Dan Recht Crushes It
He Has A Passion For Justice, And For The Ride
Story and photos by Reid Neureiter
For the GPHN
Dan Recht is a celebrated criminal defense lawyer, former president of the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar, former chairman of the ACLU of Colorado and frequent television and NPR radio commentator on civil rights and constitutional law.
Few people know that the 66-year-old Recht, a longtime resident of Ivy Street, also spends much of his spare time on his bicycle. As you will soon see, the phrase “on his bicycle” is a bit of an understatement.
In July, Recht completed two of Colorado’s most grueling one-day organized bicycle rides. On July 13, Recht rode the Triple Bypass, from Evergreen to Avon. That ride covered 120 miles, with 10,600 feet of climbing (more than two vertical miles) over three high mountain passes. Two weeks later, on July 27, Recht completed the Mount Evans Hill Climb. That ride stretched 24 miles up the highest paved road in North America, from Idaho Springs to the summit of Mount Evans at 14,130 feet.
Both these rides are considered two of the most difficult organized rides not just in Colorado, but the world. Both feature spectacular high mountain scenery and high altitude.
The Mount Evans ride travels first through forests of aspen and lodgepole pine, before passing the Mount Goliath Natural Area near 11,000 feet, which contains a stand of several thousand year-old Rocky Mountain bristlecone pines. Beyond tree line is Summit Lake at 12,800 feet, reported to be the highest lake in Colorado. Past Summit Lake are five more miles of seemingly endless switchbacks to the summit, where exhausted cyclists are usually met by the local herd of wild mountain goats, and sometimes bighorn sheep.
The Triple Bypass requires even more stamina, as riders usually depart Evergreen before dawn, and do not make it around Lake Dillon – past Frisco, over Vail Pass, past the Vail ski resort, and into Avon – until 5 or 6 p.m., spending between eight and 12 hours in the saddle.
Recht is married to Elaine and is a father of three and grandfather of two. His older daughter, Molly Recht, who grew up in Park Hill, is amazed at her father’s athletic achievements and the passion he puts into both his cycling and his legal practice.
“It is incredible,” she says. “He is in better shape than anyone I know. His passion is unmatched with everything he does. To see a man his age who absolutely crushes it, it is phenomenal.”
The Greater Park Hill News caught up with Recht at the top of Mount Evans, among other rides – and later back at home in Park Hill, where he answered a few questions.
GPHN: How long have you been road cycling?
Recht: I grew up in Wisconsin and as kids we rode our bikes constantly. As a teenager I began taking long bike camping trips to northern Wisconsin. In my 20s I rode through Ireland and France with full saddlebags for camping. In my 20s I also rode and camped 1,000-plus miles through the northwest, ending up in Montana.
However, I didn’t start racing road bicycles until I was in my 50s. Why? I had persistent running injuries that eventually caused me to switch sports. It took me a while to get over the running addiction. Fortunately, I found a substitute passion that makes me even happier.
GPHN: How many times have you ridden the Mount Evans Hill Climb?
Recht: I have lost track of how many times I have done the race up Mount Evans, but I have ridden to the top at least 20 times.
GPHN: How many times have you ridden the Triple Bypass?
Recht: I have ridden the Triple Bypass officially 22 times. However, I have done the ride informally many times. A total of over 30.
GPHN: Which one is harder physically or harder psychologically?
Recht: Mount Evans is crazy and hard, as it is over 14,000 feet. As anyone that has hiked up a 14’er knows, for the last several thousand feet of elevation gain, the air is quite thin. So, the intensity of the effort for the last few hours is extreme and much more than anything on the Triple. On the other hand, the Triple is much longer, and much more grueling. The 10,000 vertical feet gain and over 100 miles of riding is [an obscenity-inducing challenge].
GPHN: How did you train for these rides?
Recht: I did not specifically train, but I try to ride in the hills as much as I can. When I have limited time, I often drive to Lookout Mountain [in Golden] and get my hill climbing in by doing Lookout two or three times per ride. Squaw Pass is good training also.
GPHN: What kind of equipment is necessary?
Recht: Any time I ride at elevation, at a minimum I bring raincoat, warm waterproof gloves, and other miscellaneous material to use if it rains or gets very cold. Regarding bike equipment, your bike needs to have a wide gear range with a pretty easy easiest gear. However, I don’t go so far as to have a triple chain-ring in front.
GPHN: Have you ever had to quit in the middle of one of these rides?
Recht: I have never abandoned the Mount Evans ride. And only once have I abandoned the Triple. That was because it was raining hard and very cold as we descended from Squaw Pass. I and hundreds of others were worried about hypothermia.
GPHN: Have you ever done any other rides anywhere else that compare?
Recht: I have been lucky enough to travel all over the world on somewhat extreme adventures, but have never ridden anything harder than Evans and the Triple.
Just last November, though, I did a remote arduous 20-day trek in Nepal with my daughter Hannah that took us over 18,000 feet. I have also climbed to around 20,000-feet five or so times in my life. Those all-day climbs compare in effort, psychological fortitude and intensity to the Evans and Triple rides.
GPHN: This year, you almost turned around three-fourths of the way up Mount Evans. What happened?
Recht: The weather was looking foreboding. I was over 13,000 feet and the thought of screaming down from the top of Evans [with rain or lightening] scared me. In the end I told myself, “you have never abandoned in 20-some efforts, don’t start now.” And so I didn’t. And, I am happy I didn’t.
GPHN: What’s your advice for a beginner who might be interested in doing one of these very difficult rides?
Recht: You need to slowly build up, or you are assured of getting injured – not unlike deciding to do a running marathon but failing to build up slowly. It’s a sure recipe for injury and unhappiness. On the other hand, if you train for at least six months, gradually build up your base and plan to just finish, you might just harbor the type of insanity to get it done.
GPHN: Have you ever been injured? Do you have any tips for avoiding crashes?
Recht: The major danger on these rides are the steep, fast downhills where speeds hit 50-plus miles per hour. I suppose there is also the danger that your friends and family will label you with an insanity diagnosis. I have not been injured in one of these serious mountain rides. I have been injured [broken collar bone] while riding at high speed in a big pack while race training. My tip for avoiding crashes or injury? Stay on the couch and open a beer.
GPHN: You’re 66. How long are you going to be doing these grueling rides?
Recht: Who knows? Health and longevity are part of the great mystery of life. But I can tell you I hope to continue doing such things as long as I am able. I will invite you to my 70th birthday celebration on top of Mount Evans.