Day 5, August 20 - Aspen to Glenwood Springs

We started the day with a group picture. We all had the option of biking an 80 or 40 mile day. 11 people accepted the 40 mile challenge up to Aspen. Alan and I decided to shuttle up to Aspen and cycle down. The entire ride was along the Rio Grande Trail.

Before beginning our ride, we strolled a bit in downtown Aspen. When we departed Aspen around 10am, the temperature was a mild 76 degrees with calm winds. The winds never gusted more than 12-14 miles per hour. The weather factor was the heat. The high temperature was around 87, however riding on blacktop on an open range had my Garmin temperature top at 115 degrees. That meant it was a very hot ride back into Glenwood Springs.

At the start of the ride, there was a brief part (about four miles) of the trail that was packed gravel. Along the way, we made a stop at the Woody Creek Tavern and split a light lunch. After that stop it was mostly a low grade downhill ride; although we did pedal most of the time. It was nothing like the screaming downhills from Vail Pass earlier in the week.

I was able to use Drew’s leg compression boots after the ride. They really do loosen the muscles in the legs.

Our final dinner as a group was at Juicy Lucy’s Steakhouse. Alan chose a ribeye that was super tender and juicy. I selected that night’s special which was swordfish with gnocchi. Although it wasn’t steak, it was deliciously rewarding.

Art at a gas station in Aspen.

Cobblestone sidewalks in Aspen.

The lobby of the historic Jerome Hotel in Aspen, it has been the social hub of Aspen since its opening in 1889.

A few sculptures within the John Denver Sanctuary. The sanctuary was created in memory of legendary singer John Denver. It is located beside Rio Grande Park, offering a peaceful and contemplative escape.

Water flowing from this rock formation.

Woody Creek Tavern known to be frequented by Hunter S. Thompson (journalist for Rolling Stone from 1970-2004).

The bar side of the tavern.

Inside the bar.

The restaurant side of Woody Creek Tavern reminds me of the No Name Bar in the Florida Keys with the difference being polaroid photos on the walls here versus dollar bills at the No Name Bar.

Two pullman train cars along the trail. This one appeared to be a residence.

Posted speed limit for cyclists on this mostly downhill trail.

Roaring Fork River.

Sculpture along the trail in Carbondale.

Alan along the trail.

Abandoned railway along the trail.

Aspen Post Office

Woody Creek Post Office.

Day 4, August 20,2026, Glenwood Springs

Thursday was officially called “YOYO,” you’re on your own. The tour offered several activity options, including a 40 mile bike ride, a hike near the Maroon Bells (two bell-shaped, 14,000-foot peaks near Aspen, Colorado. Famous for their striking wine-colored rock and reflection in Maroon Lake, they are among the most photographed mountains in North America) or relaxing in the work’s largest, naturally heated hot spring pool located across from the hotel. Alan and I choose option #3: relaxing in the heated spring pools. After nearly three weeks of travel, it was glorious! The healing powers of the mineral hot springs have been appreciated for many generations, going back to native indigenous tribes.

Afterwards we stopped at a nearby brewery called Casey Brewery Taproom and munched on an early dinner from Smoke Modern BBQ located next to the brewery. Both the beer and bbq were delicious.

Alan and I decided to go out for dessert when we ran into the Pampered Pedalers group. We tagged along to the Glenwood Canyon for an evening drink and dessert. Always good conversation. To wrap up the evening, Drew lent me air compression boots for my legs. Similar to what a hospital uses after surgery. The boots inflate and deflate sequentially to boost blood circulation, reduce muscle soreness, and speed up post-workout recovery. This rhythmic squeezing moves blood and lymphatic fluid out of the legs to help clear out lactic acid and reduce swelling. A welcome aide to help my legs recover from all the recent hiking and biking.

Glenwood Hot Springs

Falling Waters

Sacred Waters

Cascade Waters

Alan enjoying the “exhale bath.” 75 degrees.

Historic Drinking Spring: the Ute people called the spring Yampah, meaning the “Big Medicine.”

The Hotel Colorado where we stayed three nights. Silver tycoon Walter Devereux built the luxury hotel in 1893 to resemble the Villa de Medici in Rome.

Hotel Colorado earned the nickname "White House of the West" from the many visits by President Theodore Roosevelt.

The compression boots courtesy of Drew (who is a personal trainer and movement specialist).

The Glenwood Springs post office.

Day 3, August 19 - Avon to Glenwood Springs

We started riding just around 8am and the weather was just a tiny bit chilly at 58 degrees, but it warmed up quickly. Both Alan and I ditched our jackets at the first SAG stop.

Today we moved from Vail (8,150 ft elevation) & Avon (7,430) areas in the higher elevations to Glenwood Springs. It is a mountain town sitting in a steep river valley at the lower elevation of 5,758 feet on the Western Slope of the Rocky Mountains, surrounded by alpine forests, rugged canyons, and a semi-arid climate.

We cycled along the valley created by the Colorado River for most of the day. The rock face formations and river kept inspiring all day long. We also traveled through several towns including Eagle and Gypsum. We were just short of the second SAG stop when we both decided it was time for a “pit stop,” so we detoured into the Eagle airport. Early in the day we had a few miles of road riding and then we cycled on the Eagle Valley Trail and the Glenwood Canyon Trail.

When we completed our almost 55 mile ride, it was 81 degrees. It also started to rain about ½ hour after we finished.

The day ended with a happy hour and dinner on the terrace of the Hotel Colorado. Included was a charcuterie platter and bruschetta, followed by a buffet offering numerous choices.

A quick “pit stop.”

When the trail sign says “watch for falling rocks,” you take it seriously.

As the trail paralleled highway I-70, we went under several tunnels, crossing from one side to the other.

The third SAG stop of the day.

A Shoshone diversion dam which feeds a hydro-electric power plant.

The Colorado River.

As we cycled along the river we saw white river rafters, kayakers and paddle boarders.

Our room inside the iconic Hotel Colorado.

Day 2, August 18 - Frisco to Avon

Today there was a group start at 8am, led by Adam, to help facilitate crossing a busy intersection. The temperature was a cool 55 degrees with very mild winds. With the steep climb out of Frisco, the group quickly split into smaller groups once out of town.

We were on Vail Pass and Gore Valley Trails for most of the day. There were some steep climbs of 8-10% grades and even a brief 15% grade. The climbs were some of my most difficult ever. It was about 11 miles to Vail, and once in town we did a short walk around the shops and restaurants. Alan and I stopped at the Vail Brewing Company for one local beer. I had a raspberry blonde, and Alan had the West Coast IPA. I also splurged and had a black raspberry ice cream cone at Joe’s Famous Deli. (The ice cream in Concrete,WA on our hiking trip was better.)

After our short walking tour of Vail, we were back on our bikes for the long descent into Avon. We must have coasted, never pedaling, for at least ten miles. The total ride mileage was 41 miles with over 2,000 feet of elevation. However, almost all of the elevation gain was in the first eleven miles. There were maximum speed limit signs posted at 25mph for bikes; we didn’t get a picture.

Dinner tonight was at Northside Kitchen and it was outstanding. Alan and I both chose the Black Cod.

The sign indicates the maximum grade of 15%.

Alan took this picture as I was still climbing up to Vail Pass. I am the rider in front.

Beautiful setting for the second SAG stop.

The Ski Trooper Memorial for the men who served in the Tenth Mountain Division from 1941-1946 in the Aleutian Islands and Italy.

John & Cissy Dobson Covered Bridge in Vail.

On the door of our hotel in Avon.

Celebratory brew

The Avon Post Office.

Day 1, Aug 17 - Frisco to Sapphire Point & Frisco to Breckenridge

Today was a unique riding day with two separate rides because the planned ride was impacted by trail damage/construction. Both were challenging for me; Alan did better with just the morning climb challenging him. I have to admit that as tired as I was going up to Breckenridge, the ride down more than made up for it.

The morning was cool for the first ride with a temperature of 53 at the start of the ride. I wore my “under 50 degree jacket.” Once we reached Sapphire Point both of our jackets came off. The ride was 22.86 miles long and had grades as high as eight percent.

The second ride was a slow steady climb up to Breckenridge. There were only a few short, steep climbs, however, it seemed like there was always at least a minimal grade. Once we reached Breckenridge, we took a break for lunch. Alan and I enjoyed crepes at Crepes À La Cart famous for its massive lines, and sweet and savory made-to-order options. Alan opted for a salmon/bacon/spinach crepe and I selected a monte cristo crepe. Both were absolutely delicious. We finished the second ride around 3:00pm and it too was 22.86 miles.

Dinner tonight was with Bubba’s Pampered Pedalers and all the riders at Hacienda Real for Mexican food. After dinner was a brief riders meeting.

I managed one photo of my Garmin as we climbed to Sapphire Point. It looks like I was almost done with the climb, but alas, there was an even steeper section after the tiny dip (at the right of photo). It was too steep for me to take a photo.

SAG stop is the blue canopy in the backyard.

Overlook at Sapphire Point.

Along the way to Breckenridge.

A sample of Breckenridge stores.

Gondola rides to the top; we did not partake.

Ski slopes

Trail art.

Day 0, August 16 - Frisco

We started another great adventure with Bubba’s Pampered Pedalers. Alan and I flew to Colorado from Washington, on Saturday, after we concluded the North Cascades hiking trip.  We made a stop in Aurora to retrieve our bikes that we stored with Drew, a team member of Bubba’s Pampered Pedalers.  Prior to hiking, we had driven to Colorado and then flew to Washington to hike. It all took some logistical planning. Once we had our bikes, we drove to Frisco.  It was a long travel day.

Today, on Day 0, we biked about 22 miles to help get adjusted to the altitude. Our hotel is at 9,045 feet above sea level.

Rider checkin was between 3-4pm. Then the group loaded into vans for a short ride to Dillon for pizza dinner and a rider meeting. The 27 riders had a chance to introduce themselves. Riders were from all over the country, including South Dakota, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Washington, Colorado, Nebraska, Michigan and Mexico.

Evening view from our room.

The Dillon Reservoir.

Local beer donated to the dinner meal by several of the riders.