Nuevo Mexicanos

There has been plenty of riding since the last post but the riding we did this past weekend in NM was supreme. It all started with a drive down to Santa Fe to visit Mr.Wise and his beautiful family. This was the first time I got to see their casa so it was extra special. I should have snapped a family photo of everyone but that will have to go on the to do list for the next trip. Jessica and I rolled into town and met Tim, Autumn, and Ella for a little rooftop pizza. Tim's friend/co-worker Ben and his partner Trish (I hope I remembered her name correctly) met us and were cool enough to get the table for everyone. The pizza was great and the view was excellent as well.

The first day of riding was on the Rancho Viejo trail that led us back to the Rio en Medio with some fun stuff in between. I don't remember all the names of the trails we hit at this spot but it was great and plenty of stream crossings to cool the feet. We met up with Anthony and Robert after a little dirt road climb to the start of the trail. This area was sweet and we didn't see a single mtn biker on the trails that day. A bit of a conundrum at the parking area but after kicking some hiker ass, we found a spot to park up the road. Lodo guy with his designer jeans, sunglasses, and long sleeve button down didn't like us driving on his road but all was good and after arduous deliberation in regards to his fate, we decided to let him go to hike, saunter rather, another day. Actually it was all smiles and and the warm up climb hit the spot. We rallied with Anthony and Robert at the top and hit the trail.



The crew ready to take action.



Tim finishes mashing out one of the many glorious climbs.



Not all climbs were meant to be ridden though. This climb is steeper, more rugged, and longer than it looks. A great example of how the mtns in New Mexico will mercilessly deal out the pain.



Life on the forest floor



We regroup in the meadow.

After the ride, we hit WFM for some major food to take back to the hacienda and grill. We went with the NY steaks and I was happy that we did. The new grill worked perfect and we all had our fill. The new patio and outdoor area they are having put on the house is almost complete and looked great. Leave it to Timmy to sweeten the entire project with the addition of a lovely hot tub. In true Saguaro cactus fashion, Tim has the ability to retain moisture from the tub that is later released into his body on rides. I was feeling like a Fred with a 100oz Camelbak and a bottle of some type of drink mix while he was finishing rides with 2 water bottles. One quick side note on the hot tub, the filter works really well on cat hair and ash from the grill.

This was the perfect way to set everyone up for the next day that would see us heading north to the South Boundary trail in Taos. Greg, a riding buddy of Tim's and Taos local led the way through what can be a very confusing trail network as I learned last year at the double boundary endurance ride.

This trail is off the chain and the rain they have been getting made this area one of the best in terms of trail conditions and lush vegetation that I have hit so far this year. Even the open meadows still showed spring like life.



These wild Iris were kind enough to pose in front of the wheeling rig backdrop. I wasn't expecting the wheelie as you can tell by the cut off rider. Still cool though.



What!!?

The NM rides were the first for Jess on her new Black Sheep. It came out really nice and I think she may even like the fit a little bit better than the On-One.



Waiting to head down the 164.



After some incredible stretches of trail, Greg and I volunteer to be the ones who head back to town via trail while Jessica and Tim head to grab the two cars we shuttled up with. We figure we will arrive a beer behind them to town. Famous last words.



Greg ripping down the singletrack. I shot this one while riding. This section was incredible and I remembered much of it from the end of the Double Boundary last September. The recent rains made the whole area enjoyable to ride and cornering the bike into the tacky turns was quite a treat.

Now, this is where it gets interesting. Greg flats after we had blazed by one of the turn offs and were forced to double back. All good we think and he gets the tire changed quickly and we are back under way in no time.



The trail awaits while the work is being done.

I took the opportunity to shoot some commercial shots for IF and Formula even though the pin on the formula lever failed at the end of the ride. I got in touch with them and found out my brakes actually fell under a recall from last year. It should be an easy fix according to Formula but we shall see.







The last shot is from the second rear flat Greg got. We started to speculate that there may be an issue with the rear wheel and rightly so. We were running a bit behind and I was getting a bit nervous about leaving Taos so late to come back to Boulder. Greg dutifully gets the 2nd flat changed and we start the final stretch which is nice and technical. Right before the end, I hear a shout behind me and sure enough, a third and final flat. He suggests I get down before the search party is sent out and so I head out. Like Bugs Bunny lamenting that I should have made that turn at Albuquerque, I realize I went the wrong direction and end up in the north part of town. I have to SS it back down to the south end of town on the road just in time to meet Greg getting into his car after a very nice lady apparently stopped to pick him up.

We ended up heading to a nice little Mexican place after all was said and done for fish tacos. A great end to the day that did not see us leaving town until the the following morning. It was a good thing that Taos is mellow this time of year as there were great lodging deals to be had.

We were lucky to have friends who let us crash at their house and showed us the very splendid trails of New Mexico. If gas stays below $10 a gallon, we will head back down for more fun in the land of enchantment. Cheers