Just the climb from Bergen Park to Juniper Pass is brutal. The sustained downhill only really starts just before Echo Lake. The climb up L L Pass is more broken up but can be really tough with a headwind. Everything else is pretty easy but with tired legs not so much. At my weight (185 lb) if I dont get my FTP up to 250-300W its a very very long day. That said, its an awesome route and a special day with so many cyclists doing it! Only happens once a year.
I would suggest a compact crank (50t-34t) with a 11-32t cassette if you power to weight is not very high.
Good point. I probably should have given the Triple Bypass a little more respect. It is 120 miles with 11K of climbing at altitude.
Yes, gearing is key. I did it fairly unprepared and was thankful for the granny gear on my triple chainring. Spent a lot of time in that going slow and getting passed, especially on that first climb. Saw a lot of those people at later aid stations not looking so great.
Key is pacing and nutrition, especially for the unfit. Without proper gearing, most can't properly pace to stay out of the red zone. I paced by HR (power would be better) and even tried to avoid the yellow zone. I was slow but got to Avon in time to enjoy the festivities and felt good. If I tried to go fast I would have never made it.
