Weekend's Ride: July 27 & 28th - East Mountains + Balloon Fiesta Park

Another great weekend of rides - a long 65 mile loop out through the cool east mountains and a 20 mile city loop.  All told we had 17 riders hit the road this weekend.  Go Domo!

Saturday's Ride: East Mountain Mosey

Those that survived Friday night's epic thunderstorm/hurricane showed up bright and early at O'Neill's for a long ride out to the East Mountains (route here). Five of us (Gary C., Jeff, new rider Daniella, old rider TJ in from out of state for a fun ride, and myself) made our way through the mess of broken trees and diversions around downed power lines toward the second rally point where we met up with more riders (Gary W., Calvin, Rob, and Olga).  The 8 of us headed out on a long 17 mile uphill climb through Tijeras Canyon and south on 14, picking up another 5 riders (Laura, Brady, Peggy, and Brady).  

It was a beautiful morning - cool and clear after an evening of rain with the smell of pine trees all day. We rallied for some refreshments before the lucky 13 headed east toward the rollers.  More gorgeous vistas, some interval training over the 10 miles of long rollers before the rally point at 217/333.  At this point some riders headed back to ABQ, others finished out the ride up to the Triangle, before the long downhill back to ABQ. All told a great day of riding, and another 65 miles in training.

Heading uphill on South 14.

On the rollers

Sunday's Ride: Up to Balloon Fiesta

Sunday's ride was a pretty vanilla out and back up to Balloon Fiesta Park and back from O'Neills.  4 riders tarted out (Ali, John M, Sam and wife) started out on a beautiful, cool morning.  Despite threats of morning showers, the skies stayed clear for us.  We picked up Gary W along the way and paused briefly to refuel at the park before heading back into a bit of a headwind that, sadly, slowed us down. Starting to feel like I have my bike legs back!

Highlights of the ride include: watching the progress of about 20 hot air balloons (including one daring pilot who appeared to be trying to land in a subdivision) and a very brave (read: not so smart) person running in the arroyo.