The Quarter Century Ride

Today is a big day!
We planned to ride 25 miles!
Dave and I met at Tingley Beach.
While waiting for him, I can't resist but get myself warmed up with my camera.

From there, we headed north on the bike path.
Our first stop was the nature center on Candelaria.
The cottonwood was on its screaming yellow outfit!

We headed north.

But wait, we need proof that we were there.
So,

The next stop was Paseo del Norte.
I heard that the cottonwoods are really turning colors there.

At the start of the ride, we had 2 options.

Option one is to do Tingley-Paseo-Tingley which is 16 miles.

Option two is to do Tingley-Paseo-Rio Bravo-Tingley, that will make it 25 miles!

On our way back to Tingley, Dave said that he was doing good.

So, we went to Rio Bravo!

Yes, thumbs up! This is Dave second long ride!

Just before we get to Tingley Beach again,
I found a wonderful spot for what turned out to be the picture of the day!

Finally, we got back to Tingley Beach, our finish line!!!!

total mileage: 25 miles
total time: 2 hours and 30 minutes
It was an awesome day!

The Constitution Challenge

Today is bike day.
It is getting cold and dark in the morning.
I decided to bring the bike to work.
Since I have a short day, I can do my ride before it gets dark.

The original plan was to take Constitution all the way east to Tramway,
then turn south and take the bike path by I-40.
From there I can cross the overpass by Los Altos golf course, get to Moon and back to Constitution.

But someone reminded me of the problem with the bike path by the freeway.
Due to the presence of homeless people in that area,
there are broken glasses on the path.
I noticed that the last time I was there.

So, the plan changed.
I still took the challenge and went up Constitution.
It was indeed a challenge.
I need to do it more often.

When I reached Indian School, I turned west.
I took the bike path by Indian School and Chelwood.

looking west

looking east




I took the path all the way to Indian School and Moon.
I took a few pictures at the park.

From Moon, I turned south and got to Constitution.
From there, I got back to the parking lot.


Over all, it was a good ride.
I still do not like the bike path. For me, trying to navigate through those yellow poles
can be challenging.
I am glad that I did the ride. I was sore from the flu shot yesterday.
Next ride, bosque bike path with David!

Sunday Ride: Spain to Tramway to I-40

7 am
Looking east from Spain and Juan Tabo
I started my challenge of the day!

After some struggle, I gave in. I stopped after 2/3 of the way to Tramway.
That's what left to Tramway!

That's where I came from!

Looking south from Tramway and Spain.

I decided to get a kick stand, against what the "purist" would say.
I love it. It allowed me to take this picture.
It was a beautiful morning!!!

I headed south on Tramway until Encantado Road.
I decided to cross the street and take the bike path on the east side of Tramway.

That's the entrance to the bike path.
I headed south to get to Central.
When I passed by the area yesterday, I found some interesting objects in that corner.
So, I decided to take a closer look!

How cool is that!
I never thought that the city would build something like that!
Well, I was wrong!

This is the best "catch of the day"!
Looking east from Central and Tramway.
From there, I took the bike path in the northwest corner of the intersection.
It travels along the freeway.

I reached Juan Tabo and I-40.

Looking east from the same intersection.

This is the overpass across I-40. It is between Juan Tabo and Eubank.

After crossing it, you can get to Tomasita, then connect to Morris.

I took Morris all the way north till I get to Spain.

But along the way, by Menaul, something caught my attention.

I could not resist.

I stopped and took the following pictures.

Total mileage: 13 miles.

Lesson learned: I need to wear my bike shorts and get some leg warmers!

Sandia High School to Balloon Fiesta Park

Today, I rode with Dave.
He is a Sandia High School Grad.
So we met at the trail head on Pennsylvania next to the school.

It is the last weekend for Balloon Fiesta.
You can see the baloons in the sky!

Heading west was a piece of cake.
We passed by the park on Comanche.

Before we knew it, we passed Carlisle and headed north along the north diversion channel.

Since it is balloon fiesta weekend, the bike path was a little crowded.
I almost ran into a kid who was just strolling along the fence.
Finally, we got to Balloon Fiesta Park.

Nope, we did not get a beer!
The ride back was uneventful except that it was all uphill from Carlisle!

Total mileage: 14.

Neighborhood

It was an after work ride,
trying to get a ride in before sunset.
I rode to the trail head across the dam on Juan Tabo.
I went down the trail to Morris then to Eubank.
I came back up to Juan Tabo,
worked every muscle of my lower legs!
I stopped by the gazibo like wooden structure by the water depo,
tried to take more photos,
but the camera showed the aweful signal
NO BATTERY!!!
Lesson learned,
do not push your luck,
when in doubt,
bring some new batteries :)
Lastly,
I rode all the way to Wyoming,
then back to Juan Tabo,
broke a few more muscle fiber!
Unexpected visitor: goat heads.
My neighbor told me later to avoid the section between Eubank and Wyoming!