The Pilgrimage: Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

This is another church in town that caught my attention every time I drove by it.
Today, I rode my bike and made the "pilgrimage".

I got up early and left early.

I have not rode my bike since the triathlon a month ago.
The first test for the day is an uphill ride from Spain and Juan Tabo to Tramway.
Such a warm up!
I made it without stopping.

Yes, I made it! Looking back...

The sun was barely peeking when I got to the bike trail on Tramway. Heading north.

Tramway trail is not busy early in the morning, so it was a perfect place for me to practice taking my biking self portrait.

Nice artwork along the trail.

Passed the entrance to the famous tram.

Heading towards the downhill drop to the casino.

After the thrill of a downhill ride, I arrived at the casino.

Road sign after I passed I-25.

 I had to go through a turn around to get to 4th street. It was nice to see a bike path.

and a little history lesson by the roadside...

 

passed by one of the famous Mexican restaurant in town.

and just before the church, I saw a wooden fence, I stopped for a photo.

Finally, my destination for today. The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, the thrid oldest church in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

After the church, there was a small section of road construction. The good news is, they are extending the bike path! I climbed up the hill and made a right turn into the north diversion channel.

Well, it is time to show how I have been taking those biking self portrait...

I made a left turn here to get me to Ellison.

The area east of the diversion channel is totally new to me. Thanks for signs like this.

I was really tired when I got to the trail south of San Antonio. I took a little break by taking this photo.

Then I found a tree close to Wyoming on the same trail as above.

After I crossed Wyoming, Albuqueruqe Academy was in sight. I was closer to home!

I was really tired when I got to Spain and Eubank. The lawn looked very inviting. I stopped.

When one is really tired, the next target is not far away. One more stop up the hill before getting home.

So happy to reach home!

and for the record...

so, total distance 22 miles ( 35 km ) with a total time of 3 hours and 38 minutes!

After thought: I am not in shape! If I want to do the biking part of Patriot's Triathlon this September, I better get some training done. Now, since I found out that the church is the third oldest in town, it is reasonable to plan the next trip...yes, you got it. go for the second and the first!

37 Miles

January 22, 2011 Saturday

Denise, Dion and I decided to make the longest ride ever, for us!
We met at the office parking lot.
From there, we used the trail and got to Kickstand Bike Store for some Jelly Beans.
We then took the trail to Tramway.
We went north on Tramway until we reached Sandia Casino.
The downhill ride was really really cold!
After Sandia Casino, we passed I-25 and got to 4th Street.
I could smell the corn chips being made at El Pinto!
When we reached Alameda, we made a right and got to the bosque.
We followed the bosque southward.
Right after Montano, we decided to take a little break by the river.
These are the pictures that I took.

After the brief stop, we headed south.
At one point we planned to extend the ride all the way down to Rio Bravo.
But when we got to I-40, the bike path was closed.
We took the detour and went to Rio Grande instead.
From there, we headed east on Mountain.
After connecting to Indian School, we headed all the way back through Constitution.

It was a hard ride.
My first 37 miles!
I am grateful that I had Dion and Denise to share the ride.
It was fun!
Next project, southwest Albuquerque!!!

December 18, 2010 Quarter Century with 5K

We did it again.
We rode the bike trail by the bosque,
started at Tingley Beach,
went south to Rio Bravo,
then north to Paseo.
and back to Tingley Beach.
A 25 miles loop.
I hated to say this,
but that trail needs to be paved.
There are too many cracks.
After the ride,
Denise and I did a 5K walk/run.
Total time: 3 hours!

A Short Loop

I was on call this weekend.
Dion was on call too.
I ended up doing the ride myself.
It was a real struggle.
My body did not want to do it.
I won!
I rode.

So,
from Spain and Juan Tabo to Morris,
south to Comanche,
west to Pennsylvania.
The section from Morris to Pennsylvania on Comanche was lousy!
Avoid it by any means until they paved it.
I thought I was going to break the bike!

North on Pennsylvania to Osuna,
east on Osuna to Eubank.
I took my first break at Osuna and Wyoming.

I got a new shoulder bag from REI,
I brought it along.

I am planning to bring this bag for my bike trip in Taiwan this coming April.

I took the bike trail when I got to Eubank.
The last section was very steep!
Next time, I will walk that section.
I took another rest.

Lastly, north on Morris to Spain,
then east on Spain.

I am glad I did it.
It was a short 7 mile ride,
but it was so tiring!

North Diversion Channel 12-5-10

We met at the Balloon Fiesta Park.
Dion, John, Denise and I made the trip.
We started at the bike trail near the museum.
From there, we headed south.
Except for a few cross streets, the trail was pretty straight forward and well paved.
We got to the end of the trail by UNM without any problem.

It was fun to sit, rest and chat a bit,
something that seldom happen at work.
I was very happy to see that John has been doing these bike rides with us for a few times already.

On our way back,
Dion and I traded bikes.
He loved the location of my brake handles.
I loved the lightness and the saddle of his bike.
I guess from time to time,
it is not a bad idea to trade bikes!

Total mileage: 17 miles.
Great day, great weather!

"Sandia Casino Hill" Challenge 12-4-10

I have been wanting to climb that hill.
I know it is hard.
I know that I may not be ready for it.
But,
the lure to do it was always there.
So, I just couldn't pass the chance when the weather was great,
and may not last long...

This is where I started. It is located north of Paseo and Barstow.
From there I headed north till I reached Elena.
I went west, hoping to catch San Pedro.

But Elena ended at Louisiana,
so I headed south from there.
I made a right on Eagle Rock and got to San Pedro.
Below is the end of the pavement on San Pedro.

I walked the bike across the dirt.
I got to the exit road from I-25 and headed to Tramway.

The stop before the climb.
To climb or not to climb???
I did!

Along that short 4.5 miles, 860 ft elevation change, I stopped 6 times.
Others did better.

It was worth it. I saw two bisons!

After the climb, it was all downhill.
I stopped by the church at Paseo and Tennyson.
I discovered that Tennyson actually goes under Paseo!

From there, I took Holly.
I decided to go out to Paseo and take the bike path.
There were to many speed bumps on Holly.
Last 2 photos are from Paseo and Browning.

It was a hard 14 miles ride.
Will I do it again?
Definitely!
I shall return in 6 months!