HOW IT BEGAN
In 2011, Dr. Erik Dorf, an 'esteemed' orthopedic surgeon at Vail Summit Orthopedics, conceived the notion of a ride in Eagle County that tackled all of the popular road climbs in one day. There are eight. He mentioned the concept to Scott Bandoni, his most handsome and strongest bike-riding friend, who cautiously endorsed it...'it's crazy stupid but I'm in', said Bandoni.
Dorf called it the Octopus.
That first year just three of the eight who started the day finished the day. Dorf, Bandoni, and Brian Baker. The second year, 7 of 15 finished. Year three, 12 of 18. The success ratio improves each year. Usually.
The BOULDER Octopus was spontaneously invented by Bandoni in 2014 as a rain-out contingency plan for the Vail ride. The Vail ride was not cancelled that year and it holds the record for longest, wettest, most rewarding Vail ride yet. But the Boulder Octopus was born.
THE MAPS
The PDF of the BOULDER OCTOPUS map & profile
The PDF of the VAIL OCTOPUS map
THE OCTOPUS IS A GROUP RIDE AND NOT A RACE
In Vail, the support-van driver is a paid volunteer from Venture Sports and in Boulder, usually any willing mechanic I can find.
The number of riders is limited to 24 on each ride
The Vail ride starts at approx 6am. The Boulder ride starts at approx 7am
Vail Octo start/finish is Vail Summit Orthopedics in Edwards. Boulder Octo start/finish is Amante Cafe in North Boulder
VAIL: total event time is approx 13 hours. Time in the saddle is approx 11 hours.
BOULDER: total event time is approx 10 hours. Time in the saddle is approx 9 hours.
We typically break up into small groups and/or go solo as we climb. The lead group will wait for the last group at each summit.
The support van stages halfway up the hill then and stops to check on riders as they ascend... and does the same on the way down.
We re-group at the bottom and commute together to the base of the next climb.
WHAT TO BRING
Your cell phone
At least two 1-gallon jugs of water for your own consumption [ not a 2.5‐gallon jug with spout ]
Food for your own consumption. Bring more than less. [ place in a cooler with your name on the side. large coolers are fine ]
All the bike clothes & gear and basic tools that you wish [ if it is wet/cold, hot/sweaty, you can change often... again, not a race ]
Extra wheels if you wish
The van has plenty of room. Bring anything your want except your spouse or your binky.
ADDITIONALLY...
Cell phone is mandatory to communicate with the support van in event of emergency.
You can bail out of the ride at any point during the day but the support crew must be notified.
Upon your completion, you will receive the rare, unique, pile of cherished Octopus schwag.
Much needed food & drink immediately ensues at the restaurant of our choice.
LODGING I can help you find lodging near the start/finish area. Let me know.
Call or email to register | bandoni@vail.net | 970.390.9400
In 2011, Dr. Erik Dorf, an 'esteemed' orthopedic surgeon at Vail Summit Orthopedics, conceived the notion of a ride in Eagle County that tackled all of the popular road climbs in one day. There are eight. He mentioned the concept to Scott Bandoni, his most handsome and strongest bike-riding friend, who cautiously endorsed it...'it's crazy stupid but I'm in', said Bandoni.
Dorf called it the Octopus.
That first year just three of the eight who started the day finished the day. Dorf, Bandoni, and Brian Baker. The second year, 7 of 15 finished. Year three, 12 of 18. The success ratio improves each year. Usually.
The BOULDER Octopus was spontaneously invented by Bandoni in 2014 as a rain-out contingency plan for the Vail ride. The Vail ride was not cancelled that year and it holds the record for longest, wettest, most rewarding Vail ride yet. But the Boulder Octopus was born.
THE MAPS
The PDF of the BOULDER OCTOPUS map & profile
The PDF of the VAIL OCTOPUS map
THE OCTOPUS IS A GROUP RIDE AND NOT A RACE
In Vail, the support-van driver is a paid volunteer from Venture Sports and in Boulder, usually any willing mechanic I can find.
The number of riders is limited to 24 on each ride
The Vail ride starts at approx 6am. The Boulder ride starts at approx 7am
Vail Octo start/finish is Vail Summit Orthopedics in Edwards. Boulder Octo start/finish is Amante Cafe in North Boulder
VAIL: total event time is approx 13 hours. Time in the saddle is approx 11 hours.
BOULDER: total event time is approx 10 hours. Time in the saddle is approx 9 hours.
We typically break up into small groups and/or go solo as we climb. The lead group will wait for the last group at each summit.
The support van stages halfway up the hill then and stops to check on riders as they ascend... and does the same on the way down.
We re-group at the bottom and commute together to the base of the next climb.
WHAT TO BRING
Your cell phone
At least two 1-gallon jugs of water for your own consumption [ not a 2.5‐gallon jug with spout ]
Food for your own consumption. Bring more than less. [ place in a cooler with your name on the side. large coolers are fine ]
All the bike clothes & gear and basic tools that you wish [ if it is wet/cold, hot/sweaty, you can change often... again, not a race ]
Extra wheels if you wish
The van has plenty of room. Bring anything your want except your spouse or your binky.
ADDITIONALLY...
Cell phone is mandatory to communicate with the support van in event of emergency.
You can bail out of the ride at any point during the day but the support crew must be notified.
Upon your completion, you will receive the rare, unique, pile of cherished Octopus schwag.
Much needed food & drink immediately ensues at the restaurant of our choice.
LODGING I can help you find lodging near the start/finish area. Let me know.
Call or email to register | bandoni@vail.net | 970.390.9400
Said at previous Octopi :
'this totally sucks'
'this is fucking fabulous'
'are you fucking kidding me?' [ very common ]
'it just dawned on me that this is also 17,000 ft of descending'
" I will finish next year if it kills me' He finished. He lived.
from a random hot chic driving by near the top of climb 7: 'hey, is this that Octopus ride !?'
