Weekend's Ride: The High Road to Santa Fe

This weekend's ride is was the my favorite ride of the season.  A long 60+ mile ride (route here) leaving from Albuquerque, heading out on old Route 66, before heading north on 14 on the scenic Turquoise Trail.  It ends with an epic lunch of New Mexican food at El Parasol, and then over to the Santa Fe Brewing taproom, before taking the Railrunner south back home.

By my count this is the 6th ride we have done to Santa Fe.  It was also the most people that headed out - a total of 27 riders headed out!  It always a wonderful time.  The ride itself is challenging, almost 4000' of elevation gain, but through such beautiful scenery recently greened by the summer monsoons.  It is also a fantastic team ride, great for getting to know all your fellow riders better.

This year we joined forces with another team - the Gearitos - for an epic adventure.  In addition to 6 wonderful and friendly riders, they graciously provided a sag vehicle stocked with water and snacks, and also gear bags for the all important change when we got there.  Cannot emphasis how nice it was to change out of sweaty bike clothes at the conclusion of the ride.

One of the highlights this year was beautiful weather - relatively cool (highs near the end topped out in mid 80s) with intermittent clouds, and delightful tailwind for the last 20 miles of the ride.  Probably the most excitement was near the conclusion of the ride as a summer storm blew through while we were enjoying a beer.  Massive rain, hail, lightning, thunder.  At this point we still had about another mile ride to the train stop, and needed to catch the 3:48 train or be stranded until 10 pm.  We were down to the last minutes as we headed toward the train stations just after the storm finished it's fury.  We still got soaked and cold, but it certainly made for an epic tale that will only become more legendary.

Good morning!

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The assembled crew of 27 riders!

The heartbreak hill contingent.

At the brewery!

We all survived!