WEB EXCLUSIVE
Travel Nerd
Spoketacular
From mountain peak to desert mesas and rolling plains, the Mountain West has every type of terrain for spectacular mountain biking. Here is a list of five rides in the Land of Enchantment that take full advantage of the state’s diverse landscape. So hop on your full-suspension wheels and away you go! By Samantha Schwirck
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The West Rim Trail along the Río Grande Gorge offers a relatively easy ride and incredible views of the Gorge Bridge. |
Northern Routes
The Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, the fifth highest suspension bridge in the country, is located just 12 miles north of the outdoorsy town of Taos. Just west of the bridge on U.S. 64, a rest area with a trailhead marks the beginning of The West Rim Trail, an 18-mile round-trip ride along the top of the 700-foot-deep Río Grande Gorge. The trail is perfect for beginners, families, or cross-country cyclers because of its flat and relatively smooth nature. Work on pacing yourself on this trail, one of the most important aspects of cross-country mountain biking. You may come across loose gravel during the ride, so be cautious as you may be distracted by the breathtaking scenery. Around mile 9, you’ll reach the ride’s turn-around point, a parking spot about one-half mile north of N.M. 567. The well-marked West Rim Trail can be enjoyed year-round, but provides no shade, so remember to plan accordingly during the hot summer months.
For info: Taos Chamber of Commerce (575) 751-8800
Outfitter (for sales and repair) in the area: Taos Cyclery, Enchanted Plaza Suite A, 1027 Salazar Road, Taos
If you continue south from the Taos-area on U.S. 64, Barillas Peak beckons the slightly more experienced cyclist with a ride at a (literally) breathtaking 9,331 feet above sea level. Located about 40 miles east of Santa Fe in the Santa Fe National Forest, the 16-mile loop ride begins among the piñon and juniper plants of the high desert and continues into the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, characterized by pine and aspen trees. The trail’s first miles follow hard-packed dirt roads that deteriorate into rough, rocky roads in certain sections. This trail will present good opportunities for riding over logs, so aim for that cutout and keep those knees bent! Deer hunting is popular in the area, so check with the Forest Service for hunting schedules before you go during the spring or fall. To get to the trailhead from the nearby town of Pecos, drive on gravel Forest Road 83 past the Lower Colonias settlement and park by the three-way intersection at the top of Ruidoso Ridge.
For info: Santa Fe National Forest (505) 438-5300
Outfitter (for sales and repair) in the area: New Mexico Bike N Sport, 524 Cordova Road, Santa Fe
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Expert riders should try the Faulty Trail in Cedar Crest. |
Central Routes
If you are amped for an expert-level ride, try Faulty Trail, located northeast of Albuquerque near the town of Cedar Crest. The ride is dominated by steep and rocky uphills, stream crossings, and extended sections of technical riding that might feature loose rocks, high tree roots, and steep descents—so be sure to set your line carefully. The trail runs parallel to the boundary of the Sandía Mountain Wilderness, 37,232 acres of ponderosa pine and spruce-fir forests, mountain streams, and hills covered by piñon and juniper trees. Around the 5.2-mile mark, the trail becomes the Bill Spring Trail and turns into a paved path along the Doc Long Picnic Area. Here, you will continue straight, leave the trail by when you make a right onto N.M. 536, ride down Crest Highway, and turn right again on N.M. 14 to Forest 299 (where the road becomes gravel again), following it back to the Cole Springs Picnic Area. If you’d prefer not to ride on the road, simply turn around at the Doc Long Picnic Area instead. To get there from Cedar Crest (on N.M. 14), turn left on Forest Road 299, turn left at the fork, and park at the Cole Springs Picnic Area. The loop-style trail begins here and continues for 13 miles round-trip.
For info: Cibola National Forest (800) 832-1355
Outfitter (for sales and repair) in the area: Fat Tire Cycles, 421 Montana N.E., Albuquerque
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Silver City's Boston Hill may be close to the city, but you'll still get a world's-away feel here. |
Southern
For a ride within sight of a downtown meal, head to Silver City, about 230 miles south of Albuquerque off of N.M. 152. Explore Boston Hill, an easily accessible park overlooking the city with many trails to choose from, ranging from level ground to moderately rugged inclines. The town of Silver City was founded after the discovery of silver in the park’s hills, so cyclists can ride on trails that loop around the abandoned mines. These rides are moderate in difficulty with steepness in areas, offering views of the county from 6,380 feet above sea level. Watch for patches of sand and mud along the trail—remembering to shift into a low gear, avoid the brakes, and transfer your weight to the rear wheels if you do. Visitors often describe Boston Hill as having a “worlds-away feel” because riders commonly spot mule deer, rabbits, and javelina along their route. Trailheads are located on Cooper Street, Cheyenne Street, Spring Street, and Market Street in town and trail maps are available at each location.
Silver City Chamber of Commerce (575) 538-3785
Outfitter (for sales and repair) in the area: Twin Sisters Cycling & Fitness, 303 N. Bullard, Silver City
Seek solace from New Mexico’s powerful sunshine in the forest near Cloudcroft, about 220 miles southeast of Albuquerque off of U.S. 82. The Rim Trail is a moderate round-trip ride through miles of spruce and pine trees along the Sacramento Mountains’ western rim. The rocky 19-mile trail boasts views of the White Sands National Monument in the Tularosa Basin to the west with the San Andreas Mountains in the background. This might be a good opportunity to work on keeping your momentum up to avoid getting caught in a rock garden (sections with more rock than trail). The ride is a designated National Recreational Trail, as it links old Indian routes, railroad grades, and homesteaders’ wagon roads. To get to the well-marked trail, travel on N.M. 530 south of Cloudcroft, turn right on Sunspot Highway and park at the trailhead at Slide Campground.
For info: Lincoln National Forest (800) 832-1355
Outfitter (for sales, rentals, and repair) in the area: High Altitude Outfitters, 310 Burro Avenue, Cloudcroft (575) 682-1229
Just remember: Mountain Biking is an EXTREME sport. Use this information at your own risk. Use appropriate safety equipment and check area conditions before riding.
