Independence Pass

After Monday’s mountain-bike ride, the road bikes and camping gear were packed into Reilly’s Sprinter-van.  After watching Reilly and his pal Tom kayak a choppy section of Clear Creek of the Arkansas River, camp was set, dinner made and a fire lit.  With the dishes done, I was soon asleep in my bivy-sack, looking forward to Tuesday’s road ride up and over the famed Independence Pass.

A short drive from camp, Reilly, Kimberly, Taf, Ryan and myself met fellow riders Kent, Lonnie and Pat at Twin Lakes for a 10 am start time.  Today’s ride would mark not only my first road ride in the great State of Colorado but also Kimberly’s first ever road ride!  Though, the way she rode and from the smile on her face, you’d think she spends many hours in the drops.

Right from the start we were climbing.  In fact, for the next hour and forty-five minutes, the eight of us [quickly split into two groups] would grind our way up and up and up.  With winter’s snow still thawing at these elevations the water-falls flowed, the snow and ice remained piled high and the temperatures got cooler and cooler.  We regrouped at the 12,096′ summit–which is part of the Continental Divide–before Lonnie and Kent [riding his fully-equipped bike-packing mtb!] turned around for the return trip down to Twin Lakes.  The remaining six of us put on all the clothes we had for the long, fast, yet cold descent into Aspen.

It was glorious; flying down-hill on those smooth roads, blasting through corners with the river on one side and the aspens on the other.  Truly, this is what cycling is all about.

In Aspen we stopped for lunch and water.  Soon enough we were back on the bikes climbing from the moment we left the parking lot.  The ride back up Independence Pass was notably different than the descent.  Not only was the wind now at our backs for the climb, but the clouds began to open up and patter our helmets with rain; just enough to be refreshing.  As we climbed, the rain turned to snow but our smiles remained.  Eventually, the clouds parted, the sun began to shine and the temperatures rose.  In fact, by the time we reached the summit, it was noticeably warmer than it was a few hours earlier.

As I neared the summit, my legs and heart slowly turning my lowest gear [39/25; I’ve since put on a 27t cassette] a guy with a Colnago cap and California plates pulled up next to me.   “How you feelin’ man, you need anything?”  he asked with a big smile.  “Maybe an extra lung” I laughed.  “Nope, just power-gels and water if you want.”  Though I had all I needed, I thanked him for the offer and continued my climb.  It was such a kind gesture but certainly in keeping with the friendly nature of all those I’ve met here in Colorado.  At the top of the pass where Reilly, Pat and Ryan were waiting, I saw that guy in the Colnago cap and thanked him for his good-natured concern.

Though Ryan may have reached the top of the Pass about 20mins before I did, it was Pat, Reilly and I who flew down that hill back to Twin Lakes.  We yo-yoed back and forth, staying low, taking wide corners and hootin’ an’ hollerin’ as we three blasted down that big ole hill.  We were flying, it was incredible!

Eventually, we six were reunited in the parking lot, smiling and congratulating each other on such a tremendous ride.  A wonderful group of people in a most remarkable part of the world doing what we love most; cycling.  Let me tell you, THIS is what living is all about!