Aspen Peak - Niche Media - Aspen living at its peak
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T he annual Food & Wine Classic in Aspen is the bookend to our summer season, an event of gastronomic proportions that has single-handedly landed Aspen on the interna- tional culinary scene. During June of 2012, the Classic celebrated its 30-year Aspen partnership with a tasteful lineup of special events, drawing the biggest and brightest celebrity chefs, includ- ing Mario Batali, Bobby Flay, Giada De Laurentiis, and more. In celebration of the Classic's 30th, organizers were given a key to the city by then-Aspen Mayor Mick Ireland, and fireworks kicked off a weekend locals and attend- ees won't forget. Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, June 20–22, 2014; foodandwine.com/classic George Hincapie competes in the final race of his career in Denver in August 2012. Top Chef judge Gail Simmons celebrated the Food & Wine Classic's 30th anniversary by hosting a late-night dessert party. Food & Wine FÊTE 30-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF FOOD & WINE CLASSIC, JUNE 15–17, 2012 C ycling is to an Aspen summer what skiing is to winter. And when the inaugural USA Pro Challenge first churned over Independence Pass and snaked through downtown, it was readily apparent that Aspen's need for speed is a year-round pursuit. In just four years, the event, coined "America's Race," has become one of the largest cycling events in US history, and each year it has drawn top racers from the Tour de France podium. More than 1 million viewers watch at least one part of the race, and much has been made of the Independence Pass climb. Set in Aspen's backyard and crossing the Continental Divide, the 5,000-foot climb to the 12,000-plus-foot pass is one of the most grueling of the professional cycling race circuit—and the highest point reached in any professional cycling race. Americans Levi Leipheimer clenched the title the debut year and Christian Vande Velde won in 2012, while part-time Aspenite Tejay van Garderen is the 2013 reigning champion. Last year Aspen became the host city for Stage 1 and 2, and this summer will see the same. Held over seven consecutive days in Colorado, top athletes race through the Rockies at altitudes rarely endured. The event has not only changed the cycling land- scape on a national scale, but has also forever impressed Aspen's passionate and dedicated cycling community. USA Pro Challenge, August 18 – 24, 2014; usapro cyclingchallenge.com USA PRO CHALLENGE, AUGUST 22–28, 2012 BE-SPOKED ASPENPEAK-MAGAZINE.COM 153 148-155_AP_F_Anniversary_V2_SUM_FALL_14.indd 153 5/6/14 4:42 PM