SOBs enjoy taking their bikes to the annual July 4th Pancake Breakfast on the Plaza. Fun for your bike and social activity for you. This is an annual event in Santa Fe for many years and everybody you know will be there! This ride is not a race, nor even fast paced. So all riding abilities are invited. Some of the ride is on low-traffic streets and some on bike paths. The return is mostly on bike paths and downhill most of the way!

Here’s how it works:

Wednesday, July 4

8:30 a.m. Meet and depart from Kohl’s Department Store on Cerrillos. Ride up General Miles to Carlos Rey, Rodeo road bike path to Rail Trail, then to Galisteo and directly to the Plaza. Arrive about 9:30. Cable bikes to posts around the Plaza. Enjoy the breakfast. Return by Rail Trail and Chamisa trail to Kohl’s. Back to cars about 11:00-11:30.

Breakfast cost: About $9, though you can buy a small discounted ticket at most banks before July 4.

Be sure to bring a lock for your bike!

It is helpful if you let me know you plan to ride. email me at pollockb@aol.com

Brian Kreimendahl of Bike Santa Fe has unearthed a 2009 Santa Fe County resolution that requires full, not partial, paving when county roads are repaved. To our knowledge, the resolution has not been rescinded. Therefore, if you are aware of work that is being done on county roads in violation of the resolution (that is, that the paving is limited to the traffic lanes and does not extend to the shoulder), please contact Brian at bpk at zianet dot com. When the cycling community makes its voice heard, it sometimes yields results.

Due to 100 deg forecast for ABQ, A ride will start at 0830 from San Felipe / Black Mesa Casino.  No changes for B C rides which are in town.

Hi all, it looks like its going to happen, that is, I plan on heading out on another bike tour next month. At least I bought a ticket to Whitefish, so I am sort of committed. I plan on boxing up my mountain bike and flying up to Whitefish, Montana on July 12th. Then the only way home is to hop on my bike and ride south, yikes. I normally blog my tours in which I write up an introduction and such before I leave.

Then take lots of photos during the tour and use the photos to help me write up the daily comments when I get back. Not sure how long the tour will take, but I am thinking 6-8 weeks from Canada to Mexico. That is if everything works out as planned, lots can happen on these off-road tours that are normally not issues on road tours. Weather, fires, mechanical failures, body failures that sort of thing, yikes. Anyway, here is a link to the blog I started if want to check it out: https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=1mr&doc_id=21042&v=7B 

This Saturday, June 16, is a ride to the Opera from Ft. Marcy Recreation Center (enter on Murales Road). If the gate to the lot is closed, proceed up the short hill on Murales Road to the small parking lot there. We must leave promptly by 8:00 a.m. to make it to the Opera by 8:30. We are advised to arrive at the parking lot by 7:45 to be ready by 8:00. We will proceed up Old Taos Highway to Tano Bridge and then a quick ride down to the Opera.

On arrival at the Opera, we will be treated to coffee and muffins before entering for a brief talk about the costumes for this year. The costumes for Candide have been made out of the same material used in FedEx packaging. This is amazing! Then we begin the tour through the many facilities behind the stage that make all the action on the stage possible. The tour will finish around 9:45.

Friends and family are invited to drive to the opera if they don’t want to ride bikes there. After the program, riders have many options to extend their rides, return directly to their cars at Ft. Marcy.

Weather apps predict just a 10% chance of rain while we are riding and visiting the opera. About 20% by noon and much higher percent chance around dinner time. So the ride to the opera looks good.

If you have not already informed that you are coming, it will be helpful for ordering the muffins if you let me know at pollockb@aol.com

Submitted by Bill Pollock

You read that right! Ride your bike next Saturday, June16 to the Santa Fe Opera House and tour the backstage area. It has been two years since we have done this ride. New members have joined SOB since then. Friends and family members can attend the tour with you even if they drive a car to the Opera. Here’s the plan”

8:00 a.m. Saturday, June 16   Depart Ft. March Recreation Center. We must leave no later than 8:00, so arrive by 7:45.

8:30 a.m. Arrive at the Opera and secure bikes and enjoy FREE coffee, muffins. About 8:45, we enter the theater and hear a talk presented by a director of the costume making and sorting area. Then there is a walking tour of the backstage areas where you will see rehearsal rooms, scenery making, wigs, costume making and many other important areas. You will be amazed at the work that takes place behind the stage to make things happen on the stage.

Everything will end about 9:45. After that, you can ride your bike on a ride to a number of places over a number of routes. Or, you can just ride back to Ft. Marcy.

This tour is FREE. The same tour costs $10 if you go on a weekday. But the SOBs work this out free on Saturdays.

We need to know how many will come in order to supply the right number of muffins and coffee.

Please send an email to pollockb@aol.com and let me know how many will be in your party.

Submitted by Bill Pollock

You can still make a reservation for dinner at Las Campanas Country Club with the Texas 4000 riders, scheduled at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 10. Send your reservation to pollockb@aol.com  Make a check payment when you arrive at the Clubhouse.

If you plan to meet the Texas 4000 riders when they arrive on Saturday, June 9, it will be a fun ride from Eldorado to their motel in downtown Santa Fe. The route will use Old Las Vegas Highway to El Gancho, then to Old Santa Fe Trail and on OSFT to the Plaza and to their motel. The riders are expected to arrive at the Agora store parking lot in Eldorado about 3:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Wednesday evening, the riders of the Texas 4000 arrive in Lubbock, Texas. Getting close to New Mexico. And on Thursday, they cross the state line to stay in Clovis, New Mexico where they will hear the jets at the Clovis Air Force Base taking off and landing. A quieter night on Friday at Santa Rosa, New Mexico. And then–Saturday! Saturday, they arrive in Santa Fe. The riders look forward to scenery that is not all flat and to mountains that they look at all day Saturday on their ride up to Santa Fe. On the Lamy hill, they say they begin to deal with altitude issues.

SOBs will meet the Texas 4000 riders at the Agora parking lot on Saturday about 3:30 p.m. and lead them via Old Santa Fe Trail to the Plaza and to their hotel. Bring your bike and join in the ride.

Still time to sign up for the great dinner on Sunday, June 10. Cocktails at 5:30 with dinner and brief program to follow. Price is $60 per person. Present a check at the Las Campanas Country Club when you arrive. No credit cards for dinner. But you can use credit cards for cocktails. At the dinner, you will learn how to hold your hand to say “Lock ’em Horns”! Next time you visit Houston, Dallas, or Austin. the hand signal will be useful in getting a free drink at the corner bar.

Make a reservation for dinner by sending me an email to pollockb@aol.com

Submitted by Bill Pollock

When you attend the dinner Sunday evening that welcomes the students riding with Texas 4000, you will be free of your own cooking chores. You will be much more relaxed Monday morning as a result. The Texas 4000 group arrives in Santa Fe on Saturday, June 9. And on Sunday, at 5:30 p.m. at Las Campanas Country Club members of SOB will join the students and alumni of the University of Texas.

The facilities are perfect for this event. And you will feel that you’re in a good place, having conversations with great young people who are conversant and eager to participate. Of course, they will talk a little bit about the week of riding from Austin to Santa Fe, and they will be excited about the days ahead of them. Their own stories of how they got to this point, the challenges they have met, are the real comments you will enjoy. When you leave the building to return home, you will say to yourself, ” I wish I were riding tomorrow. It is going to be a great trip!”

We need your reservation though so the food can be ordered. The cost is $60 per person, and that includes the tip! Notify me through email at this address to make your reservation for yourself and your guest. pollockb@aol.comhe

There is even more fun, if you can believe it. You can meet the Texas 4000 riders when they arrive at Eldorado on June 9 around 3:30 p.m. and ride with them over the Old Santa Fe Trail to the Plaza and then to their hotel. This will be a group of about 50 riders that generates excitement and appreciation from drivers on the way and visitors on the Plaza. Since it is a little late in the day, I am leaving my car at DeVargas and riding home to Eldorado to get my bike and join everyone at the Agora Market at Eldorado. You can make your own arrangements. And the best of us will probably ride out to Eldorado and then back to town with the group.

The weather for Saturday and Sunday is fantastic. Temps in the 70s and the WSW winds around 7 mph.

Send in your dinner reservation! And we look forward to the event and riding with the Texas 4000!

Due to adverse road conditions on 63 going toward Terrero and Jacks Creek (thanks Christine and Dave for the scouting report) we are changing the June 14 ride.  It will still start at the Pecos Ranger Station at 0900 but will go toward San Jose rather than toward Terrero.  The ride toward Terrero and Jacks Creek which starts as the Memory Ride has been rescheduled to Aug 16 for the moment.  We will reassess as we get closer.

Bottom Line:  Same start location, same time, different route, same ride leaders.

Texas 4000 students began the 4000-mile journey today in Austin, Texas and will end the ride in Anchorage, Alaska in August.

The next big stop will be here in Santa Fe, just a week from today. If you have driven from Santa Fe to Los Angeles in the past, your drive was about 850 miles. Did you think you were tired and ready to get there by the end of your drive? Well, the Texans will have ridden over 1000 miles to get here to Santa Fe. And, yes, they are going to be tired and ready for a brief rest.

The dinner on Sunday, June 10 at Las Campanas Country Club is just the thing to energize them. And you can be there and you will be energized, too. But we need to know that you and a guest or two are coming. The food has to be ordered. The cocktail hour begins at 5.30 p.m. and the dinner follows. The Country Club is a fine facility that you will enjoy. The cost of the dinner is $60 per person. Gratuities are included in the price.

Send me an email to make your reservations. You will pay by check when you arrive at the Country Club. Send your reservations to pollockb@aol.com right away!

Submitted by Bill Pollock

Takes place Saturday, July 14, 2018.  Start/finish in Alamosa, CO.  Also called “Bike 2 Build,” since it is a benefit for Habitat for Humanity. It appears to be part loop and part out-and-back, if you do the century or the metric century.  There is also a 35-mile loop.  A fully supported ride with rest stops every 25-30 miles, sag, and a post-ride meal for riders.  I believe the course is largely flat, although surrounded by the 14,000-foot Sangre de Cristo and San Juan Mountains.  An excellent way to enjoy the benefits of all that training while also helping one of the most economically challenged regions in Colorado.

Description and mail-in reg form: http://www.slvhabitat.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/2018-Bike2Build-eBrochure.pdf

Register online at https://runsignup.com/Race/Events/CO/Alamosa/Bike2Build or https://www.active.com/alamosa-co/cycling/mountain-biking-races/bike2build-san-luis-valley-century-sat-jul-14-2018 

Info on HFH: http://www.slvhabitat.org/

On Sunday, June 10, the SOBs join the riders of the Texas 4000 and the University of Texas alumni at the Las Campanas Country Club. A social hour with cocktails begins at 5:30 p.m. Dinner will follow. It is very important to obtain reservations for meal planning. SOB members and spouses, friends, guests are invited to join in the program. This is a great opportunity to enjoy the club’s features and the food and service have always been outstanding.

The program begins with the social hour and dinner and a brief program presented by the University of Texas students who will speak about their program development and the commitments they have made to widen the knowledge about the importance of cancer research. Many of these students are already cancer survivors and, or, have family members who are.

The Texas 4000 riders arrive in Santa Fe on Saturday, June 9. SOB members will greet the riders at the Agora Market in Eldorado about 3:30 p.m. SOB riders will lead the Texas 4000 students to the Plaza and to their hotel in the Railyard District. This is a fun activity because a group of about 50 riders attracts attention of drivers and there is an amazing feeling when the entire group visits the Plaza and walks through it before remounting bicycles for the last half mile to the hotel.

We need your reservations as soon as possible so that the preparations can be made. The cost of the meal is $60 per person. Part of the expense enables the student riders to join in. Two or three students will sit at each table for dinner. The conversations with these students is very entertaining. These are upper division and graduate students who have completed the selection and training programs for the 4000-mile ride from Austin, Texas to Anchorage, Alaska–in 70 days! When you talk with them at dinner, you will wish you were riding with them.

To make your reservation for dinner, send me an email with the number you are bringing. You will pay by check at the Las Campanas Country Club when you arrive. Send your reservations to pollockb@aol.com    

More information in the next few days. Just a week away from the arrival of Texas 4000!

Submitted by Bill Pollock

Join baseball starved SOBs this coming Saturday (not Sunday as previously discussed.)   Beer and hot dogs available for purchase.  Bring a butt cushion and several 1$ bills.  Game start is 6pm.  We can usually last at least 5 or 6 innings.

Changed to Saturday due to (who can believe it) 60% – 70% chance of rain Sunday night  forecast and we want it to be warm and sunny anyway.

Just a reminder, the A ride for May 24.  Either meet at 599 RR station at 0845 to carpool / caravan OR drive to the downtown Bernalillo train station.  We will meet at the train station and start riding from there.  Figure we should start to pedal about 1000.  The downtown station is the 2nd Bernalillo exit off I25 going toward ABQ.

According to google, take exit 240 from I25.  Continue on E Avenida Bernalillo, Turn R on Railroad Track Rd.

Hincapie store.  Still open.  I have 2 vests coming as samples to look at for anyone interested.  They are not here yet.  I will post when they get here.  Figure the store to stay open thru the end of next week.

76 riders start from Austin, Texas on June 2 with a celebrity ride in Lampasas, Texas that enables interested public to ride with the Texas 4000 riders the first day finishing with a fabulous Texas barbecue in the afternoon. One group rides north through St. Louis and on to Canada. A different group rides to Denver and then west to Salt Lake City before heading northwest. The third group, the Sierra Route, is what heads west first before going north. Then, a week later, the Sierra Route riders arrive in Santa Fe for two days. All three groups meet in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory July 31 for the final push to Anchorage, Alaska. 70 days of riding over 4000 miles.

SOB members are invited to meet the riders at Eldorado and escort the Texas 4000 riders to their hotel in the Railyard area. It is always an adventure to ride down Old Santa Fe Trail to the Plaza and watch the tourists look in awe of the riders entering the Plaza area. You will want to be a part of the adventure. So put it down on your calendar–Saturday, June 9.

And then on Sunday, June 10, SOB members and partners, spouses, and friends are invited to join the Texas 4000 riders and the University of Texas Alumni of Santa Fe at the Las Campanas Country Club for cocktails and a great dinner in the magnificent setting of the Club. This event is amazing, as riders of the Texas 4000 split and sit with the SOBs and others at the many tables for dinner. The conversation is stimulating as the riders have all achieved the opportunity to ride over two years of participation. The ride to Alaska is also an event to raise funds for cancer research. Each year the combined riders of the Texas 4000 raise over $1 million for cancer research. You will be surprised how many of the riders are already cancer survivors themselves. And they also ride in respect for other family members who have dealt with cancer.  The cost of the dinner is $60 per person, and this is about the same as one would pay at a good Santa Fe restaurant. So put this date on your calendar–Sunday June 10 for dinner with the Texas 4000.

You are invited to look at the web site of the Texas 4000 where the pictures of the riders are exhibited and you can see just who is coming to Santa Fe for dinner!  https://www.texas4000.org/

More to come in future days.

Submitted by Bill Pollock

OK.  Let’s do what was planned for this Thursday.  Meet at 599 at 0845 and carpool or caravan to Bernalillo train station.   You can of course just drive to Bernalillo,  We will meet at the downtown Bernalillo station NOT the one closest to 550.  Then we will ride to the Bosque, ride the Bosque, then continue on through Isleta to Belen.  We will train back to Bernalillo and either drive or continue on the train back to 599.  This is about a 53 mile pan FLAT ride (160 ft of elevation gain).  The train leaves Belen at 3.40 pm, gets to Bernalillo at 4.54pm.  So plan for a full day.   Today we did 50 miles in about 4 hours elapsed.  That same pace would get us to Belen at 2pm leaving time for a snack.  Hopefully with essentially zero elevation gain we can shave a bit of time off of that.  Link to route.  

Century 50 milers meet at light pole A at 0800 to 0810.

The next 2 Thursday rides start at 0900.  May 24 and May 31.

Tuesday and Saturday remain at 0930 thru end of May.

Enjoy.

Students from the University of Texas will be returning to Santa Fe Saturday, June 9. Many riders with SOB credentials remember the excitement and enthusiasm these students have for their 4000-mile bicycle trip from Austin to Anchorage, Alaska. There will be about 100 riders who are upper division and graduate students at the University of Texas making the trip in four different groups. One of the groups rides through Santa Fe and on to the California coast and then up the coast where they meet the other groups in British Columbia and then on to Anchorage.

The group will arrive on Saturday afternoon and SOB members meet them at Eldorado and lead them on the historic Old Santa Fe Trail to their hotel in the Railyard District. It is an exciting ride for SOB members on Old Santa Fe Trail where the combined groups of nearly 60 riders make an impressive scene with yellow SOB jerseys and the orange and blue jerseys of the Texans.

The schedule is a little different this year. The students arrive on Saturday and the dinner at the Las Campanas Country Club is on Sunday.

Mark June 9 and 10 on your calendars! Just put down Texas 4000 and it will jog your memory to plan to join in.

And watch for more posts in the coming days about the plans.

Submitted by Bill Pollock

Hi folks. We just moved to the City Different. I was looking at the city web site for a way to contact by email the BTAC but unlike Los Alamos, where one can contact the transportation board with a publically advertised email address, I cannot find any email that goes to the BTAC, “general delivery”. Am I missing something?

Another bummer post.   JoeS crashed hard descending Pajarito on Thursday.  Solo crash, no cars, no other riders involved.  He was taken by ambulance to Los Alamos hospital then airlifted to UNM trauma in Abq.   Many thanks to his riding companions Guy, Rich, Gordon for doing all the right things.

To everyone:  Please ride carefully.   

Thursday some of the SOB Riders headed North to make the climb to Truchas, NM.  We started from the Cities of Gold Casino in Pojoaque under winter condition – cold, wind, clouds! Our trek followed the High Rode to Taos (Highway 503/76) to Truchas. The village of Truchas originally began as a Spanish land grant in 1754. The original land grant was given to twelve families from Chimayo and Pueblo Quemado (now Cordova).  The land grant is commonly known as the Truchas Land Grant, gaining its name from the river that provides the water for irrigation of the land. Truchas is the Spanish word for trout. Its purpose was to establish an outpost community in an effort to block the Comanches from a favorite route through which they raided Santa Fe and the communities lying along the Rio Grande valley. At an elevation of just over 8,000 feet, Truchas has one of the highest elevations in the United States.

We regrouped at the High Road Market Place… It was COLD in Truchas!! The High Road Market Place was a great place to get warmed up; use facilities and admire the local artworks (Joe behind the lens; John missed the photo).

Our ride leader Rick wasted no time in barking out the “Lets Ride” order…

Time to descent to warm temperatures!! The descent to Chimayo was QUICK; so to was the immediate warmth of San Juan Valley. We traversed back along Highway 503 to the Nambe Church and the Cities of Gold Casino.

Arriving in Pojocque, SOB Riders always stop at the Sopapilla Restaurant for lunch and refreshments! Overall it was a 40+ mile trek with over 3,400 feet of climbing!!

ANOTHER AWESOME RIDE AND ADVENTURE… LIVING THE SOB DREAM!! YAHOO!!

Joel Stein, a founding member of Seniors on Bikes, died on April 22. A former stock broker on Wall Street, Joel and his wife Mary moved to Santa Fe in the mid-1990s. Not only did Joel get a bicycle group started, he also started a hiking group which is still active today, just as is the SOB.

There will be a memorial service on Saturday, May 19 at 1:00 p.m. at the Rivera Family Funeral Home, 417 East Rodeo Drive, in Santa Fe.

Several SOB members will ride a very popular loop ride of the Bosque in Albuquerque on Tuesday, May 15. This ride is about 35 miles and is relatively flat. Those who rode this ride a few weeks ago report a great ride with time to stop for food and refreshment on the way. May is a great month for ideal weather to do this ride.

Meet at 599 Railrunner station at 9:30 a.m. with departure at 10:00 a.m. Carpool to Albuquerque.

Any questions and to indicate interest, contact Ruben Cedeno at:  rscedeno8@gmail.com

Losing another 1/2 hour of sleep in May!  Tuesday and Saturday rides ALL start at 0930.

Thursday rides for the first part of May are at 0930 as well.  Later in the month the last two Thursday rides start at 0900.  So check the calendar.

Out of laziness on my part and as a challenge to the rest of you, unless great pressure is exerted, my plan is to keep the Tuesday and Saturday rides at 0930 throughout May.  So some weeks late in the month, Thursday will be at 0900 and Tuesday and Saturday at 0930.   Here’s a strategy:  Arrive at all rides at 0845 and just wait for them to start.  😉

Stay Safe.

Our Tuesday Ad Hoc Ride from DeVargas Center was a PERFECT day to ride. We were joined by two new riders – Rob and Jay. The decision on where to ride was simple… where should we take the new riders! We wanted it to be a memorable ride so we decided to loop around Santa Fe including the Cell Tower. We headed around the dump to 599, and then put together a couple of fast pacelines down the frontage road. Then it was out to La Cienega and the Cell Tower. WHAT!! At the top of the climb it turned into a SPRINT to the Cell Tower!! REALLY… AN UPHILL SPRINT FINISH??  Sorry… no sprint points awarded for the finish!! You can’t go to the Cell tower without the getting the required cell tower photo! (Joe behind the lens).

It was time to head back to DeVargas… IT WAS LUNCH TIME!! After the ride we regrouped at Rowley Farmhouse Ales for lunch and a meeting with Agent Scully. The Green Chile Tuna Melt and Mac & Cheese w/bacon were the meals of choice!!

Overall, it was a GREAT 44+ mile ride at 17 MPH with 1,900+ feet of ascent. IT WAS JUST ANOTHER AWESOME DAY OF RIDING LIVING THE SOB DREAM!! YAHOO!

Rob and Jay… hope you enjoyed the ride!

Last week after abandoning the Club ride out of San Felipe Casino, the SOB Riders headed to Albuquerque in search of a “reduced wind” ride. Based on Bob’s recommended, we end up on the Bosque Trail.  Perfect decision!! SOB Riders enjoyed a 33+ mile, flat and FAST ride, with dramatically reduced wind. After the ride we gathered at The Range Cafe in Bernalillo for lunch and refreshments (Margie from Bernalillo behind the lens). Also… Thanks to Lynn for sharing GREAT pictures of the Bosque.

What looked like a bad day to ride turned into ANOTHER… AWESOME SOB RIDE AND ADVENTURE.  YAHOO!

Joel Stein died this past Sunday evening. Joel has been in poor health for some time. Joel was one of the two or three founding members of Seniors on Bikes. Prior to living in Santa Fe, Joel and his wife, Mary, lived briefly in the Boulder, Colorado area where they founded the SOB group there. When they moved to Santa Fe, they reproduced the same concept.

Joel was a friend to all who knew him and Mary is a delight to be around. Prior to moving to Colorado and New Mexico, Joel worked at the major investment firm Cantor Fitzgerald in New York City. Joel retired a few years before Cantor Fitzgerald suffered the greatest loss of life of any company when the five floors it occupied in the World Trade Center were destroyed in the terrorist attack on 9/11. Joel lost many friends, he said one time.

Jim Halquist attended an event Monday night and learned of Joel’s passing and alerted my by phone this morning. Very few current members of SOB knew Joel, as it has been many years since he has ridden or attended any of our events. Still, his passing for those who knew him is important to know.

When information about services is available, it will be posted here.

Bill Pollock

Seems yesterday’s post was not clear.  The ride groups A / B / C that we use on Thursdays are unchanged.  There was a website feature that has been removed, which was also called groups.  No reason to rehash its use or non-use but you may notice you are getting fewer emails regarding New rides.  Or you may not notice.  Either way, not to worry.

All rides are still in the calendar.  Special rides should be notified via a blog post.

We have eliminated the Groups.  I bet you didn’t even know we had any groups.  Not the A B C groups, but the Road Ride / Social Groups.  If you were getting occasional emails with messages about new rides (events) being posted then you were in one of the groups.

We were no longer using the groups, especially after we eliminated Off Road rides and now we have a standing ad hoc ride on Tuesday and Saturday so, not much need for them.  If you still want to set up a special ad hoc ride then just post on the blog and add the ride (event) to the ride calendar.

Also, especially for new members, but for everyone as a refresher, check out the revised Help page.  Click the Help menu icon.

Stay Safe.

On Thursday, forewarned of increasing winds later in the day, the SOB Riders thumbed their noses at Niltsi and departed toward Madrid and Stagecoach Summit (Ortiz Pass).  The ride out of the 599 Station to Lone Butte Gas Station was uneventful; but we were facing an increasingly strong and gusty wind. The climb out of Cerrillos to Madrid was brutal. On the last downhill into Madrid we were able to muster an impressive 8 MPH!!   But our thoughts of misery were wiped away knowing we would soon be sitting at Java Junction enjoying a refreshing cup o’joe (Joe behind the lens).

Undeterred by Niltsi, we pushed on to Stagecoach summit. Once at the top, the swirling, gusting headwind made for a tricky and sometimes scary descent. By now, the SOB Riders were focus on just making it back to the 599 Station. The winds had built to 30 MPH gusting to 40 MPH as we began our trek up Highway 14. The strong and gusting crosswind made the trip a “white knuckle” event. At least the wind was pushing us toward the edge of the road and not toward the traffic. At times it seemed as if Niltsi wanted to sweep our wheels out from under our bikes. Exhausted and battered by the wind, the SOB Rides made it back to the 599 Station and promptly headed to the Blue Corn Cafe and Brewery on Rodeo Road for well deserved nutrition. The End Of The Trail Brown Ale, an American style brown, has a nutty flavor with hints of chocolate and caramel and a medium body. It is smooth with a malty and slightly hoppy finish.  It was the fitting brew to end this epic ride.

Overall it was a a 43+ mile exhausting trek at 15+ MPH with 2,400+ ft of ascent. Just another…

AWESOME RIDE AND ADVENTURE LIVING THE SOB DREAM! YAHOO!!

SOB riders met at DeVargas Center Tuesday for a trek to Rio en Medio. It was a beautiful day to ride!! A sunny blue sky was the perfect match for a cool spring day. The group also welcomed home Tom and Lu from their escapades in Arizona. There was the ritualistic climb/sprint up Old Taos Highway and the rocket descent through Tesuque to the 592 Turnoff to Rio en Medio.  But the real climbing was about to begin!! Most of us had forgotten the the steepness of some of the ascents to the end of the Rio en Medio Trail; arriving ragged and short of breath!! Time to rest and “GU UP”. Some callously disrespected the regulatory signs…

But we all gathered for the “confirmation of the climb” photo at the end of the trail…

It’s time for the descent; but not before one last climb to the midway regroup point…

But wait… what about the birthday boys Bob Bogart and John Veilleux, both celebrating 70+ years of fun and adventure!! We proceeded to sing “Happy Birthday” much to the amusement of the local coyotes!! It was time to rocket back to Tesuque, climb up to Tano Bridge and meander back to DeVargas Center just in time for lunch and refreshments at Betterdays!! Overall… 26+ miles; 2,400+ ft of ascent; at a respectable 14+ MPH.

ANOTHER AWESOME RIDE AND ADVENTURE IN THE LIFE OF A SOB!!

Those who rode the Bosque Trail in Albuquerque recently had such a good experience that a similar ride is already planned for May 15. Think about joining in the trip. The new ride will be a little different but still contain the  elements that made it such a good trip. Fairly flat, easy ride with some distance on the paved trail along the Rio Grande. And a couple of stops for food and brew.

The participants will meet at the 599 Railrunner station at 9:30 a.m. and depart in a car pool by 10:00 a.m. for the drive to Albuquerque. The group will return to the 599 station shortly after mid-afternoon.

Ruben Cedeno is organizing the activity. Reach him at rscedeno8@gmail.com

Submitted by Bill Pollock

The moral is, NEVER GIVE UP!

We've got some trouble | 403 - Access Denied

www.cyclingnews.com

Watch the video, as he is cheered by fans after fixing flat.

3 Apr – A Climb Day to the Hyde Park Ranger Station

Under cool, blue sunny skies SOB Riders began a 20+ mile, 2200+ ft ascent ride to the Hyde Park Ranger Station. The climb up Bishop’s Lodge Road was the warm up for the wicked transition across Barranca Road and Sierra del Norte to Hyde Park Road. After the steep climb up Sierra del Norte across to Hyde Park Road, we welcomed the slow steady climb to the Ranger Station. We regrouped at the Ranger Station and layered up for the descent back to Santa Fe. Here is the group at the Ranger Station (Alex behind the lens). With little traffic, it was a rocket descent down Hyde Park and Gonzales Road back to DeVargas Shopping Center. We celebrated our achievement at the Betterday Coffee Shop and Restaurant in Solana Shopping Center.

5 Apr – A Trek Out Old Santa Fe Trail with a Loop Around Santa Fe

A whole gaggle of SOB Riders assembled at Museum Hill for a SOB Club Ride around Santa Fe. John led our group out Old Santa Fe Trail climbing to the end of the Trail. We descended the Trail and Two Trails Road with an excursion through Seton Village before rolling down Old Las Vegas Highway to Old Pecos Trail. At Old Pecos Trail it was time to battle the winds down Rabbit Road, Dinosaur Road, and Los Pinto to the La Cienega Water Tower. After a regroup it was “PacelineTime” back to 599. At 599, the “SOB Premier Racer” (You know who you are – Barb!) took control and set a quick pace back to Museum Hill. No lollygagging authorized with this group!! Overall we covered 48+ miles with 2,500 ft of ascent. But a ride is not a ride without nourishing the body!! The group assembled at 2nd Street Brewery (Original) for lunch and a round of cheer, with Larry and Bob enjoying free beer!! (Ernie our waiter behind the lens)

7 Apr – A Cold and Windy Start Turned to an Epic Ride – YAHOO!!

What started as a small group of SOB Riders looking for the nearest Coffee Shop for warmth, turned into an epic ride around Santa Fe. Huddled together whining about the cold, our plan was a quick out and back to the Betterday Coffe Shop. But after battling the cold climbing the 599 Frontage Road out of El Camino Real Academy, we were greeted with blue, sunny skies. YES… it was going to be another awesome SOB adventure!! We quickly abandoned the plan to regroup at the Betterday coffee shop and instead threaded our way through Las Campanas to the Tano Road Bridge across to Bishop’s Lodge Road and back into Santa Fe. Energized by the ever warming, sunny day, we raced around the city back to El Camino Academy. Meanwhile, back at the Ranch House grub and refreshments were being prepared. Here are the SOB Riders at our best!! Overall, we covered 30+ miles with 1,732 ft of ascent.

Epilogue

It was a great week of riding… 100 miles; 6,550+ ft of ascent. But best of all was the SOB camaraderie… it just keeps on giving!! It was just another week-long, awesome adventure living the SOB dream!! YAHOO!!

Ride Fast; Ride Safe!!

The Bosque Trail, that is. Thursday, March 29 was the day for several SOB members to car pool to Albuquerque and ride the Bosque Trail. Everything went well. A little wind, but nothing to discourage the ride. And a number of beer stops eased any pain.

Photograph by Ruben Cedeno

Submitted by Bill Pollock

Last Thursday, near the Community College, the B riders took advantage of the stop sign to warm up in the sun.

Champion bicyclists call the B group riders “stalwart.”

We plan to ride for about 1.5 hours and then head over to the Plaza to join the Students March for Safety.   This will replace the usual Saturday start at ElCamino.  We figure to be back at DeVargas between 11.30 and 11.45 to change and start walking.  B/C riders, love to have you join us!   See link for March info!

Students set to march Saturday in Santa Fe for gun control

Santa Fe marchers will unite in chorus with students from around the world during a demonstration, March For Our Lives, that will take place in Washington, D.C., and more than

Santa Fe New Mexican

Judging by the number of attendees at the Rosary Sunday night for Ramon Montoya, we recommend that SOB members planning to attend the 10:00 a.m. funeral service Monday should plan to be seated by 9:20 a.m. SOB members will be amazed at the number of friends and family honoring Ramon.

Bill Pollock

The day of the service for Ramon Montoya has been changed

When: Monday, March 19, 10:00 a.m.

Where: St. Anne’s Catholic Church, 511 Alicia Street, Santa Fe. The church occupies most of the block along Alicia Street, between Hickock Street and Aqua Fria.

There will be a Rosary at the Church on Sunday, March 18 at 7:15 p.m.

Parking is a struggle during the day of the service. Friends may want to consider car pools.

Bill Pollock

Our colleague, Ramon Montoya, died this morning following hospitalization and treatment for heart issues. Ramon was in UNM Hospital through much of February for some surgeries to the heart and returned home March 1. But his condition worsened and he was placed in hospice care at his home in Santa Fe a few days ago. I was fortunate to be able to visit  Ramon with George Gamble yesterday and we talked with him about a ride we did with Jim Halquist, Mary Clark, and Frank Battaglia out of the community college in Las Vegas, NM that was a beautiful ride climbing into the hills above the city. Ramon remembered it and appeared glad to reminisce about it. I had taken some pictures along, but his glasses could not be found at the moment. But he remembered the ride.

Ramon may be the only SOB who can trace his New Mexico ancestry to the late 1590s, as an ancestor who was a sergeant in the Spanish army arrived in New Spain and settled in the Nambe area. There he married a woman of the Nambe pueblo and many generations later, Ramon maintained the influence of the family. Ramon grew up in Nambe and on a bike ride through the pueblo, Ramon pointed out his grandmother’s house in which he lived.

Later Ramon moved to southern California where he worked at Douglas Aircraft where several of his four daughters were born. Ramon had several grandchildren and a number of great-grandchildren.

Many of the SOBs found Ramon to be the guy who would do anything to assist another rider–fixing a flat, riding back to get his car to return and take an injured crash victim to urgent care. Many in recent days have described Ramon as a “really sweet man” with all the meaning that description the words mean. Ramon entered an earned gold medals in several Senior Olympics, including going to the nationals in Pittsburgh, PA several years ago. Ramon reported that the humidity in the summer in Pittsburgh is not meant for human kind.

There will be a service for Ramon on Tuesday, March 20. The time and location are yet to be determined. A new post will be presented when that information is available.

Over the past three years, a group of SOB riders who often ride in the “B” rides on Thursdays meet to do a ride of 20-25 miles on Saturday mornings..Everyone is welcome, and there have been requests apparently for the information to be posted on this SOB web site.

We have had as few as 2 riders on cold days to 15 on nice days. Both men and women. We decide on a route at the parking lot. We are riding at a “B” ride speed–average speed of 11-13 mph for the ride. There are a lot of route options from DeVargas Center. We know that many SOB riders want to ride on Saturdays, but prefer a ride of about 2 hours because of other activities.

We meet at the same location at the DeVargas Center as the Tuesday rides do. And we meet at the same time as the Tuesday and Thursday rides and the longer Saturday ride. Currently, we are meeting near the old 5 Star Burger (now Thai Bistro) in front of Albertson’s. And this month of March, we are meeting at 11:00 a.m.

Questions can be sent to me at pollockb@aol.com or telephone at (505) 470-6241

Bill Pollock

Saturday, 7 SOB Riders braved the howling 15-20 MPH winds for a “Before the Storm Ride” around Las Campanas. We departed El Camino Academy and caught a stiff tailwind up the 599 Frontage Road, meeting Bob and Bud who got an early jump on the start time from Bob’s House. We headed up to the “mailboxes” then completed the Las Dos climb and the lollipop before battling the wind back to the “mailboxes” for a regroup. Here’s a picture of some of us on Las Dos (Joe behind the lens).

The sun was disappearing, the wind was stiffening, and the storm clouds were forming in the West as we headed home via the Las Campanas outer loop and Caja del Rio. We celebrated our “Ride Before the Storm” at the 2nd Street Brewery (Rufina) –  we logged 29+ miles and 1700+ ft of climbing… just another day in the saddle!!

ALL IN ALL… IT WAS JUST ANOTHER AWESOME SOB RIDE AND ADVENTURE!!

SOB Riders showed up in force on a windy Thursday!! One group of 20 SOB Riders headed out under sunny, bright blue skies from the 599 Station down Hwy 14 to Lone Butte Gas Station. At Lone Butte, one group turned right on Bonanza Creek heading to the Cell Tower and La Cienega. A 2nd group made a left turn at Hwy 42 and rode counter-clockwise around the Galisteo Loop. The 3rd group headed down Hwy 14 to Madrid to inspect the Stagecoach Summit. Yes… it’s still there. Here’s the picture of 6 at the Stagecoach Summit (Joe behind the lens).

The wind was an unwelcomed training partner all day long. Those making it back to the 599 Station early enjoyed the refreshments at the Ranch House. The remaining stragglers arrived after the festivities. The Galisteo Loop riders logged 48+ miles and 2,400+ ft of climbing; the Stagecoach Summit riders logged 43 miles and 2,600+ ft of climbing; and the Cell Tower/La Cienega ridersp logged 27+ miles and 1200+ ft of climbing. It was a great day to ride!!  Those not joining us, don’t pass up the best Winter riding we have had in years!! Hope to see you soon on a Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday ride!!

OVERALL, ANOTHER AWESOME SOB RIDE AND ADVENTURE!!

9 SOB Riders gathered at the El Camino Real Academy under bright, sunny blue skies and warm temperatures for a Winter day of riding and climbing. We were joined by Niltsi, the Navajo Wind God; a training partner we just didn’t need this early in the riding season. The SOB Riders headed out from the El Camino Real Academy; up the 599 Frontage Road into a STIFF headwind; across to the Las Campanas Mailboxes, for an out and back around the Lollipop. We stopped for a pictures on the Lollipop (“E” behind the lens) before getting a welcomed wind assist climb back to the mailboxes. If you haven’t ridden the Lollipop… you’re missing a fun ride!!

Regrouping at the mailboxes, we circled Las Campanas on the outer loop to Calle del Rio. We were blessed with a WIND ASSISTED “screamer” down Calle del Rio to the 599 Frontage Road, then back to the El Camino Real Academy. Overall a GREAT ride… 1:45 riding time, 26+ miles, an average speed of 15 MPH, and 1,500+ feet of climb.  But a ride is never complete without after the ride refreshments and nourishment. We finished the ride with an enjoyable late lunch at the 2nd Street Brewery on Rufina (SSB#3). This is Winter SOB cycling!!

Another AWESOME SOB RIDE AND ADVENTURE!!

Judy is set to leave Kona on Thursday night and she will arrive in Santa Fe Friday afternoon. There is a 4-hour layover in Phoenix, but the medical people told her this would be good because she will want to move around a bit after the long ride from Hawaii and the ride to Santa Fe.

Judy has been using a cane in preparation for the trip. She does not plan to use a walker on the plane.

It’s a good thing she is leaving tomorrow as her supply of wine has run out. And the roommate who was moving into the room? Didn’t work out, since Judy only listens to classical music. And her roommate only listened to ukulele recordings. Besides, Judy doesn’t do the hula either.

To celebrate the departure, Judy has her Uber driver scheduled to take her to a coffee shop she found and liked on the bike tour. And Judy says she had a great time on the tour and felt strong and ready for it. Even with the injury, Judy had a great time on a bicycle!

This will likely be the last report. As Walter Cronkite said at the end of his newscasts, “That’s the way it was. Good night!”

Thursday the SOB riders departed Museum Hill, out Old Las Vegas Highway to Canocito Hill; then back through Seton Village to Museum Hill. It was a great day to ride!! For folks that have not climbed Canocito Hill, it is about 3/4 of a mile long with an average 7% grade, with the steepest grades running 11-13%.  Here’s the SOB Riders at Canocito Hill Summit and on the descent (Joe behind the lens). It is definitely a close in training opportunity for Heartbreak Hill.

It was fun to get out and ride with the group again in January!! The sun was shining, the wind acceptable, the climbs and descents awakening!! All in all, the ride was about 30 miles with about 1,800 feet of climb.  Yes, the weather can be cold January through March, but layer up and get out and ride!! We do not get a lot of great riding days in January and February. Take advantage of the good weather to get an early start on the 2018 season!!

Another GREAT SOB Ride and adventure!!

The report below is written by Judy’s sister, Cassie

Below are notes that Judy herself sent this morning.

The note below is from Judy’s sister, Cassie, late on Tuesday night.

Below is the message I received this evening from Judy’s sister, Cassie. In the message is a request from Judy to hold calls for a couple of days.

Talked to Judy on cell a bit ago. She continues to recover. But things are slow this early. Judy anticipates being moved Monday to a skilled nursing facility in Kona. She is glad of that because Kona is where the airport is. A quick exit to look forward to. Judy thinks she will be there 10 days to two weeks. She knows that, as much as she wants to return home, that she is not ready for a flight yet. Knowing Judy, 10 days looks good. And Judy has learned that the surgeon inserted two rods: one to the femur and a second to the hip.

The room at the hospital is very nice and the green landscaping outside the window is very nice. The BAC group has been fantastic in its support. She thinks the assistant director staying nearby will probably depart when she is transferred to the nursing facility.

Judy said the accident occurred as the group was riding downhill (not steep). The winds were strong cross winds. Sometimes the riders were sheltered behind a ridge or bank and sometimes not. It was on one of those occasions when she emerged from the protection of bank that an especially strong gust just picked her up and slammed her down. Her leg was in intense pain immediately. She wanted to lie down on her back but it hurt too much. Another rider helped hold up her shoulder to ease the pain a bit. The ambulance came very quickly. It was a narrow road, so when the ambulance started to drive down to the hospital, all the cars on the road pulled off quickly to enable the ambulance to hurry down the road.

Judy reported that the riders did have rain, wind, cold, and beautiful riding weather, so it has been an adventure for sure.

Look for another report tomorrow.

Bill Pollock

I just finished talking to Judy on her cell phone. She is doing very well, but anxious to get home as soon as possible. That, she said, may be in a week. Judy has been up three times today to make brief walks in the room. A little pain, and very slow steps. But steps they are. She will soon get dinner, the first food she has had in 2 days. Her room is very nice with a large picture window that looks out on landscaping. The staff at the hospital are helpful. And Judy has full confidence in the surgeon.

The only injury she sustained is the hip and leg on the left side. The rod enables her to put weight on the legs so that she can walk sooner.

Judy is not sure when she will move from the hospital to a rehab facility. Judy looks forward to the progress, though.

Another update scheduled for tomorrow.

Good news at 11 p.m., Friday.  Judy’s sister, Cassie, just got off phone talking to Judy’s surgeon. Surgery went very well. Took longer than planned. Pelvis OK and does not need further work. Inserted rod in femur. Judy should be released Monday, but will need a week or two of rehab before flying home.

More updates to follow.

There is limited information available at this time, but Judy Costlow reported this morning (Friday) that she was injured riding on a bike tour of the Big Island of Hawaii. The group faced tremendous winds all day and yesterday afternoon, a gust of wind blew her over. Judy is scheduled for emergency surgery this afternoon on a hip. Judy hopes to schedule air transportation back to Santa Fe as soon as possible following the surgery. We hope to hear more from Judy very soon regarding the outcome of the surgery. We believe she is in Waimea.

Bill Pollock