Has anyone done the Colorado trip?

[Carol Guttzeit]

I live in Denver and am considering the Colorado trip next year. Has anyone out there done it and can tell me about it? I am comfortable on hills and know that the altitude is a bear (even for those of us who live at 5280!).

[May Ferrer]

Hey, Carol! I'm considering the 2009 Colorado trip, too and had the same concern about the altitude. I ran it by Terry and he doesn't think it's going to be a problem. Based on past brochures, it sounds like a great skate.

Hope you're doing well -

May Ferrer
Kailua, Hawaii

[Carol Guttzeit]

Yeah, the altitude is tough. Denver is at 5280, and I feel it even when we go to Breckenridge (about 8000 ft). If you could get here a couple days early to acclimate, that would be key. I hope your shin is all better!

[Allan Wright]

Hi Carol,

I've done the Colorado tour. :) Seriously, since I live in Boulder too I know what your concern is but I can tell you we have had very few altitude issues at all on the skate tours in Colorado. In fact, the only issues have been when we spent the night in Leadville at 10,000 feet, which we don't do anymore. At 9,000 feet in Frisco it is not much of an issue. Remember all those skiers take the lifts up much higher than we skate.

[Carol Guttzeit]

Hey Allan!

Britt had such a great time in yellowstone; she was here in Den the next week (last week), but we had so much catching up to do, so apologies for not phoning you. as for the colorado trip, its not the altitude that i'm concerned about -- i had heard its quite hilly and though i'm pretty good on skates, you never know if someone's trying to psych you out or if its real. however kris sent me the trip description and it didn't reference any killer hills, so i think i'm a go. also, bridgette groom, my friend, came w me to Idaho, but she hates flying, so a colorado trip would be great! I wouldlove to get together with you some time!

[Rick Otis]

Looks like Zephyr has changed this from a multi-sport (hike, bike, skate) when I did it to just skate. Since you live in Denver, you already know about climbing 14K footers - that was part of our trip and always fun to do. The loop skating trail around Leadville was fun and a great surface (do it counter clockwise). Use caution on the Glenwood Canyon trail. Somewhere beyond half way down the trail, you go down a moderate slope, have the river immediately on your left, and a wall from the highway immediately on your right. The wall ends and the trail takes a SHARP right turn. Slow down approaching the turn - some people fall. I'll post a few photos of the Glewnwood Canyon and Leadville trails in the general Photos section.

Rick Otis

[Pat Knauss]

The Colorado trip is one of our favorites and we have gone a lot. We always go at least a day early to aclimate to the altitude and have never had a problem. The hills are not a problem as long as you can control your speed on a grade. The first year we went we actually only went down hill because it was so easy and fun, uphill was a lot of work! We are signed up to go next year and are really looking forward to the trip. My profile picture is on the Glenwood canyon trail, I-70 is above me.
Mike Knauss

[Marlena Crovatt-Bagwell]

Geez! Just previewed the terrain using Google maps' satellite view. Oh-my-damn! I don't think there's a bit of 'mostly flat' in store for us CO skaters! The plush-looking hotels that we're set to stay will be welcoming beacons each day. I'd better add more hill-work to my skates. Looking forward to seeing/meeting each of you 7/19-23'ers. :)