Day 4 - Crested Butte to Aspen

The gist of the day:  Rode the last 100.5 miles of today's stage (Garmin battery died at Independence Pass after 80 miles).  Two crossings of the Continental Divide at 12,000+ feet elevation.  14 miles of climbing on a packed dirt road up to Cottonwood Pass.  7,843 vertical feet of climbing.  Top speed 48 mph descending Cottonwood Pass.  No rain.  Maximum happiness.

We left Crested Butte very early (breakfast was at 6:00 and we rolled by 7:00) for a dropoff along today's stage route at Taylor Park Reservoir, about 100 miles from Aspen. from there we rode a few miles along a reservoir, then started a 14 mile climb up to Cottonwood Pass ON A DIRT ROAD.  The pass, on the Continental Divide, was just over 12,000' feet in elevation, and was followed by a fabulous long descent, during  which I matched my previous speed record of 48 mph.  Lunch was in Buena Vista, followed by a long flattish ride.  We were caught by the peleton along that stretch, but after they passed we continued on to Twin Lakes and then yet another climb up and over the Continental Divide at Independence Pass, also just over 12,000'.  Another great descent, slower than the first, the road not as wide, and quite a bit twistier than the descent from Cottonwood.  We sailed into Aspen around 5:45 after nearly 10 hours in the saddle (counting lunch & stops along the way).

We're staying right in the middle of town, sadly for only one night, as the Limelight Hotel is very, very nice and of course Aspen is fascinating.  It's funny to look up at the green ski slopes above town & remember the last time that I was here and they were covered with snow and moguls.

Taylor Park Reservoir

Preparing for a long day on the road

Beginning of dirt road up Cottonwood Pass

Cottonwood Pass is up there

At Cottonwood Pass

My new bike arrives at the Continental Divide for the first time!

Fellow New Orleanian Terry and I,
at our first crossing of the Continental Divide

Lunch stop in Buena Vista



We are stopped by the peleton north of Buena Vista

Terry and I on the beginning of the climb

On the way up to Independence Pass

That's me in front, followed by Rodney & Terry,
climbing up to Independence Pass



Made it!  Two huge climbs in one day.
Now, the long winding descent to Aspen awaits.