Roaring Fork Valley Ramble

† Explanation of BAC Ride Fee – This fee is not included in the Estimated Cost and is non-refundable once submitted. The Ride Fee for US and Canada is $85 and $100 for all other countries, both are per participant.

Ride Description

OVERVIEW:  If you have a desire to bike in some of Colorado’s most stunning scenery, and stay in historic towns, this is your opportunity.  This 10 day ride in the Roaring Fork RIver Valley takes us to the historic towns of Glenwood Springs, Redstone, Basalt and Aspen, Colorado.  You will have an opportunity to visit some truly spectacular places on your bike, hang out at the Glenwood Springs Hot Springs Pool, hike to the scenic crystal clear Hanging Lake, visit Redstone and the Crystal River Valley, bike the Fly Fishing Gold Rated Frying Pan River Valley and spend a few days in Aspen.

RIDE DESCRIPTION: This is a 250 (about) mile ride in the beautiful Roaring Fork Valley between Glenwood Springs and Aspen, Colorado, located in the heart of the White River National Forest in the Rocky Mountains. The ride begins in Glenwood Springs, CO, the home of the famous Hot Springs Pool.  We will stay in the historic Hotel Colorado in Glenwood for our first two and last nights.  Our first riding day takes us up the amazing Glenwood Canyon and along the Colorado River where there are opportunities to stop, have a picnic or do a hike up to Hanging Lake.  Glenwood Canyon is one of the wonders of the world and the bike path through the canyon is really spectacular.  After leaving Glenwood Springs, we bike to historic Redstone Colorado up the Crystal River Valley where we stay in the Redstone Inn.  There is an optional ride to continue on in to Marble Colorado, which is the source of some of the world’s finest white marble called Colorado Yule.  Marble from here is in the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery.  Next we bike to Basalt, CO, and the following day do the Frying Pan River up to Ruedi Reservoir with an opportunity for more miles by continuing around the reservoir or to the marina.  Then we bike to Aspen, CO, for a three night stay at the Hearthstone House.  In Aspen we have the opportunity to bike to Maroon Lake, up to the ghost town of Ashcroft in the Castle Creek Valley or for the more adventurous bike up to the summit of Independence Pass where you can claim you biked at over 12,000 feet in elevation.  Aspen is a historic silver mining town and world-class winter and summer destination resort. After a day of cycling around Aspen, enjoy Aspen’s summer in the old downtown where you can buy ice cream (a BAC favorite), have coffee, shop for world class stuff and enjoy the summer musicians playing on the street corners.  After Aspen we cycle back to Glenwood Springs along the Roaring Fork Bike Path for our final night and group dinner.  There are additional hiking opportunities at Maroon Lake; a walk around the lake is very nice.  Maroon Lake is also a good place to hang out for awhile and bask in the shadow of the Maroon Bells, two of Colorado’s 14,000 ft. peaks.  It is also nice to do a short walk in Marble,  and take in the history of the town and the quarry.

We meet on Monday, August 14th in Glenwood Springs and will depart August 24th for our return home. The last riding day is Wednesday, August 24th with a farewell dinner that evening and departure on Thursday morning, August 24th. The cost of the ride includes lodging for 10 nights, 4 dinners and 5 continential breakfasts. The daily happy hour socials are included.

LODGING: We will spend a total of three nights at the Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs (the first two nights and final night), two nights at the historic Redstone Inn, two nights at the Aspenalt Lodge in Basalt and three nights at the Hearthstone House in Aspen, conveniently located near the center of town. Free parking for the duration of the trip is available at the Hotel Colorado's north parking area off Pine Street with parking permit issued by the hotel registration desk.

RIDES AND RATING:  Rating for this tour is 2A. For the standard rides, the average daily elevation gain is 1767 feet, averaging 30 miles per day. Several of the rides are out and back so you can ride as far as you choose or in some cases add distance.  On the four required riding days, distances and elevation gains are moderate with moderate grades.  There are no steep grades on this ride, unless you decide to make the climb up Independence Pass, which is a 4100 ft climb over 19 miles, topping out at 12,095 feet. Please note that Aspen is situated at an altitude of 8000 ft. and the planned rides are up hill from here. Of course, that means that the return portion of the ride is mostly downhill.  For instance, Maroon Lake is a climb of about 2000 feet with a moderate grade (the road up to Maroon Lake is closed to cars during the day so we essentially have the road all to ourselves along with a few busses).   We will ride on paved roads with light traffic and paved bike trails. We will have a luggage van to move our bags between hotels.

LOGISTICS: Glenwood Springs can be reached via the Aspen airport (43 miles from town via taxi or free bus for those 65 and older on the RFTA), Denver International Airport (220 mi.), or Eagle Airport (70 mi.).  Colorado Mountain Express provides service from DIA directly to Glenwood Springs and the Hotel Colorado is one of the standard stops, making it easy to get from DIA to Glenwood and back.

ADMINISTRATION:  This third time tour is offered by leaders Bob Smith and Pat Engstrom. The estimated cost of  $1925 + $50 BAC registration fee includes 10 nights lodging, 4 group dinners, 5 breakfasts, maps, cue sheets and social hour snacks and beverages. Register by clicking on the Sign Up link above the Ride Description. Following your acceptance and receipt of your $975 deposit (which does not include the $50 BAC registration fee), your name will be added to the Participant List. The BAC registration fee will be paid directly by credit card when you sign the Release of Liability (ROL) form electronically. Final payment of $950 is due no later than March 31, 2017. Single riders will be accepted who are willing to share a room. Single supplement (limit 2) is $ 900, due no later than March 31, 2017.

CANCELLATION POLICY: Any refunds amounts are dependent on our finding a replacement, plus any cost incurred before you cancel. There is an automatic $50 BAC fee which is non-refundable. If we are not able to fill your position, any refund will be based on the principle that costs not be increased for those who are completing the tour. Your share of fixed costs like the administrative, luggage van, leader and van driver expenses will be deducted from your eventual refund. We will attempt to recover lodging costs (most places require a final count 30 days in advance). Whatever we can recover, you will get back after the tour is completed and the final accounting takes place.

REGISTER:  To register for this ride, use the sign-up links just above the Ride Description. After preliminary acceptance, you will be moved to the pending list and receive an email requesting you to go back to the BAC web site to digitally accept the Release of Liability (ROL) and pay the non-refundable BAC registration fee by credit card. Send your initial deposit of $975 in the form of a check made out to Robert Smith (not BAC).  When your deposit is received your name(s) will be added to the Participant List. BAC members with questions may contact the Ride Director by "clicking" the name at the top of this Ride Description.

RIDE PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITY:  Please remember that BAC Ride Leaders are volunteers, and that successful tours depend on participants providing much of their own support.  Participants are expected to come to the ride well trained, in good health and ready to accomplish the required daily riding using well-maintained bicycles.   All participants should accept responsibility for a safe and enjoyable tour.  We encourage you to read the ride description carefully and respond to requests from Ride Leader.  While on the ride, support your Ride Leader with offers to help with various tasks such as happy hour preparation and clean-up.  Please do not interfere with the ride by inviting non-participants onto any portion of the ride or tour.  Please keep the Ride Leader informed of any special request you may have and respect the Ride Leader’s decisions.