Yesterday we took State Route 82 out of Glenwood Springs. It goes right thru Aspen so we kept a sharp eye out for random celebrity sightings but at 6:00am there were none to be seen. No matter – this has to be one of the most beautiful drives anywhere. The road is quite narrow at times – down to one and a half lanes in a couple of places, but totally, completely worth taking.
It winds up to Independence Pass where we crested at 12,095 feet and then crossed the Continental Divide and headed down to a junction at US 24. On the way we passed high alpine meadows, rocky ridgelines and marshy lakes edged by beaver dams.
We stopped at Twin Lakes for coffee and more photos – our cameras were now full of photos – every corner we went around was prettier than the last so it was almost impossible to stop taking pictures!
But eventually we crossed onto US 24 and found our way to the Mecca Motel. We unloaded and began the very final bit of work needed to be done before we present the team at Technical Inspection tomorrow morning.
The Mecca’s parking lot is back into Team Pit mode – engines are revving, and wrenches are flying. Greg is already here, Carlin flies in tonight. By 11:00pm the entire team will be assembled.
Technical Inspection is at the PPIR Race Track (Pikes Peak International Raceway) in Fountain, Colorado. This is a new location for Technical Inspection for the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, and it is now open to spectators. So if you happen to have some free time tomorrow between 8:00am and 5:00pm, come on down and see the race cars and motorcycles up close and in person. We’d love to see you there.
From here on, the travel narrative ends and the racing begins!