Klunk and roll
In a year of anniversaries and milestones, there’s one that may have missed your radar. This weekend, Sept. 10-11, marks the 40th running of the annual Tour de Pearl Pass to Aspen.
Sort of like a summer version of the Grand Traverse, the tour takes participants on a 38-mile quest from Crested Butte to Aspen. Except instead of sporting the latest lightweight skimo gear, the Tour do Pearl Pass is done, preferably, on klunkers. And in lieu of skin suits and Gore-tex, jeans, cotton T-shirts, sweatbands and Converse high tops are also recommended. The pace is also much more leisurely than the GT, with two days to accomplish the feat, including a campout-party on Saturday night complete with kegger.
But lest you think the tour is a walk in the park, be forewarned. The 38-mile ride tops out at close to 13,000 feet, and well, klunkers, although known for their durability, are not exactly speedy.
“Needless to say, make sure you are in top shape if you plan to ride this tour,” warns the Tour’s homepage.
(Also keep in mind the ride ends in Aspen, so you may want to bring a change of clothes so you are not arrested for vagrancy. On second thought, screw that.)
If this sounds like your idea of fun – and by that we mean slow, methodical torture – than you better hurry. As of Wednesday, there were still a few coveted spots left on the 45-person tour. Cost is $80 for the Tour to Aspen and $115 for the Tour plus return shuttle to C.B. on Sunday night. To register or for more info, go to cbklunk ers.com.
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