We continue our coverage of the “Riding of Stage 2 of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge” (The Riding of Stage 2 of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge – Part 1: Gunnison to Buena Vista)
Once my cleat malfunction was addressed in Buena Vista, Mike Prendergast and I continued our ride of Stage 2 of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge. At this point, we were 67 miles into the 131 mile stage from Gunnison to Aspen. From Buena Vista at 7,965 feet, we had almost 43 miles until we reached Independence Pass at 12,095 feet – the Continental Divide for the second time. As we rolled out of Buena Vista, the skies did not look so good. With only a couple of tiny sections of blue sky, dark clouds started to form and the wind started to pick up. US-24 closely follows the Arkansas River for almost another 20 miles, but only climbs about 1,100 feet. Though this road is very heavily traveled, there is a wide shoulder for most portions of this section of the stage – not important for the racers as the road will be closed, but nice if you are just out for a ride. There is some nice scenery even though this section is a grind… it is probably the least enjoyable section of the ride due to the traffic and winds. As we approached Granite, the grade increased slightly, but it felt easier. From Granite up to CO-82, the grade or reduced headwind allowed for a large chain ring climb to the turn at CO-82.
Once on CO-82, the grind continues past Twin Lakes – a point familiar to you Leadville 100 runners and mountain bike racers. After about a mile of riding on CO-82, the rain started to fall and the thunder rumbled. We both through on rain jackets and rode onto the general store at Twin Lakes. Luckily the rain stopped so after a quick supply replenishment and stripping of our rain jackets, we continued. Past the general store and a small cluster of lodges, this portion enters a wooded area that just never seems to end. Up along the North Fork Lake Creek, this section climbs up from the junction of US-24 and CO-82 at approximately 9,000 feet to the first switchback on Independence Pass at 10,800 feet in approximately 19.5 miles. It takes almost 18 miles of riding this wooded stretch until the switchback climbs of Independence Pass come into view. Past the general store area, the grade is fairly consistent with short half mile sections of increased grade. Though not hard, this section is mentally challenging due to not being able to see the pass and ultimate goal of summiting.
Once hitting the first switchback on Independence Pass, we were 105.5 miles into this ride. Mike has done both passes before and remembers this as being a difficult section for him. The grade is not steep, but the by the time the switchbacks come, it is deep into a ride. Only about 4.5 miles and 1,300 feet of climbing separated us from a mostly downhill trip into Aspen. With that in mind, we held a steady pace hitting switchback after switchback. Mike actually thought it was the easiest he has ever had it heading up Independence Pass… it was the hardest for me since I have only driven over the pass in a car. The top of the climb actually arrived fairly quickly and we were greeted by another pass with gorgeous views, 109.6 miles into the stage at 12,095 feet. Typical of the ever changing weather conditions in Colorado, we were also greeted by sunshine. This is the point into the ride that John Brown had to abandon in June due to hail, lightening and flash flooding – you just never know what the Colorado weather will bring. After a few photos and video, we headed down the pass.
The descent off of Independence Pass started off easy enough, but the road conditions were not nearly as nice as the descent off of Cottonwood Pass. Independence Pass is full of potholes, off-camber turns and dirt washed across the road. The pavement was bad enough to send one of my bottles flying out of the cage. Along with a descent that is in worse condition than the first pass that the racers will cross, there are sections where the road narrows to one lane. Those one lane sections are sandwiched by a boulder on the right side and severe drop-off on the left. It is going to be a sketchy descent for those not confident in their bike handling skills. Hopefully the race director will hold support and media vehicles at a distance that will allow for a safe decent. We did not hit speeds as high as those on Cottonwood Pass, but it is possible that the racers will touch into the 60s when heading down especially knowing that the finish is not far.
As the stage rolls approaches Aspen, the racers do have a couple of tiny sections where the road climbs, but these are easily going to power over them. Past apartments and million-dollar estates, the stage enters the city limits. After a few turns through Aspen, the stage finally ends on Main Street, 131 miles later.
For Mike and I, our stage riding ended here. We rolled up to the Molly Gibson Lodge in Aspen, dropped our gear, showered and headed out to eat. After eating, Mike passed out, but decided to take a soak in one of them many hot tubs that the Molly Gibson has through their property. Remember that water bottle that tried to escape on Independence Pass? It did not contain water, it actually housed my bathing suit for our 131 mile journey… there was no way I was not going to take a soak!
After riding the entire length of Stage 2 of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge, both Mike Prendergast and I agree, if a move is not made on dirt of the Cottonwood Pass assent, it is going to be made on the final switchbacks of Independence Pass climb. The grade over this entire stage is not that steep – I had no issues myself with gearing and easily pedaled the entire stage rarely using my easiest gearing – 39/23. The grade is no where near as steep and difficult as the climbs of L’Alpe d’Huez or the Col du Tourmalet, but neither of those summit at 12,000 feet.
The climbs are not going break the riders, it will be the altitude and unpredictable, often severe Colorado weather to will make for some dramatic racing. With Cadel Evans, Andy Schleck and Frank Schleck, all of the podium finishers of the 2011 Tour de France, battling again in the mountains of Colorado, this will truly be an exciting seven days of racing. We hope that the USA Pro Cycling Challenge is the start of many more years of lung busting, world class racing to the United States!
Complete KineticShift Stage 2 Coverage of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge