Rocky Mountain Cycling Club

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RMCC 2012 Colorado Triple Crown Series

General Information

Registration Info.

Rules

FAQ

Event Descriptions

Triple Crown jersey/Bibs

Background

The Colorado Triple Crown is a collection of single day, double century road cycling events.  They are, simply put, the most challenging road cycling events in the state of Colorado!  These events include the Joe Lookingbill Denver-to-Aspen Classic, Colorado Death Ride, the Grand Loop, and the Cripple Creek Crippler.  Since the early 1990s, the RMCC has been riding the three individual events of the Colorado Triple Crown as preparation for Paris-Brest-Paris (PBP), Boston-Montreal-Boston (BMB), and other longer endurance cycling events.  In 2009, the RMCC formally organized these events into the Colorado Triple Crown.  Completion of three of the Colorado Triple Crown stages in a single calendar year earns the cyclist the unique designation of a Colorado Triple Crown Finisher!  To date, there are only 13 riders in RMCC history who have accomplished this feat!

New for 2012!

1) The RMCC presents the Cripple Creek Crippler, a new Colorado Triple Crown series event!  For those riders wanting another chance to become a Colorado Triple Crown Finisher, here’s your opportunity!  But you’re gonna have to work for it!  Climbing 17,000 feet in 207 miles, the Cripple Creek Crippler is not for the faint of heart!

2) Successful completion of any three of the four Colorado Triple Crown events will earn the rider the distinctive honor of Colorado Triple Crown Finisher.  As such, the RMCC will not be offering make-up rides for the Triple Crown events in 2012.

3) To recognize our Colorado Triple Crown finishers for their accomplishments, the RMCC—with the help of Jeff Wu and Clair Lochridge at Team Alchemist in Boulder, CO—has created a new RMCC Colorado Triple Crown cycling uniform, including jersey and bibs.  Thanks to Jeff and Clair for their hard work on our Triple Crown kit!  Additionally, we would like to thank Hammer Nutrition, whose donation helped make this possible.  In order to be eligible for this kit, you must complete any three (of the four) Colorado Triple Crown events in a single cycling season.

4) In November 2011, the RMCC Board of Directors unanimously voted in change the name of the Grand Loop to the Tim Kalisch Memorial Grand Loop in remembrance of long-time RMCC member, Tim Kalisch, who passed away in August 2011.

5) The original three events of the Colorado Triple Crown Series (Joe Lookingbill Denver-to-Aspen Classic, Colorado Death Ride, and the Tim Kalisch Memorial Grand Loop will be run as a “staged” event.  The fastest cumulative time of these three events is the Colorado Triple Crown champion!

General Information

1) The Colorado Triple Crown, presented by the Rocky Mountain Cycling Club (RMCC), is a series of four (approximately) 200 mile timed bicycling events. These events are currently the most difficult single-day double century road cycling events in the state of Colorado.

2) The purpose of the RMCC Colorado Triple Crown is to promote the growth and development of ultra-cycling in the state of Colorado, encourage participation in long-distance cycling events, and recognize individual cyclists for their accomplishments.

3) The events of the Colorado Triple Crown are NOT races; however, each stage is ridden as single-day, draft-legal timed cycling event.  Each stage has an overall time limit and each participant must complete each event in the designated time to receive an official finishing time.  When participating in a Triple Crown event, the primary goal is simply to finish safely!  However, participants are encouraged to challenge themselves and put their best effort into each event!

4) Cyclists do NOT have to participate in all four stages.  Participants may pick-and-choose which events they would like to participate in.  Each official finisher will be recognized for his/her accomplishment!  However, in order to earn the designation of Colorado Triple Crown Finisher, a cyclist must successfully complete at least three of the four stages in a single calendar year.

5) These events are not "organized tours."  You will not get fancy aid stations or an elaborate post-ride pasta dinner.  You will not get a plastic bag full of event memorabilia.  You will not get a personal massage after completing your event.  You will not get a sparkly "I did it!" medal.  Each participant who does successfully complete three of the four Colorado Triple Crown events, however, will receive a certificate of recognition for completing the series.  More importantly, each rider will earn the pride, recognition, and bragging rights of completing one of the most difficult sporting events on two wheels in the state of Colorado!

6) Each event will be minimally supported with at least one support-and-gear (SAG) vehicle that will carry water and gear bags.  Each participant is responsible for providing a well-marked gear bag containing additional supplies (food, clothing, and other gear) that he/she might require to successfully complete the ride.  Cyclists may access their gear bags at checkpoints along each course.  Please be aware that the support vehicle is first and foremost a safety vehicle.  In the event of an emergency, the vehicle may have to leave the course. Riders should always be prepared to support themselves by carrying money to purchase food and beverages at stores along the route if necessary.

7) Please be forewarned:  each event of the Colorado Triple Crown is VERY challenging!  At a distance of approximately 200 miles—and many thousands of vertical feet of climbing—each event is an extremely difficult physical and mental feat!  Cyclists must be somewhat self-sufficient and be comfortable riding up to 50 miles without support.  An "I can do it!" attitude is fantastic but will likely NOT be adequate to successfully complete the events of the Colorado Triple Crown!  You need to come prepared for your event!

8) The RMCC is fortunate to have all four events of the Colorado Triple Crown included in this year's UltraMarathon Cycling Association (UMCA) Ultracycling Cup, a point series that recognizes some of the world's most accomplished endurance road cyclists.  UMCA membership is NOT required to participate in the Colorado Triple Crown but is always encouraged.  Click here to learn more about the UMCA.

Registration

1) Club membership is required to register for the events of the Colorado Triple Crown.  Please note that club membership has a very affordable $25 fee.  RMCC membership has its advantages because it gives you access to other club events and discounts!

2) Pre-registration (link coming soon) is required to participate in these events.  Pre-registration closes one week prior to each event!  Registration is limited to the first 50 pre-registered riders.  To register for the events of the Colorado Triple Crown, please click here.

3) All participants may be asked to provide a valid driver’s license or other official proof of identification during the rider check-in.

4) Each Colorado Triple Crown event has a registration fee.  These fees are typically much less than it would cost to enter an untimed local century event or high-profile bicycling race.  The fees help defray the costs of running the event, not to turn a profit for the club.  Participants should refer to the individual events for additional information regarding the registration and fees.

5) The events of the Colorado Triple Crown are extremely challenging!  For cyclists who are interested in participating, some ultra-cycling experience is highly recommended (but not required) to participate in Denver-to-Aspen.  However, pre-qualification is required to participate in the other events of the Colorado Triple Crown.  To pre-qualify for the other Colorado Triple Crown events, riders must accomplish one of the following:
    --Successful completion of the Joe Lookingbill Denver-to-Aspen Classic in less than 15 hours; or
    --Completion of any of the following RMCC 300km brevets within the following time limits:
         -Black Forest 300 km: less than 14 hours
         -Cripple Creek 300 km: less than 16.5 hours
         -Peak-to-Peak 300 km: less than 14 hours; or,
    --Successful completion of a mountainous double century event (or longer) in another part of the country within the previous year; or
    --Successful completion an epic, mountainous ride of your own invention.
Please contact Mark Lowe or Charlie Henderson with additional questions regarding pre-qualification.

Rules, regulation, and safety

1) All participants are required to wear an approved helmet at all times while they are riding.  Failure to ride with a helmet will result in disqualification.

2) The routes used during Colorado Triple Crown events are open to traffic!  There are no road closures or police escorts.  There are no course marshals.  Cyclists must ride defensively with safety as their utmost priority!

3) Riders shall obey all rules of the road.  It is the rider’s responsibility to know the laws of the State of Colorado and to follow them.  These are detailed here.  Flagrant disregard of local and state traffic laws will result in disqualification.  Please come to a complete stop at all stop signs and red lights and use hand signals appropriately.

4) Lights that comply with Colorado law are required while riding during hours of darkness.  Riders must have a white front headlight and a red taillight.  Be sure you have fresh batteries!  Participants riding during hours of darkness without operating lights will be disqualified!  Please keep in mind that it is prudent to ride with VERY GOOD lights!  Colorado mountain roads can often be strewn with rocks, sticks, or an occasional deer that wanders into the road!  It is much easier to descend mountain passes safely when you can confidently see where you are going.  Additionally, you will be able to ride more safely when weary-eyed drivers can easily see you from behind.

5) Cyclists must also ride with reflective gear during the hours of darkness.  Reflective vests (or a triangle) and reflective ankle bands are required while riding in low light conditions.

6) Prior to the start of a Triple Crown event, each participant will receive a course map and cue sheet that will provide turn-by-turn directions and locations of support points and checkpoints.  Participants must stop at each checkpoint to have his/her time recorded by an RMCC official.  If a RMCC official is not present, the cyclist should make a mental note of the time they reached a checkpoint and have the time validated by an RMCC official at the next checkpoint along the course.  A participant may be disqualified if he/she misses a checkpoint.  If a cyclist leaves the route, he/she must return to the route at the exact same location.

7) Each event of the Colorado Triple Crown has a time limit.  All participants must complete the course within the designated time limit to be listed as an official “Finisher” and receive Colorado Triple Crown credit:
    --Joe Lookingbill Denver-to-Aspen Classic:  17 hours (less than 15 hours to pre-qualify for the other Triple Crown events)
    --Colorado Death Ride:  19 hours
    --Tim Kalisch Memorial Grand Loop:  18 hours
    --Cripple Creek Crippler:  18 hours
Various checkpoints along each stage may also have time cut-offs.  A cyclist who reaches a checkpoint after it closes may not be allowed to continue riding OR may be shuttled ahead to the next control point along the course by the support vehicle.  These riders unfortunately will be listed as “DNFs” and will not receive an official finishing time or Colorado Triple Crown credit.  The time limits are imposed to maintain event safety and allow other participants to receive the support they need to successfully complete their ride.

8) As a courtesy to the drivers of our support vehicles, we formally request that participants do not lean their bicycles up against a support vehicle.  This can cause scratches to the support vehicles and may inhibit other riders from gaining easy access to their gear bags.

9) The RMCC reserves the right to remove any rider from the course for the reasons of their own safety or the safety of others.

10) The RMCC requests that riders do not urinate in public view.  Whenever possible, riders are encouraged to use the designated restroom facilities at checkpoints, including parks, convenient stores, restaurants, etc.

11) The use of MP3 players/iPods is not allowed as riders cannot safely hear approaching traffic.

12) Any rider found cheating or deliberately violating the above rules will be disqualified.

13) The RMCC ride director reserves the right to interpret any existing rule or regulation, or to invoke new rules or regulations that are deemed necessary.  The ride director’s interpretation and decisions regarding the rule is final.

14) Results for each event will be listed in finishing order.

15) As rider safety is out top priority, the RMCC reserves the right to postpone or cancel any of the Colorado Triple Crown events due to adverse weather conditions or dangerous road conditions.

Frequently asked questions

1) Do you offer support and gear (SAG) support?
   Yes. We will have at least one SAG vehicle on the course at all times.  Participants are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the support vehicle.  Each rider may provide an easy-to-identify gear bag that he/she may use to transport extra food, nutritional supplies, clothing, etc.  The support vehicle will transport each participant’s gear bag from one support point to the next.  Each cyclist may access his/her gear bag at these support points.  As previously mentioned, please be aware that the support vehicle is first and foremost a safety vehicle.  In the event of an emergency, the vehicle may have to leave the course.  Riders should always be prepared to support themselves by carrying money to purchase food and beverages at stores along the route if necessary.

2) Can I provide my own SAG vehicle?
   Yes.  The RMCC will allow (and encourages) individual cyclists to be supported by personal SAG vehicles while participating in the Colorado Triple Crown series.  Participants should notify the event organizer or ride leader that they will receive personal SAG support prior to the start of the event.  Cyclists who have personal support vehicles may be asked to provide support other participants, especially in the case of an emergency. When supporting a rider, a personal SAG vehicle may only provide support for a rider at designated support points and checkpoints along the route.  SAG vehicles may not follow, pace, or repeatedly “leapfrog” a rider, as this may disrupt to flow of traffic on narrow mountain roads and jeopardize the safety of other riders!  Cyclists may not receive water bottle hand-offs from moving SAG vehicles.
   SEVERE WEATHER CONTINGENCY:  If a cyclist encounters severe weather conditions, he/she may seek cover in a private support vehicle at any location along the course until the passage of the severe weather.  Participants must resume cycling in the exact location where they left the course or will be disqualified.

3) How come the RMCC does not provide more elaborate aid stations?
   Because nutritional requirements vary greatly between cyclists, it is impossible to meet the dietary requests of every participant!  Additionally, cyclists who are riding events of this caliber usually know what works best for them during ultra distance events.  As such, participants must provide their own nutritional supplies (bars, gels, energy drinks, etc.) to successfully complete their event!

4) How much water/food should I carry?
   There may be as many as 40+ miles between checkpoints, so cyclists should carry at least 2 water bottles with them at all times.  Some cyclists may even benefit from riding with a small Camelback.  The official support vehicle will supply water to participants at designated support points. We also request that each cyclist ride with at least one energy bar between checkpoints to ward off the dreaded “bonk!”  For additional nutritional needs, participants may stop at restaurants or convenient stores along the course to purchase additional food and beverages if necessary.

5) Is aero equipment (e.g., aerobars, aero wheels) allowed?
   Yes. The RMCC, however, requires that riders use aero equipment responsibly!  Drafting is allowed!  Please do not use aerobars while riding in pacelines or descending mountain passes.  This can be extremely dangerous and can jeopardize the safety of other riders.  Additionally, Colorado mountain passes are probably not the best place to use you deep-profile aero wheels as these wheels can be very difficult to safely handle in gusty mountain winds.

6) How much climbing will I do during my event?
   Each event of the Colorado Triple Crown has between 13,000 and 17,000 feet climbing.  None of the climbs in the Triple Crown events exceed 12%; however, many of the climbs are LONG... be prepared for 20+ miles of continuous climbing!  Altitude is also very important consideration!  Each stage of the Colorado Triple Crown spends a substantial amount of time above 10,000 feet and sections of the Joe Lookingbill Denver-to-Aspen Classic and Tim Kalisch Memorial Grand Loop even exceed 12,000 feet in elevation.  We strongly suggest that riders coming from out-of-town arrive a few days early to become acclimated to our thin Colorado air.  High altitude sickness can affect any rider who is not adequately acclimated!

7) What sort of mechanical support is provided during my event?
   There will be very limited support available.  Your bicycle needs to be in exceptional working order prior to start of your event and all participants need to be self-sufficient at fixing basic mechanical problems.  The official support vehicle will be stocked with a floor pump for topping off your tires in case you flat.  The drivers of our support vehicles are also willing to lend a hand if you have a mechanical problem; however, please keep in mind that the drivers of our support vehicles are NOT bicycle mechanics.  If you have a mechanical failure that prevents you from completing a ride, you will be listed as a DNF.  As such, we encourage you to use equipment that is reliable first, then lightweight or aero second.

8) How will I navigate the course?
   Each participant will receive a map and queue sheet during rider check-in.  Each participant may also download a copy of the event cue sheet and map from the RMCC website prior to the start of the event.  Cue sheets will provide turn-by-turn directions for navigating the event course.  Each cyclist is responsible for navigating the course successfully by using the map and cue sheet.  Courses are not marked, but please note that the Colorado Triple Crown routes are NOT difficult to navigate.  The Colorado Death Ride, for instance, only has 6 turns in 225 miles!

9) What sort of weather conditions will I encounter?
   Colorado weather can be very unpredictable.  On almost any given day in the summer it is possible to experience rain, hail, intense lightning, and even a freak snowstorm with sub-freezing temperatures!  Riders are strongly encouraged to pay close attention to local weather forecasts in the days preceding their event and prepare accordingly.  At a minimum, you should have a rain jacket, leg/knee warmers, shoe covers, and long-fingered gloves.

10) What additional equipment or supplies should I bring?
   All cyclists MUST carry some form of identification and an emergency contact phone number.  All participants should also carry spare tubes, a pump, a patch kit, basic tools, money/credit card, and a cell phone.

11) What should I do if I need to withdraw from my event?
   If a rider is unable to complete a Colorado Triple Crown event for any reason, he/she must contact the ride director as soon as possible.  Unfortunately, we are not set up to immediately pick you up if you need to withdraw from an event.  If you must discontinue for a reason that is not an emergency and you do not have personal support, please attempt to arrange for private transportation to pick you up.  Otherwise, please be prepared for the fact that it may be many hours before our support vehicle can pick you up.

12) What should I do if I experience an accident or serious medical issue?
   If a rider is experiencing symptoms of a serious medical condition OR if a rider is involved in a collision or crash, he/she should contact emergency medical services ASAP (i.e., call 911)!  Please notify the rider director as soon as possible.

13) Do You Need Volunteers for the Colorado Triple Crown?
   Finding volunteers to support our events can be a challenging endeavor!  After all, the RMCC is a club of cyclists and we want to participate in these events too.  If you (or a friend) are willing to volunteer for a Triple Crown event, please let us know! We can always use an extra hand! Please contact Mark Lowe or Charlie Henderson to volunteer.

Event Descriptions

Joe Lookingbill Denver-to-Aspen Classic

Colorado Death Ride:  "They say it can’t be done!"

Tim Kalisch Memorial Grand Loop:  "For those who double dare!"

Cripple Creek Crippler:  "Better get out the granny gear--this one’s gonna hurt!"

Triple Crown jersey/Bibs