From the Front Range, it's a short drive to the Frisco start. I headed off at sunrise ... which had not quite made it into Tenmile Canyon on the bikepath to Copper Mountain:
Veering south towards Copper Mountain, a snowy peak is revealed!
"Peak foliage" meant that some groves still showed plenty of green, while some hillsides were past peak but still sporting a spotty afterglow:
Frost on the path bridges - a reminder of September in the mountains. I was almost adequately dressed for these first two hours of chilly temps.
After Copper Mountain, the Vail Pass path climbs in its own solitude.
It's a curvy, intimate path, best enjoyed with few other users on it.
After surmounting Vail Pass, the descent shows small explosions of color surrounded by conifer woods.
After crossing windingly under I-70 to join old US-6 (Big Horn Road), you descend on dappled pavement through aspen groves. The fresh, brand new asphalt is a pleasure to ride, though hiding the spray-painted encouragements for Greg Lemond and
Jeannie Longo from events such as the Red Zinger Classic of old.
The aspen are especially radiant at this time of day!
... and groves like these are heartwarming sights ...
... while every bit of descending in the sun is welcome, as it's still just below freezing (and you're descending).
Reaching East Vail, slopes are blanketed with vibrant aspens:
West of Vail, Eagle-Vail, Avon, and Edwards, it's suddenly very different terrain and vegetation, with cottonwoods and the Eagle River predominating:
Even without conifers, the glow of the cottonwoods against the sage makes for attractive and scenic riding. Plus, a nice thing about this route: you ride through two distinct terrains and vegetations.
We're on US-6, a quiet road overall (after a bit of traffic through Avon and Edwards), because I-70 takes the main volume.
Just after passing the Army's high-altitude training center, the turnaround control point in Gypsum boasts two deluxe convenience stores to satisfy your needs and caloric desires.
On the way back, more brilliant views of the Eagle River and resplendent vegatation. On this flattish stretch, you see a number of local (or visiting) cyclists, out for a nice ride.
Climbing out of Vail, the stretch on US-6 is a fine, quiet climbing experience shared with casual local cyclists ... and aspens.
Your clue to enter the Vail Pass trail proper is this sign. It's great because, indeed, randonneuring is recreation, after all, isn't it?
Some winter activity reminders as you reach the parking / rest area at Vail Pass. Head for the rest area ...
... and make a right to rejoin the trail.
Very quiet and solitary at this time of year. You may see more recreational use if you ride in the summer ... and possibly one of those afternoon thundershowers.
A pleasant way to breeze into the finish.
I certainly enjoyed this ride, and hope you will, too. As a large part of it is on the bike path or quiet parts of US-6, it feels tranquil and cut off, even though in places I-70 is not that far away.
A fine way to enjoy a summer or fall day in the mountains!
-jle
