Tio

... more like, one question and one solicitation.

In my month and a half in Albuquerque I have learned that the reality ubiquitous "treatment" (as named by one local LBS) for tire protection makes sense (i.e., some type of sealant in your tubes and Maxxis Refuses). This said, while this is the perfect prescription for my commuter/training/everyday-workhorse bike, it is not ideal for my more performance/fun oriented roadie. At least one day out of the week I like to get out and ride for more existential reasons (which for me is finding my modest limits on the road [very modest, mind you]). This is juxtaposed to my utilitarian riding between home and my job and other errands; essentially, the tires affect the ride quality and, thus, what I hope to experience in this ride. My question: What performance road tires are people using in the southwest/west that somewhat deters the goatheads (and such)? Yesterday I tore the sidewall of my Conti 4000s with only about 300 miles of life in them... this could be an expensive habit if I need to replace tires on a weekly or even monthly basis.

And the solicitation, are there any folk out here in BF-land interested in a Friday morning ride from the west side (or meeting thereabouts; for the aforementioned "existential ride" I take the Bosque trail over to the roads leading up to Tramway and beyond and could meet anyone there for convenience).

Ah, also, for those who might be interested in a Friday ride... as of now my schedule is flexible (but might change in the coming months). I am in my mid-thirties and my tempo ranges, with speeds in the lower 20s on the flats (modest effort) and improving climbing ability (just relocated from STL). I'd like to do between 40 and 60 miles on the typical Friday morning ride, but can amp it up on occasion to include more for diversity and fun.

Thanks in advance.

aley

I like Conti Ultra Gatorskins - they're faster than other flat-resistant tires I've tried, and hold up well to goatheads. Bontrager Hard Cases have also served me well. I do run sealant (True Goo or Stan's, depending on what the shop had available when I walked in the door), which helps quite a bit. On a recreational bike, though, where a flat isn't going to make you late to work, you could probably skip the sealant and do OK with just the Gatorskins.

Alas, I work on Fridays, so a Friday morning ride is out for me. You might see what the New Mexico Touring Society has going, though - they tend to do a lot of weekday rides, although I don't know specifically about Fridays. You could always organize one and announce it to the club, and you'd likely get people to show up.

eljeffe505

I use the bontrager tires with the thorn resistant tubes from performance - only 1 flat so far this year. They are very heavy tubes and thick but I'll take the weight over changing a tire any day.

damnpoor

I'm also new to the abq area. Where have you found to ride around here? The streets don't look very friendly so I'm assuming a short drive is typical for any good routes.

abqtj

Hi damnpoor, the cabq site has a good map on it:
https://www.cabq.gov/bike

It lists the different roads with bike lanes, trails, etc. across the city. There are quite a few with either bike lanes or decent shoulders.

I tend to ride from my house (ventana ranch) most of the time and just head wherever. The road out Paseo del Volcan to I-40 (past double eagle) is decent enough with little traffic most of the time, although not a great shoulder area.

Tramway has a HUGE shoulder, so there's no issue with cars.

Also check out mapmyride for some suggestions for rides around the area.

NM Cycling

Tramway is a great rode to ride. You can ride it all the way around to the casino. If you want to go further you can keep going down hill to the valley and head north to Bernalillo.

Clyde Tri

This being my first season cycling in Albuquerque (San Diego Transplant) I've found the safest routes and those with the least amount of extended waits to be on the outskirts of town. I like Tramway with the mini rollers and the deceptive hill. I'll also connect to 313 north from Alameda for flat and fast work. I bike 9mi to work a few days a week from Louisiana to the south valley and that's a chore to keep an eye out for the other cars. The bike map is a step in the right direction but having to wait up to several minutes between arroyos to cross major intersections with no crosswalk. Anyone know of any other good routes?

tabriz

Hi, I work at UNM and did my first commute today from Tramway and Central. Where on Louisiana are you starting from? Constitution or Indian School might work for you.

Clyde Tri

I start at Louisiana and constitution and head west. Where do you ride tabriz? Did you take Central all the way down to UNM for your commute?

tabriz

How about Constitution to Alvarado Dr. NE (go south) to Copper (go west) to Carlisle (go south) to Silver (go west) to Cedar SE go south) to Lead/Coal? Lead/Coal is being worked on right now to make them more bike friendly, I don't know what the status is right now. Could be a mess.

Silver is supposed to be a bike boulevard, I haven't been on it, though.


No, I don't ride on Central, that would be suicide! I take the bike path from Tramway to Eubank, then get on Copper and pretty much follow that all the way to UNM. It's a great route, quiet streets, speed bumps and little traffic circles to slow traffic down. The only bad part is trying to get around the Fairgrounds. But I have found that I can cut through it all the time because of the Casino. I do have to ride on Central for about two tenths of a mile.

damnpoor

Last time I drove by Lead/Coal between San Mateo and Carlisle was a mess. There are some wide streets a little further south closer to Gibson. You have to snake around a bit but it's easy riding.