The Colorado High Country Double Century is the second Colorado Triple Crown event for 2022. This challenging route travels from Boulder to Steamboat Springs along some of northern Colorado’s less traveled roads. Like the other Triple Crown events, the Colorado High Country Double Century is definitely not a flat course, climbing over 12,000 feet in 206 miles.
This ride is perhaps the best introduction to the Colorado Triple Crown series, but do read the notes about support and preparation below.
Date: June 18, 2022
Sign-in/Start: Wheels rolling for the "tortoises" at 3:30 AM; "hares" roll at 4:30 AM. To avoid not out-running or getting out-run by the support, it is important that you start with the appropriate group!
Start location: Boulder, CO: Lot across from the Boulder Justice Center at 6th and Canyon.
End location: Steamboat Springs, River Creek Park.
Please note that the RMCC does NOT provide transportation back to Boulder after the ride.
Highlights:
-Distance: 206 miles
-Vertical: 12,000 feet
-Course: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38667346
-Supported: Yes
-Cost Recovery Fee: $30
Brief description: An EPIC single day journey from Boulder to Steamboat Springs on some of Northern Colorado's less-traveled roads. This point-to-point route passes through the picturesque Poudre Canyon, Colorado's longest Front Range canyon, to its summit at the beautiful Cameron Pass, before plummeting into the North Park Valley. The route finishes with a short climb over Rabbit Ears Pass and a blazing descent to the mountain resort town of Steamboat Springs.
The Climbs:
Cameron Pass via Poudre Canyon, Hors Categorie (HC). (The HC classification is a bit misleading for this climb. Historically, the HC designation was used for mountain roads where cars were unable to pass. HC climbs are typically very long (> 10 miles), very steep (grades > 8-10%), or very high (>11,000 ft). The climb up Poudre Canyon from Ted’s Place is long (58 miles of nearly continuous climbing!), but never steep (average grades of 1-2% for most of the climb, but a bit steeper, 3-8%, in the last 10 miles). The climb up Poudre Canyon over Cameron Pass gains over 5,000 feet. The summit of the pass is 10,276 feet, placing it at high altitude. Given the distance and high altitude, the climb up Poudre Canyon reaches HC status. It is a true "grind" that will test your mental and physical fortitude!
Muddy Pass (elev. 8,772 ft), Category 5. Muddy Pass is one of the lower crossings of the Continental Divide. Muddy Pass marks the western terminus of CO-14 at its junction with US-40 after a lengthy grind through the North Park Valley.
Rabbit Ears Pass (elev. 9,426 ft), Category 4. A moderately steep 3-mile climb, gaining 650 feet from Muddy Pass to the southeast.
Time limit: 19 hours
Event organizer: Blaine Bates
Support Description: The complete nature of the support that is provided will depend on the number of registrants that we have, but there will likely be a combination of drop bag and 5 support stops. Our support people will provide basics like water, Gatorade, bananas, Fritos, etc.
Note that the RMCC support is there to help all of riders complete the event in an expeditious fashion; it is not there to give you a ride back to Boulder if you are unable to complete the route.
If you are uncertain of your ability to complete the ride, we strongly recommend having some personal support available at least on the second half of the ride, which can also serve as your ride home afterward.
If you have not completed such a ride before, we suggest participating in some of our 200K and 300K brevets beforehand.
Additional Notes:
- Some ultra-distance experience is encouraged (but not required) to participate in this event. If you do not have such experience, you may want to consider having personal support for this ride.
- Given the always variable Colorado mountain weather, nasty weather can be a concern with this event. Participants need to be prepared and bring their best inclement-weather-riding gear with them!
- Lights and reflective gear are required!
- RMCC does not provide transportation back from Steamboat.
- All details subject to change