DAY 8 Snowmass to Glenwood Springs

We left Snowmass on a long downhill...with a short half mile uphill about two miles out. It was 13-17 percent. Lovely...on cold legs too. Ah the life of a bike rider. Most of our group opted to ride an additional 18 mile route up to Maroon Bells. It was a 9 mile climb though aspens and mountain terrain. Stunningly beautiful. The sun on the aspens was something the car traffic just didn't see.

Here's a pic of Maroon Bells. Its one of the most photographed landscapes. It's also drawn by landscape artists.

Here's a full house!

And Maroon Bells again!

Back through Aspen and onto the Rio Grande Bike trail...42 miles of it along Roaring forks all the way to Glenwood Springs. Its slightly downhill most of the way. We will lose 2000 vertical feet over the 42 miles. Just a terrific ride! We stop for lunch and then 5 miles from the end of the ride at Glenwood Springs we are hit with a substantial thunderstorm. I ducked under a new building under construction and missed most of the rain. I missed a turn somewhere too...rode a few extra bonus miles! Glenwood Springs was a lot of fun...we had all purchased Amtrak tickets for the ride back to Boulder but the trains were all delayed because of flooding in the midwest. We ended up taking a shuttle bus back to Boulder. All's well that ends well! Beth and Sandy should quit their day jobs and be tour operators/guides! What a super ride...and with some of the greatest folks anywhere on the planet!

DAY 7 Leadville to Snowmass

We have about a 20 mile downhill from Leadville that leads through the Arkansas River drainage and sage brush with ranches dotting the terrain. It's a good run averaging about 20 mph. Then the uphill begins. About 17 miles of it!

Here's a view from partway up! Stunning!

Eventually we arrive at the summit! It's just another beautiful day...t shirt weather....even up here! How sweet it is. This is our last pass of the trip. This is the third Continental Divide this week!

Just another view from the valley we came up through. And then of course, the downhill. It's exhilarating! Aspen beckons at the bottom. We meet up in a town square for a sandwich and then on to Snowmass for the night. Here's Randy, Barb and Leo...He's in every pic it seems...?

And Leo's brother Dave!

And

Here's Beth!
Just
hang
ing
out!

And Sara!

DAY 6 Copper Mountain to Leadville

Here's Sara and Leo on the way up to Fremont Pass

It was another beautiful day, although chilly in the early am. Just another alpine lake.

Here's the summit! Fairly easy ride so far today!

There's lots to see at the summit. Here's an old ore train

Climax is the name of the mining area. In the old days there were thousands of people here.

Now the demand for molybdenum is back so there is a lot of activity and construction to reopen the mine here. It's right on the summit.

Lots of pictures and signage detailing the activities here abouts.

And what train car would be complete without a bunch of bike riders. There's Leo, Joe, Moi,Barb, John and Margo(the other one). Lots of comraderie hereabouts, too!

And the sag is here too!

Dave, Sandy and Leo!

And Dan!

The humble beginning of the Arkansas River

Farther down the valley and it gets bigger. Duh

And then on to Leadville. The elevation makes difficult sleeping for just about everybody.

John and Barb! Ain't they cute!

Downtown Leadville. Neat old town! We stay at the Delaware Hotel, circa 1890's! Fun stuff. Had lunch in the Silver Dollar saloon where, according to legend, Doc Holliday shot his last victim. Still has the original mirrors, doors and decor!

DAY 4 Georgetown to Copper Mountain