Pikes Peak - Anyone been during the race or after?

[Bugeyeandy]

It's coming up towards the end of this month and is something i've always fancied going to watch but i've no idea how much of a spectator event it really is.

Has anyone been to watch or even another time during the year just to drive up the hill. Is it even possible to just take a rental car and drive up to the summit?

[spludge]

You can certainly drive up to the peak, we did it last August. We got most of the way but had to turn back just short of the summit because we ran out of time. Fantastic drive all the same.

The car rental companies don't like you taking their vehicles off the tarmac and since its a dirt road, just a notch in the side of the mountain really, for the last fifteen or more miles you might have a problem there. There is a railway that runs all the way to the top, from Manitou Springs I think.

I'd check out the race carefully. I doubt you'll get a car very close when thats going on so you might have a long hike just to get to the start line. Motel rooms close by might be in short supply as well.

[Bugeyeandy]

Thanks for that, exactly the kind of info I was looking for. Shame it's not viable to drive to the top in a rental though.

[Engineer1]

If you are sensible and clean it then who's to know,

[RJB_666]

I went up last year. My brother was living in the US at the time so we were in his car. He didn't look comfortable with me driving up there so i gave him the wheel back after a bit though. It's the only place i've ever seen a speed limit of 10mph for a corner.

Before he went out fully i'm sure he'd driven up in a rental car though. Just wash the sand off Definately worth going though. Great scenery around the area, the views are incredible. The altitude will drain your energy at the top. If your interested i could pop some of my photos up from last year.

[Bugeyeandy]

That would be great if you could pop up some photos. Just another question, is it a public road open to all normally or is it a toll road?

[spludge]

Its a toll road but they charge per person rather than by the vehicle, $12 each I think. Have a read here: http://www.pikespeakcolorado.com/

[RJB_666]

Bugeyeandy said:

That would be great if you could pop up some photos. Just another question, is it a public road open to all normally or is it a toll road?

I'll put some up tonight for you. It's basically ran like a state park, so you have to pay per car. Roughly $10-15. Worth every cent

[OzzyR1]

Just read on wiki that:

A project to pave the remainder of the road [to the peak] is scheduled to be completed by 2012. The project is in response to a suit by the Sierra Club over damage caused by the gravel and sediment that is constantly washed off the road into the alpine environment.[4][5] The road remains open during construction.


Seems almost a shame and might take away part of the thrill of the hillclimb events for me.

[Bugeyeandy]

Interesting Ozzy, will indeed spoil the whole aura of the place i'd imagine.

Can't get the idea of emulating this in a rental car out of my head

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKgeCQGu_ug

although possibly slightly slower and maybe a little further away from the edges

I see they do a marathon there each year where various mental patients and lunatics run to the top and back down again as a race - sod that

[RJB_666]

Pictures as promised:









I'd heard that they were re surfacing it to the peak. It's a real shame, won't be the same seeing monster flying up there.

[Bugeyeandy]

Great pics thanks, makes me even more determined to go. Will have to look at flight and rentals, thanks again. Andy

[RJB_666]

Bugeyeandy said:

Great pics thanks, makes me even more determined to go. Will have to look at flight and rentals, thanks again. Andy

Are you just planning on staying in the same area of America? Just when i went we did a 6000 mile trip in 2 weeks. Even got to have a look around Laguna Seca

Also you should have kept your Lancia for this, would have been ideal. The steerings even on the 'wrong' side

[Bugeyeandy]

I think the chances of the old Integrale making it to the top were quite slim, it barely made a week of driving to work and back without needing something fixing on it!

[Bugeyeandy]

At the moment i'm just mulling over the idea of a quick in and out weekender for a visit. Haven't been to the USA for a long time though so could make it a bit of a longer trip maybe

[RJB_666]

Bugeyeandy said:

At the moment i'm just mulling over the idea of a quick in and out weekender for a visit. Haven't been to the USA for a long time though so could make it a bit of a longer trip maybe

My brother used to own a Lancia some years back. He was paranoid of the 'Italian' electrics and sold it after about 6 months. It's still on a potential car list of mine though.

Make sure you put some pics up from your trip.