Saturday Ride: Ride to Placitas
The second to last training ride of the season! Today we headed around the mountain the opposite direction, headed north out of ABQ on the way to Placitas (route here). We had a record turnout of riders show up today - by my count 23 people (details below)! We started off from Nob Hill with 21, collected another 2 at the Alameda open space, before heading north on 313 toward Bernalillo. We kept a pretty good pace heading north rallying at the Conoco in Bernalillo around mile 25 mark. My favorite moment of the day was the interaction with the other bike team that was also rallying there. They were representing Day of the Tread. We were representing Bike MS. Uncomfortable staring, some tough talk. Then a West Side Story gang war complete with "When you're a Jet, You're a Jet all the way, ..." and dance provided by Gary W. Or it should have happened like that.
From there, we climbed the up the mountain toward Placitas, a gain of over 2000 feet by the end, way up in the cool mountain air. We had a few riders peal back early, but all told we had 19 people at the top. We sat around at the end and watched Eric and Andrew attempt to fix Laura's front derailleur (unsuccessfully), before heading down to stop in Placitas for a refueling. From there it was a free for all back to ABQ. Several people peeled off to head home, but the majority of the riders made it back to Nob Hill. Eric and Greg caught up with Stacy on the return trip and rode with her home to the bottom of the diversion trail (no rider left behind!). Some of us met up at Serafin's (our great jersey sponsor) for some delicious breakfast! Great morning!
Riders today: Greg V., Rob, Andrew, Gary C., Gary W., Brady, Danielle, Amber, Chris O., Laura, Eric, Olga, David, Daryl, LeeAnne, Maureen, Will, Matt, Michael, Stacy, Tammy, Peggy, Diane
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| Penultimates as far as the eye can see. |
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| At the top |
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| Breakfast at Serafin's |
Blythe wrote up today's ride, a 36 loop around the city (route here).
Our ride around the city started with a cool, brisk morning thanks to the rain the night before. Ali, Gary C., John M., Lee Ann, and Blythe. Ali was a cheerful morning greeter in flip flops, as she explained that she would not be joining the ride due to baby Ethan affording her little sleep the night before. (Ed note: jerk baby!)
Our group of four headed east towards Smith at Tramway where we took a quick break as we texted Erica to let her know we were close to our rendezvous point at Indian School and Tramway, which received the response, "Ok Wow". I think we were faster than anticipated!
After picking up Erica and Gary W we raced up Tramway until we got to the road leading up to the base of the Tram. John M., feeling he should punish himself a bit more, asked if we would join him on an extra uphill jaunt up that road. Only Gary C was brave enough to follow, and the two of them headed up for a bonus round of hills while the rest of us gleefully headed for the beckoning call of the Tramway downhill stretch. (note scenic view pic below)
When tramway ended at the roundabout we headed south on 4th, stopping once or twice to check on how to connect over to the diversion channel. After passing our initially intended turn (oops!), we regrouped at Osuna (see pic of Gary W, Blythe, and Erica) and took that east to the diversion channel where we enjoyed a smooth and pleasant ride back.
All in all, a nice way to spend a Sunday morning, and excellent weather for riding!
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| The descent down toward the casino |
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| Blythe, Gary W, and Erica (back in the saddle!) |
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