Rides in Aspen, CO?

[moose8]

I'm getting very lucky and visiting Aspen, CO for a few days this weekend. The plan is to rent a road bike when I get there - there seem to be a few shops that rent nice bikes at reasonable prices. I called a shop and they said the road riding was good now - does anyone have any thoughts on what a nice ride to do out there is? I will probably only ride for one day so I want to make it a good/pretty one. The elevation will likely beat me down, but I am willing to try. I imagine they are all pretty nice, but if anyone has suggestions I would love to hear them.
thanks

[Honey]

if you feel like testing your mettle Ind. pass will do that in spades. normally it's not open this time of year but word is there's minimal snow in CO so it might be worth looking into. central CO is wonderful place to ride a bike

[Ken Robb]

there was a long thread a few months back on rides in Aspen.

[djg21]

Ride west out of town and up to Maroon Bells. Ride East and over Independence Pass.

[Steve K]

Unless they've been getting snow, ride to the gate go around. The road will be all yours until you hit the snow line.

http://www.independencepass.org/aboutpass-road-conditions.htm

[moose8]

Unless they've been getting snow, ride to the gate go around. The road will be all yours until you hit the snow line.

http://www.independencepass.org/aboutpass-road-conditions.htm
Awesome - if the conditions permit I will give this a try, though I am sure I will suffer mightily.

[Ken Robb]

Awesome - if the conditions permit I will give this a try, though I am sure I will suffer mightily.

If you are from sea level or thereabouts the ride out Maroon Creek Road will be plenty of exertion for you at Aspen's altitude. The shop renting you the bike will be able to give you up to date info on road conditions and recommendations.

[Lovetoclimb]

Awesome - if the conditions permit I will give this a try, though I am sure I will suffer mightily.

You will be surprised with Independence. The Aspen side ascent is a nice comfortable grade. I found just not thinking about the elevation and spinning 80+ cadence kept me going all the way until I dropped the hammer for the last 2 miles. Once you can see the top it is hard not to do that.

Enjoy the shops out there, I fondly remember oggling their bike porn while walking the streets last August.

[Ken Robb]

For many years I spent 1-2 weeks each year skiing in Aspen. Living at sea level I learned to take it easy for the first two days to adapt to the reduced oxygen content of 8,000+ ft. above sea level. That first year I was so excited to be skiing in such a beautiful area I just went for it. I felt fine until I suddenly DIDN'T!! I would not want to feel that way part way up Independence Pass on a bike. OTOH someone who lives at 5,000 ft. would probably not have such a hard time going hard without much time to adapt.
It certainly is a lovely place to be.

[Bradford]

Unless they've been getting snow...


I'm pretty sure you can ride from Aspen to Crested Butte over the mountain and not see snow right now.

I'm heading up to Frisco in a few hours and I have no idea if there is even ice and slush left at Breck. Maybe the snow will come back next year.

[moose8]

I did independence pass until the snow prevented further travel - our ride ended at Lincoln Creek Road. It was actually snowing really hard once we got up there and was an absolutely frigid descent. The road was beautiful though and it made me want to come ride a bike here in the summer. We rented bikes from Ajax bike and the guy at the shop was very nice.

[Dekonick]

For many years I spent 1-2 weeks each year skiing in Aspen. Living at sea level I learned to take it easy for the first two days to adapt to the reduced oxygen content of 8,000+ ft. above sea level. That first year I was so excited to be skiing in such a beautiful area I just went for it. I felt fine until I suddenly DIDN'T!! I would not want to feel that way part way up Independence Pass on a bike. OTOH someone who lives at 5,000 ft. would probably not have such a hard time going hard without much time to adapt.
It certainly is a lovely place to be.

This is sound advice. The altitude and dry air will kick your ass. Advice from a doctor who lives and works there (my sister) is to not drink any alcohol the first day (or 2... but she understands people come to vacation and like to imble a bit sometimes...) - and drink TONS of water. Take it easy... you won't be able to ride like you do at sea level... it takes months for the body to produce more red blood cells that those who live at altitude have...

Oh, and you can get a medication to kick start your kidneys to offset the respiratory alkalosis you develop from breathing faster at altitude... the kidneys usually take a week to start pissing off the extra bicarb to compensate. I can't remember the medication off hand... but do a search, I have mentioned it before (or just ask your doctor...)
Enjoy Aspen - a beautiful place for sure. If you find the altitude is kicking your ass, it is also a nice ride from Aspen to Glennwood Springs along the roaring fork river. Paved trail the entire way (and almost no people on the trail at all...)

Indy pass will be closed this time of year. Doesn't usually open until late may or so... but you can bike up to the snow line and then come back. Alternative nice ride is to go from Aspen to Ashcroft. Absolutely beautiful.

Enjoy!

Snowmass has a nice ~10 mile or so climb from the highway to the ski resort top. Tough grade, but doable. You can also go over Owl Creek to Aspen, but last I remember it was some crush n run in spots... - also a nice ride. (touring bike would be perfect for this)

If you go in summer give the single track a go - TONS!

Me? I usually just hike the mountains (can't get that fix in MD...)

I love Aspen... enjoy!

[Dekonick]

You will be surprised with Independence. The Aspen side ascent is a nice comfortable grade. I found just not thinking about the elevation and spinning 80+ cadence kept me going all the way until I dropped the hammer for the last 2 miles. Once you can see the top it is hard not to do that.

Enjoy the shops out there, I fondly remember oggling their bike porn while walking the streets last August.

It is not a comfortable grade for a 'flatlander' (as my sister calls me... living at sea level) mostly because your oxygen saturation is only ~92% @8000 feet... and at 99%+ at sea level. At sea level, a SPO2 of 92% gets the ER staff worried... 88% and less can buy you a ventilator... depending on factors of course.

Do not take the altitude lightly... perfectly healthy people can develop pulmonary edema.... and you will be working harder with less oxygen, lower atmospheric pressures, and blood thinner than the locals... Just saying... take it easy, and enjoy the scenery. A slower pace is the right pace for Aspen - there is much to take in. While you ride, look at the rivers next to the road - watch the beavers. Check out the still pools and search for the well hidden trout (a practiced eye and you can spot them....) stop and look at the solitary columbines and other flowers. There is so much more than just the epic rides.

Aspen is a magical place. No wonder John Denver called it home.

[moose8]

Some pictures from the ride I did. We got snowed out at Liberty Creek Road. The ride was a lot of fun, and surprisingly coming from sea level a few days prior I didn't really feel the oxygen difference. The next day I did though, so maybe it had something to do with the bike ride.

[kenw]

Some years ago, we were going down the west side of Independence Pass one
lovely summer day. Coming out of town towards us, and up-pass, was a small paceline of 5 or 6 lovely young women, all wearing helmets, cycling shoes, and very skimpy bikinis. Quite the traffic jam.