I went to a rally in Estes Park Colorado a few years ago with a bunch of fellow riders from all over the country. There were a few people who got sick and had to go to the hospital. The common diagnosis was dehydration and altitude sickness. It's real. Stay hydrated at higher altitudes. When we rode Trail Ridge Road through Rocky Mountain National Park, I was a bit dizzy at 12,000 feet (off the bike and walking around) that was only temporary and went away quickly.

 

The passes in Alberta and British Columbia range between 5,000 ft and 7,000 ft. Highland Pass is the highest at 7,250 ft, it's not on a major riding route.

 

You ride up to high elevations and back down to more modest. I get a little headache and drink a ton of water.

 

On motorized travel you top out at altitude very quickly and have little time to acclimate and will probably get dizzy walking around. This happened to me on Pikes Peak and I Live over a mile high and spend a lot of time above that.
If you get up on a pass and decide you want to hike a Fourteener you might suffer more serious effects. Keep hydrated and spend your nights at lower elevations and you will be fine.

 

Some folks are very sensitive to altitude, others not. Take time to acclimate. If you're riding to Colorado, take a day or two in Denver. Go for a day ride, and spend the night back in Denver. Mountain climbers adage is: climb high - sleep low. You'll probably be fine.

 

I had no problems at 9100 feet in Utah, but did feel a light headache when skiing Colorado, in Telluride (Mountain Village 9500) and Aspen (11,000+). The headache went away by the time we got down to Gunnison.

Altitude affects different people in different ways. On both of those trips there was a woman with us who spent each of the weeks with altitude sickness. I have no idea why she went. lol

 

Tnx everyone, I want to see the mountains, and the beauty, just don't want to get sick and ruin the trip, or anything, has anyone actually crashed or anything, or am i over thinking this

 

Stay hydrated at all times on the trip and for several days in advance of the trip. Ron 😎

 

You were right to ask about the altitude, don't worry about crashing or you will. You can enjoy the scenery while you're riding!