Spandex Invasion : USA Pro Challenge

The best bike racers in the world rolled over Independence Pass and invaded Aspen today.  Stage 3 of the USA Pro Challenge Bike Race took over Aspen.  The grueling 130.5 mile  Silver Queen stage from Gunnison to Aspen included 9623 feet in vertical climbs and is generally considered the most difficult stage in the USA Pro, and it's the highest bike race in the World. 

Click 4 pix:  SPANDEX INVASION

The Final Results:

 Stage 3

• ·         First Place – Tom Danielson (USA) of Garmin-Sharp-Barracuda
• ·         Second Place – Damiano Caruso (ITA) of Liquigas-Cannondale
• ·         Third Place – Jakob Fuglsang (DEN) of RadioShack-Nissan-Trek

Jerseys

• ·         Exergy Leader Jersey – Christian Vande Velde (USA) of Garmin-Sharp-Barracuda
• ·         Waste Management Sprint Jersey – Damiano Caruso (ITA) of Liquigas-Cannondale
• ·         Nissan King of the Mountains Jersey – Tom Danielson (USA) of Garmin-Sharp-Barracuda
• ·         Aquadraat Best Young Rider Jersey – Joseph Lloyd Dombrowski (USA) Bontrager                                                                                            
• ·         Evolve Most Aggressive Rider Jersey – Francisco Jarley Colorado Hernandez (COL) 

Winning in Aspen. Tommy D.Stage 4, Aspen to Beaver Creek a 97.2 mile jaunt, including a return trip over Independence Pass kicks off at around 11.30 on Thursday.

The entire town of Aspen turned out for the 2nd annual USA Pro Challenge.  A labyrinth of road closings and temporary parking restrictions created a little havoc for the locals, but general consensus indicates that the course was much better laid out and less intrusive than last year.  The races and corresponding bicycle circus, including a bike expo, food trucks, music and sponsors row was packed and very well received.  Everybody had a blast.

As part of the festivities, Aspen hosted The Blue Ribbon Alpine Challenge, a 60 minute criterium for lady pro riders.  Jade Wilcoxson took the top spot.   Also on the agenda,  a locals criterium , a kids race and a sprint to the finish between Pitkin County Commissioners and Aspen City Council.   Typically the race between Pitkin County officials and Aspen's City Councilmen had no winner.  Law suits are pending.

The rain held off and Coloradoan (by way of Connecticut) Tommy Danielson dominated the climbs and handily won the Silver Queen stage crossing the finish line alone, 6 seconds ahead.  It was a good day for Team Garmin as Christian Vande Velde took over possession of the yellow jersey to signify his status as overall race leader.  Tommy D., who also leads the King of the Mountain comp. and a fan favorite credited his teammates and his wife for his win.  His team "pulled him through the valley near Buena Vista" and his wife's words were ringing in his ears at the top of Independence Pass ..."don't look back " ..."she always says.. I didn't look back...and it worked".

Click 4 PIX   SPANDEX INVASION

Inside the Peloton. No bloggers were hurt. Click 4 pix.Podium Shot. Tommy Danielson was a beast in the mountains. Click 4 pix.The Bike Expo was da bomb. The kiddies loved it. Click 4 pix.70's cover band Anthem rocked out in the park. Click 4 pix.

McConkey: The Movie

Many thanks to Red Bull Media House.  The trailer for McConkey is compelling.  Can't wait to see the film.

AREDAY 2012: A Call to Action

Lovins and Ritter kicked off AREDay 2012. Click 4 pixThe 9th annual Amereican Renewable Energy Day  (AREDay) Summit, Expo and Film Fest. took place in Aspen this past weekend.   AREDay brings together energy efficient thought leaders, educators, entrepreneurs, government officials and more in one forum for discussions, panels, dialogue and networking.

Click 4 pix:  CALL TO ACTION

Experts such as Amory Lovins (Rocky Mountain Institute), Bill Ritter (former Governor of Colorado), 4 Star  General (ret.)Wesley Clark, Admiral (ret.) Dennis McGinn,  best selling author Thomas Friedman,  actress and activist Mariel Hemingway and almost 100 other speakers took the stage in an effort to save the planet.  

For the first time in history a majority of Americans (60%) believe that climate change is a reality.  Perhaps the fact that this past July was the warmest month in recorded history in America has something to do with it.  Perhaps the measurable increase in natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, typhoons,  forest fires and droughts have opened people's eyes.  Here in Aspen we see the effects of climate change first hand.  Last Winter was the worst snow season in Aspen in recent memory. We've seen incredible variations in weather...zero degrees one day...over 50 the next...that didn't used to happen.  Remember last March and April...more than 30 days in a row over 60 degrees...and how about that "snirt" we received in 2010 and 2011 from the dust and super-high winds in the Utah desert that dropped a layer of snow mixed with dirt on Aspen...that never happened before.

4 Star General Wesley Clark. Click 4 pix.The environment just might be the most crucial issue in our upcoming Presidential election...but no one is talking about it.  The environment could be more important to our future than the economy and jobs and Medicare and  college transcripts and tax returns.  Yet neither candidate addresses Climate Change. That makes me MAD.

While I enjoyed AREDay and it was very informative, I couldn't help but to read between the lines.  It's great that all the speakers shared their exhaustive research and their power point charts and promoted their books, patted each other on the back and alluded unfavorably to our "addiction to oil". Yada Yada Yada.  Where's the beef?   Who is moving the needle?  It's clear that there is an URGENT need to improve the way our world works and THE TIME is NOW.

Obviosly some progress is being made with solar and wind power, natural gas and other new and improved technologies...but it seems like a drop in the bucket.   The Federal Government apparently is willing to ignore the issue.  The change must come from the State and Local level.  Gov. Ritter who helped form the Center for New Energy Economy at Colorado State University has visited 33 States in the past year.  He made it clear that the people of America want an energy policy that reduces the risks of climate change and makes the U.S. independent of foreign oil.   Can it happen?  No one knows.

I came away from AREDay feeling scared and frustrated.  There is no clear solution.  Education and awareness have taken hold...but the planet Earth needs results--- ASAP.  It may sound like baby steps, but I urge all individuals  to change their behavior starting today.  Everyone needs to recycle.  We all need to reduce consumption. I know...life goes on...but every little bit helps.    The Earth is like a giant National Park... "take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints".  One more thing...leave a footprint that you can be proud of...if not for you...for your children and your children's children.

I'm not a scientist, I don't have all the facts...and unfortunately I don't have a simple solution...but I do know that the environment is wasting away before our eyes.  The people in Aspen do a pretty good job of protecting the planet (relative to other places) and that's important.  We need to think and act locally to preserve our own environment.  We in Aspen are lucky to live in paradise...let's work hard so that future generations can enjoy it too.

I'm not a super-duper climate hawk, I drive a car, I fly commercially, I use paper and plastic.  I'm just another guy, but I can see into the not so distant future and I'm very worried.   What I heard from the AREDay experts strikes a real fear in me, in fact it scares the sh*t out of me.   Climate change, gloabal warming, the enviroment...(maybe it needs a better name), but it's an URGENT Problem. 

The only thing standing in our way is Politics and Money.

Do your part...start today.  Live a more "GREEN" lifestyle.  Turn down the A/C,  take a shorter shower, turn off the lights when you leave the room...the planet earth depends on it.

Mariel Hemingway and the CVAC machine at AREDay. Click 4 pixTaj Mahal playing the blues to support the planet at AREDay. Click 4 pix

SRO in Aspen. Buy Tickets Now.

BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW  (click the links for info and tickets).

AREDAY 2012                                               August 16-20

USA PRO CHALLENGE Bike Race                   August 22-23

MOUNTAIN SUMMIT FILM FEST:                    August 23-26

JAZZ ASPEN/SNOWMASS Labor Day Fest       August 31-Sept2

Whole Foods Market set to dominate.

After more than 6 years in development Whole Food Market, Roaring Fork Valley will open for business on August 15.  Whole Foods which began with a single store in Austin, Texas in 1980 now has 332 stores across the country and is known for selling only organic and natural products. Whole Foods claims to be the healthiest grocery store in the world and prides themselves on their environmental stewardship. Whole Foods is ranked as one of the the most socially responsible businesses in the USA by a variety of measures, is always on the best companies to work for list and is the EPA's #3 Green Power Player.   Whole Foods only sells food items that are free of artificial flavors, preservatives, colors, sweeteners and hydrogenated fats.

WHOLE FOODS SNEAK PEEK (click 4 pix)

AspenSpin got a sneak peek at the newest Whole Food Store in Basalt...and it looks FRESH.  The store will have 101 employees, 75 of which were hired locally and 26 brought in from other stores.  At 28,000 square feet, the Roaring Fork Valley store is smaller than their typical footprint, but its packed with "1000's of local products".  It's clear that Whole Foods will become very involved with the local community. They are contributing one dollar to AVSC for each  "facebook like" they receive before the grand opening tomorrow.   Look for tons of in-store events, sales, coupons and more in the near future.  

So after years of waiting....bring your reusable bags to Basalt tomorrow and get your ya ya's out food shopping at Whole Foods   Don't be surprised if you learn more about your food than ever before, as Whole Foods is completely transparent with their labeling.  According the Amy, the Community Relations Director..."the more you know about your meat, the better".  

The Fruits and Veggies look awesome. Click for more photos from our sneak peek at Whole Foods.Cutting the Cheese. Sampling is a BIG part of the Whole Foods experience.In the Soup with Yalonda Long and 5-time Olympian Casey PuckettThe Pizza Team showing off their pies. Click 4 more pix.