Part 6:  Aspen festival, Maroon Bells, end of the adventure

"Bicycling unites physical harmony coupled with emotional bliss to create a sense of spiritual perfection that combines one's body, mind and spirit into a single moving entity.  Bicycling allows a person to mesh with the sun, sky and road as if nothing else mattered in the world.  In fact, all your worries, cares and troubles vanish in the rear view mirror while you bicycle along the byways of the world: you pedal as one with the universe." ~ Frosty Wooldridge, on tour

(Mountain peaks in the Maroon Bells Basin, Aspen Colorado, autumn color tour.)  Photography by Frosty Wooldridge 

No question that all three of us enjoyed a "rush" from the college kids creating a "victory tunnel" for us to ride through at the end of our climb to the top of Independence Pass. 

We snapped a bunch of pictures in front of the giant sign that signified Independence Pass at 12,100 feet.

During a horrendous climb like that, every cell in a cyclist's body expresses itself with the true grit and determination that defines a long distance touring bicyclist.  From the intensive "hard play" it takes to reach the top, once your body hits the flat spot at the crest of a pass, the pedaling becomes effortless.  Your body relaxes along with your mind.  After the joy of conquering a pass, something happens to your thoughts.   The change transforms your emotions to dramatic "bliss, jubilation and euphoria" of expectation. You might even call it a "rapture" of enlightenment. 

Whatever it took to pedal your butt up that mountain, your mind relates to your body that it's about to coast downhill for 18 miles of something akin to the Coney Island Rollercoaster.   People who power themselves up the mountain by a motorcycle or car—cannot and do not comprehend the sensual joy of the bicycle ride down the other side.  They didn't think about any of the uphill, which they enjoyed without effort, so they cannot connect the extraordinary ecstasy a cyclist feels on the "gravity powered ride" down the other side.

(Robert Case pedaling on Independence Pass at 12,100 feet, autumn color tour, 2015) Photography by Frosty Wooldridge  

"Let's get down this mountain," I said to my mates.

"Lovin' this next hour down hill," said Robert Case.

"I'm all smiles," said Robert Montgomery.

For the next hour, we coasted through tight mountain curves, long sweeping avenues of splendor and a reintroduction into the pines along the road. Soon, golden aspen exploded in front of us.  Thereafter, a river appeared. 

We dove our bikes into the ephemeral physical bliss and visual splendor of the culmination of a fabulous journey across the Colorado Rockies in autumn.  Every curve, every fluttering golden leaf and every scented pine tree became a part of our emotional mosaic.  Such a downhill journey through nature's wonders creates  mile-wide smiles across our faces.

Upon reaching Aspen, we found ourselves in the middle of an arts, crafts and food festival.  We walked through 50 white tents selling every kind of jewelry, arts, crafts and food you can imagine.

We met Billy Taylor, cycle artist, www.recycleartaspen.com, who refurbishes bicycles from 50 years ago.  He repaints them in an amazing array of colors and décor.  Just amazing!

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(Hundreds of refurbished bikes in a multitude of colors and decor.  Truly a recycling of antiques ready to ride.)  Photography by Frosty Wooldridge

Another man, Matthew Cull, www.matthewjkcull.com , a world-class cyclist, offered his latest book from bicycling around Asia as well as stunning pictures of his travels.  We talked at length of our shared experiences.  If you're looking for superb pictures from around the world, Matthew can mail you some of his works.  Truly a fascinating and creative man!

A lady named, Diane Floerchinger, "Light worker" said, "It is my life's purpose to be a light to others by using my enthusiasm to teach, inspire and encourage them to find joy and beauty in their lives."  What a treat to meet her and her radiant energy expressing at the highest vibrational levels.

Another fellow, a jeweler, James. A. Hardwick, www.jameshardwickjewelers.com , created fascinating and stupendous art pieces for men and women.  Incredible to see such beauty!

We enjoyed wildlife statues at $10,000.00 a pop, paintings at $5,000.00 each and dozens of crafts created for those with discretionary income.

Oh, and the food! Wow, fresh buttered corn on the cob!  Fruits and vegetables from organic farms! Real apples without pesticides!   

(Robert Montgomery heading up the mountain.)  Photography by Frosty Wooldridge

After our abundant and delightful fill-up of the festival, late in the afternoon, we followed Maroon Creek Road that led 13 miles upward to the fabled Maroon Bells.  Once again, we pedaled toward a place that millions visit when they adventure in Colorado.

As you crank along, you feel that distressing feeling about coming to the end of an adventure.  You know that every crank of the pedals spells a moment closer to the end of the ride.   Sure, it's easy on day rides, because you can jump back on your bike the next day to ride again. 

But on a bicycle adventure, you travel in a unique orbit.  You tour at an unusual speed of 12-15 miles per hour.  You travel at a spiritual speed unknown amongst most "vehicle driven" people in the 21st century.  The trees, grass and animals "touch" you in a way much neglected in our fast-paced world. You become the adventure with a deep immersion into a physical, mental and spiritual energy field few experience and most cannot comprehend.  Your bicycle becomes your magic carpet with all the soaring, dives and frolic of Peter Pan.

You don't want it to end.  You want it to keep going because you feel so good inside your heart.  You love pedaling along without a care in the world.  You eat every bite of food with a wonderful sensual feeling of flavor and rapacity.

At every stop, you chat about something and nothing.  You guzzled water. You munch on apples, energy bars and trail mix. You share sublime campsites with wondrous campfires.  Food never tasted so good and sleep never slipped over your mind so fast.  During the days of this ride, you stood in awe and wonder at the passes  you climbed and the colors you beheld along the way.

As I sit here along the road sharing my feelings with a ballpoint pen, I've got a big smile on my face. I know Robert Case and Robert Montgomery as well as David Martin share these unique feelings. 

Two hours later, we reached the lake reflecting the stunning 14,000-foot peak of three Maroon Bells.  They tip slightly as if eternally ringing.  A slight snow accented their uppermost elevations.  They profiled a cobalt sky.  The sun hung off the very top peak.  As we stood there on the lake, golden aspen groves swept up the right side of the valley.  Huge mountain peaks lined the valley to our north. 

( Frosty standing along the lake in front of the Maroon Bells, Aspen, Colorado, with his trusty steed Condor, autumn color tour) Photography by Frosty Wooldridge

"Well boys," I said.  "It doesn't get any better than this."

"Let's start thinking about next fall," said Robert Case.

"I'm anxious for our next ride," said Robert Montgomery.

After a half hour of walking around, talking to tourists and watching the sun go down—we mounted the bikes for the 13-mile downhill coast back to Aspen.

"Let's head 'em up and move out," said one of the trail bosses.

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