4 of us, Bob, Donna, Lynn and myself did the Chimayo Loop stopping once at Puje
Cliffs Visitor Center for refreshment.  Mild headwinds from Chimayo to
Sombrillo, and again from Puje to Pojoaque but we did 40 miles in under 3 hours.
Very nice ride

Eighteen riders, B's and some A's, started the loop from Pojoaque to Nambe Dam,
then back down to NM 503 to loop counter-clockwise through Cundiyo, Rio Chiquito
and Chimayo and back through Nambe. (Three turned back early for various very
sound reasons other than Dread of hills -Doh!). Beautiful weather and
challenging hills - you get back and feel like you've accomplished something. As
sweeper, I recorded 40.5 miles, 2:47 ride time, 3:24 total elapsed, about 3,500'
cumulative climbing.

Leave at 8:30 a.m. Sunday, 9/18 from Java Joes in De Vargas Mall. Suggested
route is the Galisteo Loop, clockwise. "Suggested" since I, Dave Wesolowski and
several others, possibly including Allan Curtis, will be spinning along the Rio
Grande as participants in TORGV, and the Galisteo Loop route is one most A and B
riders know.

We'll meet with the A's and Bees at Java Joes at 8:30, and we'll figure out what
we want to do then.

Saturday, Sept.17: Meet at Java Joe's, 8:30am. Ride to Madrid via Airport Rd./Bonanza Creek/Hwy14, return options likely through SF42 to Galisteo. Estimate 75 miles.

Sunday, Sept.18: Meet at Java Joe's, 8:30am. Ride with the Cees & Bees, John posted the Galisteo Loop clockwise. Estimated 55+ miles.

4 Cee riders, Paul, Bob, Donna and Tom rode up Old Taos Highway to the frontage
road, then to Tesuque and on to Rio en Medio on NM 74, and returned via the
downtown plaza.  Stats were 25.75 miles, about 2.5 hours, and 10.4 average
speed, not blindingly fast, but a perfect cool day for a bike ride and wonderful
scenery.

A few of us did the Tour of The Rio Grande Valley in Albuquerque today. I saw
Russell, Tim, Dave H, and Andy for a few moments before I fell off the back of
the lead group, and Ned a bit later It was a quick flat ride, perfect weather, I
averaged 19.8 mph. The ride seemed to be  a few miles short of 100 and was
definitely the easiest "century" I have ridden.

I got lazy last week and didn't write a recap so I'll include it here.

Last Saturday I was contacted by some people from Texas who were getting together in Santa Fe for one's 40^th birthday. We rode out Old Taos Hwy/Tano Rd a few on the regular A's rode off the front there when unfortunataly one slashed a tire on Tano Rd and held things up for a bit. Two of the Texans went back for a new tire and did not rejoin in the ride. We rode around the back of Las Campanas then Airport Road and Bonanza Creek, with the remaining six Texans. We all had a good time however the 70 mile ride at 7000 feet was a bit too much in the end. I think they were pretty tired afterwards. They had a great here and showed many thanks for leading them on such a great route.

Now this weekend; Saturday, four of us rode a shortened version of the posted ride. Russell, Rachel, Miriam and myself did Las Campanas, 599 and Richards together. First Rachel then Russell split early as they planned to ride the century in Abq on Sunday. Mim and I added the Hondo Loop and OSFT on the way back.

Sunday we got a later start and had a busted-up group getting out of town. The lead pack stopped at the store in Eldorado and the rest of us passed without knowing this. We got back together just before several riders started turning back early from different spots, temporarily resulting in more confussion. Things settled down on the way into Galisteo, the rest of the ride 5 of us stayed together. The sixth Steveo rode off the front never to be seen again. It was another moderate paced ride I clocked 15.8avg in 58miles. It was really fun to ride with some of the old gang, the mixed group finally work out well in the end.

Lordy, it felt so good to find flat roads and for me at least, finding I can
still take a 22-23 mph pull if gravity's not involved. Dave, Rick, Duncan and I
swapped turns at the front for the whole route and buzzed right along. We
consciously slowed down some after the first 40, realizing we'd probably burn up
otherwise, but still averaged 19 to the last rest stop. My final avg was 18.3,
in spite of car and bike traffic in the final stretch (and maybe tiring?). I
recorded 96.7 miles (official distance: 98.2) and ca. 1,800' climbing.
  We ran into John, who's been doing C rides with Tom and was half-way through
the 75-mile loop, and Mark, who's been doing C and B rides and just completed
his first century (congratulations!). We didn't come across her, but I know that
Lori was also planning to do one of the shorter loops, as well.

Hi Everyone,

Last Saturday I had the unfortunate experience of witnessing a car hitting a
cyclist. Watching that horrifying incident reaffirmed my intention to
participate in the Can You See Us Now? Ride in Albuquerque this weekend. It is a
short ride down Central Ave., meant to draw attention to the fact that cyclists
are on the road.

The Ride is Sunday at four and is free, details are at         
http://dukecitywheelmen.org/


The message below is forwarded from The Duke City Wheelmen...

How many times have you been hit, or almost hit, by a car only to be told by the
driver, "Sorry, I didn't see you."  It is in response to all those statements
that we cam up with the name "Can You See Us NOW?" for our annual
advocacy/awareness ride.  This ride is intended to get the attention of the
motoring public and get them to pay attention to cyclists and properly share the
road.  We ride slowly down Central Ave. (Route 66) - the paradigmatic car
highway.  The symbolism of cyclists legally taking over Central has power.

Racers and other recreational cyclists are out on the roads more than any other
group of cyclists, and have the most to gain from improved interactions with car
drivers.  However, things will not change until we make our voices heard.  This
requires people to get involved.  This message is a plea for all of you to come
out and do just that.  Our preregistration numbers are down from last year.  The
impact of the event is really dependent on participation.

You may have seen some of the recent media coverage related to our problems
getting police support for the event.  The event would have happened in any
case, however today we had a meeting with APD Deputy Chief Banks and CAO Robert
Perry of the Mayor's office and came to an agreement.

Can You See Us NOW? will happen as scheduled this Sunday.  All you have to do is
give up two hours on a Sunday afternoon.  This is a family friendly event. 
Anyone can, and is encouraged to, ride.

All details are here: http://dukecitywheelmen.org/

Meeting at the Santa Fe Brewing Company at 8:45, rolling at 9AM.  We'll be doing
the Galisteo Loop, a 45 mile ride.

Go to Map MY Ride for a complete overview of this ride, link at:
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/51087910

Note the Map My Ride version shows it done clockwise, but John C assures me it's
better done counter clockwise, so that's the way we'll do it.

This is a new ride for the Cees and for me, but we've been building up to it the
last several Sundays and I anticipate that we should have little trouble with
it.

It's unclear at this writing whether the Brew Co pub will be open when we
finish, so it would be a good idea to bring along some recovery foods and
fluids. in the car for after we finish.  There should be water stops available
in San Marcos and in Galisteo and again at Eldorado if needed.

Meet at 8:45 at Santa Fe Brewing Co, be ready to roll out by 9. B's and anyone
else who wants to come along will extend the Galisteo Loop to about 55 miles by
riding through Golindrinas and  La Cienega and over to NM 14/Lone Butte via
Bonanza Creek. After that, it's the regular route down 14 to CR 42 east to
Galisteo, then NM 41, US 285, Old Las Vegas Highway, Rabbit/Oshara and Dinosaur
Trail to the starting point.
  The brewing Co. is on Fireplace Road, just off NM 14 (far south Cerrillos Rd).

I neglected to say much about just where Santa Fe Pale Ale is brewed, and where
we meet for the ride.  Here is what John posted for the Bees which should help
those of you who are not quite sure of the start location:

"The Santa Fe Brewing Co. is on Fireplace Road, just off NM 14 (far south
Cerrillos Rd)."
(which is about a mile past the point where Cerrillos Road passes under I-25).

This is a spectacular ride, and the weather forecast is just great for it,
slightly above normal temps are predicted, so we shouldn't have to haul a lot of
clothing along on our ride.  Not to be missed!

Saturday, 9/24/2011: Start at Java Joe's at 9:00am. We'll decide where to ride at the start, I will not be riding too much as Sunday I plan to ride at Acoma.

Sunday, 9/25/2011: Start from Santa Fe Brewing at 8:45 with the Bee' & Cee's.

John's post sounds nice, long down hill at the end. I'll be at Acoma……

Following up on Robert's post earlier today, I thought I posted this info to
everyone but didn't.  It's sad news about the biking situation in the Seattle
area where I split my time with Santa Fe.

Possibly nowhere has biking been more dangerous than this summer in the Seattle
area. Since early July:

> 1 killed by an 18 yr old who swerved onto the shoulder of a Juanita street and
ran down a biker from behind. Police findings have been sent to the prosecutor.
The victim's family lawyer has suggested the kid was using a cell phone.
> 1 killed trying to cross a busy 4 lane street in Renton.
> 1 killed by a hit and run left turner on Seattle's busiest bike corridor;
possible vehicle impounded and evidence recovered.
> 1 killed in Seattle when he accidently rode down stairs on a poorly marked
multi-use trail. The city ignored a warning from a biker when they built a bike
bypass to the stairs.
> 1 killed 2 weeks ago by a left turner in Seattle's university district.
> 1 injured in Seattle when he was run down from behind by a hit and run driver.
The driver was followed by a witness who caught up when the driver turned into a
restaurant to eat.
> 1 injured this past weekend in Seattle when cut off by a driver pulling out
from a side street. The driver fled.

The Economist magazine picked up on Seattle's woes. It's advice to drivers was
to "cool it." This weekend there are multiple rides sponsored by the Cascade
Bike club to the sites of these deaths.

Ten riders, B and A mixed, circled from Santa Fe Brewing Co. through
Golondrinas, La Cienega and Bonanza Creek to Lone Butte, then Galisteo, El
Dorado and back in via Ol' Vegas, Ol' Pecos, rough Rabbit, Dinosaur Trail.
Beautiful day, a good route that we'll use again on future rides. Among the last
riders in (I like to refer to it as 'sweeping'), I recorded 56.4 miles, 3:26
rolling time, ca. 3,300' cumulative climbing, and 4:07 total elapsed, including
two flats and the usual regroups/refuels at Lone Butte, Galisteo and El Dorado.

4 Cees, Vinny, Bob, Donna and myself, did the Galisteo Loop, meeting with the
Bees at Santa Fe Brewing Company.  We paused briefly at Lone Butte, watered a
bit at Galisteo and did a refreshment stop at Eldorado where John's Bees started
reeling us in.

  We actually managed to finish with the latter group of Bees, doing a shorter
version  of the Bees ride, and very pleasant ride it is, , tho the headwind from
Eldorado was tough.

I showed 49.5 miles, 3:40 and 13.5 average speed.  For several of us it was the
first time to do this loop that Santa Fe riders waited for so many years to be
paved, and it's a gem.

Quick summary of a beautiful day

Great to see the back of so may SF Road Rider jerseys, the club was very well
represented in the Century. Here is link to the results

http://www.ccrtiming.com/events-results/2011-results/acoma.htm

(jump down or scroll to the 100 mile results).

I recognize Alan at 11 (congrats) and I came in at 30 racing under my legal
name.

The day was beautiful, basically perfect, the landscape was unreal and the
morning warmed to whatever an ideal temperature is - guessing low 80s. Periods
of light headwind added to the gratitude felt for the long descent to the
finish. It ended up being prettier and marginally faster than the TORGV last
weekend. Very well supported ride.

Thanks to the Bs and the Cs who got me to this point.

Ned

 

Cudos to Dave H for not having another rider older than him with a lower standing!  And, yes, I'm an old guy, but contrary to what the listing says, I'm only 58, not 99!!

Robert M.
--- In sfroadriders@yahoogroups.com, David Holland <nmkabir@...> wrote:
>
>
> The Tour de Acoma is the most beautiful century in New Mexico and yesterday's ride was no exception. Majestic mesas, expansive fields of bright sunflowers, new pavement on many stretches, very little traffic, great weather (although a little less wind would've been nice) and very well supported.
> Rob and I met many of the riders at Annapurna Restaurant in ABQ on our way to the hotel at Sky City Saturday evening. Early the next morning we were joined by Tim, Russell, Alan, Brent, Suzanne, Andy, George and Charlie (from BnS) for a brisk 7 AM start. Once the sun rose and we warmed our fingertips, we flew along breaking up once we hit the one and only climb after about 20 miles (one mile at 9%). The first 60 miles was spent taking turns shielding each other from the NW wind which turned into a blessing once we reached the turn around. A BTW (Brent's term for "big tail wind") pushed us the last 40 miles which was sooo much fun flying along at 30+ mph.
> Rob and I finally came into our own the last 10 miles and flew to the finish line. My time was 4:24 for 97.5 miles averaging exactly 22 mph (with a little help from my friends!). I came in 10th out of a field of 50 and was the oldest guy out of the first 15 riders (gotta find my little victories where I can!).
> We "enjoyed" a casino style buffet that was free for the tour riders but was definitely not a meal for a vegan.
> Those that have never ridden this great century, there is always next year!
> Dave
>

28, 2011
Dear Mr. Berg,

Thank you for contacting me regarding multi-modal transportation.  I appreciate
hearing from you on this important issue.

As you may know, I am a member of the Senate Bike Caucus.  I know how enjoyable
cycling is as a recreational activity, and I support the millions of bicycle
enthusiasts in America.  With more than 50 percent of the American population
estimated to commute five miles or less to work, bicycles offer a convenient and
healthy alternative to driving to work for many people.  Getting more people on
their bikes and out of their cars also would curb greenhouse gas emissions,
reduce our energy dependence, and improve the nation's health.

You may be interested to know that Congress is currently crafting legislation to
provide funding for our nation's surface transportation infrastructure.  The
last authorization of this important legislation was in 2005 when Congress
passed what was known as the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient
Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). I supported passage
of SAFETEA-LU because of the importance of maintaining and upgrading our
nation's transportation infrastructure.

It also contained key provisions that fund pedestrian and bike lane developments
and support multi-modal transportation.  Programs like Safe Routes to Schools
and Transportation Enhancements have provided funding to pay for infrastructure
improvements that have made biking and walking safer throughout New Mexico. 
Unfortunately, SAFETEA-LU expired on September 30, 2009.  However, since that
time Congress has continued to enact temporary extensions in order to continue
providing the funding authorization necessary to keep federal funds flowing for
our crumbling bridges and roads around the state and country.

Most recently, on September 12, 2011, Representative John Mica (FL) introduced
H.R. 2887 to temporarily extend operations of highway programs and the Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA).  This legislation extends surface transportation
authorization through March 2012, and FAA programs through January 2012.  After
passing the House without opposition, H.R. 2887 passed the Senate by a vote of
92-6 with my support, and President Obama signed it into law on September 16,
2011.  Although I believe Congress must pass a multi-year reauthorization of
SAFETEA-LU, H.R. 2887 allows vital construction projects to continue in New
Mexico, funds critical air travel and safety initiatives, and prevents thousands
of workers from being furloughed.

As a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee and the Commerce,
Science and Transportation Committee, I am working with my colleagues to develop
the next multi-year surface transportation act. In particular, I am working to
ensure that programs that expand mode alternatives and improve community health
and safety for all users of our transportation network are maintained.

Thank you for contacting me regarding multi-modal transportation.  Please be
assured that I will keep your thoughts in mind as the Senate moves forward with
surface transportation authorization.

Thank you again for sharing your thoughts with me.  Please feel free to contact
me with your concerns regarding any federal issue by visiting my website at
www.tomudall.senate.gov.  For more information, you may also visit my Facebook
page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Senator-Tom-Udall/106433512869 and receive
up to the minute updates through my Twitter page at
http://twitter.com/senatortomudall.

Very truly yours,

Tom Udall
United States Senator

Saturday, 10/01/2011: Start at  Java Joe's at 9:00am. We'll do a fringe ride around town. Start out OSFTrail, Hondo Loop, Rabbit Rd., Dinosaur Trail, Hwy 14, Bonanza Creek, La Ceniega then see how much more we're up for.

Sunday, 10/02/2011: Start at (Java Joe's at 9:00am?) Will start with the Bees and see if we want to split off somewhere.