A 2,300 foot vertical climb, 10-mile race will kick off on Independence Pass on Saturday. The Ride the Pass annual community bike ride will be back for its 31st year. 

The event is open to competitors looking to test their mettle and riders just looking to get out for a scenic ride. It begins at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday. 

The Colorado Department of Transportation has cleared the road of snow and done an extensive street sweeping and cleaning operation to ensure that bikers have as pristine road conditions as possible for the race. 

“Right before the ride CDOT will get out a sweeper and sweep the road free of all the gravel and dirt and any rocks,” said Karin Teague, executive director at the Independence Pass Foundation. “They just get it really buffed out to make it a beautiful ride.”

The Independence Pass Foundation operates this event with help from local sponsors and registration fees. Proceeds from the event help the Foundation continue its efforts restoring and protecting the ecological, historical, and aesthetic integrity of Independence pass, according to a press release. 

The 10-mile ride will start five miles east of Aspen at the winter closure gate and will go to the ghost town of Independence. There will be two aid stations for riders to replenish themselves with water and bars.

While the ride does not go to the summit, riders are welcomed to pedal the remaining distance to the top of the Pass, as it will be fully cleared of snow. There will be no additional aid stations for riders  who continue to bike past the finish.

Once riders finish the race, they can go to the start for a barbecue and raffle which will start once the first racers make it back and go until around 2 p.m.

In addition to the main event, there will be a 2-mile, untimed, family-friendly ride to the Weller Lake pullout. Class 1 E-bikes, with pedal assist, are welcome but will not receive a time and will start after timed riders. 

According to Teague, recent events have brought between 200 and 400 riders, depending on the weather. This year, they have already had 200 riders signed up but expect many more registrants to sign up this week. 

Weather for the event, which has historically been a significant factor in attendance, is predicted to be 60 degrees with some clouds in Aspen as of Monday, May 12. 

Registration costs are $45 for adults, $25 for kids 18 and under, and $75 for families. Prospective riders can register at independencepass.org/2025-ride-for-the-pass until 5 p.m. on Friday May, 16.