Boulder to Snowmass by Bike

Day One: Boulder > Central City > Idaho Springs > Loveland Pass > Frisco > Vail Pass > Vail.

Not really knowing what we are getting into: Brad, Cam, Me, and the girls.

After some debate, we decided to start our ride off right by heading straight up Magnolia Road.

Epic dirt descent coming down Virginia Canyon Road into Idaho Springs.

There are miles of perfect, empty bike path leading up to Loveland Pass.

Brad goes to town on a maple almond butter bacon rice cake before tackling Loveland Pass.

Brad shows what rice cakes can do when mixed with Jay-Z.

The final climb up Vail Pass.

At the summit of Vail Pass, just before we got thoroughly soaked as we rolled into Vail.

Day two: Vail > Minturn > Leadville > Aspen > Snowmass.

Friday was crystal clear, with long stretches of sunny, empty road from Vail to Leadville.

At 10,000 feet, Leadville is tough to get to, easy to leave.

Dreamy dirt road between Leadville and Twin Lakes -- also part of the Leadville 100 MTB course.

Looking sideways.

Looking from Twin Lakes toward Independence Pass, the final climb of the trip.

The first switchback on the way up Independence Pass.

The last switchback on the way up Independence Pass.

Into Pitkin County, and a 20 mile descent into Aspen / Snowmass. Then straight to the liquor store.

For my birthday, I thought it would be fun to ride from Boulder to our place in Snowmass. But I wasn't prepared for how incredibly fun it would be. The 2 days, 220 miles, 23,000 feet of climbing, and 2 friends that came along made for the best ride I've ever experienced.

We headed out at 7am Thursday, assuming that we'd be thoroughly soaked by any or all of the numerous thunderstorms we'd be riding straight into that day.  Somehow we dodged the rain, and instead found cool, perfect weather on some of the most scenic, beautiful roads we could have hoped for. At 120 miles and 13,000 feet it was by far the biggest day any of us had tackled -- and while it was really hard at times, it never stopped being fun, and we never stopped laughing.

Friday was crisp and clear with blue skies all morning, as we rolled from Brad's place in Vail to Leadville, then along some dreamy dirt roads to Twin Lakes. A few puffy cumulus clouds drifted in as we topped Independence Pass, and began our descent into Aspen. Then one last climb to Snowmass, followed immediately by cold beer, several pizzas, and a long awaited hot tub.

There is no way I could have captured all the images I saw over these two magical days, as we needed to keep moving. These iPhone pics shot mostly from my bike, and the memories from along the way will have to suffice.

Many, many thanks to Brad and Cam for coming along on this one. (And hopefully the next one.)