Mission Date: Saturday, September 27, 2003

Location in Galaxy: 39°58.848' N; 105°34.717' W

Galactic Altitude: 9,978 feet above sea level

Meeting Location Details: A community discovered in 1869. Reached its peak in 1875 with a population of more than 3,000. Mines in the area produced $23 million in silver and gold. Scarlet fever, diptheria and fires in the mines caused the collapse of the town in 1900.

Time: 10:15 a.m.

Intergalactic Mission Details: IGSSC V is a point-to-point ride from the designated meeting place listed above to Boulder, Colorado. This years course is approximately 42 miles long with 6,000 feet of climbing and 9,000 feet of descending (see profile below). The route is a mix of mining roads, jeep roads, dirt roads, singletrack, rocks, goat trails, switchbacks, stream crossings and other obstacles. Basically, a mountain bike ride. Although discouraged as weak willed and limp wristed, there are numerous bail out points.

Spacecraft required: Single speed space craft mandatory. If you don't have one, cobble something together in the next two weeks for cheap. The course dictates a low gear - most of the locals run somewhere between a 34x18 and a 32x20.

Getting to the start: Pilot etiquette dictates that you can't drive to the start of the ride.

From Nederland, Eldora, Rollinsville or Ward, simply pick your route and ride to the start.

From Boulder, take the 8:10 a.m. RTD Nederland ("N") bus from the Boulder Bus Station on 14th and Walnut to the Nederland Park and Ride. Bus fees are $2.50. From Nederland, ride to the start. It take about an hour to get there and it's all uphill.

For non-Boulder folks, somehow get yourself to Boulder Bus Station and catch the 8:10 "N" bus to Nederland.

For folks from around the world, fly to Denver International Airport by Friday and somehow make it to the 8:10 a.m. "N" bus leaving from Boulder. Email us for specific travel or lodging details.

Weather Alternate Plan: If snow starts flying, the current designated meeting spot won't work, so we'll create an alternate meeting spot in the same vicinity but lower. The new meeting spot will be posted on offcamber.com so check back next week if the weather's looking sketchy.