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07-04-08, 06:15 PM
After Cycle's visit to ride in CA, he offered to return the favor and invited me to visit him in New Mexico to ride. Little did he know, I would take him up on the offer! Bike packed into a borrowed Trico case, with new pedals (I busted the seal on the old set, trying to get the ^%#($^& thing off with too much enthusiasm - and no, it wasn't the one with the reversed thread!) I leave the smoke filled skies of not so sunny CA and head to the Southwest.
Cycle17, blue eyes intact, picked me up and we drive to Ruidoso for 2 days of cycling, good food, and good company.
First day we ride in Capitan, at 6400 ft. elevation. One short but steep climb, I find breathing effective only in theory, as I threaten to hyperventilate trying to pull some empty air for oxygen into my labored lungs. My entire life, I've never lived in anything above 85 ft. elevation. Dang! Slow? I was slow. Beautiful ride, though, with the clearest of skies, and vast expanses of land. Distance: about 40 miles. Hours in the sun: Many. More than 4. Ask Cycle about his scalp. :D
http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii8/cycle17/Trips/Ruidoso%200708/IMG_0009.jpg
http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii8/cycle17/Trips/Ruidoso%200708/IMG_0003.jpg
http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii8/cycle17/Trips/Ruidoso%200708/IMG_0006.jpg
http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii8/cycle17/Trips/Ruidoso%200708/IMG_0008.jpg
2nd day, we rode in Ruidoso, about 25 miles, elevation 6900 ft. Another beautiful ride, mostly coasting out on Route 70. 12 miles of coasting out, means no more coasting on the way back! However, the ride was still sweet, because there was construction a good part of the way back, with cones providing almost an entire lane for our bikes! Don't I wish this would be the case everywhere on the downside of peak oil! I digress. I have to say, New Mexico drivers were very considerate and polite, and it was a nice pleasant ride. Less time in the sun, meant more time for walking around the charming Ruidoso and doing touristy things. Hence pics with the carved bear. :thumb:
http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii8/cycle17/Trips/Ruidoso%200708/DSC02222.jpg
http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii8/cycle17/Trips/Ruidoso%200708/DSC02223.jpg
Cycle also treated me to a wonderful little restaurant in Capitan that night, the food which would rival any Bay Area restaurant, almost hidden in a small adobe structure, with hummingbirds flitting around just outside the open patio. Lots of conversation and the perfect wine made for a perfect evening!
Well, of course, having had such a wonderful time, I had to invite Cycle17 back out to visit me in California again...;) :lol:
Cycle17, blue eyes intact, picked me up and we drive to Ruidoso for 2 days of cycling, good food, and good company.
First day we ride in Capitan, at 6400 ft. elevation. One short but steep climb, I find breathing effective only in theory, as I threaten to hyperventilate trying to pull some empty air for oxygen into my labored lungs. My entire life, I've never lived in anything above 85 ft. elevation. Dang! Slow? I was slow. Beautiful ride, though, with the clearest of skies, and vast expanses of land. Distance: about 40 miles. Hours in the sun: Many. More than 4. Ask Cycle about his scalp. :D
http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii8/cycle17/Trips/Ruidoso%200708/IMG_0009.jpg
http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii8/cycle17/Trips/Ruidoso%200708/IMG_0003.jpg
http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii8/cycle17/Trips/Ruidoso%200708/IMG_0006.jpg
http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii8/cycle17/Trips/Ruidoso%200708/IMG_0008.jpg
2nd day, we rode in Ruidoso, about 25 miles, elevation 6900 ft. Another beautiful ride, mostly coasting out on Route 70. 12 miles of coasting out, means no more coasting on the way back! However, the ride was still sweet, because there was construction a good part of the way back, with cones providing almost an entire lane for our bikes! Don't I wish this would be the case everywhere on the downside of peak oil! I digress. I have to say, New Mexico drivers were very considerate and polite, and it was a nice pleasant ride. Less time in the sun, meant more time for walking around the charming Ruidoso and doing touristy things. Hence pics with the carved bear. :thumb:
http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii8/cycle17/Trips/Ruidoso%200708/DSC02222.jpg
http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii8/cycle17/Trips/Ruidoso%200708/DSC02223.jpg
Cycle also treated me to a wonderful little restaurant in Capitan that night, the food which would rival any Bay Area restaurant, almost hidden in a small adobe structure, with hummingbirds flitting around just outside the open patio. Lots of conversation and the perfect wine made for a perfect evening!
Well, of course, having had such a wonderful time, I had to invite Cycle17 back out to visit me in California again...;) :lol: