Climbs from Hell 2003
Climbs from Hell (CFH) is a 9-day, 807-mile ride, with 43,000 , 47,000, 52,000, 58,000 feet of climbing. The final elevation gain, according to Jeff Yushta's altimeter, was 58,008 ft. Scott measured the original elevations by auto, using an altimeter to read distances at the top and bottom of each pass. But the daily elevation gain on the bicycle was 20 - 50% higher, because the bike altimeters measure every little hill. And believe me, our legs are felt every hill. So the final total elevation gain was 58,000 ft. And the net elevation gain? 0. Zero. Nada. Goose egg. The ride ended where it began, essentially, and we had 58,000 ft of awesome descents.
What
The 2003 Climbs From Hell Tour - A bicycle tour through the high peaks and historic mining districts of Colorado organized by Scott Effner (event chair, Stonewall Century Ride) and Susan Wyman (secretary/treasurer, Spanish Peaks Cycling).
When
Saturday, June 14 through Sunday, June 22, 2003. We gathered in Denver (Lakewood actually) Friday evening, June 13, for a get acquainted barbeque in Bear Creek Lake Park. The ride started bright and early Saturday morning, June 14th and finished Sunday afternoon, June 23.
Where
Lakewood to Silverthorne to Leadville to Basalt to Hotchkiss to Lake City to Monte Vista, to Fairplay to Idaho Springs to Morrison. Check out the daily route descriptions for all of the gory details.
Evelyn Cook had a website set up for this trip. She did a great job with hotel information, weather links, and route descriptions, as well as the map (above) which I've shamelessly plagiarized.
What's Next
Climbs From Hell 2004 is in Switzerland (!) hosted by Damian. Lower altitude, steeper climbs -- sign me up!
Detailed Day Descriptions
Day 0 :: LOUNGING IN LAKEWOOD
Friday June 13, Lakewood (Denver) Colorado Optional 20 mile ride, 750 ft climbing.
Day 1 :: FRONTRANGIA
Saturday June 14, Lakewood to Silverthorne 83 Miles, 7,375 Feet Climbing
Day 2 :: SKI COUNTRY
Sunday June 15, Silverthorne to Leadville 77 Miles, 6,000 Feet Climbing
Day 3 :: ROARING FORK
Monday June 16, Leadville to Basalt 78 Miles, 3,850 Feet Climbing
Day 4 :: WESTERN SLOPE
Tuesday June 17, Basalt to Hotchkiss 77 Miles, 3,746 Feet Climbing
Day 5 :: BLACK MESA - BLUE MESA - POWDERHORN
Wednesday June 19, Hotchkiss to Lake City 113 Miles, 9,538 Feet Climbing
Day 6 :: SOUTHWEST STYLE
Thursday June 19, Lake City to Monte Vista 101 Miles, 3,025 Feet Climbing
Day 7 :: UFO ALLEY
Friday June 20, Monte Vista to Fairplay 130 Miles, 5,333 Feet Climbing
Day 8 :: TWICE ACROSS THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE
Saturday June 21, Fairplay to Idaho Springs 74 Miles, 5,574 Feet Climbing
Day 9 :: SQUAW PASS AND MT. EVANS
Sunday June 22, Idaho Springs to Morrison 77 Miles, 8,622 Feet Climbing
The End :: FINAL THOUGHTS
Thanks, memories, jokes, kudos.
