience. Much like the training rides every weekend, the Bypass was a lot of work but always surrounded by beautiful mountain views and good people.

Mile 32: Idaho Springs. Been passed lots but the ones that hurt are the tandem (downhill) and the guy with metal fenders (up). 8:32 AM Jul 11th from Twitterrific

The ride went as planned until the summit of Vail Pass. The good news: all three mountain passes done. The bad news: it looked like rain. At 10,560 feet I had a good view of the storm moving in. By the time I my rain jacket on, my worst fear was coming true. The rain initially fell a few drops at a time but increased to a full on downpour. The idea of descending a few thousand feet down a very steep narrow paved trail on half inch wide tires had been freaking me out for months. It was a white knuckle ride all the way down, squeezing the brakes and hoping for a enough friction to keep it under twenty miles per hour . Pelting rain made it hard to see and paranoia about the little rivers forming on the trail made it impossible not to clench up. Reaching the bottom was a great relief. Only twenty flat miles separated me from the finish line.

Mile 87: sweet 3:48 PM Jul 11th from TweetDeck

Honestly, 120 miles is too much to think of at one time. Think about the next pass, the next downhill, the next aid station but don't think about the entirety of it all. That is the only way to get through any endurance event. Break it down into bite sized chunks. The last chunk was my favorite, a flat twenty miles into Avon. Pure adrenaline and the excitement of really doing it had me flying into the finish line despite twelve plus hours on the bike. The finish line fan club was also soaked from the rain but waited for me nonetheless.

Mile 120: soaked and a little less for the wear but got me a jersey. Awesome #triple2009 6:28 PM Jul 11th from TweetDeck

The return drive was considerably quicker and more relaxing and I buzzed the whole time with the warm feeling of accomplishment.


Start and end of photos.

The Triple Bypass is Today

The day has finally come. At roughly 6:30am this morning, Greek, Nick, and I saddled up just outside of Evergreen heading West to Avon.

Here are the basic stats:

• 1 day
  
• 3 mountain passes: Squaw (11,140 ft.), Loveland (11,990 ft.), Swan Mountain and Vail (10,560 ft.)
  
• 120 miles
  
• 3500 riders
  
• 10,000+ feet elevation gain
  

In all honestly, I wrote this a while ago but if the weather cooperates and there is a bit of reception I'll be sending in some updates from the road. Keep your eyes on the "Twitter Updates" on the top right of the page. If all goes well, I'll make it to Avon by 7:00.

From The Slow Lane

Packing for the Triple Bypass

Originally uploaded by olsenis.

Here's what I'm packing for tomorrow's Triple Bypass ride. If I have missed anything, please drop an anonymous comment below with ideas.

jersey
bike shorts
nike pro briefs
sunglasses
helmet
full finger bike gloves
arm warmers
leg warmers
rain jacket
backpack

sunscreen
spare tubes
CO2 cartridge(s)
tools
tire levers
power bar
shot bloks
gels
water bottle(s)
phone
camera
cash
zip lock baggies

race:
wrist band
helmet stickers
maps
dry clothes
travel sunscreen
full fingered gloves
sandals
towel



Don't forget to put on sunscreen and reapply. Last but not least make sure your tire pressure is good. Safe riding to all.

Bike CO - The Copper Triangle

Originally uploaded by olsenis.

is the unofficial name for the roads running from Copper Mountain to Leadville to Vail and back to Copper. It's a beautiful mountain drive if you ever find yourself in Summit County with a few hours to spare. By bike it is an all day grind up four mountain passes (Fremont, Tennessee, Battle Mountain, and Vail).

Start: Copper Mountain is a great place to start, although we started at our condo rental eight miles down the bike path in Frisco.

Distance: 80 miles. 96 miles if you start and end in Frisco.

Route: The route is primarily two lane country mountain roads until you start up Vail Pass which is a dedicated bike path all the way into Copper Mountain and further if you are heading to Frisco or beyond. Try to be aware of traffic and stick to the right as much as possible. There are long stretches that have very narrow shoulders. Because of the elevation gain involved with the four passes, I would consider it extremely strenuous and not for the faint of heart.




On June 13th Nick, Brad, Greek, and I departed Frisco intending to give it a go. At close to 100 miles it would be my longest ride ever. My previous an 86...done on flat ground...back in high school. Sarah joined us for the first ten miles before heading a different direction. In less than ten miles, Nick and Brad's lead was so great we couldn't see them any more. And we wouldn't, for the rest of the ride.


We took the clockwise route which leaves Vail Pass for the end. Greek and I took several stops including one on top of Fremont (above and right photo) and Safeway in Leadville for chips and sandwiches. With only Vail Pass left, I sent Greek on. I tackled it last year during the Courage Classic and hadn't forgot the burn in my legs turning the pedals over at 10,000 feet above sea level. I knew I would need to stop several times where he would likely not need to stop at all. Making it to the top was definitely a sweet, sweet victory because it was virtually all down hill from there.

In the end, it took Brad and Nick seven hours, Greek nine and me ten. We really lucked out with gorgeous weather and a perfect training for the upcoming Triple Bypass.

Welcome to Denver

Welcome to Denver
Originally uploaded by olsenis.

Look who has decided to head west and tap the Rockies. We didn't waste any time grabbing some good Mexican food and getting serenaded at the Blue Bonnet.

The Triple Bypass is Coming

On New Year's Day, I fought through the fog long enough to lay my credit card down and procure a spot for the 2009 Triple Bypass. What is the Triple Bypass you may be asking? It is one of Colorado's premier bicycle events that opens its doors for 3500 riders each year. This year it filled all the spots by Janurary 2nd. On July 11th, I'll be lining up at the starting line in Bergen Park with good friends: Greek, Nick, and Jim for a ride through the Rockies. I'm estimating it will take me twelve hours to reach the finish line 120 miles away in Avon (West of Vail).

Training the last three months has been a lot of work but even more fun. If my scale could talk, it would tell you that when training began in April an all time high number was recorded (shut up stupid scale). Since then it has been all over the map but at this point down ten pounds. Besides getting healthier, training has taken me all over the front range and shown it in a new light. For some reason, the mountains of Colorado look more amazing from the saddle of a bike and I have the photos (with my new non-beer-saturated camera) to prove it. To promise they will be posted would be a little crazy considering how much I have neglected the site this year but you never know.