Independence Pass (Colorado) - Cycling Inspiration & Education
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- Опубликовано: 13 сен 2024
- As the highest paved crossing of the Continental Divide in the U.S. Independence Pass is always going to have a special place in the heart of cyclists living or visiting Colorado.
Best known for its silver and skiing, from Aspen (in the west) the climb is 19.5 miles / 31.4 km and although long it's the altitude that you really need to watch out for in this neck of the woods. Starting the day at an elevation that rivals some of the most prominent peaks in Europe, unless you're well acclimatised you're definitely going to feel the lack of air right from the gun. Fortunately the gradient is never too steep, generally hanging around 4-6% all the way, allowing you to appreciate endless landscapes alongside the Roaring Fork River on your journey to 12,095ft (3,687m).
With 3 miles (5 km) to go you pass the Independence ghost town, today a very different place to what it would've been in its heyday in the late 1800's. It's from this town that the pass took its name, prior to this it was known as Hunters Pass. With no road markings or signs at the side of the road indicating how far you have to go it's a welcome landmark, and from here you can just about trace the road in the distance all the way to the top.
I'd wanted to ride Independence Pass for such a long time, much like the famous climbs in Europe it had a certain lure that I wanted to see for myself. I think the first time I got a good look at it was when the pros were racing up it in the (now defunct) USA Pro Challenge and I remember being in awe at the road as it climbed through the forest and out into the vast expanse of the Rocky Mountains. Such a beautiful climb and one that I'm very glad to have now experienced.
Start: Aspen
Length: 19.5 miles (31.4 km)
Highest Point: 12,095ft (3,687m)
Start Elevation: 7,951ft (2,423m)
Elevation gain: 4,144ft (1,263m)
Max gradient: 7.5%
Average gradient: 4.2%
Ridden in September
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Mike Cotty
The Col Collective
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What a magical place! I’ll be there in 3 weeks to climb Independence. We know that God created all this for us to enjoy.
Great video
That's sweet!!! I lived there in 1988 and rode it a ton, and many times since. Great video!!
Epic climb! I raced it back in the day as stage 2 of the Aspen Alpine Clup in July of 1973. It snowed on us going over the summit on our way to Leadville. The finish was in Vail.
Great videos, i am ex competition road cyclist, every cyclist dream to ride the highest peaks in world and to watch awesome mountains.
thanks again Mike it’s great how you compare these new climbs to those in Europe as we all know them through the grand tours or we have rode them .give us a great understanding of the ride your doing many thanks max
Great scenery & a ride to add to my bucket list!
Love the new graphic, showing the elevation comparison to other Cols. Really puts this Pass in perspective! Thanks, Mike
Beautiful climb, and happily Colorado is my next door neighbor! I'll be giving this one a go this summer!
Just completed on the MTB bike. Going back in Sept starting at Twin Lakes then riding to Aspen and back. Cant wait
fantastic
Looking forward to doing this in June (from the other side) on the Bicycle Tour of Colorado!
One of the few rides they cover that I have actually done--long ago, with a rented bike, when I was young. Took me 4 hours to get up, and only 45 minutes down. The eastern approach is actually more scenic, albeit less of an ascent technically.
Might have to do this one this summer on vacation
Good video as always.
I cycled this in September! So intense (:
beautiful
Just did this with a friend this past fall. Great climb all around. No joke on the thunderstorms though. We froze our asses off on the descent after getting caught in freezing rains.
I can hear that cannondale bb30 creaking from here! 1:42 Nice vid tho
love it
How’s there no cars? The times I’ve been there have been full of cars and traffic
+The Col Collective, PLEASE come to COLOMBIA and ride the ALTO DE LETRAS, 80km uphill!
How did you manage to do that route with no vehicles? Every time I've been there it has been bumper to bumper cars.
I was wondering the same thing.
I guess poor Mike has to wait for gaps in traffic before filming each clip.
Coming into Aspen up the pass and down in to town is quite a ride, and to me a bit more of a grind and a bit steeper.
Awesome video. Seriously need to get out there and ride it.
I was hoping you guys do Trail Ridge road in Rocky Mountain National Part (slightly higher at 12,183 feet). That one is awesome too but a lot more cars.
We've done Trail Ridge Road (via Old Fall River Road). Stay tuned, it's coming! :-)
Awesome! Can't wait!
I'm with Barry- where are the cars?
Can't wait to do this.... I live in the Springs.... any recommendation on whether I should do it the first time from Aspen, or from the BV side???
Avesome
So confused by the absence of cars -- very different vibe than what I've seen... Was the road closed to traffic for some reason?
No road closure, just patient with shots on this one.
You've gotta go to L.A. to do Baldy and Wilson
is that BB creaking??
What's the name of the music from 4:31? Thanks!
Some feedback to the video itself:
It's quite dark sometimes. It seems to be darker than in real.
Didn’t notice it till u pointed it out but yeah I agree is would be cooler if it wasn’t so dark. I think it’s so it looks more dramatic though
But that bottom bracket noise.. Just sayin :)
No visuals is ever going to make a road or climb in America look nice and/or appealing.
pikes peak was absolutely incredible. despite being a popular tourist destination every car was exceptionally nice, the road was in perfect shape, people were legit cheering you on from their cars, theres food at drink available at the top as well as two other spots on the mountain, the views are incredible, and oh boy is it fun at 14k feet of elevation. dont be mad you cant get that high in europe =p
Chris, the snotty British troll is lucky to have a 200m climb anywhere near him.