It has been well over a month since we rode the Santa Fe Century. Yesterday, we completed our lesser known but equally inspiring and aspiring Tour for Cancer Century here in the Upper Left Hand Corner of Illinois. So, it is time to catch up.
After a week of cycling in Northern New Mexico in preparation for the Century,
I drove down to pick up my race packet on Saturday evening, the night before. My confirmation number was 497. But 497 was nowhere to be found, so one of the fuzzy faced veteran organizers pulled out number 2800.
So, I’d guess that at least 2,000 riders rolled off the line at Saint Vincent’s Hospital on Sunday morning.
We worked our way along Zia Road towards the Turquoise Trail (Route 14) which winds its way through the Ortiz Mountains and the eastern slope of Sandia Mountain to Albuquerque.
The wind was out of the northwest as we glided south along Route 14 through the Ortiz and the old mining town of Madrid (pronounced Mad Rid). This is the colorful hippie art colony which captivated the producers of Wild Hogs starring John Travolta. Today the Harley’s were in the minority as we peddle pushers rolled through.
The climbs through the Ortiz are long and steady, and the road surface was in excellent condition. The Turquoise Trail is a vastly more scenic and relaxed way to travel between Santa Fe and Albuquerque if you have the time. And we had all day to enjoy the views as we rolled happily along at 26 mph. More than once, I was awakened from my mellow zone by a tandem flying by with eight or so bikes on its wheel.
Just south of Golden, we turned left on Route 344 and proceeded to chug up the biggest bump in the road. Heartbreak Hill kicks to 19% after a mile approach. I stopped at the top to visit with local Firemen supporting our tour and watched my fellow riders zigging and zagging up the steep grade. One gentleman protested that he was trying to save his knees. I pointed down at my 32 tooth cog and suggested he “get one of these.”
I brought my Salsa Las Cruces cyclocross bike out to New Mexico specifically because it is better geared, tougher, and aesthetically more suited to the Southwest than my Trek 2100. My dear old knees thanked me for it.
Once over the Heartbreak, Route 334 winds its way down through the pinon and juniper trees into the flatlands. It jogs back west to Cedar Grove and drops down to Route 472. From there we headed dead east on the flats over to Route 41. This is sparse ranch country on a broad plateau. In spite of incessant cranking, there were few vehicles and many opportunities to draft behind other riders.
On our way north from Stanley to Galisteo, the snow capped Sangre de Cristo mountains rose up. In the distant Northwest, the Jemez Mountains were majestically framed by dark rocky mesas in the foreground. Such vistas are the reason this Century ride is so special.
In the midst of all this grand scenery, the village of Galisteo was a welcomed rest stop after four hours in the saddle. In contrast to the tin roofed frame bungalows in Madrid, Galisteo is a typical New Mexican settlement where adobe abounds. It is soft and friendly with art galleries and a very nice bed & breakfast. I vote this best rest stop.
We rode north of Galisteo to Lamy and turned left on Route 285. After a long climb up through the huge Eldorado development to Interstate 25, we commenced the most uninspiring section of this Century. We rolled along a very wide shoulder on I-25 with cars pulling campers and boats and trucks roaring past. It was time to tune it all out and hammer back to the finish at Saint Vincent’s Hospital.
The Santa Fe Century was the grand finale to a beautiful week of cycling in Northern New Mexico. Santa Fe is a bike friendly town, and for the most part, the residents are courteous towards peddling turistas.
Early on Monday morning after a great big juicy steak at the Bull Ring (courtesy of darling daughter, Katie), we hopped in the Passat Wagen and drove straight through to the Upper Left Hand Corner of Illinois. It took me three days to recover.
