Ride the Continental Divide

I’m standing on the nation’s spine at Hagerman Pass, having pedaled my mountain bike up to 11,925 feet. No, it was not easy. But when I see the cloud shadows flow across the Colorado Rockies before me, I’m grateful for my pounding heart. Over five days—covering far more ground than if hiking—I see sapphire lakes, tousled meadows, and aspen forest after aspen forest, their leaves making soft applause as I breeze by. Paragon Guides: Holy Cross 100, outside Vail; from $1,770 Jul 1–Sep 30, including meals and lodging in 10th Mountain Division Huts; paragonguides.com