Browsing the Adventure Cycling Association website for routes in Colorado - haven't really been able to find anything useful. Seems like I have to buy a map in order to see what it covers? But I did find their Colorado Loop Tour.

I've plotted it here: ColoradoLoop - A bike ride in Aspen, CO based on the city locations they mention. I live in Aspen, so am thinking about riding this loop solo in 2015 if my Wales plans fall apart (50/50 on that right now). I'd be riding fully loaded (rear panniers + tent) but am contemplating which way to ride it - Do i hit the big climb first and let it get easier, or (the way its currently plotted) start of easy and get harder and harder each day?