Historic Roaring Fork Valley - Section 1

† 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 and hotels, this is your ride. 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 Marble Colorado, bike the Fly Fishing Gold Rated Frying Pan River Valley, and spend three idyllic days in Aspen. A guided tour of the Redstone Castle is included. We accept all bikes including tandems, ebikes and rentals. 
 

RIDE 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. The elevation of Glenwood Springs is 5671 feet, about 400 feet above Denver. Please note that Aspen is about 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 portion to Maroon Lake is mostly closed to vehicles during the day except for a few busses). With the exception of about 10 miles in and out of Redstone and the off day routes in Basalt and Aspen, the majority of the routes are on the paved Rio Grande Trail. All roads and routes are paved and typically lightly traveled.

WEATHER
Average temperatures in Glenwood Springs in early to mid August range from lows in the upper 40s and highs in the lower 80s, and in Aspen lows in the mid 40s and highs in 70s. We may experience afternoon thunderstorms throughout the valley with precipitation averaging an inch for August. 

LODGING & MEALS
We will spend a total of three nights at the Historic Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs (first two nights and final night), two nights at the Historic Redstone Inn, two nights at the recently renovated Basalt Mountain Inn in Basalt, and three nights at the Frank Lloyd Wright inspired 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 a parking permit issued by the hotel registration desk.

We will meet in the hotel lobby for a brief opening meeting at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, August 9, 2020, then proceed on a five minute walk to the Barrel Room of the Glenwood Canyon Brewpub for dinner. Our closing dinner will be on Wednesday, August 18 at the Hotel Colorado. On Day 3 we will have a catered happy hour & dinner at the Redstone Inn. On day 4 there will be a catered happy hour at the Redstone Gallery and Riverside Sculpture Garden. On Day 8 we will have a BBQ Taco Buffet dinner at the Hearthstone House. Breakfasts in Glenwood Springs and Redstone are not included. 

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

The Hotel Colorado will provide secure bike storage and excess luggage storage for the duration of trip. If you'd like to ship your bike and have it assembled or rent a bike, please contact Canyon Bikes directly as rental arrangements must be made directly with them. The bike shop is located at street level of the Hotel Colorado on 6th Street.

GPS data, cue sheets, daily itineraries and route details will be accessible in Ride Leader Docs for self printing on the BAC web site.  GPS tracks will be provided for all routes, but it is up to you to know how to use your GPS device before the trip begins. We will not be providing any of the printable documents, which are available for sell printing online in Ride Leader Docs.

COST & ADMINISTRATION
This is the sixth time that this tour has been offered by experienced BAC leaders Bob and Anne Smith. The estimated cost of $1850 + $50 non-refundable BAC registration fee includes 10 nights lodging, 4 group dinners, 5 breakfasts, 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 $950 trip deposit and your $50 BAC Admin Fee, your name will be added to the Participant List. The deposit and BAC Fee will be collected via credit card when you sign the Release of Liability (ROL) form electronically. Final payment of $900 is due no later than April 1, 2021 and will be collected via credit card. Single riders will be accepted who are willing to share a room. SOLO supplement (limit 2) is $975, due no later than December 31, 2020. 

SINGLES & SOLOS POLICY
It is recommended that singles who want a roommate try to find their own. However, after receipt of the initial deposit, a single without a roommate will be placed on the ride and given until 12/31/20 to find a roommate. If they are unable to find a roommate, they will have the option to receive a full refund (minus the BAC fee and payment processing fee) or pay the $975 solo supplement and stay on the ride.  If a single pays the supplement, they may continue to seek a roommate, but must plan to participate without a roommate if necessary.  The Ride Leader will assist by attempting to match singles who apply for the ride. Due to limited room available in all locations except for Glenwood Springs. Solos will be limited to a maximum of two. 

Solo supplement payments need to be sent to the BAC office. Checks should be made out to “BAC” with a notation of the tour name included on the check. They should be mailed to: Bicycle Adventure Club, PO Box 23998, San Diego, CA 92193.

CANCELLATION POLICY
The BAC ride registration fee and payment processing fee is not refundable unless the entire tour is cancelled due to participation below stated minimum requirements.  Refunds of tour payments will depend upon whether a replacement rider signs up, and on costs that can be recouped.  The amount refunded will be based on the principle that the tour’s remaining participants will not incur any additional cost as a result of cancellations.  If the cancelling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time. If the cancelling participant can't be replaced, any refund will be determined after the ride and final expense report are completed.  If a single participant cancels and another roommate cannot be found, in addition to other costs that cannot be recouped the cancelling roommate may also be liable for the solo supplement fee of the roommate remaining on the tour.  BAC encourages members to purchase trip cancellation insurance.

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.

SIGN-UP
To submit a request to join this ride use the "links" displayed above this Ride Description.  When you are accepted, the Ride Leader will move you from the Waitlist to the Pending List.  At this time you will receive an email notification to login to the BAC website to sign the release of liability form and pay the non-refundable BAC ride registration fee and the initial tour deposit of $950 by credit card.  As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name(s) will be added to the Participant List.  To contact the Ride Leader, "click" the name at the top of this Ride Description.