TO THE TOP! 
(Kamas to Bald Mountain Pass/Mirror Lake)
Saturday, August 4th 

Yeah, we love our local routes, but we need a little adventure to spice things up occasionally. So the highest paved road in Utah? Yep, that works!

60-MILE Kamas to Bald Mountain Pass summit round-trip

The forecast shows “mostly sunny and pleasant,” temps 55-78, winds averaging 4-8 mph.

TIME
Ride Meet in Kamas @ 6:30 a.m., roll out at 7 a.m.

CAR-POOL, BIKE TRANSPORT
(if you’re interested in car-pooling up, text Blake or Mike to coordinate)
     - 5 a.m. meet @ Wal-Mart Cedar Hills
     - 5:15 a.m. drive to Kamas (~50 miles, 1:15 drive time)

RIDE LAUNCH
     - 6:30 a.m. arrive @ Kamas Food Town / Ace Hardware parking lot
       192 West 200 South, Kamas, UT 84036
       https://goo.gl/maps/yfiVFL7R8CF2 to gear up
     - 7 a.m. roll out

It’s about 4.5 hours ride-time so we are targeting ~ noon back @ Kamas, pack up, grab food

(times are estimates)
LUNCH
                            ***SUBWAY
                           (right where we are parked, we can grab to go and eat on the way down)
                           https://goo.gl/maps/hnArPLPBm6E2

12:45 p.m. drive back
2 p.m. @ home, unload

ROUTE - Mirror Lake from Kamas
     Strava: https://www.strava.com/routes/10802837
     Ride with GPS: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/25905984
     RECOMMENDED - TURN-BY-TURN .tcx file on DROPBOX: https://goo.gl/DGyz7S
          **See note at bottom for link to route-loading instructions**
          Turn-by-turn files for dedicated cycling devices (Garmin, Wahoo, etc.) is a Premium feature on Ride w/ GPS and is not generally on devices via Strava or the free version of Ride with GPS. It means that in addition to being able to see and follow the route, that 50 meters before the turn, no matter what screen you're on, the turn info will pop up on your device giving you instructions, and ensuring you’re on the planned route with the group. 

PACE
Solid pace—we’ll periodically regroup as needed; take the occasional picture, and enjoy the incredible views from the top. 

RIDE LEADERS
     Jim Kelly 617-548-6282 text/cell
     Joe Harmon  801-836-0796 text/cell
     Blake Atkinson 435-640-8716 text/cell
     Mike Montrose 408-805-9287 text/cell

WEATHER

Approx. ride conditions w/ 7 a.m. roll from Kamas:

     Hour  /    Ride     /     Temp  /  Wind MPH   /   Wind Dir
       1            climb           55           5                      Head
       2            climb           61           4                      Cross
       3            climb           72           6                      Tail
       4            descent       74          7                       Head
       5           descent        78           8                       Cross

Always make sure to check your favorite app or site up until launch time to ensure you have the right gear for temps, winds and conditions.

Route Weather @ MyWindSock: https://mywindsock.com/route/10802837/?utm_source=shareable&utm_medium=embed&share_time=1533387600&5phea#forecast=1533387600
When using MyWindSock link(s):
     -  Verify that the date and time are set for the ride start time
     -  Click the drop-down (desktop) or blinking icon (mobile) for more views and info

FIRES
Winds are mostly from the South. The only active fire in that direction is the Dollar Ridge Fire 40-50 miles away, and as of Thursday that is reported at 97% contained.

SUGGESTIONS:
     You may want to have a vest or light jacket for the descent
     Roads are in good condition and are easier than our local canyons, but shoulders are narrow so use your brightest tail-light and wear any high-vis stuff if you have it.

WATER / PIT STOPS
It’s about 5 hours round trip. You can either take a third bottle with you or there are two campgrounds that have drinkable water near the top, at about Mile 27 on the way up or on the way down it will be @ Mile 32 for us. They also have non-flushable toilets.

Lost Creek Campground
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/uwcnf/recarea/?recid=9457
https://goo.gl/maps/ABkfkrMqoER2

Lilly Lake Campground
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/uwcnf/recarea/?recid=9428
https://goo.gl/maps/BnpQ4ibA4F72


GRADE
for context, it’s longer and higher elevation than AF Canyon, but the grade is very manageable compared to what we’re used to there. Just keep a little in the tank for some of those pops on the last six miles. 

--------------------------------------
FAQs/NOTES/LINKS

**ROUTE LOADING DIRECTIONS**—The more people who have the route loaded on their device (i.e. Garmin, Wahoo, phone/app, etc.) and who can follow along, the better. It avoids confusion if there are temporary separations, and thus also ensures you’re not unexpectedly trying to rejoin the group or get back on the route using less-safe roads. Plus, when you’re following a “course,” one of the metrics you can typically choose to have on your device screen is “Distance Remaining.” This is great for group rides and events, both motivating to see the number go down and helpful in allocating effort/intensity through the planned route.
Here are instructions to load a turn-by-turn .tcx file to Garmin – start at Step 3 as you already have the file https://ridewithgps.com/help/export-routes-to-garmin-device
- KEY POINT—a step that we all seem to botch at least once is dropping the file into the “NEW FILES” folder NOT the “Courses” folder (repeat “NEW FILES…NEW FILES…”)
- Reason: the file has to be “processed in” by the Garmin from that New Files folder by first by powering the device down, then powering it up again. As part of the boot-up process it looks for any new files sitting in the “NEW FILES” folder, and if there are any there, it assigns them to the right folder. So think of “NEW FILES” as Garmin’s inbox. And it gets very angry if you dare attempt to put the file in another folder yourself, without its permission.

WHAT RIDES ARE COMING UP?— EPIC maintains a calendar and updates throughout the season—including planned group rides and targeted events—here: https://www.epiccyclingteam.com/cycling-team-rides-events-utah-2018

IS THE EPIC KIT STILL AVAILABLE?— The 2018 kit went through three production runs, orders for the last one were sent to production June 19. Limited quantities of EPIC water bottles are still available, along with info for 2019—links located here: https://www.epiccyclingteam.com/2019-epic-cycling-team-kit

LAUNCH LOCATIONS—With a growing group spread from Weber to South Utah County, we are moving launch locations around to mix it up and/or to best-accommodate the ride goals. It’s fairly easy for most to ride or transport bike(s) to most locations, and we have lots of team members with racks if anyone needs a ride or bike transport.

EPIC GROUP RIDES—We structure Saturday group-ride plans with the intent that every healthy rider can start or join every group ride, schedule permitting. These weekly group adventures are meant to be challenging, but also a great time and social. The routes are planned to be fun, challenging and to escalate the efforts through the season. Much consideration has also been given to route safety, water stops, etc. These Saturday morning rides are a great way to build cycling strength, group skills and endurance. Especially if paired with some good intensity/interval work during the weekdays, either outside or on a trainer, and of course strategic rest. The Saturday full plan is often a longer route that starts out together to maximize team-building, but that also has escalating stages of pacing, one-or-more planned turnaround points, or other options/suggestions to accommodate varying levels of riders and schedules (i.e. one large group starts, three groups finish). If you feel you’ve stretched and just can’t keep pace with the planned group you’ve chosen, don’t stress. It’s not an embarrassment; it’s a “queso” badge of honor! Congrats, you’re out of your comfort zone. Just let ride leaders know, turn around and ride home with any riders that are in the same boat, or by yourself. You’ve done solo rides before, no big deal. Add some miles and terrain on the way home if you want, include a longer pit stop to regroup if needed, and just ride your pace. Worst case, if you’re just crispy and done, call for a ride or an Uber. Keep training, stay consistent, and continue to start every group ride possible with the team. Keep coming out to start the rides each Saturday—don’t be intimidated—and your fitness, skills and speed gains will soon surprise you. If you have the opposite problem and don’t think the group will be challenging enough, that is easy—take the role of sweep, give riders a pull to get back on, take more time at the front, give riders the “hand of hope” up climbs, take a side trip or climb that will really make it hard to get back to the group. Bottom line: EPIC rides every Saturday. There WILL be a ride or targeted event. You are welcome and wanted at our rides. You can make the game plan work to your specific training needs and level. You will progress.

WHAT IS ‘PRs ~ no ERs?’—This is EPIC’s motto and it means that for group rides we go for personal records on the climbs and flats, but on bigger descents we dial it back, focusing on control, 100% safely descended and no emergency rooms! This, of course, in addition to all other principles and best practices for maximum enjoyment and minimum injury.

WHAT IS ‘QUESO?’—“Con QUESO” is simply the bit more—or MUCH more—that you wouldn’t normally do. Riding further. Climbing higher and steeper. Heating up the intensity and pace. PRs and breakthroughs require "break-withs." Safely of course—this all assumes you’re being smart about building a good base and that you’re in good health. But definitely pushing it with more discomfort than your brain is probably used to being OK with. Suffering gloriously. Visiting “the man with the hammer.” Punching a big hole out the side of your comfort zone. We ~heart~ queso. :)

EPIC LINKS
     www.epiccylingteam.com
     Facebook Group (team): https://www.facebook.com/groups/epiccyclingteam/
     Strava (team): https://www.strava.com/clubs/312059
     Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/epiccylingteam/
     Twitter: https://twitter.com/EpicCyclingTeam
     Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/epiccyclingteam/
     USA Cycling: http://legacy.usacycling.org/clubs/clubsearch.php?club=16981
     Utah Cycling Association: http://utahcycling.com/teams/epic-cycling-team/

EPIC SPONSORS
     Al’s Sporting Goods / Al’s Cyclery  https://www.als.com/bikes/1200/dept 
     Fezzari Bicycles  https://www.fezzari.com/ 
     Graphik Display & Sign  http://www.graphikusa.com/ 
     Attorney Steve Mayfield @ York, Howell & Guymon  http://www.yorkhowell.com/ 
     Emily Fine Art Portraits  http://www.emilyportraits.com/ 
     Sierra Forest Products  http://www.sierrafp.com/ 
     Hotel  Park City  http://www.hotelparkcity.com/ 
     Ruth’s Chris Steak House  https://www.ruthschris.com/restaurant-locations/park-city/ 
     PLAN7 Endurance Coaching  https://www.ruthschris.com/restaurant-locations/park-city/ 
     Skratch Labs  https://www.ruthschris.com/restaurant-locations/park-city/ 
     Zermatt Resort  https://zermattresort.com/
     DNA Cycling  https://www.dnacycling.com/ 
     Utah Clutter Cop  https://www.facebook.com/utahcluttercop/  





TO THE TOP!  (Kamas to Bald Mountain Pass / Mirror Lake)

Passion for the ride. Personal breakthroughs. EPIC adventures.

EPIC FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/293030391179577/

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TO THE TOP! (Kamas to Bald Mountain Pass / Mirror Lake)

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