The Bicycle Adventure Club - Come Ride With Us!

Historic Roaring Fork Valley - Section 1

August 9th to August 19th

Ride Director: Bob Smith
Ride Co-Director: Anne Smith
Report by: Teresa Ferland

When Mark and I joined BAC for our first ride in 2017, we were told by other members we must ride the Historic Roaring Fork Valley route, with Bob and Anne Smith as the leaders. We certainly can understand this recommendation, having completed our trip with Bob and Anne and the 22 wonderful, inspiring riders BAC always attracts.

This ride was a long time coming with COVID cancelling the original ride dates in 2020. We were on in 2021! Wait, not that straight forward. Some COVID restrictions were still in place this summer. We adjusted and complied. All set to go, but noooo….the I-70 was closed indefinitely, due to historic mud and rock slides, caused by heavy rains in an existing burn area, just prior to our ride. Between Bob’s communications, DOT and CODOT, Google Maps, Waze (I’m sure I’ve missed some others), we all made it to start our trip in Glenwood Springs.

Glenwood Springs

We stayed at the Historic Hotel Colorado for two nights. Due to I-70 closure, not everyone was able to arrive in time for the group cocktail hour and dinner our first night. We did have the cocktail hour for our update and initial introductions. Our group dinner was moved to Tuesday. Thank you Hotel Colorado for your flexibility! We were able to wander into town using the new pedestrian/bike bridge over the Colorado River. Very convenient. There were many places to enjoy a good meal in town and have a wander. So great to see old friends and meet up with many more.

Tuesday we woke up to wonderful weather. Sadly, the Glenwood Canyon Trail was closed due to the slides. Hanging Lake hike was off the table, for those that had reservations. Not to be deterred, many riders explored what they could of the Glenwood Canyon Trail and reported it was beautiful and could appreciate just what an engineering project it was going to be to open the canyon again. Additionally, we could take advantage of the Glenwood Hot Springs Pool at our leisure. This relaxing day was topped off by our always appreciated cocktail hour and lovely group dinner at the Hotel Colorado.

Redstone

We were ready to ride! We were able to jump on the Rio Grande Bike Trail along the Roaring Fork and Crystal Rivers, towards Redstone, a wandering ride of about 30 miles. Carbondale, along the way, is the perfect stop for anything needed in transit. What a treasure Redstone is, rich in history, population about 130! Its beauty, being in the Crystal River Valley, has saved it from becoming just another abandoned coal mine town. We stayed at the Redstone Inn for two nights, built by John Cleveland Osgood (one of the nicknamed Robber Barons) for the single coal miners in the late 1800s.

Essentially, 2 rides were on offer, McClure Pass and Marble. A third ride combined both. Marble is the home of the Yule Marble quarry, home to the only white marble found in the USA. This marble was used for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and parts of the Lincoln Memorial.

Another offer was a tour of the Redstone Castle built by John Cleveland Osgood built by himself and three consecutive wives. It was part of his ‘utopian town’ he built for his coal empire to ward off the unions. Very worthwhile tour. FYI, it is for sale for $18.5 Million and has been extensively restored.

The staff at the hotel was very accommodating, used to cyclists and their laundry, hanging outside, on the balconies. Both nights we enjoyed lovely cocktail hours with wonderful heavy Hors d'oeuvres. We also had a delicious meal one night with the whole group. A great stop!

Basalt

Our next morning started in a leisurely manner, with a short and easy ride from Redstone to Basalt. We essentially retraced our route along the Crystal River Valley then jumping back onto the Rio Grande Bike Trail, at Carbondale. Carbondale is the perfect crossroads with so much on offer, at just the right time! Our second time thru we were ready to take on the Farmer’s Market (the donuts and coffee!) and The Village Smithy Restaurant.  Clearly cyclists’ favorite stops!

Basalt was yet another gem with wonderful restaurants, art galleries, ice cream, gas station take out tacos. Need I say more?! Back to the rides. We were here two nights, on our own. We had two rides to choose from to Frying Pan River area and/or the other was to St. Benedict’s Monastery. I would say the majority of the group rode the Frying Pan River ride to Ruedi Reservoir. I heard it said, by many, that this was the most beautiful ride of the trip. The entire ride was on the paved Frying Pan Road, 90% of the time close to the river, the views and sound of the river moving along with us.  Weather was perfect!

A leisurely start on our departure day, each rider could choose between two rides to Aspen.

Aspen

Hearthstone House, a very bike friendly historic hotel, was our home for the next three nights. For those that have never been to Aspen, or returning, there is always plenty to see and do.  This part of the trip, a whole menu of rides was on offer. Independence Pass (elevation 12,095) was back on the list with the I-70 reopening, thus the car traffic was not as heavy. Five of our riders took it on and made it! Maroon Lake and Bells, one of the most photographed range of mountains and lake meadows in Colorado, was either a ride or hike. Well worth it, though pretty crowded. Snowmass and Ashcroft rides were enjoyed by those that wanted to do it all!

Glenwood Springs

An earlier start today to ride back (3 routes to choose from!) to Glenwood Springs back to our original starting point. I am telling you it was all downhill! Wooh! Hoooh! Rain forecast at 2pm, heavens opened up at 1pm. We were all just moments away from the hotel, for most of us. It was a reminder, just how wonderful the weather was for our entire trip….except for the last mile!

We had a wonderful cocktail hour and closing dinner….the highlight was our original song, written for Bob and Anne, our leaders extraordinaire! Thank you Bob and Anne for all of your leadership and friendship, for so many, for so long! Till we meet again….all of you!