The Crippler

65 Miles
5000 Feet of Climbing

September 24, 2022

The Crippler is a Colorado-style gravel road race that will provide AMAZING scenery with panoramic views while simultaneously pushing your limits for climbing and descent.
Early Registration: $75 
January - March 1
Normal Registration: $95
March 2 - July 1
Late Registration: $120 
July 2 - September 20, 2021
Registration at Check-In: $150

Race Information

Categories:
  • Women's Bicycle
    • 1st ($500), 2nd($250), 3rd ($100) places will be awarded cash prizes thanks to Criterium Bike Shop!
  • Men's Bicycle
    • 1st ($500), 2nd ($250), 3rd ($100) places will be awarded cash prizes thanks to Criterium Bike Shop!
  • Tandem Bicycle
  • E-bike (unranked)
  • Teams are ranked at end of event
What You'll Need:
  • Bicycle
  • Helmet
  • Good Brakes
  • The will to continue beyond the pain.
What You'll Get:
  • Bike support @ Criterium Bicycle Shop 
  • Emergency bike adjustments at event before race provided by Criterium Bicycle Shop
  • Police escort race start
  • Custom socks
  • Sponsor swag/discounts
  • Chip timing and results
  • Awe-inspiring scenery
  • An epic race finish
  • Finishers' medals
  • Prizes for winners

Details

GPX File
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Strava Link: ​https://www.strava.com/routes/14999742
Prepare
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Start the season right by getting trained like a pro, by a pro. Let RYSEON Coaching staff train and prepare you for The Crippler and your other season races at this all-inclusive, weekend cycling camp.
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Criterium Bike Shop is the best bike shop in the region. If you need anything bike related, check them out.

Need help preparing for The Crippler? Check out RyseOn Endurance Coaching

and Thin Air GRVL camp.

On Site Lodging Option

Hedley Hall, dorm-style room reservations​​
  • The rooms have two twin beds and a sink in the room, restrooms and showers are down the hall.
  • To Reserve: Contact Lesli Durham at 719-275-8631 ext 4 or email lesli.durham@theabbeycc.com.

    Still have questions? Ask the Race Director Here:
Race Start/Finish Location:

Athletic Field North-East of
​The Holy Cross Abbey
2951 US-50
Cañon City, CO 81212
  • 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM  - Racer Check-In at Criterium Bicycle Shop
    • Criterium Bicycles
      6150 Corporate Drive
      Colorado Springs, CO 80919
    • Racers are allowed to check in the evening prior to the race. Check-in will be open from 6 PM - 7:30 PM at Criterium Bike Shop in Colorado Springs. Racers will sign all necessary waivers and get their race bibs and SWAG bags.
    • Feel free to get any last minute purchases at Criterium while there and thank them for their support!
  • Race Day
    • 7:00 AM - 8:30 AM - Racer Check-In
      • Racers who didn’t check in last night, can check in this morning.
      • Please arrive earlier rather than later to avoid a start delay due to a bottleneck at the check-in table. 
    • ​​​​​7:00 AM - 9:00 AM - Course Volunteer Meeting
      • Volunteer Coordinator will ensure all volunteers who will be manning aid stations or pointing at turns are aware of their location, and have all necessary gear. 
    • 8:45 AM - Pre-race meeting and Line-Up
      • Sheriff and Staff ready for traffic holds and bike escort out of city.
      • Racers line up behind escort vehicle.
      • Racers are given safety reminders, instructions and time-cutoff reminders.
    • 9:00 AM - Rolling Race Start
      • Racers begin in a rolling start behind escort vehicle through town.
      • Escort vehicle maintains speed around 10 mph.
      • Once racers reach MacKenzie Ave, escort vehicle pulls off and racers are directed to begin racing up Fremont County 123.
      • Once escort vehicle pulls over, the race is on!
    • 3:00 PM - Victor Cut-off
      • Racers who aren’t through this point by 3 PM must call for pick up or will be required to wait at TA until they can be taken down by race staff to race finish.
    • ​​Finish: Racers will be finishing from 12 PM - 5 PM 
    • Awards: Will be announced when all female and male podium winners are identified.
    • Wine and Harvest Festival: The Holy Cross Abbey Winery will be hosting their annual Harvest Festival next-door to our event. Bring the family on Saturday and hang out Sunday, too! ​https://abbeywinery.com/harvest-fest/

Aid Stations

Aid stations will have volunteers to help with water and Tailwind fill-ups, water bottle hand outs and food hand outs. The food is ranges from normal snack foods (sweet and savory) to energy gels and bars.
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  • Aid Station 1: Red Bridge - 17 Miles
  • Aid Station 2: Bathroom - 22 Miles
  • Aid Station 3: Victor - 33 Miles
  • ​Finish Line
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Hydration and recovery supplied by Tailwind Nutrition!

What kind of bike do I need?

This is a unique event in which I've had people race nearly every type of bike. Fat bikes, road bikes, gravel bikes, recreational bikes and mountain bikes.

In fact, we've had road bikes, gravel bikes and mountain bikes podium! The long steady uphill paired with the fast downhill evens the playing field between those three bike styles. The race comes down to how well rounded of a rider you are. 

If she had to choose, the race director believes that the perfect bike for this race, would be a gravel bike with mild (30mm) travel on front and rear, with 35-38 mm tires.