RR: Adiós Albuquerque

[GP_pilot]

Unfortunately I have no Forgotten San Gabes report from the past week. Instead I was some 800 miles east in the Sandia mountains saying my final goodbyes to an old friend. Spending 4 years in a place and enjoying nearly every minute of it with friends, food, and activities, will always be a part of you. New Mexico has something that no other place has, which is why it’s the Land of Enchantment. It’s the crossroads of Route 66 Americana, Native American culture, and Art in every dimension. The people are genuine, the New Mexican food unique & fiery hot, and the expanses of sky are endless. My brother’s girl friend thought all the pictures of New Mexico were color enhanced, until she moved from San Francisco for a time and saw it herself. The entire land, sky, and culture are a palate of colors. Georgia O’Keeffe, Ansel Adams’ Moonrise (over Hernandez, NM), and countless artists have captured it in various media. The land still has that western backcountry, cowboy ruggedness feel that you encounter shortly after leaving the city limits.

Although my wife and I have held on to our first home thinking we may return some day, there’s been a growing number of reasons to sell it but mainly so we can finally buy a place in San Diego. It’s tough to let go of something so nearly perfect with sentimental value. An acre of wooded land along a 7000’ ridge line, with 20 mile flat expanse views to the east and the green backside of the Sandia mountains 10 miles to the west. Just 20 minutes from the convenience of the city, but feels like more than an hour away. A 2 story house with vaulted ceilings and the ultimate man room, a 24 x 72’ heated shop that housed my national motorcycle racing operation for 3 years. Spending a week working on the house brought back old memories and two re-acquaintances with the last remaining neighbors when we moved 4 years ago.

I brought my bike with me hoping to get in a ride, since I only rode these mountains twice with a rigid. Having ridden the San Gabes in weeks past and acclimatizing at 7,000’ for 5 days was definitely going to help. Sandia in Spanish means watermelon, which is nearly the color of the rock when the sunsets west of Albuquerque.



I drove 30 minutes over to the Sandia Peak ski area that I’ve hit a couple of times in the winters for a quick local session. I’ve never ridden this trail before and upon completion I’m wondering why I ever moved. These mountains are another dichotomy: nearly all vertical rock on the west side with a sloping green forest on the east side. At 8,600’ flat Landers will wheeze just walking up the steps of the ski lodge.



Those with heart problems need not apply and those starting a fitness program will want to consult your local physician prior to starting this ride. This ride starts at 8,678’ and although weekend lift service started on Jun 2, there’s no lift service today.



Even if there was you’d miss one of the best 1,700 ft climbs.



This trail snakes back and forth across the green meadow ski slopes,





And in and out of the woods.






And again and again.





Along the way you’ll see plenty of wild, Rocky Mountain iris.



About half way up you’ll start hitting aspen groves.









This climb makes La Costa’s 20 some Switchback trail look like a kiddie park. Try 100 switchbacks on the way up. I was struggling to maintain a paltry heart rate of 160 bpm at the beginning and 150 by the end of the climb. But surprisingly it’s not all climbing. I counted half a dozen short, technical drops and runouts that give you a chance to catch your breath and get your legs loosened up.







Oxygen depravation is reminding me once again as I feel a headache coming on around 9,800’, which wasn’t due to my lack of water intake. With two weekends of lift service, this trail was barely used and can be used both directions. The top is within sight, but you’ve still over a mile to go.



The King of the Mountain trail is used each year in the NM off road series. Top pros will finish this oxygen depriving climb under 60 min running 34-17 gearing. The King himself, Ned Overend, hammered the record of 49 minutes when this trail was in its infancy. I would finish just over 2 hours, barely maintaining 32-34 on my 29er.



Now the top is just a short distance away.



It’s once you climb nearly 8 miles to the top, all 10,378’, that you’ll get your just reward with the views overlooking Albuquerque.







And real bathrooms at the High Finance restaurant, which precisely describes its menu pricing.
The compliment to KOTM is Golden Eagle trail for your return trip to the base.



This is a similar 6.55 mi switchback, downhill only trail with easier terrain than KOTM but will still keep you pedaling to keep your speed up.





Golden Eagle only has half the switchbacks at 50 and never intersects KOTM. However there are 4 connectors between the two if you need to bail out before the top.



Taking nearly 30 min to descend is a nice bonus.





An outstanding 14.5 mi round trip, plus 0.5 mi each way from/to the lower parking lot when the upper lot isn’t open during the week.



Man, I miss this place, Hatch green chili stew, carne adovada, sopapillas with honey, and the most incredible skies, skiing, and biking.



Hasta luego la tierra de encantamiento.


Status: Well Known
Distance: 14.5 (loop), 7.86 for KOTM, 6.55 for Golden Eagle
Total Descent: 2134’ (loop), 401’ for KOTM, 1733’ for Golden Eagle
Total Ascent: 2234’ (loop), 2104’ for KOTM, 130’ for Golden Eagle

[lmnop]

Dude, you are quickly setting a high standard with your Ride Reports. Thanks for your efforts to bring it on a consistent basis.

[Upsidedown1]

If I had been smarter I would never have left Albuquerque. Lived there over half of my life. Moved back to California 7 years ago and hate it. Wish I was in to Mtn biking back then, those shots are awesome. You can do anything from there....biking,hiking,fishing,skiing,hunting...an ything and not have to deal with a lot of people. The best thing of all may have been the food, the red and green chile. I still buy it in bulk and freeze it here in SoCal. Ahhhh the good ol days.

[OTHRIDER]

I'll be looking for a place like that in a few years........


Sorry you're having to leave paradise.

[DISCO]

Damn, think I might have to do the SART ride now......

[El Salt]

Originally Posted by GP_pilot

It’s tough to let go of something so nearly perfect with sentimental value. An acre of wooded land along a 7000’ ridge line, with 20 mile flat expanse views to the east and the green backside of the Sandia mountains 10 miles to the west. Just 20 minutes from the convenience of the city, but feels like more than an hour away.

...

[Abui]

Excellent RR for both words and pictures.

[Burner]

Killer

you'd have the RR of the week all locked up if it weren't for those pesky Downievillers.

[BrewMaster]

Great RR GP pilot. I had never thought of riding NM until you posted this. Thanks!

[Chewyeti]

Originally Posted by BrewMaster

Great RR GP pilot. I had never thought of riding NM until you posted this. Thanks!

i would go to NM with you sam. Next weekend?>

[Zippy]

Awesome. My uncle used to live in White Rock before retiring to Alamogordo. We spent Xmas with him in White Rock one year and skiied Angel Fire. Sweet.

[OMR]

Did you work for the Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce while you were there???

Nice RR. Been through Albuquerque on the way to Taos. You're right, there is some sort of power center there... you can feel it.

[ShinKen]

sweeet pics ehh!!

[hoovermd]

I'm headed that way in 2 weeks.
I sit worth me taking my SS or should I just try and rent something?

[papisimo11]

I love 'Burque.
Can't wait to get back.
paz afuera

[Chewyeti]

can you lift accrss it?

All day lift with bike*

$18.00

Im in. I havent been to NM yet... and i have a week left of summer vacation before summer school.
I want to see if i can make it happen

[JoeTruth]

Very well done and nicely captured with words and photos.
I'm not sure when you're back but we'll arrange a Gabes back country weekday ride very shorty.

[project_d]

Thanks for the RR, GP. You're raising the bar for RRs.

[PacMan]

D@mn bro--our SD rides will forever pale in comparison to that!! Awesome RR yet again.

Now hurry up and get back here so we can ride stuff nowhere near as good.