New for 2021: The Tarryall Thrasher What better way to celebrate Independence Day this weekend than to strike out on a new course for the Colorado Triple Crown? Part of the first leg of this course will look familiar to those who have ridden the Cripple Creek Crippler, as it mirrors much of the end of that double. But once in Woodland Park, riders head west on a route known only to those brave souls who have ridden the South Park 400k, as you descend 24 into Flourissant and hang a right on the scenic Tarryall Road. Repaved in recent years, this low-traffic back road is a scenic respite from some of the busier roads we travel, and a must-do if you haven't ridden it before. Once arriving in Jefferson - where you can grab a piece of homemade fudge if you have the time - it's 285 up Kenosha Pass, a road that is part of Cycle to Saturn in the reverse direction. Continuing that route, riders climb up and over Guanella Pass - watch for mountain goats if you are doing this in the dark - and then a familiar RMCC route back to the start in Golden. Longer than most of our rides at 222 miles, this ride comes just two weeks after the summer solstice, for maximum daylight advantage. Stringing pieces of other courses together adds up to one full day and a lot of nice scenery. With only two serious climbs - Deer Creek to Pleasant Park and the back side of Guanella, half of the work you do on this day is in the long, low grade climbs that take you from Deckers to Woodland Park and Lake George to Jefferson, this is a ride with a good mix of terrain that speaks to different strengths on the part of the riders. https://ridewithgps.com/routes/32873415 We will be riding this route in a self-supported manner. Your first chance for services is at Conifer, depending upon your arrival time. The Deckers store will probably be closed so Woodland Park at mile 85 is the next chance to stop for water and food, so plan accordingly - it you are very fast, it may be 85 miles before you can resupply. Thereafter, there are gas stations/c-stores in Divide, Florissant, Jefferson, Georgetown, and Idaho Springs. We will all leave together at 4 a.m. and the new time limit for this ride will be 21 hours. For general questions about the series, check out the Triple Crown FAQ tab first and then contact contact Corinne at cwarren@metafloor.com.