I’m likely going to ride the “Triple” again if the weather cooperates. It’s my birthday ride. I’ve done it 12 times before it got too hectic around '00 but I did a few more of the TE organized rides and then charted a different route with less mayhem in 2010. TE previously donated all of the ride’s proceeds to AIDS research and then at some point used the ride’s bottom line number to support their entire annual budget because profit was substantial enough that they could. I prefer the organic vibe but it makes biz sense to run their org’s budget off of this annual event. The first time I rode it, it was 35 people in '88. The event was $20 bones and you got a jersey and a shower at Battle Mountain HS. No BBQ or band tho. We partied at the Minturn Saloon …which is historic and awesome. If you’ve never been there you’d probably enjoy it. It’s one of those places that has pics of lots of celebs posing with ski bums.
I liked the AIDS thing because three of my fam died of AIDS throughout the early 80s and 90s …another story.
I start in Idaho Springs at dark 4:30 and head to Loveland Pass and then Copper (Swan Mountain is closed this year so gotta stay east of the Dam reservoir). Copper to Leadville then Leadville to Minturn and onto the finish in Avon. It’s about 140 miles and slightly more than 10K of elevation gain. It takes me about 9 hours. Speedy riders can get it done in 6 to 7 hours. The passes are Loveland, Fremont and Tennessee, so still a Triple. The bonus is that it’s really easy to self support that route. My honey will meet me for the bbq and party and take me home. Good times.
Ne sous-estimez jamais un vieux à vélo
