2008 Fourteenth Annual Ride for the Pass


Dozens of drawing prizes donated by area businesses are awarded every year at the party that follows the Ride. The top prize is either a mountain or road bike! 


Three generations of Callahans were among the bicyclists who participated in the 2005 Eleventh Annual Ride for the Pass. Left to right: John Sr., 8-year-old Kevin, 9-year-old Hunter, 8-year-old Keegan, and John Jr.

Click here for pictures from the 2007 Ride for the Pass. 

14th ANNUAL RIDE FOR THE PASS SCHEDULED FOR MAY 17, 2008

Click here to download this Press Release in PDF format.

The Ride for the Pass, a charity bike race/recreational ride to benefit the Independence Pass Foundation, will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2008, 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 2200 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 Dog at the Ride for the Passto 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 AM and a Family/Recreational start at 9:15 AM. 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 at www.Active.com. On-line registration will be open until Thursday, May 15th.

For More Information Contact: Mark Fuller, Director Independence Pass Foundation 970 963-4959 Email: fulcon@comcast.net