K* can run a marathon – but can he bike a 100 miles? I came to Santa Fe to find out.
Signed up for my first Century less than a month ago. Thought that would inspire me to get out on the bike. I did get out on the bike – 3 times to be exact. LOL> Each time increasing distance & tweaking my ride with new accessories.
Ash & Tom dropped me at the Start (a local hospital – thankfully, no foreshadowing of things to come), helped me with my bib & wished me well. Followed a large group of cyclists trying not to venture too close, fearing I would clip someone 🙁
Lotta hills at an elevation of 7,000+. Found myself managing the incline – digging in, pacing myself. Going downhill – the part everyone likes – not my fave. Flying down mountain roads…found myself riding the brake, watching riders zip by.
26 miles in, first scheduled break in Madrid. Water, oranges, bananas, pretzels & toilets in a cool hippy town…reminded me of Nederland in Boulder County. Old miner cabins renovated into brightly-coloured, quirky store fronts. Nice vibe.
Next leg started with a 7 mile incline but finished easy, leading up to Heartbreak Hill. Joined the majority & walked the half mile UP, then enjoyed mile after mile of downhill to Cedar Grove. From there the terrain flattened, high desert sage & sand became the new norm & temps soared above 80. Not crazy hot, but didn’t feel acclimated – seeing snow only days ago in Colorado.
Stopped in Stanley & dumped water over my head & back. Sat down for a few minutes, ate some oranges, regrouped & headed for Galisteo. Soon after mile 75 (another downhill section) I got sick. Back in the saddle – only 8 miles left in this leg. At mile 80, same spewing of liquid. Not fun. Sat down, felt dizzy. Stood up, sick again.
And that’s how I ended my first Century – at mile 80, a few miles south of Galisteo on NM Highway 41.
Not a glamorous ending – a fail…but I did bike 80 miles on only my 4th time in the saddle. ALSO I learned so much from the experience. I need to train in summer heat (should happen in Colorado within a month). I need to find a way to pack real food – bready, carby foods – for my next long ride (maybe have someone meet me at a scheduled stop with a sub). I stayed well hydrated but oranges & bananas were not enough fuel.
Felt better after an hour sleep (& food at a truck stop near Clayton NM). Much faster turnaround than running a marathon — easier on the body. Many thanks Tom & Ash for driving (6 hours back to Boulder) – much appreciated!
Cyclists from near, far challenge themselves on 103-mile Century ride
mile 80 – end of my ride
Santa Fe Century
May’s been a heavy month of activity – literally every weekend’s booked.
- May 3rd Greenland 25k trail race
- May 11th Maine Coast Marathon
- May 18th Santa Fe Century
- May 26th Bolder Boulder 10k
- June 1st Minneapolis Marathon
Headed down to Santa Fe for my first Century (100 mile ride) – 4th time on the bike. I go BIG – neighborhood ride, 12 miles, 52 miles, & now a Century. Finally getting serious with Ironman training. Just need to find more hours in my day.
6 hour drive to Santa Fe – long time in a car unless…you ride share (thanks Ash & Tom) AND stop for a llama hike in the Rio Grande Gorge (just north of Taos). Yep, I said llamas 🙂
Met up with our guide Stuart of Wild Earth Llama Adventures at a trailhead within the Río Grande del Norte National Monument. Stuart introduced us to our llamas – K2, Diego & Rio. I already had laid claim to the white llama. Turns out that was K2 – appropriate (with my passion for high peaks) 🙂
Ash, Tom & I trekked down the mountain path with our llamas, switch-back spiraling to the river-filled gorge below. During our trek Stuart not only educated us on everything llama but also everything flora, fauna & fowl within the gorge.
He pointed out stratum layers of the canyon formed from volcano flows past. We picked fresh watercress & lemon herb, and spotted bark erosion from porcupine feedings.
Parked the llamas & kicked back riverside while Stuart set out a big spread for lunch. Life is good.
Took a short hike to view Native American petroglyphs carved hundreds of years ago (no horses – pre-European). Animals & shaman were centrally depicted (one Great Spirit). Absolutely amazing these drawings exist out in the open – having weathered man & elements for almost a thousand years. WOW!
Hiked UP out of the canyon, tipped our guide, then shot down to Santa Fe — dinner at Cowgirl BBQ.
Llama hiking & Santa Fe Saturday nights — highly recommended!
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- gettin’ my llama on – LOVED it!
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- switch-backing down the canyon
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- K2
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- Ash & Rio
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- river forged rock
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- Chillin’ like a Villain on a comfy rock
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- watch where you sit – river spiders!
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- lunch feast with wild watercress
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- Diego rest stop
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- check out those feet
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- high desert hike
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- cactus babies
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- sand art — Native American migration
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- mule deer & bighorn sheep
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- petroglyph tutorial
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- Corn Goddess
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- you can lead a llama to water… — er, water fountain
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- Santa Fe Saturday night
End of the year & unexpectedly found myself with a few extra days (my employer decided to close between Christmas & New Years). What to do? Kick around locally or road trip. Yep, I vote ROAD TRIP.
Durango & the many peaks on Colorado’s Western Slope have thus far eluded me – hard to spur motivation for the 7 hour drive. Having the extra days off however, no excuses. Drove 5 hours with M before camping near Pagosa Springs.
Day One destination – Mesa Verde National Park. Day Two – Dog Sledding…yep, dog sledding. Awesome idea, huh?
Added Mesa Verde to my Colorado bucket list from a AAA Traveler flyer viewed almost 3 years. Pueblo Indian ruins located in a Southwest backdrop? No brainer – gotta go!
Started at the Visitor Center educating myself on everything Native American. The Pueblo cliff dwelling people settled in Mesa Verde from 500 – 1200 AD (long ago for our continent). Their kiva dwellings were constructed under surrounding cliffs which protected from the harsh winter elements – but also trapped smoke in the village (largest cause of death).
A kiva is a room used by modern Puebloans for religious rituals, many of them associated with the kachina belief system. Among the modern Hopi and most other Pueblo peoples, kivas are square-walled and underground, and are used for spiritual ceremonies.
M & I hiked down to Spruce Tree House, Mesa Verde’s best-preserved & only cliff dwelling open during the winter. Unbelievable [that] these structures still exist & remain intact for visitors to explore. Hard to imagine these ancient people constructed buildings & planted crops 7,000+ft UP. SPECTACULAR!
Drove Mesa Top Loop Road, taking in other nearby cliff dwellings before enjoying late lunch/early dinner in Cortez.
Kick back, catch some zzz’s before tomorrow’s adventure? Nope 🙂
Ended the day at Four Corners Monument, a marker designating the border of 4 US states – Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico & Utah. Located in the middle of a Navaho reservation, kinda sad to see the poverty of our native people. The hour drive from Cortez however was BEE-UT-IFUL. Savored our last hour of sunlight in the neighboring New Mexico mountains.
LOVED this place, LOVED LOVED this day!
Road Trip: The Southwest’s Four Corners
https://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/road-trips/four-corners-southwest-road-trip/
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- Mesa Verde Nat’l Park
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- cliff dwelling people of Mesa Verde
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- chilly day in the American Southwest
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- Spruce Tree House
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- inside a native Kiva
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- LOVE Pueblo ruins!
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- smoke infused village (poor circulation)
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- adobe townhomes (500-1200 AD)
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- Navajo Canyon settlement (inset)
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- Cliff Place cliff dwelling
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- 75% of park has burned since 1925 (frequent lightning strikes)
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- cowboying near Cortez
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- Four Corners Monument – CO, UT, AZ & NM
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- sunset over New Mexico – SPECTACULAR!
