SELECTING, REGISTERING AND PREPARING FOR A TOUR

 

WHICH TOUR WOULD YOU LIKE?

The enjoyment you derive from your tour is largely dependent on choosing a tour that suits your ambitions and experience. Some factors to consider as you select a tour include your previous cycling experience, physical condition, the amount of time you will be able to devote to training, and what you want from the tour. We suggest that persons who have not previously ridden on a multi-day tour choose a shorter tour. HeartCycle encourages participation in the sport of bicycling at all levels. For the safety and enjoyment of all tour participants each cyclist must carefully consider the difficulty of the tour they select. Generally the distance per day, type of terrain (mountainous or flat), pavement (smooth, chip and seal, or crushed gravel) and climate govern the classification of HeartCycle tours. For each tour, we provide the name and contact information for the leader. Check with the appropriate tour leader if you have specific questions about a tour you are considering or your ability to participate.

COLORADO HEARTCYCLE TOUR RATINGS

All of our tours are rated using our tour rating system. The system uses a two position code to describe the Terrain and the Distances involved. Terrain is the first character and is E (Easy), I (Intermediate), A (Advanced) and X (Expert), as described below. The second position in the code indicates the daily mileage. Where necessary, tour leaders will indicate a range of overall codes.

  • Easy: Mostly flat with few, short, and low gradient hills.
  • Intermediate: More frequent hills, but usually less than 7% grade and less than 2000 feet of daily vertical climbing total.
  • Advanced: More frequent hills, with up to 9% grade and up to 4000 feet of daily vertical climbing total.
  • Expert: Frequent climbs exceeding 9% gradient or vertical climbing exceeding 4000 feet daily vertical climbing total.

Of course, there are other factors such as the risk of bad weather, sustained high elevations, motorized traffic intensity, etc. but some of these are difficult to predict in advance, and altitude should be obvious from a tour's description; altitude is also implicit in the above ratings, since it would be difficult to find elevation gains of 4,000 feet at low altitude.

Mileage range is indicated in all tour descriptions, but where necessary, tour leaders have indicated unusual combinations that may be present on a tour, such as an overall Intermediate terrain tour with mileages from 60-87 miles may have one difficult terrain day with an A-87 day which riders should be aware of. In such a case, the tour might have a code of I-60/75 to A-87(1).

HOW MUCH SHOULD YOU TRAIN?

Adequate training is essential for enjoyment of your HeartCycle tour. Try to begin your training three to four months prior to the tour. Incorporate as much hill climbing into your schedule as possible to prepare for mountain climbs. Your training should also depend on the rating of your selected tour as well as its scheduled departure. For example, for an Intermediate to Advanced tour scheduled for July, you might begin in March with rides of 10-20 miles per day, two to three days per week. In April, increase mileage to over 50 miles per week while riding three to four days a week. In May and June, gradually increase your mileage to over 150 miles per week in four to five rides; including two rides of 50-70 miles each, with one involving extensive climbing. For tours earlier in the year, you need to stay in condition, possibly with spinning classes or XC skiing.

You need to train your body to meet the demands of bicycle touring in the mountains. We strongly urge residents of the Colorado Front Range to take advantage of the Colorado HeartCycle training program outlined in this brochure. If you cannot train with us, you can use this schedule as an indication of the amount of training to pursue.

If necessary, discuss your training schedule with the tour leader to see if your training will be adequate for the tour.

CYCLING SAFETY

  • Use a rear-view mirror
  • Wear bright clothing.
  • Bring enough clothing. The weather can change rapidly, and descents at high altitude can be unbelievably cold.
  • Drink enough water; consider a back-pack hydration system
  • Eat enough snacks.
  • Never pass another cyclist on the right. When passing, call out "On your left!"
  • Cross railroad tracks or cattle guards at right angles.
  • If you are the first to spot traffic approaching from the rear, call out "Car back!"
    (Do not say this when passing another rider!)
  • Point out obstacles and hazards to following cyclists.
  • Ride double file only when no cars are present (never ride triple file).
  • Draft only if you are experienced and everyone in the pace line is, also.
  • Consider a handlebar-mounted map holder.

YOU MUST WEAR AN ANSI-APPROVED HELMET WHILE CYCLING ON ANY HEARTCYCLE TOUR AND/OR TRAINING RIDE.

HOW DO YOU SIGN UP FOR A TOUR?

  1. You must be a Colorado HeartCycle member to participate in a tour.
  2. You may register online or by completing the hard-copy Membership Form.
  3. If you are completing a hard-copy form, please include any membership fees in your payment. Fill out the Tour Registration Form in its entirety. Indicate your roommate preference (if you have one), or whether you would like a private room, if available, for a 50% surcharge (contact the tour leader for availability of a private room). Further, select your preference concerning what we should do if the tour is full (choose either “Place me on a wait list” or “Return my uncashed check”). Include the required tour deposit in your payment (or full payment if past the due date for the tour).
    4. Send payment and forms to: Colorado HeartCycle, P.O. Box 100743, Denver, Colorado 80250-0743
  4. Note that tour registration is based on postmark date (“first-come, first-served”). Please do not call to inquire if space is available on a tour. A summary of tour status is in each month's newsletter and on the website. Spaces in unfilled tours cannot be reserved by phone or email, and we cannot guarantee that available spaces will be open by the time your registration is received. The Registrar will confirm your tour status by mail shortly after your payment is received.
  5. Send your final payment to Colorado HeartCycle by the due date for payment of the balance. (See each tour description for the balance due date.) Failure to pay the balance by the due date may result in losing your space on the trip.
  6. Read the refund and change policy and consider the purchase of trip cancellation insurance.
  7. Contact the tour leader listed for your tour with any questions you might have as the tour date nears. The Tour Leader will also contact you approximately 2 months before the start of the tour.
©2009 Colorado HeartCycle