LOG - Altitude

[jkolb]

For those who are going to LOG 27, two important points.

You need a day to get used to the altitude if you have come from less than about 2000 feet. For the first day (at least) drink lots of water, and keep alcohol intake at a minimum, eat conservatively, and get to bed early. I used to be CEO of the Aspen hospital and every night we would get several cases that mimicked a cardiac event, but were really cases of overdoing it too early. Good news is no heart attack. Bad news is that it takes about $2,500 in tests, etc. to rule one out.

The second point is that it is not unusual for it to rain in the afternoon. Just a quick shower and no problem in Aspen, but if you are up on a pass or hiking up high, the afternoon storm is usually also an electrical event. If you are in such a situation (high and exposed terrrain) and you think a storm is brewing, don't get out of your car or you will be a human lightning rod. The storms usually blow up in high places after 1 pm.

Have fun!

Jerry

[MattG]

Sunscreen (or a very good hat) is also a good idea if you're going to be outdoors much.

[25psi_Elise_Killer]

Another tip, if you're very sensative to altitude, get a prescription from your doctor called Diamox. It prevents altitude sickness. +100000 on drining a LOT of water.

[MightyMike]

Good news: it is much cheaper to get a buzz in Colorado. Just don't drink and drive!

The Colorado State Patrol is making a big sweep this month to nab folks that have had too much to drink.

[charliex]

how are they on license plates

not that i have any

[MightyMike]

Everyone is a target of the Colorado State Patrol. They like to give citations for speeding and other moving violations. City cops aren't much better.

FYI - Colorado Springs is listed second nationwide on Speedtrap.org. My brother is a motorcyle cop and I give him a hard time about this all the time.

[MattG]

The worst part about Colorado is the speed limits. While other states will put up cautionary speed limit signs in areas with tight corners and such while maintaining a 55mph speed limit, Colorado seems to just drop the speed limit instead. It's like they set the speed limit to a point where you don't need to use your brakes at all. The result is that you'll find yourself driving a magnificent canyon road with a speed limit of 35mph, while realizing that you could drive that road at 70mph without coming close to pushing the limits of your Elise and without being a danger to other people or their property (hwy 67 south of Deckers is a prime example of this). So, if you want to have much fun on these roads, you end up exposing yourself to potentially much greater fines. Then once you're through the canyon section, they'll bump the speed limit up to 65mph for a two lane highway that's straight and boring.