The Rocky Mountain Ramble is the ultimate cycling vacation for those who want to enjoy a week with a variety of cycling terrains at a relaxed pace with the option of riding three terrific passes.  In the splendor of nature in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, we visit Glenwood Springs, Redstone, Aspen, and Vail where we cycle easy to moderate terrain, with the option of riding up and back 3 passes: Independence Pass 12,095’, Vail Pass 10,600’ and Tennessee Pass 10,424’.  If your idea of a vacation also includes time for poolside lounging, shopping, sightseeing, and time to “smell the roses”, then join me for the Rocky Mountain Ramble.  We start and end our adventure in Eagle, Colorado, with access to the Eagle Regional Airport.  We’ll cycle the Glenwood Canyon recreational bike trail along the Colorado River visiting Glenwood Springs, the West Elk Loop Scenic Byway to Redstone (www.redstoneinn.com) with its historic beehive coke ovens, wildflowers in the Marble ghost town, McClure Pass, the majestic vistas of the Maroon Bells at Aspen (www.limelightlodge.com), and the Vail Valley. This tour is structured so that much of its 300 miles is on designated bicycling frontage roads, and recreational byways, which allows for pleasurable cycling on 2% grades; up and back one itty-bitty pass – McClure 8,780’; a rest day in Aspen; and enough time for riding the optional three big passes, which provides cumulative 8550 feet of climbing.

 

TOUR Leader – Sheridan Garcia

SAG Leader – Jeff Messerschmidt

 

Day 1 Eagle - Glenwood Springs (36 miles)

Day 2 Glenwood Springs – Marble – McClure Pass – Redstone (53 miles)

Day 3 Redstone- Maroon Bells – Aspen (70 miles)

Day 4 Aspen REST DAY (optional up and back Independence Pass-21 miles, 3995 feet climbing)

Day 5 Aspen – Carbondale - Glenwood Springs (43 miles)

Day 6 Glenwood Springs – Vail (65 miles) optional up and back Vail Pass 9.7 miles, 1872 feet climbing)

Day 7 Vail  - Eagle (33 miles) optional up and back Tennessee Pass 22.4 miles, 2684 feet climbing)