USAPCC Stage 4: Avon to Steamboat Springs 132.2km (26/8/2011)

[benpounder]

This is looking down from Rabbit Ears onto the Yampa Valley of Steamboat Springs. This is where I live.

Stage 4 should be a sprinters delight. Should be, unless the prevailing winds are strong out of the Flat Tops Wilderness, in which case, it is likely that we will see echelons forming. As you can see from the profile, there is a 10 mile stretch from Avon to Wolcott that looks like it is downhill. It is, but rides more like a false-flat. Starting at 1330hrs MDT, winds should not be an issue, but if they are, chances are they’ll be headwinds. It is lumpy for the next 30miles till the top of YellowJacket Pass where the roads significantly straighten out.

The official map:

The official profile:

The color coordinated profile showing gradients:

 

[benpounder]

There are number of small ramps in the early portion of the stage that some may think an opportune moment to try and get away – they will be mistaken. The first comes in Wolcott where the peloton has a sharp right-hander onto a narrow bridge crossing the Eagle River. Immediately following is a short steep ramp through a lazy switchback. There is a long straight flat section just after this that will work in the peloton’s favor. Next comes the climb up Willow Creek. This is a staple of every road cyclist in the Eagle River Valley and on very heavy roads (actually the whole stretch out of Wolcott is on very heavy roads). Additionally, if there is a sudden rainstorm - common this time of year - all the washed -down clays of the surrounding hills will make this road very slippery.

The downhill off of this to State Bridge will be tricky as the roads are narrow, winding, and 6-7%. Good thing the race is crossing this stretch during high sun; otherwise elk crossings could prove problematic. The next 8 miles are rolling and weaving blacktop along the Colorado River till McCoy where the second climb of the day starts.

From the top of Yellowjacket to intermediate spring in Oak Creek, the roads are straight – real straight - across the high tundra (and from Toponas to Yampa, there are no shoulders). The winding roads along Oak Creek will break up the monotony until once again, the road into Steamboat straightens out.

Here is a map of the last 5miles:

You will note that sharp left-hander just under the 5mi point, This could cause some carnage as it is just at the bottom of a hill half way through a sweeping right-hander on to a narrow county road that is falling away (it is about a 180degree turn). After that, it is a straight shot (more or less) into downtown Steamboat – the roads are wide with very little furnature – and the peloton should be doing around 60mph (96kmh)!

Here is the profile of the last 5 miles.

Again, all images in this post are courtesy of mapmyride.com

 

[auscyclefan94]

What an average profile....surely they could find a more intersting course with less super long desents. Looks like the tour de france.

 

[craig1985]

Would be cool if that had a short shape climb in the last 5km or so to test everybody out. At least it's only 132km, which isn't too bad I guess.

 

[thirteen]

There are number of small ramps in the early portion of the stage that some may think an opportune moment to try and get away – they will be mistaken. The first comes in Wolcott where the peloton has a sharp right-hander onto a narrow bridge crossing the Eagle River. Immediately following is a short steep ramp through a lazy switchback. There is a long straight flat section just after this that will work in the peloton’s favor. Next comes the climb up Willow Creek. This is a staple of every road cyclist in the Eagle River Valley and on very heavy roads (actually the whole stretch out of Wolcott is on very heavy roads). Additionally, if there is a sudden rainstorm - common this time of year - all the washed -down clays of the surrounding hills will make this road very slippery.

are the clays you're talking about travertine? that stuff is lethal, even when dry when was the last rain?

and, most importantly, are you going to be there today?

 

[movingtarget]

It's hard to be too critical of a race in it's first year but why can't we get time checks during the time trial ? And more frequent time checks in the other stages. Really this is basic stuff for the cycling fan. Phil Liggett is saying "Van De Velde is ripping up the course because it looks like he is going fast !" Is that the best we can expect. That being said, I think this race has a future with a bit of tender loving care and some extra professionalism from the organisers.

 

[benpounder]

Here is a photo of what the finish like looks like on a normal day (taken Monday):

This is what it looks like today 4 1/2 hours before the race starts 130km to the south:

It is cloudy and cool in Steamboat, but it looks like the clouds will burn off.

Also, I had an interesting chat with two Colorado State Troopers - they are the ones ultimately in charge on the road. First, USAPCC has a five (5) year contract with the state for this event. Second, both guys were very pleased with the organization, the communities, and the spectators. They also said that both the organizers and the racers seemed very happy with the race thus far.

Yes this year's parcourse is disappointing, but with the kind of enthusiasm and support I am sensing, the race will only get better.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

I hope next year will have at least 1 proper mountain pass in it that's steeper than 4%. And with no descent after it

 

[benpounder]

Here is a shot from halfway up Rabbit Ears Pass (Saturday's first test) of CO highway 131 coming out of Oak Creek into the Yampa Valley.

The peloton should be hitting this stretch 1515-1545hrs MDT.

 

[benpounder]

Here is a shot I took this past winter on a day trip to ski Beaver Creek. This is along CO131 just outside of Yampa (mile 83.5 of todays race). Traveling south looking west - those are the mountains of the Flat Tops Wilderness.

The winds usually blow out of these hills. As you can see, the road is very exposed.

 

[spetsa]

Ben, thanks again for your effort. No suprise that it only took two posts for us to hear what a worthless race this is. Should be another interesting day on the forum. Go Fast Freddie!

 

[just some guy]

Be cool to see Fast Freddy sprint again.

But Go Kenny

 

[Deagol]

Ben,

These are great race previews. Thanks again.

 

[kielbasa]

Alright, here we go, another "queen" stage. Go Georgie!

 

[just some guy]

The big question is am I going to watch 2 sprint stage on the 1 day ?

 

[kielbasa]

Ben, thanks again for your effort. No suprise that it only took two posts for us to hear what a worthless race this is. Should be another interesting day on the forum. Go Fast Freddie!

Serves 'em right for hyping it up and using America's toughest stage race (TM) as "preparation".

 

[dlwssonic]

This looks like a real weird stage. Its a sprinters stage right. I really dunno who is gonna win this one.

 

[LaFleur]

The big question is am I going to watch 2 sprint stage on the 1 day ?

The answer is Yes, yes you will.

 

[Deagol]

For some reason, I am thinking one of the smaller teams today...

 

[Escarabajo]

Thanks Ben for the Introduction.

Winner from breakaway anyone??

 

[benpounder]

Winner from breakaway anyone??

Unlikely. These roads are wide-open and straight for the last 20km. While they are rolling, anyone not five minutes ahead will be visible.

That said, the clouds have yet to burn off and there are several corners in the last 5km that could see massive wrecks - one of which does not even need wet roads. I'm thinking I'll film that one - that would prevent me from watching the finish live however.

 

[Tank Engine]

Unlikely. These roads are wide-open and straight for the last 20km. While they are rolling, anyone not five minutes ahead will be visible.

That said, the clouds have yet to burn off and there are several corners in the last 5km that could see massive wrecks - one of which does not even need wet roads. I'm thinking I'll film that one - that would prevent me from watching the finish live however.

Thanks for all the info and photos. It looks a great place to tour. As for the stage, it looks like a sprint: KvH, Fast Freddie and Forster. I'm not an expert in anyway with the American sprinters, so just going with the names I know

 

[benpounder]

This is the turn I'm thinking of filming. It is at just under 5 miles from the finish.

The peloton will be flying down this small hill on this right-hand sweeper into this really nasty left turn onto CR14 (the car is on the right shoulder of this road). On Monday, there was a fair amount of gravel on the high-point of the turn.

 

[theyoungest]

No more Euro b*tchin', from now on there's only sprint stages, so we know what to expect

 

[benpounder]

No more Euro b*tchin', from now on there's only sprint stages, so we know what to expect

Not really. Tomorrow's finish will be a sprint; it will not, however, be contested by the true sprinters.