We don’t have strawberry fields, hell our leaves on our trees just popped today, and I don’t have 14 other cokerheads to ride with, I’m envious. So, this is Aspenmikes Ride from 5/15/05 on Idependence Pass outside of Aspen. The road is open, but not to cars till Memorial Day, so now is the time to play up there. They (CDOT) just finished clearing the snow last week, hell, it was snowing last week. It took them three weeks from each side to clear it. The ride itself was totally incredible, I have never seen so much snow up there in the 30 years I have lived here. Temperatures were mild , mid40’s, first nice day in quite awhile, and I was the only one on top when I summited. I finally saw a few bicyclists heading up as I was going down. I had a pace animal on the last cut, from 11,800 to 12,000’ - it was a whistle pig (marmot) who couldnt get back over the snowbanks for along time. So I rode side by side with him as him moved his little feet as fast as he could until he found a low spot to go over.
The total ride distance was 30 miles, (15 out and 15 back) with 4800’ vertical feet of climbing and descending. I only had half a day to escape, and this turned out to be a good way to do it. Average riding elevation was over 10,000’. The skiing is (going) to be incredible when the pass opens up, I can’t wait. I need to find time to go up there again before the road opens to cars in two weeks. GB4, get to Aspen and let’s ride, anybody else?
Mike, who is your photographer? And would he or she be willing to spend a few days in Central New Jersey?
He or she would enjoy going to New Jersey, he has family in Morganville that he needs to visit soon.
He should look me up. Matawan is only a few miles from Morganville.
Wow is that a lot of snow! Love those photos! We were roasting on our ride yesterday. I wish I could come out and ride the real hills with you Mike. Ours are chicken-feed.
—Nathan
Incredible piles of snow! Thanks, Mike.
Mike, your GB4 36 looks lonely in that photo. Mine wants to come visit!
I am seriously envious of that ride, although doubtless it would whoop on my Seattle Sea Level Lungs. I had a similar experience early last summer in Salt Lake, where the Mill Creek Canyon road was cleared but not yet open to cars. Nothing to rival your elevation or snowpack, but it was still fun to be up on a public road in the mountains with no traffic to worry about except other cyclists. I was really wishing I had my 36". Was just passing through and all I had was my 24" muni, so I chugged up the road on that. Maybe next year I can figure out how to play a late spring “intermountain west” tour to get some of these good miles.
Although I’ve swapped my 170s down to 150s, you continue to inspire… 
Nathan, Nonsense you guys rock, you are riding tough hills. Mine are just higher in elevation. As far as temperature, I am fortunate to ride in cool temps most of the time. Your group size is what I am envious of.
>>Mike, your GB4 36 looks lonely in that photo. Mine wants to come visit!
I am seriously envious of that ride, although doubtless it would whoop on my Seattle Sea Level Lungs. I had a similar experience early last summer in Salt Lake, where the Mill Creek Canyon road was cleared but not yet open to cars. Nothing to rival your elevation or snowpack, but it was still fun to be up on a public road in the mountains with no traffic to worry about except other cyclists. I was really wishing I had my 36". Was just passing through and all I had was my 24" muni, so I chugged up the road on that. Maybe next year I can figure out how to play a late spring “intermountain west” tour to get some of these good miles.
Although I’ve swapped my 170s down to 150s, you continue to inspire… >>>
Tom, You would love this ride, and other mtn rides here. You would acclimate quickly. 150’s/170’s doesnt matter, the key is you and your gang are putting in some incredible rides, awesome!
Thanks to all for the kind words. Peace.
One last photo from the ride, on the divide.
