Southwest - Balloon Fiesta 2009

Hi everyone,

We are returning to Albuquerque for Balloon Fiesta this year. Some questions:

(1) We noticed the Chase the Balloons Ride on Oct 3rd. The only issue is that we land relatively late Oct 2nd. Setting up the bikes and waking up early enough for an early morning ride the following morning is somewhat iffy. Are there any other planned cycling events for the week? My wife will be about six months pregnant and we will have our (presently) 20-month-old son with us. Whether mother and child will ride is always questionable for obvious reasons.

http://www.chasethe balloons. com/

(2) We are staying with relatives in Rio Rancho -- less than a mile from the Intel compound if I recall correctly. What are the recommended routes for cycling to a mass ascension? What is the bike parking like at the grounds?

(3) Typically, we pull the boy in a Burley Trailer in DC. But traveling with the trailer creates issues with its bulk and weight. We were thinking of either picking up or renting a child seat for a rear rack. Are there local places that rent child seats? Alternatively -- at some price point this might make sense -- we might just pick one up locally and either sell it on Craigslist afterwards.

FYI, we have not been back since 2006. That might help people with their answers.

Thanks for your help. Looking forward to another great visit!

The only help I can offer is this evidence your note did attract attention and best wishes for a great time in Albuquerque for the whole family.

Thanks!

I did get in contact with two people. So far it appears that there is only one organized ride. But we might be able to put something informal together.

Hi, In 2008 the city completed a bike path to fiesta park along the north diversion channel. The city just released the 2009 Bicycle map w/ lots of good info. Local bike shops are giving them out free. Should be available from City of Albuquerque, Dept. of Municipal Development, Transportation Div., P.O. Box 1293, Albuquerque, Nm 87103.

You can ride from Rio Rancho Blvd. (528) down Medowlark lane into Corrales turn south on Loma Larga and follow it as it changes names twice before reconnecting with 528 (now Alameda Blvd) Then take Alameda to the North diversion channel bike path and north to the Ballon Museum at the south side of the fiesta park. As far as I can see there is only one section of Alameda Blvd. where it crosses the RR and freeway overpasses that isn't a designated bike path or bike lane.

Not sure the forum will let me post this link, but the city of Albuquerque is putting in place an offical bike parking area for this year's fiesta. Just appeared online 28 August, 09 http://www.koat.com/news/20610579/detail.html

Thanks!

The Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) does bike valets for many big events in the District. That would make parking much easier and safer.

You can check nmcycling.org for ride info. As far as I know, that's the only local organized event going on during Balloon Fiesta.

Best way to get get there is to just come down NM528/Rio Rancho Blvd. It turns into Alameda Blvd at the bottom of the hill when you cross into Albuquerque and you can get on the MUP at the river crossing that will take you all the way to the park. If you smell something delicious in the air as you near the park, it's probably the nearby General Mills plant when they are making cereal. Yummy! :)

You can download the KML for Google Earth of all the bike route data for the Albuquerque area from http://www.cabq.gov/gis/download.html. Very useful for route planning.

A free bicycle valet is being planned for this years fiesta. The first time the city has done this actually. The plan is for bicyclists to park their bikes at the balloon museum, then use a temporary pedestrian bridge to bring them into the park.

No child seat rental option exists that I'm aware of. I think you've got the right idea with picking up something locally then selling it when done. Or maybe pick up a cheap trailer or seat at wally world and return it when you're done :)

Hmmmm ... time to learn how to use Google Earth? ;)

Is this alternative accurate?

http://www.cabq.gov/gis/bikemap.html

I remember riding through Corrales and the sign that reads, "Corrales welcomes bicyclists" next to the 25 mph speed limit sign. From the motor vehicle traffic, I judged that the speed limit is enforced regularly.

I remember Rio Rancho Blvd being pretty quick. Perhaps it would be difficult to negotiate with a trailer/child seat on the back ... thoughts?

BTW, on the map linked earlier -- http://www.cabq.gov/gis/bikemap.html -- I see Balloon Fiesta Park. Where would the bike entrance be on the map?

Thanks!

You can ride from Rio Rancho Blvd. (528) down Medowlark lane into Corrales turn south on Loma Larga and follow it as it changes names twice before reconnecting with 528 (now Alameda Blvd) Then take Alameda to the North diversion channel bike path and north to the Ballon Museum at the south side of the fiesta park. As far as I can see there is only one section of Alameda Blvd. where it crosses the RR and freeway overpasses that isn't a designated bike path or bike lane.

Hey DG. Looking at the map, I don't understand the section in Red.

You are right about Rio Rancho Blvd, it's pretty busy but you do have a great alternative. You can use Sara Rd on the north side of the Intel plant, then get on Meadowlark Ln, take that through Corrales to Corrales Rd then hook up at Alameda at the river crossing.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2465/3881430261_74fa7d60fe_b.jpg

You have two options for actually getting to the park. Option 1 is straight down Alameda. There is a short section where you're off the MUP and on the street and a RR crossing to contend with.

Option 2 is to go south on the river path once you're over the Alameda bridge. Then catch the path going east at Paseo Del Norte, north again on the North Diversion Channel path and you can ride into the park from there. A bit longer but it stays on bike paths just about the whole way and there's a bridge to get you over the RR crossing.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2515/3881469845_dde515bd57_b.jpg

Actual bike parking will be at the balloon museum directly south of the park. I don't know the exact details of where the parking will be or the exact pedestrian path into the park but there will plenty of barricades and officials on hand to direct people to the appropriate locations.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2429/3882228194_a7624600c9_b.jpg

Wow ... thanks FunBob.

We are staying near Sara Road so that route sounds perfect.

How bad are the goatheads this time of year?

Is the map correct such that there is both a MUP and a bike lane on Alameda east of the Alameda Bridge?

Yep, though I'd stick to the path as Alameda will be packed with people getting to the park. Goatheads aren't really a problem on the paths. They're in pretty good shape and the traffic tends to keep them clear.

Yep, though I'd stick to the path as Alameda will be packed with people getting to the park. Goatheads aren't really a problem on the paths. They're in pretty good shape and the traffic tends to keep them clear.

That is an interesting point. Would that be a good or bad thing though? It might slow down motorized traffic a lot.

How wide is the lane at the non bike lane/MUP section that crosses the train tracks?

That is an interesting point. Would that be a good or bad thing though? It might slow down motorized traffic a lot.

How wide is the lane at the non bike lane/MUP section that crosses the train tracks?

My normal loop that I do isn't very far at all from here so I made a slight detour and took some pics for you.

The lanes don't narrow much at all and even when you're off the path, the shoulder is wide enough to be usable and extends all the way up. The MUP picks up at the top of the hill where I put the red arrow.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3518/3889014722_74c62c0995_b.jpg

Another pic to give you a better scale of the shoulder width.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2672/3889014774_78b72b967b.jpg

Bike parking is supposed to be behind this building. You can get to it be taking the Alameda MUP to it's ending and turning left up Balloon Museum Dr (the road in this pic) or you can hang a right onto the intersecting North Diversion trail, go under Alameda, and come out on the opposite side of this building.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3485/3889014806_62976ac604.jpg

Saaaaa-weet Funbob.

This is great. Are you thinking of doing the Chase the Balloons ride?

Saaaaa-weet Funbob.

This is great. Are you thinking of doing the Chase the Balloons ride?

I haven't thought that far ahead yet :) Looks like fun, never done it before. If I can clear my schedule for that weekend I think I just might do it.

Hey Funbob.

I worked out the numbers for bringing our trailer to Albuquerque and it would be on the expensive side. Moreover, my shoulder isn't doing so well so we decided against bringing the bikes.

Did anybody else here use the bike valet parking? I rode to the park the first Sunday of Balloon Fiesta, and was very impressed with how it was run. The only downside, at least for me, was that it shut down at 9:30; I was on a chase crew, and as we were setting up the balloon the pilot unexpectedly asked me if I wanted to fly. Fortunately, one of the other crew members was able to get my bike, since we didn't get back to the park until 10:30 or so. :) That was not likely to be a big problem for most people, though, and otherwise the valet parking was great, and beat the heck out of waiting for an hour and a half in traffic as I did Saturday morning when I took my kids out there.