The Pike’s Peak Dash 9-21-08
Written by Michael on September 21st, 2008
GPS Data from our Route on Google Earth
In the Colorado Springs Cycling Club, there are three nutballs that are always the most competitive and always finish first. Steve, Josh and myself. We’re all about the same age, the same stage of life and share the same passion for going fast on a bike. With the exception of Josh (who crushes EVERYONE on the climbs), we have the same physical abilities.
A few weeks ago, while ignoring ride instructions at a club ride, we hatched the idea of going to the summit as hard as we could from Barr Camp. Today was the day.
We covered the 12.68 miles in a total time of 4 hours, 54 minutes, 3 seconds and a moving time of 4:04:09. The weather was perfect but we were a little alarmed when we got to Barr Camp and a woman said the temp on top was 15 degrees with a 25 mph wind from the west. Screw it we said and trudged on in our shorts and long sleeve t-shirts.
Interestingly, all three of us had difficulties keeping up at various times on the course. I struggled and was dropped on the 2 miles after Barr Camp but felt the best the higher we got. Not surprising since I’ve always done extremely well at altitude and generally get better as a race goes on. In an incredible display of timing, Amy appeared in my truck to pick us up at the top and take us back home.
I’ll spare you the rest of the banal details but would say this was the most fun I’ve had since moving to Colorado back in March of 2007. It was a lot of suffering but in fine company and great scenery.
I don’t have any group pictures, just memories to hold, that grow sweeter each season, as we slowly grow old (big points for knowing the song and artist!).
Due to the pace, we didn’t talk much and took almost no pictures except our camera phones. Here are the pictures off mine:
This was our first glance at the Peak
The Shelter at Barr Camp
Me at the Barr Camp Shelter
22
AM
All I can say is “WOW”. Great job. Love, Ma
21
PM
Oh my god.
It took you five hours to go TWELVE miles? Don’t take this the wrong way: How steep is that?
Is that a typo? You were climbing for FOUR hours? Holy crap. That’s amazing. Even when racing in college I don’t think I could do that.
Me, I threw my back out last week and can’t even make it to a spinning class. Pretty sad.
21
PM
Greg, actually, it took us 4 hours to go about 12.7 miles but I assure you it is steep. But I think the worst thing was the ball bearing like gravel in parts that made it 1 step forward, .86 steps back. Plus, the elevation gain.
That said, it’s not crazy steep, it only gains about 8,000 feet from top to bottom. Good workout though.
13
PM
I’m very impressed with your page/blog, what is it?
I found your page on calculating bike riding miles per hour. Cool page!
I was actually searching the web for math answers, I’m tutoring my 7th grade niece, and hit a road block when trying to help her solve a word problem on a bike trip. Although I found the answer, I still don’t know how to get there….here it is:
Jake is on a 24 mile bike trip. He wants to average 10 miles per hour. He is halfway to his destination and has averaged 8 miles per hour. What must his average speed be on the last part to complete on time????
I’d like to congratulate you on your page, all that biking you’re doing (I love it!), and on you’re weight loss! You’re amazing, good for you! Those scenic pictures are beautiful.