It might as well be the Tour de Aspen. This weekend is as good as it gets for bicycle racing in this little mountain town.

"It's an awesome weekend for biking," said Elliott Larsen, a five-year member of the Aspen Cycling Club. "There are two really unique and exciting races in a row."

Saturday is the Ride for the Pass, a 10-mile uphill toward Independence Pass on Highway 82. The event starts at the winter gate, east of Aspen, and finishes at the Independence ghost town. Some would call it grueling, some would call it fun.

Sunday is the criterium, a race that runs a circuit in the city, with racers doing laps.

Both races start at 9 a.m.

"Sunday's race is probably the most exciting and spectator-friendly race we do," Larsen said.

Joel Stonington's e-mail address is jstonington@aspentimes.com