Editor's Pick: Ride for the Pass

Aspen Daily News Staff Report
Road biking racing season kicks off on Independence Pass

It has been a long winter, during which Independence Pass has been buried in ungodly amounts of snow. For weeks now, crews have been on the pass with heavy machinery trying to clear the roads for the last week in May.

But that is not the only reason they are clearing the roads.

On May 17 at 9 a.m., the 14th annual Ride for the Pass begins. It is a grueling road biking race that begins four miles east of Aspen at the winter gate, and proceeds 10 miles up toward the pass. The total elevation gain is 2,200 feet.

Top racers have traditionally finished in roughly 40 minutes, with slower riders finishing around the two-hour mark.

Ride for the Pass welcomes riders of all ags and abilities.

For more information contact Mark Fuller at fulcon@comcast.net or check out www.independencepass.org.