Today, after two years of trying, I finally complete the Colorado Pass-a-Palooza™, scaling all 31 of the state’s paved roadways over 10,000 feet. I rode 29 of them last summer, and with the addition of two previously missing fourteeners yesterday and today, I’ll complete my Pass-a-Palooza™ bingo card. Yay, me.

What puts me over the top is the highlight of today’s ride: the highest paved road in North America, Mount Blue Sky (14,130 feet!).

On our way there, we cross three 10,000+ passes: Red Hill Pass (10,051 feet), Kenosha Pass (10,001 feet), and Guanella Pass (11,669 feet), which received Honorable Mention on my all-time best rides list.

It’s my list, the product of much research and a bit of imagination (is the Eisenhower Tunnel really a 10,000-foot+ pass?).

You may have a differing point of view, as Clarence does. He thinks Guanella Pass should be Top Five, at a minimum. When you see Clarence, you can ask for an explanation. At Guanella Pass, you’ll find the trailhead for hiking up Mount Bierstadt (14,065 feet), often known as one of the easiest 14ers in Colorado. It was named in honor of Albert Bierstadt, the American landscape painter who made the first recorded summit of the mountain in 1863. Bierstadt is German for “Beer City.” It’ll have to wait for another day.

We descend Guanella Pass into Georgetown, where we take a break before heading toward Mount Blue Sky, with $17 Timed Entry Passes in hand (thank you, recreation.gov).

I’ve been at the top of Mount Blue Sky once before – 12 years ago when it was called Mount Evans. For me, it was a somewhat terrifying experience. I expect it to be less so today. Apparently, over the years, I’ve either become more experienced, more stupid, or more oblivious to the danger.

From Mount Blue Sky’s summit, we descend nearly 7,000 feet to the town of Idaho Springs, made famous in the 1969 Robert Redford film, Downhill Racer.

But wait, we’re not quite done with the Pass-a-Paloozas™ for the day. On our way to today’s final destination, we cross Loveland Pass (11,990 feet), the third-highest paved crossings of the Continental Divide. And, it’s the highest road in the US kept open year-round.

You probably wouldn’t know this unless you’re a truck driver – not exactly my target audience – but Loveland Pass is the required detour over the Rockies for trucks carrying hazardous materials. These trucks are not allowed in the Eisenhower or Johnson tunnels on Interstate 70. The only exceptions are when winter weather closes Loveland Pass, and Colorado Department of Transportation vehicles escort fuel tankers and other trucks through the tunnels, usually at the top of the hour, going no faster than 30 miles an hour. The rule is designed to protect the structural integrity of the tunnels and prevent catastrophic damage from a potential hazardous fuel fire. And now you know.

With our non-haz mat Harley loads hardly threatening anyone, we ride the short 22 miles from Loveland Pass to Frisco, where our day ends.

To view today’s route, click here.

And now, a few pics from today’s ride.