Mt Evans Question

[Murph]

I'll be headed to Colorado in less than 2 weeks and I plan on riding up Mt. Evans. In this report on Advrider (link), the rider mentions the bumpiness and general poor condition of the road.

I believe I read most of the NAFO reports but I don't recall anyone freaking out about the condition of the road. So what's the verdict on the road? Is it crazy scary for SO's who are afraid of heights? Just looking for a "road report."

 

[Moosehead]

There were a few frost heave bumps in 1 location that they warn you about. Its paved all the way to the top. It is not crazy scary by any means. Beautiful views and well worth the drive.

 

[sonicspeed]

There were a few frost heave bumps in 1 location that they warn you about. Its paved all the way to the top. It is not crazy scary by any means. Beautiful views and well worth the drive.

unlike pike's peak during a thunderstorm :dribble:

 

[rushes]

There were a few frost heave bumps in 1 location that they warn you about. Its paved all the way to the top. It is not crazy scary by any means. Beautiful views and well worth the drive.

Yup. The bumps/holes are just in one area.

Don't miss it!

 

[mdisher]

Go! it's an easy ride...

 

[eeksnake]

Even though I was in a bit of a hurry (SS1K), the view is SPECTACULAR! Definitely on my "come back again" list.

Concur with everyone so far... only one area with some pretty bad frost heave but it's in a relatively flat area and well marked.

I think beeroux described it best during our rider's meeting...

"When you see an orange sign warning about uneven and rough road, grab your binders quick or you'll be airborne!" If you're zooming up the road and don't heed the warning then yes, you'll be airborne. If you're cruising up at a sane pace, you'll get plenty of warning before hitting the "Whoopty-doos."

Have fun and takes lots of pics!

 

[1FJR]

The bumps in the road are on a down hill section, you will see summit lake ahead of you. The first really big one is in the right hand lane for traffic going to the top. Remember to slow down. When I was up there for the Mt. Evans bicycle hill climb, I watched a cyclist get air on the bumps. He made it back on to two wheels, but I think he had to change his shorts.

 

[scubatech]

It's a great ride up there. Exactly like the others have said. For a road that spends most of the year buried in snow it looks great. Have your $3.00 fee ready at the gate.

 

[rushes]

Here's a sample.

 

[twistedcricket]

Nasty frost heave is around milemarker 9 going up hill. Very near the lake.

Worth the effort. If at all possible, go during the week, not the weekend.

 

[TCMike]

Beware of altitude sickness! The wife , and I spent our honeymoon in Colorado 16 years ago. I've always gone out to the mountains with family, and never had a problem, but when I took the wife up it was a different story. She started throwing up at the top, and didn't feel better until about 5 hours later. She didn't have any other issues later on in the mountains, and we enjoyed the rest of the trip.

 

[bikerskier]

Greg97224 and I had a great ride to the top and had plenty of warning to slow for the frost heaves at mile 9, which have created some interesting whoop dee doos. Coming from almost sea level in Portland, we did notice the altitude with some faint light headedness and any atempt by this old man to climb the remaing way to the top was met with short breath, so we passed on that. I did hear that FJRpig, also from this zip code, danced his way to the top, tho, with little affect. Ahh, to be a youth again...

The interesting part is all the cyclists that were pedalling their ***** to the top, along with a handfull of runners as well. These folks came into the parking area with nary a hair out of place and with seemingly little worse for wear.

 

[FJR_pig]

I did hear that FJRpig, also from this zip code, danced his way to the top, tho, with little affect. Ahh, to be a youth again...

Yes, indeed, all the way to the top. No problem at all, of course, I regularly have my head in the clouds.

 

[dcarver]

I did hear that FJRpig, also from this zip code, danced his way to the top, tho, with little affect. Ahh, to be a youth again...

Yes, indeed, all the way to the top. No problem at all, of course, I regularly have my head in the clouds.

[paul harvey voice]

..and now, for the REST of the story! I seem to recall youthful Mr. FJR_pig mentioning something about having a headache, as he sat gasping for air like a fish out of water on the bench, waiting desperately for Mr. Ranger to start his storytelling!

Page Two!

[/paul harvey voice]

 

[FJR_pig]

Crap. I've been outed.

Guess I shouda bribed you with that whisky after all.

 

[bikerskier]

Crap. I've been outed.
Guess I shouda bribed you with that whisky after all.

There's that whiskey reference again... a myth?

 

[Murph]

Very helpful responses. Thanks to all!

 

[PhilMills]

I went up there the day before the road closed last season on a BMW F650 - that stretch of galloping road is actually a heck of a lot of fun if you've got the suspension to soak it up while standing on the pegs. Two-up on an FJR is probably not going to be quite as much fun. Pics from my trip.

Also: unless you've got the heated hand-grip option, go up later in the day than I did - I got to the summit around 8am (trying to beat the tourist traffic) and had to get a bystander to peel my frozen claws off of the bars. 14K feet doesn't warm up well and there's usually a pretty stiff wind up there. You can sort of see how cold and chapped my hands are in the last pics in the slideshow above.

In terms of having a head for heights, there _are_ some really nice spots on that mountain where you can look of the side of the road (about 6" from the edge of the pavement) and say to yourself "Oh - so that's what several thousand vertical feet looks like...". You might want to distract your SO by saying "Hey - look at those mountain goats up there on the not-dropping-off-to-oblivion side!"

 

[200cs]

We did Evans when I was there in June:

1. The frost bumps or tail bone busters are real - definately slow down.

2. Try and keep a good distance behind any vehicles in front of you. Our leader put us right behind a tour bus that would come to a complete stop at each switchback which made it very difficult to stay upright at those kind of speeds. With the condition of those roads you do not want to come to a stop.

3. The altitude is the real deal - drink lots of water and wear cold weather gear it was about 33 and snowing when we got to the top.