For those who don’t want to drive to Bernalillo, the regularly scheduled ride from the Eldorado Agora is still on. Start time is 11:00.

We will be doing the newly paved Old Santa Fe Trail, Seton Village, etc.

Last Wednesday I was on SB 285 going down Lamy Hill. I was approaching the RR crossing at a pretty good clip when I saw an abrupt lip between 2 of the concrete slabs. Nothing I could do but hope for the best. It turns out the best was a damaged tire and a walk uphill to get cell service and a ride home.

Anyway, be forewarned if you are planning to do that segment.

I did contact the NM DOT District 5 Maintenance Engineer and he said that it will be fixed once they figure out the jurisdictional issues. So not next week.

This is an energetic road ride that will be suitable for most A&B riders however the distance, 42 miles may be long for some. It will begin and end at the Bernalillo Visitors Center go south via various roads and paved trails to Bike in Coffee which is a great venue for cyclists. After a break there the route will venture up Mountain Rd through the “Belly of the Beast” to the North Diversion Channel paved trail and back to Bernalillo. Weather looks perfect with light winds and temps reaching 60. Ride start time is 10:30. Start location: Sandoval County Economic Development. I’ve made arrangements to have the restrooms unlocked and available from 10:00-10:30.
https://goo.gl/maps/11aXMQqjpqwKshJz7

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38102801

For more info contact Mike Davila at Fuel90rider@yahoo.com

All donations to World Bicycle Relief will be matched through Tuesday Midnight, doubling your impact.

Click on the SOB Team Page to donate.

Communities On The Move!

Thursday rides will start in ElDorado Agora for December.  All groups.  Bring your wind jacket.

Tuesday is still Nov so 10.30 start.  For December and the rest of the winter we will start at 1100.

Whether you are 7 or 70, there is nothing as exciting as getting a new bike.

We have reached 85% of our goal of giving 10 people a New Bike Day.

If you want to help, please visit the World Bicycle Relief SOB team page.

Thanks to all who have already given!

Hope you have an enjoyable Turkey Day.   And a relaxing weekend.  Stay Safe.

Saturday Energetic Ride.  Let’s start back at El Cam Academy.  I bet there’s no yute sports this weekend.  Same time.  10.30.

Just over a week into the fundraiser and we have reached 75% of our goal of providing 10 Bison Bicycles ( $165 each!) to help people conquer the challenge of distance, achieve independence and thrive.

This would be a great time to give as WBR has a gift matching program until midnight tonight (14 Nov 2021).

A reminder that a C ride will take place on the Bosque this Thursday at 10:30 starting at the Alameda Open Space in ABQ.

1. C riders. Nov 11 this Thursday let’s ride the Bosque along the Rio Grande in ABQ. 34 miles but it’s an out and back so you can make it as long or short as you want. It’s also flat. Start 10:30 am at Alameda Open Space. Trees should be in full color. 😁contact me for questions 

The Saturday ride for A riders is scheduled to start at Agora Center in Eldorada 10:30 AM The route will go south on 285, then 41, then 42, up to Route 14 and then return; about 40 miles.

This will be the second annual World Bicycle Relief fundraiser for the SOBs.
I have set a fundraising goal of $1650, enough to buy 10 Buffalo Bicycles.

Cliok here to give:  https://give.worldbicyclerelief.org/sfsob

Here is what your donations will do:

• For rural children, education is the great equalizer. But distance is a barrier. Bicycles help students overcome the many challenges they face on their way to school.
• With two wheels, health workers are saving lives. They’re working to combat COVID-19, eliminate malaria, teach health and nutrition, and visit more homebound patients.
• With a bicycle, farmers and entrepreneurs increase their carrying capacity, earn more income and improve the quality of life for their families.
• Investing in women and girls will change the world. With bicycles, they can access education, healthcare and livelihoods to break the cycle of poverty and thrive.

With cold weather and fall moving in I’m thinking a ride down south might be fun. Planning the ride for Thursday Nov 4th at 10:30 am. Weather looks cool, 40-ish to start but winds are light all day and it warms up nicely down there on days like that.
The ride will be rescheduled if weather isn’t cooperating.

The route I’m thinking about would start at the RR station in Belen then head south via nice quiet country roads toward Bernardo on the west side of the Rio Grande. Although mostly paved, the route would include about 5 miles of smooth gravel/dirt roads and a great 3 mile gravel loop around a new waterfowl refuge. I’ve seen thousands of geese and cranes there in the past.
https://www.socorronm.org/attractions/ladd-s-gordon-waterfowl-complex-bernardo-waterfowl-area/
Return would be via Hy304 along the east side of the Rio Grande, a nice smooth, quiet, wide shouldered, paved country road followed by a meal at Pete’s.

I’ve done this route many times on my road bike with 28c tires and no issues but I think it would also be perfect for gravel bikes. It’s about 44 miles.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/37895018

Contact Mike D with any questions: fuel90rider@yahoo.com 

There will be a ride from DeVargas to Rio en Medio with a roll out time of 10. Sign up not necessary.

We will start at BLM parking lot. corner of Dinosaur  and Rancho Viejo Blvd.  Same time.  Rest of October and November.

“Winter is coming.”

Tuesday and Saturday as hoc ride start points  will stay the same:

Tuesday – All at DeVargas.  Saturday – Bs at DeVargas; As at Camino Real Academy.

Changes of times will be announced as needed.

Thursday rides will rotate start points as in past years:

November – 599 RR station

December  – ElDorado

January – Museum Hill

February – SFCC (Community College)

March – Outlet Mall.

Subject to change with notice.

The C Ride will start at the 599 Station at 9:30, just as posted.  But we will do the Prison Loop which is about 21 miles.  If you need the route email judy –  j.costlow@gmail.com

Ride start time 9:30am. This is a beautiful ride down the Turquoise Trail to Albuquerque and return via the Rail Runner train. It will be a long day, 8 hrs with 70 miles and 3,300 feet of climbing. To make the train riders should be comfortable with riding in a pace line at 17mph on the flats. Climbs (3,300ft) will be much slower than that and I’m hoping for 14-15mph average speed with brief stops every 15 miles or so. We will have 7 hours to make it to the train in Abq which leaves time for a meal (Slice Pizza) before catching the train if all goes well on the ride.  Abq train time is 4:41 with backup train at 5:49, arrival back in Santa Fe at 5:43/6:57. I will ask the group to stay together for the ride in pace line fashion, and no one will be left behind for any reason including mechanical problems or flats. It should be a beautiful day, nice and cool with light winds.
Route I have planned is slightly different than the one posted on the website if things go well, but I think you’ll like the changes.
Mike D
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30507279

Effective Saturday, October 16, and until further notice, ad hoc Saturday rides for B riders will start at DeVargas Mall, just like the Tuesday rides.

Depending on the number of riders showing up, there may be two B groups, a faster group and a slower group, so that as many riders as possible can be accommodated. The faster group may be perceived as riding as fast as the A riders, but they will almost always ride shorter distances. The slower group may ride at a B- pace.

Thursday ride starts over the winter (November to March) will be announced at a later date.

The C ride for Thursday, Oct. 14th has been changed.  Starting Point is Ft. Marcy  (Parking lot off Murales St behind the Tennis Courts) at 10:00.  Not enough sign-ups for the Taos Gorge Site.  Reschedule  later.

The C Ride on Oct.14th will ride to the Gorge Bridge near Taos.  We will start at 10:00 from the parking area south of the Gorge Bridge.  There are two ways to get there.  The first way is through Espanola and on towards Taos on NM 68. In Pilar opposite The Rio Grande Gorge Visitor Center turn left on 570 towards Pilar, Carson and the Orilla Verde Recreation Area.  This is where we cycled last week.  Cross the little bridge and continue on the dirt road to the top of the gorge.  At the top there is a parking area.  Park there.  The other way is to go through Espanola, but continue on Highway 285 until the right turn on 84 through Ojo Caliente .  Continue until a right turn towards Carson on NM 567.  Pass Carson until there is a sharp left turn (90 degrees), but continue straight to the parking area.  Allow a good 1 and1/2 hours which ever way you come.  From Santa Fe start by 8:15 at the latest.  We want to be ready to roll at 10.  The drive is spectacular and the ride along the Gorge is beautiful, 10 miles to the bridge and then back.  Please sign up so I know how many to expect and can alert you if plans change.

An excellent Trek bicycle that is in excellent condition and with very little riding time and designed for a female or shorter male is now available following the owner’s death. Purchased about 2017, Due to health issues, the owner was not able to ride very often. The bike has been carefully stored on a wall-mounted rack inside. A bicycle “blue book” values the bike above $800. The owner is asking $800 for the bike described and pictured here. The Trek is currently located in Santa Fe.

Trek 5500 Project 1 Carbon with race light  700X23/25 carbon wheels and tires  bike designed for long distance riding

Seat-post height: 52 cm

Dura Ace gears and brakes

3 chain rings

34 large gear on rear for climbing assist

Color: gray/silver

For information and purchase, call 1-(361) 442-0297

This notice posted by Bill Pollock on behalf of Susy Battaglia

Our big gathering is just around the corner!

Thursday, September 30 at 12 noon we will gather at  HIDDEN MOUNTAIN BREWERY, 4056 Cerrillos Road.To reserve and pay for the luncheon, please go to this link:

End of Summer Luncheon | Santa Fe Seniors on Bikes (santafesobs.com)

Looking forward to seeing you on Thursday,

Lore

Calling all SOBs.  I know that many of you have contriuted to the Food Depot during our time of the Pandemic.  The SOBs have made a valuable contribution in helping our neighbors here in Santa Fe and 9 of our Northern Counties.  The Neighbor to Neighbor campaign ends on Saturday the 18th of Sept.  If you feel that you can help right now and want to make a donation, you can send a check to The Food Depot at 1222-A Siler Road   Santa Fe, NM 87507 or www.thefooddepot.org and specify that you are a SOB helping your neighbors.  $1 gives a family 5 pounds of food.  Thank you for all you have done and I know continue to do.

This week’s ride, September 16, starts at 9:30 at Fort Marcy and will be the Campanas loop. Lynn Pickard is the leader.

Next week’s ride, September 23, starts at 9:30 at Fort Marcy and will be the ski basin. Paul Murray is the leader.

Please sign up on the website, even though the information about the rides may be wrong. But don’t worry if you don’t.

Will there be outdoor seating? Concerned about covid.

The ride / race needs volunteers.  The organization has offered to donate $50 to the SOBs for every person who volunteers.  If you volunteer you will get your 2022 membership for free.  They need flaggers / bike security at the finish / awards helpers (you don’t have to kiss anyone) and people to direct traffic.  If you can help, email me at bob at santafesobs dot com. Tell me what job you want.  I have your name if you already volunteered so no need to do it again.

Let me know by Friday.  Thanks. Bob@santafesobs dot com

Below is a tentative list of ride leaders for September’s Thursday rides. Changes may be made without notice.

September 2:  A-Guy Best; B-Denise Maaranen; C-Julie Jacobs

September 9:  A-TBD; B-TBD; C-Shirley Knarr

September 16:  A-John Veilleux; B-Lynn Pickard; C-Shirley Knarr and Judy Costlow

September 23: A- Bob Bogart; B- Paul Murray; C-Ruben Cedeno

September 30: A- Rich Irell; B-Rob Balcer; C-Adrian Vanderhave

The start times and start locations are listed on the website under “Ride Schedule.” If a ride leader wants to change the start time or location, or the posted route, he or she should post it to the blog or contact me and I will do it.

Will all be 0930, Tues, Thrs, and Sat.

NOTE:  Tues Aug 31, when you first read this, it is still Aug so 0900.

A bicycle headlamp was found on Beckner Road near the outlet mall on Tuesday (8/24). If you lost one, contact me with a description and I will make arrangements to get it back to you.
rbirell@yahoo.com

same time same place.  0900, El Camino Academy, nothing fancy, nothing hard, nothing long.

Almost new bike rack designed for SUV and mini-van vehicles for sale because owner changed vehicles. Rack holds two bicycles. Made by Hollywood, the rack designed to accommodate wind spoilers. Original cost over $200. SALE price: $120.00. Contact Angela Martinez, martinezangela2013@gmail.com

Submitted by Bill Pollock on behalf of Angela Martinez

I would strongly encourage all SOB riders, both new and old, to read or re-read the Essential Information for all SOB’s and Guests section of the SOB website.

By joining an SOB sanctioned ride you are expected to follow these guidelines. If we all follow the guidelines it will make for a more enjoyable (and safer) ride for everyone. Especially the ride leaders!

This Thursday ‘s ride is our Memory ride starting in Pecos.  The exit from I 25  to Pecos is closed due to replacement of a bridge.  Instead, on I25 continue to the Rowe exit and get off there.  Head north to Pecos.  The parking area is across the street from the Ranger Station in Pecos.  The Memory ride starts there at 9:30.  We all ride in silence for 10 miles to the Windy Bridge, thinking of our friends that are no longer with us.  We will have a small remembrance at the Bridge honoring them.

George Lukes made this video of our ride last week.  Enjoy!

<<https://g-lu.smugmug.com/Biking/2021-Biking/i-dJrKxzX/A>>

Bob, Ocate, New Mexico, July 2011

Bob Krakowski, a member of SOBs for several years has died. Bob devoted his later years to the care of his son with some disabilities. One of his personal pleasures during this time was riding his bike, which served as a “getaway.”. It was a touring model and with the storage rack over the rear wheel, he carried a large enough pack to carry enough equipment to handle any weather condition and  emergency. Bob rode 50, 75, 100 miles EVERY day winter and summer, fall and spring. I drove him to White Rock for the Los Alamos Loop ride. After the ride, Bob rode his bike all the way home to Santa Fe. To ride the Cochiti Loop ride, I gave Bob a lift. But he rode all the way home after the ride. And one time, one of those very windy days of 25+ winds from the Southwest, Bob rode to Cochiti, rode the loop, and then all the way back home. “It was a fantastic tailwind,” Bob said afterward. “I cruised back to Santa Fe doing above 15 mph the whole way!” When we rode to Las Vegas, Bob rode on the shoulder of I-25 while the rest of us rode the old highway alongside the interstate. Sometimes Bob would be ahead, and sometimes Bob would be behind us. When we got to the junction just south of the town, Bob was right there. Bob had a woman friend living in Las Vegas who joined us all for dinner that evening. She was working as the interior designer for the remodel of the Plaza Hotel where we were staying. The hotel had just acquired the building next door and she was supervising the work to join the two buildings together. The original building’s remodel had just been completed. She told us of the many challenges she faced to remodel a building already 125 years old. Many SOB members worked at the Los Alamos Laboratory with Bob. Bob was eager to champion small nuclear power generating systems. These systems were also supported by another SOB nuclear physicist, Dick Roth. These systems may yet be on the horizon.

From El Camino Academy 0900

Roads near Caja del Rio.  Condition of roads is unknown.  If too rough we’ll adjust.  About 25 miles or less.

I am not riding this Saturday because I will be out of town, but I received the notice below from the County, as I am the contact person for the Tesuque Community. Since we ride in this vicinity, although perhaps not exactly where the clean-up will take place, and since we cleaned up Bonanza Creek Road as a club, I thought I’d pass it along.

Caja del Rio Cleanup

SATURDAY JULY 24th From 9:00 am until 12:00 noon

At La Cieneguilla Petroglyphs

Join New Mexico WILD and our neighbors from the Traditional Communities for a cleanup project on the Caja del Rio on Saturday, July 24 as part of our celebration of Latino Conservation Week, and New Mexico’s unique culture and history.

We will meet at the La Cieneguilla Petroglyph Site at 9:00 a.m. and pick up trash until 12:00 noon. From the intersection of Airport Road and NM 599, continue west on Airport Road and Paseo Real ( CR 56 ) for 3.3 miles. There is a gravel parking area on the west side of the road and a BLM sign, just past CR 56C.

Please bring water, sunscreen, and work gloves. At noon, we will set up a discada and provide lunch and beverages for all.

Visit NMWild.org and click “get involved” for more information.

Come enjoy a morning of stewardship and shared heritage with us on the Caja del Rio!

Lots of people are concerned about pueblo closures.  Lynn drove the route and I called and spoke to a Cochiti pueblo representative on Tuesday.  Yes the pueblos are closed so we cannot do our traditional loop.  However, A and B groups will start at the usual parking place at 0830.  We will ride down 16, turn right on NM22, climb to the lookout and regroup.  We will then reverse back down 22 toward Santo Domingo and go up to the gas station.  Regroup.  Then return via NM 22 to our cars.  Not sure of the mileage, maybe a bit less than we usually get with the loop so if you need more miles you can go past the parking lot to the end of the road at the dam, which is also closed, but for different reasons.

You do not have to ride.  If you want to do something else, feel free.

Note that the C ride is not starting at Pena Blanca on July 22.  See below post for C ride.

The C ride is changed and will start at the 599 rail station and do the Bonanza Creek Ride.  It is about 20 miles and very scenic.. We will be rolling at 8:30!

Please disregard the previous post for the Cochiti Ride. Start will be along Hwy 16 near I 25 at 8:30 AM as per the website for both A & B groups.  Christine

Calling All SOBs!  I know that many of us already donate to The Food Depot and I hope you will continue.  Our Food Depot makes a huge difference in the food security of our neighbors here in Santa Fe and in 9 Northern New Mexico Counties.  They need our help through donations of money.  Any amount will help.  Every dollar delivers 5 pounds of food.  If you donate, please indicate that you are a N-N (Neighbor to Neighbor member) SOB.  You can write it in the memo line of your check or on the donation slip for your credit card.  It is to say that the SOBs are partnering with The Food Depot during their fall fund raising.  Address:  Food Depot 1222 Siler Rd.  Santa Fe. 87507 or   thefooddepot.org   click on take action and donate to Neighbor to Neighbor before Sept. 18th .      Thank you for your donation and to the Food Depot for helping our neighbors in this time of need.

I drove to town this morning (monday 12) using bishops lodge road and it’s a mess. It must have received much rain and hail last night resulting in ALOT of sand/gravel tree branches, leaves all over the road. Pretty thick in places too. FYI, dangerous riding conditions from tesuque village mkt to bishops lodge itself

Hi all, Cyndy and I loaded up our bikes and went for a road trip up to Montana recently to visit relatives up there. Along the way we stopped and rode a number of the rail to trail routes including the Mickleson Trail in the Black Hills of South Dakota. I have been wanting to get out on some sort of tour this year but have not been feeling fully up to speed for a longer tour. But I did have Cyndy drop me off in Colorado on the way home and I rode a chunk of the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route south for about a week. Great trip, but it was colder and wetter than I expected and I was a pretty worn out camper when she picked me up in Horca last weekend. I just posted a blog of the Colorado ride with a bunch of pics if interested on the link below,

Ed

https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=1mr&doc_id=23717&v=8x

The C riders will meet at Ft Marcy on July 15th for a ride TBD, ready to roll at 8:30.
The Folk Art Market is in full swing and we cannot ride around there.
So, we are not going to Cafe Fina.  It could be a time to explore some new trails.  Join us!

Effective July 10 and until further notice, relaxed ad hoc Saturday rides will start at El Camino Real Academy on South Meadows.

This will bring all ad hoc rides, both on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and both energetic and relaxed, to the same uniform starting location – Tuesdays at DeVargas and Saturdays at El Camino Real Academy.

C riders are starting our ride at the intersection of Highways 14 and 42.  There is a pullout there and you can park your car.The intersection is about 10 miles south of the 599 Rail station on Highway 14.  See you tomorrow morning!

Hi All you C riders.  This Thursday we are starting at El Camino Real Park ready to roll at 9 am sharp! 

Registration ends tomorrow the 15th.

The Directions to the Park are:   As you Drive South on 599

                                                    Left on Airport Road

                                                   Left on Constellation (next stoplight)

                                                    Continue straight over gravel rd until it ends at the Park

Since the Governor has accepted the CDC guidance that vaccinated people can go on about their business without masks and since the current limitation on mass gatherings is 150 people, all groups will start at the same time and place again, starting in July, and we will schedule our memorial ride, luncheon, and group photo accordingly. Sign-ups will still be on line. If you are vaccinated, you need not wear a mask. If you are not vaccinated, you must wear a mask, and you may want to err on the side of caution and not ride

Tonight, Friday, the riders in the Rockies group is  northwest of Dallas and will arrive in Santa Fe next Tuesday.

The schedule for SOB members participating in escorting Texas 4000 riders to their motel in Santa Fe and for joining the group for dinner:

2:00 p.m.- SOB riders arrive at parking lot next to Agora Market in Eldorado. After a brief rest stop, the SOB and Texas riders head to Santa Fe via, Old Las Vegas, El Gancho Way, Old Santa Fe Trail, the Plaza and to the motel at Cerrillos and Guadalupe–Motel 6.

5:30 p.m,, Las Campanas Country Club for cocktails and dinner at 6:30. The Country Club chef is preparing a dinner of chicken enchiladas and other items. Cost of the dinner is $60.00 per person. Pay via a check on arrival. Short program presented by Texas 4000 follows dinner.

It is helpful for planning to know how many SOB members, spouses, friends will attend the ride from Eldorado and the dinner. Please send an email to me at pollockb@aol.com.

Looking forward to seeing you. If you haven’t yet looked at the Texas 4000 website, it is www.texas4000.org/route/rockies/  You will see individual pictures of the riders in the Rockies group. Or, you can go to the home website at www.texas4000.org

Submitted by Bill Pollock

Next Tuesday, June 15, 24 riders and some support members arrive in Santa Fe on their way to the Canadian border. Spending two nights in Santa Fe, the riders will leave on June 17, headed to Denver.

Two great opportunities for SOB members to interact with the students from the University of Texas:

Meet the riders as they arrive in Eldorado and escort the riders to the Old Santa Fe Trail and to the Plaza and finally to their hotel in the Rail Yard area. The riders should arrive 2.00  to 3:00 p.m. After a brief rest stop, SOB members will assist the riders by dividing into two groups for safety reasons. SOB members can either ride from DeVargas Center to Eldorado and return with the students. Or, as I will do, leave a car at DeVargas and get a ride to Eldorado and just ride one way with the group. Weather predictions indicate warm temperatures and perhaps just riding one way makes sense. Imagine the Texas 4000 riders–they will have ridden uphill for more than 75 miles in the heat and still have to 168 miles to go to get to their motel. Rested SOB members will enjoy the handicap.

The second opportunity is to share dinner at the Las Campanas Country Club. Great facilities and the atmosphere is very collegiate meeting the students and alumni of the University of Texas, Santa Fe chapter. Activities will begin about 5:30 p.m., with dinner at 6:30. A special menu of chicken enchiladas and other items, including desert prepared by the Club’s chef will be served. The cost is $60.00 per person. So, bring your best friend, spouse, or partner and have a dinner out. It will be a beautiful night.

To assist in arranging details, especially helping Las Campanas plan for the dinner, it will be very helpful if you can email me if you plan to:

Meet the riders at Eldorado

Join the Texas 4000 for dinner–how many people in your reservation?

Send an email to pollockb@aol.com

Submitted by Bill Pollock

The start location for the A ride this coming Thursday is listed as West Las Vegas High School. I have looked at the street view on Google Maps and it appears that the lot is gated and we might not be able to park there.

There is a public parking lot on Moreno St. between Morrison St. and Hot Springs Blvd that will be a sure thing.
I will be parking there. Should be safe as it is next to the police station.

Google maps coordinates:
HQRC+JX Las Vegas, New Mexico