[Editors note: It was a good ride this weekend, except we had a rider get lost and head back to the start. They made it home just fine, but was bummed they missed out on the beautiful ride! I am still recovering from my cold of the last week, so was the last rider to every stop and as a consequence missed a lot of the goings-on. So a big thanks to Eric for the ride report below, supplemented by some notes.]
"Your route is like a roller coaster baby baby, I wanna ride!" (Apologies to the Ohio Players).
This week's long ride was the South 14 + rollers route (details here), a roller coaster ride if there ever was one. The ride starts with a long 23 mile up hill climb. Then we bounce up and down for a few miles before ending with a long 19 mile descend back into ABQ. Overall a 65 mile ride.
We had a big group for this one, with David, Jeff, TJ, Jeff, Greg, Geoff, John, Calvin, John, Amber, Diane, Matt, Laura and Eric. About 4 of the group started from the O'Neill's rally point. Meanwhile the East siders rode down Tramway to rally at Smith's. Once the group was gathered there, we headed East out of town on Old Route 66 to rally at the Tijeras ranger station for a bathroom break.
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| Still smiling! |
After departing the ranger station we began the 11 mile, 1600 ft. climb up South NM 14. As climbs in NM go, this one was popular with everyone for the good road surface, ample shoulder, low traffic, and good scenery. The next rally point was a country store just south of the turn through the Oak Flats park area. The country store was the last chance for water for many miles. It also the last chance for a bathroom, although the porta-potty there was no place for arachnophobes. The spider webs inside made it look like Shelob's lair.
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| Starting up the hill on South 14 |
The one miscue of the day came from a rider that turned directly through Oak Flats rather than stopping at the country store and got lost. Difficulties getting in touch afterwards highlighted a need for everyone's contact information (and better cell phone service in the East Mountains). If you have not already, please send David your cell phone information and carry your phone with you on the rides!
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| The clydesdale contingent |
The ride through Oak Flats and the subsequent connection to northbound NM 217 began the roller coaster portion of the ride. Managing momentum and timely shifting were the order of the day. Near the intersection of NM 217 and Route 66, part of the group that needed to return to ABQ early headed east on 66. The rest of the group (about 9 of us) continued north on 217 and turned west on Frost Rd. to head for the Shell station at the triangle in Cedar Crest. A zippy downhill run south on NM 14 followed by a return to ABQ west on Route 66 wrapped up the ride. Those that rallied at the Smiths then began their uphill on Tramway toward home, while the O'Neills riders continued on their ride west. All told a 65 mile jaunt in 5 hours, returning just after 12. Go Domo!
The need for naps outweighed the need for lunch, so everyone broke off to rest for part of the afternoon, and some later gathered at Tractor brewery (another Penultimates sponsor!) to enjoy some of their tasty craft beer.
Next week, the Sandia Crest ride!
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| Some people always get grease on their legs. The faces have been hidden to protect their innocence. |
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