Fastfwd01

Thanks for the input. I'm just now getting reacquainted with the logistics of camping in Colorado. I remembered the lack of electricity, but forgot that many campsites don't have showers. What I'm seeing is that my old campsite at Ruedi Reservior doesn't even report having showers and I know it did in 2012. That was the closest to Aspen that I found before that did. I know they have those camp showers, but I'm not sure those would fly if I were very near a river - I know they are super touchy about that. I could use the biodegradable wash possibly as an option. I can't do a week cycling and camping with no shower.

I appreciate pointing out that there really are only the two climbs. The book lists a number of rides in the area and I had not really nailed down which were climbs and which were just rides. Those two might be all that I need though really. Independence Pass was one of my favorites when I rode through on my motorcycle anyway.

If anyone has any input on anything else or knows about the camping situation that you can enlighten me about I would love to hear it. I think I could manage with one of those camp showers if they didn't freak out on me about the runoff. I see some have traps for the runoff too though.

mje

Another climb not far away is McClure Pass from Carbondale.

valygrl

Yes there's McClure, and I think there is another short one, towards a reservoir to the north - can't remember what it's called & haven't done it.

There's a hostel in Aspen.

There's also a hostel in Leadville, which would be a good starting point for Copper Triangle. THere's camping on Lake Dillon near silverthorne.

Personally I woudn't choose Aspen, it's too limiting. The 2 climbs are nice, but the town is outrageously expensive and the camping doesn't have many amenities. If you stay in the DIllon/Frisco area, there are more climbs (Loveland Pass, Hoosier Pass, COpper triangle) and a nice ride north on Hwy 9 towards Kremmeling (Ute Pass), and you can drop down to Idaho Springs and climb Mt Evans or Berthod Pass. And then (most importantly) there's the Butterhorn Bakery in Frisco.

Of course, you don't have to stay in one place - you can spend a couple days in Aspen, A couple days in Frisco, a couple days in the Front Range....

Fastfwd01

Thanks again for your replies! I haven't checked out everything you mentioned yet, but indeed moving around a little might be an option. It seems like I have wound up spending my last few bigger out of state trips doing so much moving from place to place that just settling in on one area might be the ticket this time around. I'll look into the options that you've highlighted though - that's why I got the book so I could explore what all options were available, but that was before the Aspen Gran Fondo came to light as being the weekend following Elephant Rock. Doing too much driving will wind up eating up my cycling time possibly anyway.

I actually did stay at the Dillion Reservoir in 2012 on my Harley tour of Colorado. I just preferred the Aspen area personally. There were some nice locals from Snowmass that camped next to me out at the Ruedi Reservoir that made it feel more welcoming and I just generally felt more at home around Aspen for whatever reason. I'll be bringing my own food mostly so the costs of Aspen won't be a huge factor for the most part.

I also really appreciate the heads up about the Aspen Hostel. I've stayed at a few hostels around the country and I'm totally down with the frugal travelling aspect of hostelling and I have enjoyed meeting a few international travelers while doing so too. Not exactly sure how having my bike with me would work out though. At least while camping I could have it very near me to keep an eye on it, etc. If I don't find camping with showers I might elect to at least stay a night or two where I can have a decent shower before the Gran Fondo if that is indeed my final plan. I've never relied on one of these campsite showers before. I'm not sure just how well that will work out - sunlight issues in the mountains for solar power to heat water and charging batteries, etc.

Thanks again everyone! I'm looking forward to the possibilities of this being a pretty epic cycling vacation!

eofelis 

There is some great road cycling in the Grand Junction area.