Rocky Mountain Cycling Club
The Club For People Who Love to Ride!
Rocky Mountain Cycling Club
The Club For People Who Love to Ride!
| RMCC Triple Crown | Short-Course Events | Triple Crown Blog |
| General Information |
| Rules |
| FAQ |
| Event Descriptions |
| Triple Crown jersey/Bibs |
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!
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.
Date: Saturday, June 15, 2013
Sign-in/Start: 3:00 am/4:00 am
Start location: Ken Caryl
Distance/climbing: 180 miles/13,500 feet
Brief description: An epic 180 mile day on the bike from the town of Littleton to Conifer, Bailey, Fairplay, Buena Vista,
Twin Lakes, Aspen, and Woody Creek. It features some truly spectacular Colorado scenery, including amazing views of the Mt. Evans Wilderness,
Kenosha Pass, the South Park Valley, the Collegiate Peaks, Twin Lakes, Independence Pass, the Frying Pan Wilderness, and the ritzy the town of Aspen!
Course map/Cue sheet: Download PDF.
Full course description: Download PDF
Registration: Pre-registration is required! This event has a $40 dollar registration fee. Registration is limited to the first 50 pre-registered riders. Registration closes on June 8, 2012. Participants may withdraw by June 8, 2012 for a full refund. After June 8, no refunds will be granted.
Event organizer: Mark Lowe.
Event-day ride leader: Charlie Henderson.
Additional notes:
1. Some ultra-distance cycling experience is encouraged (but not required) to participate in this event. This event can be used
as a pre-qualifier for the other events of the Colorado Triple Crown.
2. This event has a 17 hour time limit. Riders must finish in less than 17 hours to receive an official finishing time.
Riders must finish in less than 15 hours in order receive Colorado Triple Crown credit and to pre-qualify for the other Colorado Triple Crown events.
3. Lights and reflective gear are required!
4. The Joe Lookingbill Denver-to-Aspen Classic is an Ultramarathon Cycling Association (UMCA) UltraCycling Cup event for 2012.
Who is Joe Lookingbill? Joe Lookingbill was one of the "founding fathers" of the Rocky Mountain Cycling Club and the mastermind behind the Denver-to-Aspen course. The event is run in his memory.
Date: Saturday, June 29, 2013
Sign-in/Start: 1:30 am/2:00 am
Start and Finish Location/Host Hotel: Ridgway. Ridgway Lodge and Suites, 373 Palomino Trail, Ridgway, CO. Phone: 970-626-5444.
Distance/climbing: 225 miles/16,000 feet
Brief description: An epic ride across southwest Colorado’s spectacular San Juan Skyway, including the mountain towns of Ridgway,
Ouray, Silverton, Durango, Mancos, Dolores, Rico, Telluride, and Placerville. The Colorado Death Ride features jaw-dropping mountain
scenery that is second-to-none!
Course map/Cue sheet: Download PDF.
Full course description: Download PDF
Registration: Pre-registration is required! This event has a $40 dollar registration fee. Registration is limited to the first 50 pre-registered riders. Registration closes on June 22, 2012. Participants may withdraw by June 22, 2012 for a full refund. After June 22, no refunds will be granted.
Event organizer: Mark Lowe.
Event-day ride leader: Charlie Henderson.
Additional notes:
1. Pre-qualification is required to participate in this event. Please refer to Colorado Triple Crown registration info. for information regarding
pre-qualification. Please e-mail Mark Lowe or Charlie Henderson for specific questions regarding pre-qualification.
2. This event has a 19 hour time limit. Riders must finish in less than 19 hours to receive an official finishing time and Colorado Triple Crown credit.
3. Lights and reflective gear are required!
4. The Colorado Death Ride is an Ultramarathon Cycling Association (UMCA) UltraCycling Cup event for 2012.
Date: Saturday, July 27, 2012
Sign-in/Start: 3:30 am/4:00 am
Start location: Ken Caryl
Distance/climbing: 207 miles/17,000 feet
Brief description: A new Colorado Triple Crown event for 2012, the Cripple Creek Crippler is one additional opportunity for RMCC riders to earn Colorado Triple Crown credit. However, it ain’t gonna be easy! Featuring relentless rollers and steep climbs, this event is anything but flat! Riders can expect a long, "crippling" day of climbing. From west Littleton, the route passes through the foothills communities of Conifer, Pine Junction, Deckers, and Woodland Park. Riders will then navigate the scenic (but steep) loop through to the quaint mountain town of Cripple Creek (elev. 9494 feet) to the southwest of Colorado Springs, capturing spectacular views of Pikes Peak and the Pike National Forest along the way. Riders will then make the long journey home, passing through Woodland Park, Deckers and Pleasant Park in the reverse direction. Better get out your granny gear! This one’s gonna hurt!
Course map/Cue sheet: Download PDF.
Full course description: Coming Soon!
Registration: Pre-registration is required to participate in this event! This event has a $40 dollar registration fee. Registration is limited to the first 50 pre-registered riders. Registration closes on July 20, 2013. Participants may withdraw by July 20, 2013 for a full refund. After July 20, no refunds will be granted.
Event organizer: Mark Lowe.
Ride leader: TBD
Additional notes:
1. Pre-qualification is required to participate in this event. Please refer to Colorado Triple Crown registration info. for information regarding
pre-qualification. Please e-mail Mark Lowe for specific questions regarding pre-qualification.
2. This event has an 18 hour time limit. Riders must finish in less than 18 hours to receive an official finishing time and Colorado Triple Crown credit.
3. Lights and reflective gear are required!
4. The Cripple Creek Crippler is an Ultramarathon Cycling Association (UMCA) UltraCycling Cup event for 2012.
Date: Saturday, August 10, 2013
Sign-in/Start: 2:30 am/3:00 am
Start location: Golden
Distance/climbing: 200 miles/15,500 feet
Brief description: The Tim Kalisch Memorial Grand Loop starts in Golden and passes through Boulder, Lyons, Estes Park, Granby,
Winter Park, and Idaho Springs. Climbing over 15,500 vertical feet in 200 miles, the Grand Loop isn’t called "grand" for nothing!
The Grand Loop is indeed one of Colorado's most spectacular cycling loops. This route, which traverses
Rocky Mountain National Park via Trail Ridge Road (from Estes Park, CO in the east to Grand Lake, CO in the west), covers 48 miles of the most
majestic scenery in the entire state of Colorado. Bring your altitude lungs as well as your climbing legs!
Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuous highway in the United States, with more than eight miles lying above 11,000 feet and
a maximum elevation of 12,183 feet. Not to be outdone, the route also climbs Berthoud Pass (11,307 feet) during the return from Winter Park.
Course map/Cue sheet: Download PDF.
Full course description: Coming Soon!
Registration: Pre-registration is required to participate in this event! This event has a $40 dollar registration fee. Registration is limited to the first 50 pre-registered riders. Registration closes on August 3, 2013. Participants may withdraw by August 3, 2013 for a full refund. After August 3, no refunds will be granted.
Event organizer: Mark Lowe.
Event-day ride leader: Charlie Henderson.
Additional notes:
1. Pre-qualification is required to participate in this event. Please refer to Colorado Triple Crown registration info. for information regarding
pre-qualification. Please e-mail Mark Lowe or Charlie Henderson for specific questions regarding pre-qualification.
2. This event has an 18 hour time limit. Riders must finish in less than 18 hours to receive an official finishing time and
Colorado Triple Crown credit.
3. Lights and reflective gear are required!
4. The Tim Kalisch Memorial Grand Loop is an Ultramarathon Cycling Association (UMCA) UltraCycling Cup event for 2012.
Who was Tim Kalisch? Tim Kalisch (1967 to 2011) rode with the RMCC from the early 2000s until his untimely death in August 2011. An inspirational rider for many RMCC members, Tim set numerous course records during the time he rode with the club. Tim--with his race-inspired pedigree and liking for motorcycles and drag racing--was always pushing the pace. He routinely demonstrated that long-distance cycling events could be ridden hard! Never easily phased by adversity, Tim had the uncanny ability to inspire other club members to ride to the best of their abilities as well. And in the true spirit of the RMCC, Tim was never opposed to an adventure! Tim would attempt training rides that only riders with super-human capabilities would even consider trying, like riding from his home in east Denver to Limon (and back) in the same day. And in preparation for some of the more difficult RMCC brevets, Tim once rode from Golden to the summit of Mt. Evans and St. Mary’s Glacier in the same day…simply for the joy of cycling!
More importantly, Tim’s popularity within the RMCC stemmed from his exceptional consideration for others, especially new club members.
He always remembered what it was like to be new to cycling--a time when he was not one of the fastest riders. And he always offered words of
encouragement to other riders while out on the road. Tim was exceptional at building camaraderie within the club.
His passing was a devastating loss to his family, the club, and those who knew him best...
In November 2011, the RMCC Board of Directors re-named the Grand Loop to the Tim Kalisch Memorial Grand Loop in Tim’s remembrance, a small gesture to a man who had such a grand impact on so many lives, both inside and outside our club.
For Tim, the Grand Loop was his epic ride. From the rider profile he wrote in the January 2009 RMCC newsletter, Tim described his epic experiences with the Grand Loop: “200 miles, around 15000 feet of climbing. 13 hours in the saddle [and] almost 40 miles climbing just to Trail Ridge. [I’ve] done it three times and for some reason want to do it again, even though I would gladly sell my bike to the highest bidder at the end every time."
We ride the Grand Loop with Tim in our hearts. His spirit lives on with us out there on the road...
To recognize our Colorado Triple Crown finishers for their accomplishments, Jeff Wu and Clair Lochridge at Team Alchemist in Boulder helped us design a new Colorado Triple Crown cycling kit for our Triple Crown finishers. Team Alchemist is Boulder's finest custom cycling clothing designer, and Jeff and Clair did a stellar job on our design...very classy! 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. Look for these kits out on the road by spring!
