Bike Touring on the Superfly - The Triple Bypass on my Mountain Bike

The Triple Bypass was a huge success! It was easily one of the most enjoyable cycling experiences of my year. All of my fears and anxiety about riding it on the Superfly were unfounded, it was perfect conditioning for the Laramie Enduro.

Jo and I got to the parking lot at 6:30am and in a disturbing pattern that's emerging at these events I had to make a B-line for the nearest restroom. Every single Port-O-Pot I found was surrounded by a huge line of riders hopping up and down in anxious anticipation. After waiting in line for a few minutes the stark realization that time was running out hit me. I frantically rode down the bike path looking for more Port-O-Pots. As I rode by a playground I saw a plastic roof peaking above a wooden privacy fence. I was like an oasis in the desert. Given the situation it might as well have been a porcelain throne surrounded by walls of mahogany with a vase of wild flowers inside to keep things fresh. There was no line, it was clean, and it was private. Unfortunately, just as I settled in my serenity was disturbed by banging on the door from others who were in the same state of panic I was in moments prior. It reminded me of the movie A Christmas Story were Ralphy was trying to decode his Ovaltine secret decoder ring as his little brother was banging on the door. It was a horrible experience and put it me in a bad mood.

This wasn't from the Triple Bypass, but a funny Port-O-Port image I encountered at a Race in the past that is appropriate!

Unfortunately, my absence caused some confusion in meeting up with Angela, Scott, Todd, Paul, and Jon. Angela was running support for us and needed a bike tray off Jo's Honda for the shuttle back. My bad mood only added to the confusion and resulted in an embarrassing tirade over the phone to Scott - Sorry Man... Eventually we found each other, but as a result we were some of the last riders to start. We passed the Road Closed sign on Squaw Pass Road at 7:30am, a full hour after the official start. Our group settled into individual paces with Todd going off the front followed by Paul. Jo and Jon settled in together and I ran laps between everyone for a while. I wasn't sure what pace to ride. On the mountain bike, my cadence was much higher than everyone else's and I was afraid of exhausting myself trying to early. Soon I found my pace and took off after Todd and Paul.

Todd, Paul and Scott, Jo and Angela

Crossing the Start Line 1 Hour Late

Scott and I

As I started to catch the stragglers ahead of us I enjoyed the shocked looks and supportive comments of doing the Triple Bypass on a mountain bike. It was a theme that would last all day. The crisp morning air was invigorating and as my legs came alive my pace picked up. The views were spectacular and my anxiety about the miles ahead on knobby tires faded, although they didn't leave completely. Near the top I pulled out my point and shoot to grab a shot of the Continental Divide and found it wouldn't focus. Nothing I could do would make it focus, it was dead.

Dead Camera

It was a shame because the miles ahead would treat us all to spectacular views and hilarious moments as delirium set into the group. Sadly all the shots to follow are through the sweaty haze of my camera phone lens.

It didn't take long to climb Squaw Pass (Juniper Pass on the map). At the top was an aid station where I waited for with Jo, John, and Scott. The Superfly was creaking bad and I thought maybe it was the cassette again (see Superfly Creaking Post). There were a couple mechanics there who let me throw it on the stand and tighten it which helped, but didn't stop the creaking.

Top of Squaw Pass

Everyone in our group had left before I could get my bike back together. At first I wasn't concerned because I thought for sure I would catch them, but then I remembered I was on a mountain bike. Unlike all the roadies coasting down the descent beside me there was no recovery to be had. It was pure anaerobic cranking just to get to 35 miles an hour. It felt like I was riding a single speed. I had to use any draft I could find, be it off cars or other riders, and only brake when absolutely necessary to conserve my energy. My only advantage was in tight corners where my big knobby tires let me lean in deep. Eventually, near the bottom I saw Jo way ahead in the distance. I was hurting bad, but didn't want to get left so I put in a good effort and after about 3 minutes I caught her. She pulled me the rest of the way down the hill to Idaho Springs.

Riding Down Squaw Pass Alone

Angela was waiting for us in Idaho Springs along with everyone else. We laughed, re-energized hydrated, and Chamois Buttered. Jo and I headed out towards Loveland pass before everyone else. Riding through Idaho Springs Jo surprised me when she dropped the hammer and attacked a small group of riders. It was all I could do the keep her pace until I warmed back up again. The long ride up to the base of Loveland pass took us along the I-70 corridor through the towns of Dumont, Georgetown, and Silver Plume. It was particularly scenic as we climbed up the bike path below the Georgetown Loop Railroad's Devil's Gate Bridge. Todd caught us on the road before the path.

Devil's Gate Bridge

At this point we were no longer in the back of the ride, we had caught the back end of the main group. There was a steady stream of riders ahead of us. Jo and I worked together riding a tempo that was noticeably faster than everyone else. I felt like a rock star passing them all on my mountain bike, but reminded myself that this was the back of the entire ride and consisted mostly of recreational cyclists. After a while the bike path ended and the route crossed over and onto the shoulder of I-70. We caught Jon and the three of us worked our way up I-70 together. Our tempo was still much higher than everyone else's and passing next to the constant flow of traffic on I-70 was a little uncomfortable. After a while I decided to try to break away and catch Todd. It was about 5 miles before the next aid station at the base of Loveland pass. I put down a sustained race pace effort. Instead of passing on the left near the highway lane I decided to use my bike's inherent advantage and ride on the groomed dirt to the right of the highway shoulder. Now I really felt like a rock star as I climbed past the long stream of riders on dirt. The comments were awesome! Everyone was super supportive and complimentary. I didn't catch Todd before the aid station, but I my effort was solid and I felt good. Jo, Jon, Scott, and Paul rolled in shortly afterward.

Jo and John after Idaho Springs

It was good fun to laugh and socialize at the aid stations without feeling pressure to keep moving or beat the clock like in a race. Angela did an amazing job of running SAG for us. She was always there with a smile on her face and much needed water and food. Chamois Butter was becoming crucial as the miles and hours wore on. For the non-cyclists out there, Chamois Butter is a soothing lotion you put on the pad in your cycling shorts (your chamois) to prevent chaffing. The Bontrager Race Lite saddle on the Superfly is going to have to go, it's just not made to be sat on for hours at a time.

After leaving the aid station we started the four mile climb up Loveland Pass. It was probably the steepest climb of the ride, but not nearly as steep as I thought it would be. I could have ridden it on my road bike without knee pain, but was glad to be on the Superfly. Everyone took off except Scott so I hung back with him for a while. Eventually, I broke off and caught Jon. I resisted the temptation to open it up and go hard because it was a long way until the base of the Vail Pass and the Superfly would have a big disadvantage on the flats. Jon and I rode an easy, but steady pace all the way to the top while Jo took off hard. At one point I spotted her two switchbacks above me and she was killing it. At the top we waited for Scott and took some pictures.

Switchbacks on the Way Up Loveland Pass

Jon, Scott, and I on the Way Up Loveland Pass

At the Top

On the descent I planned on drafting behind Scott or Jon, but unlike Squaw Pass it was steep enough for me to keep good speed. I only got up to 48mph, but the Superfly's cornering advantage in the tight turns allowed me to maintain my speed, while the roadies had to brake. As the roadies recovered on the descent, I pedal hard and focused on energy retention. About half way down it flattened out slightly and Jon caught me. We worked together drafting off cars and each other to keep our speed up. We passed the only accident I saw the entire ride were it looked like someone washed a wheel and went down. Police and fire were already on the scene as we passed. The rider was on a backboard, but he looked okay.

Todd, Paul and Jo were waiting just past KeyStone Ski Resort. After a GU we formed our own pace line and worked against a solid headwind to Dillon Dam Road. At the Dam Paul, Todd, and I broke away in a sustained 25mph effort until the next aid station. I felt really strong and took my share of pulls at the front. I was surprised at how easy it was to maintain the high speed once the Superfly's wheels were spun up. The only real difference was I was in my biggest gear while Todd and Paul had some more to go. The route turned onto a bike path that follows the shores of Dillon Reservoir. We were still cruising in the mid 20's when I saw a piece of single track break off to the right. I was in front and took it, hoping it didn't end in a 6 foot drop. Paul almost followed me until he realized what I was doing. It wasn't very long and it spit me out right in the back of our 3 man pace line. The surprised look of the group behind us as I came off the dirt and fell right back into formation was priceless!

Jo and I at the Bottom of Loveland Pass

The next Aid station was at the Dillon Marina. Angela was there and had brought me a couple cans of Coke. I normally try not to drink soda that isn't natural, but the mixture of sugar and caffeine in Coke was a good boost. I cut it half with water and kept a bottle with me for the rest of the ride. Re-Chamois Buttering was essential!

Mmm Fresh Chamois Butter

After the Dillon Marina we followed the bike path along I-70 to Copper Mountain Ski area and the base of Vail Pass. Todd and Paul broke away while Jo, Jon, Scott, and I formed a group and enjoyed the rumbling creek on our right and towering rocky peaks on our immediate left as the path snaked up the tight valley. We rode through Copper to the path again were it snaked its way up Vail Pass in a wide gap between the East and Westbound lanes of I-70. I had ridden this before and remembered that it isn't very steep or long. As soon as we hit the path I slowly accelerated until I was near my anaerobic threshold. It had been about 85 miles and I wanted to simulate a last push to the finish for the Laramie Enduro. Soon I was hovering just below threshold, putting down good power and going fast. My rockstar feeling came back as I blew by a constant stream of road bikes. One guy wouldn't have being passed by a mountain bike and attacked me as I passed. He pulled ahead, but I maintained my pace and soon he slipped behind me. He hung on my wheel, but now after the attack I was determined to drop him. Occasionally the path would go up a steep "bump" where I would get out of the saddle and power through my current gear. With each bump the gap opened up a little more until near the top he was gone. I was completely in race mode as I rolled into the Aid station. Paul and Todd were waiting with Angela and when everyone else rolled in we hydrated, GUed, "buttered" and were off quickly.

Bike Path Between Dillon and Copper Mountain

The rest of the route was a long descent down Vail pass, through the town of Vail into the finish at Avon. Todd took off first and I hung with him for the entire descent. The descent down Vail pass was a little shallower than Loveland so I couldn't take many pulls. I spend most of it tucked in behind Todd. The path snaked though an endless forest of aspens glowing in the warm light of the late afternoon sun. At the bottom we waited for everyone else, deciding to finish the ride together as a group.

Todd Pulling me Down Vail Pass

Riding Through Vail as a Group

We rolled through Vail and down the bike path following I-70 into Avon. In Vail, I allowed myself to make the mistake of thinking the ride was almost over, but we still had 10 flat miles to go. My arss was really hurting and the familiar back and neck pains of long rides were slowly creeping into my awareness. The joy from almost being done and a growing sense of accomplishment of doing the ride on the Superfly overcame any negativity and kept my spirits high. We rode together until the finish were Paul led Jo out and she crossed the line first.

At the Finish

The finish was rather uneventful. Not that I was expecting fireworks and grandstands filled with cheering fans or podium girls with bottles of champagne, but a balloon arch or actualy finish line would have been nice. I realize it's not a race, but the line of cones we rode though ending into a wall of Port-O-Pots was too anti-climatic for a 120 mile ride. Ultimately, nobody needed any of the that to re-enforce good feelings about the ride. Doug was on his way back from the Snowmass race so he met up with Angela and they both greeted us at the finish. Smiles were plentiful as everyone was stoked and glad to be done.

After changing, stretching, and breaking down the bikes we headed to the food tent for a post ride dinner. I ate 2 cheeseburgers (I never eat those), a huge piece of chicken, a salad, a baked potato, 4 oero's, 4 chocolate chip cookies, and 3 glasses of lemon aid! After that Doug and Angela shuttled us all back to Evergreen in the end of great day. It was a pleasure to Represent Phoenix Multisport along with Jo and Jon. As we passed people we recieved many comments on how well we were doing in the Colorado mountains coming from the lower elevation of Phoenix, AZ. It didn't take long to get practiced at explaining that we were from Boulder and that Phoenix represented a bird rising from ashes, not Phoenix, AZ.

Thanks to Angela running SAG for us, she couldn't have treated us better. Thanks for Doug for giving Jo and I our entries and running shuttle for us. Thanks to Scott for putting up with my melt down at the start. Thanks for Paul, Jon and Todd for the good company and great riding. And thanks to Jo for another memory of a fun adventure together...

My Distance on the Superfly: 125 Miles. Riding time: 8:29 (this obviously doesn't include stops).