Calendar of Events

Ride for the Pass Date(s): 05/17/08 Time: 9 a.m.  Details: The Ride for the Pass is a charity bike race/recreational ride to benefit the Independence Pass Foundation in Aspen, Colorado. The Ride is in its fourteenth year and will follow the traditional route from the Winter Gate, 4 miles east of Aspen, to the Independence Ghost Town, approximately 10 miles east up Highway 82 on Independence Pass. The Ride gains approximately 2,200 feet of elevation, from 8,500' to 10,700', over the ten-mile route. Highway 82 is a seasonal road which opens for the summer travel season on the Friday before Memorial Day. The Ride for the Pass is traditionally held the Saturday prior to the opening of the road to give racers and riders the opportunity to ride this stunningly scenic route while it is free of motorized vehicles. There are aid stations and turnaround sites at various points along the route in case of accidents, illness or breakdown. The Ride is followed by a party in Aspen featuring free beer and many Bib prizes. This year's party will be at Sky Hotel on East Durant Street. The Ride will follow its usual format of a Race start at 9:00 a.m. and a Family/Recreational start at 9:15 a.m. Winning race times are usually around 40 minutes, with most riders in both race and recreational categories finishing in less than 2 hours. Families and recreational riders are encouraged to participate. In recent years the Ride has attracted around 500 riders and start-line registration has been crowded, so riders are encouraged to pre-register prior to the Ride. Mail-in registration forms will be available at local bike and sporting goods shops after May 1. Pre-registration will be available at the Ute Mountaineer and Aspen Velo in Aspen and at the Community Bank in Basalt on Wednesday, May 14th, Thursday, May 15th and Friday, May 16th. Pre-registration is currently available on-line--see contact below.  Contacts: www.independencepass.org