"Crossing Albuquerque"

- or how to traverse Albuquerque without getting lost

The first thing to do is to get the excellent Albuquerque Bike Map by calling 505-768-2526 or www.cabq.gov/bike or by email.

A goal of these routes is to try to cross Albuquerque with the simplest routes to minimize confusion. Also, these routes are the nicest possible. However, there are some convoluted sections so use the city bike map.

The state highway department has dictated that there is no bicycling on interstates within urban areas. This is a good idea since there are no shoulders in a lot of areas. Travel on interstates outside of urban areas are allowed. Also, there has been a ban on bicycles on interstate frontage roads within Albuquerque. This is bad since there are some useful ones, especially along N I-25. Anyway, District 3 of the NMSHTD has ruled (somewhere?) that there are no bicycles allowed on interstates: 1. west of Sedillo Hill on I-40, 2. east of 98th street on I-40, south of Algodones on I-25, and north of Isleta on I-25. There are sign on the interstates directing cyclists to leave the interstates, but there is nothing to direct you where to go.

The following are suggested routes, they are not official - this is what you would get if you are out of state and ask me for advice. They are not perfect so don't flame me for getting lost. As always, email the webmaster with positive suggestions.

North - South

If you are trying to cross Albuquerque North to South or South to North on a cross-state or cross-country tour, you're in luck. There are several routes that are straight forward. If you're traveling on I-25 from/to Santa Fe, consider using NM14 from I-25 to I-40, then take the frontage road, old RT66 to Albuquerque at Tramway. This route avoids most of the city by using the Riverside Trail so if you want to motel or camp you will have to brave going into the city.

Albuquerque N to S - The Fast Route Waypoint Description I-25 at NM315 (MP252) or Bernalillo (MP242) Traveling North to south on I-25, you can exit I-25 at NM315 go west 1/2 mile to NM313, go south to Bernalillo. The stretch from Algodones to Bernalillo is picturesque. Or exit at Bernalillo, MP242 at US550, travel west to NM313 (1st stop light). I-25 from Tramway to Bernalillo is not pleasant with heavy, fast traffic so you may want to take NM313 from Tramway to Algodones (NM315) onto I-25. NM313 from Bernalillo to Tramway is narrow, 2-lanes with fast traffic but may be preferable to I-25. NM313 & US550 in Bernalillo Take NM313 south about 10 miles. There are no shoulders along NM313 (it has crumbling edges) and it has moderate and sometimes fast traffic. Flat. Dead ends onto Roy (Tramway). Tramway(Roy), 4th St. Turn west (right) onto Tramway, cross a bridge, curve south, as the road becomes 4th Street to the first stop light (Alameda). The stretch of 4th St. is wide with a center turn lane and is pleasant. Alameda Blvd. (NM528) Turn west (right) on Alameda which has bike lanes and continue past Rio Grande where you see the Alameda Open Space Parking Lot on the south side of the road. Cross over (left) to the parking lot. On the west (far) end of the parking lot is the entrance to the N-S Riverside Bikepath. Bosque/Riverside Bikepath Travel 16 miles south along this lovely stretch along the Rio Grande. No traffic.Continue under Central, Rio Bravo, Bridge, as it curves east and connects to 2nd Street. The bike path continues east but go south to I-25. At the 2nd St intersection the BikePath angles down and goes under 2nd. St., don't go there. If traveling from the south, the BikePath intersection is about 1/2 mile north of NM303 on the north side of a large concrete ditch and there is a small store there. There is a school on the south side of the ditch. The Bike Path passes a cutoff to Mountain Blvd. which when ridden east, takes you into the middle of Old Town (just past Rio Grande Blvd) where there are hotels and restaurants. 2nd Street. Continue due south about a 1/2 mile to NM303 (Desert Rd.). NM303 (Desert Rd) Turn left(east) on NM303 and ride to Broadway. NM47 (Broadway) Turn south (right) on Broadway. Follow to I-25. I think there is a gas station here.

East - West - Through the City

This route goes through the center of the city so you can visit the cultural hot spots or find a hotel. When coming into the city you can ride on old RT66, now the frontage road for I-40, NM333, all the way from Sedillo Hill exit 181.

Albuquerque E to W - The City Center Route Waypoint Description Tramway & I-40 Traveling west on the frontage road, NM333, at Tramway & I-40 take the bikepath on the south side of I-40 under Juan Tabo and Eubank to its end at the Los Altos Golf Course. Los Altos Golf Course & I-40 Turn right (north), cross I-40 using the pedestrian bridge, still going north, cross Lomas up Easterday to Moon to Constitution. Constitution Turn left (west) on Constitution to Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Turn right (north) on Pennsylvania to the Winrock shopping center entrance on the left (west). Winrock Shopping Center Turn left (west) and follow the perimeter road left (south) to the entrance of the obvious pedestrian bridge that crosses I-40. Cross I-40 on the bridge going south. This terminates on the south side in a small park. Constitution is on the south side of the park going east-west. Constitution Turn right (west) on Constitution past Carlisle to Stanford, Stanford Turn north, (right) to Indian School. Indian School Turn left (west) on Indian School crossing I-25, and down a hill to Edith Blvd.     Edith Blvd. Turn right (north) on Edith and ride to Indian School just before I-40. Indian School Turn left (west) on Indian School, cross Broadway, cross the railroad tracks to 1st St. 1st St. Turn right (north) on 1st Street to Menaul. [Option: From 1st St. just north of I-40, follow Arvada west to Cutler to 9th St. then jog left (west) to Indian School to Menaul] Menaul Turn left (west) on Menaul. There is no shoulder for a block, and then the situation improves west of Second and better yet, west of Fourth. After 12th Street Menaul curves left and becomes Indian School. Indian School Road dead-ends at Rio Grande Blvd. Rio Grande Turn left (south) on Rio Grande to Floral. Floral Turn right (west) on Floral and follow it through the old neighborhood. Floral becomes Duranes.and crosses Gabaldon Road. At its end pass through some vertical pipes and onto a paved trail that leads to the major N-S Bosque Bike Trail. Bike Path Turn left (south) on the fine bike path to Central Avenue. This is where the bike Path passes the BioPark. The Bike path goes under Central but don't, use Central Avenue. Central has traffic in this area during the rush hour but the traffic lessens as you leave the city. Central Ave. Ride west on Central to the intersection of Central & I-40 at Paseo Volcan. Cross to the north side of I-40 where the frontage road parallels I-40 to the Rio Puerco exit 140.

West - East 2 - Avoid the City

West-East traversal is tough enough but the rebuilding of the I-25/I-40 interchange has really messed up the center of the city. If you look at an overview map of Albuquerque one obvious fact is that I-40 and Central Avenue curve northwards. A more direct route goes through the south part of the city. The E/W route starts and ends at Tramway and I-40 on the east and Paseo del Volcan and I-40 on the west. I suppose a purist might want to take Central Avenue the whole way but there is awful traffic that route. Actually, Central to Old Town is not too bad. Beyond there is heavy traffic. There will be some new bikepath connectors that will make a route through the north side possible. The problem with E-W travel is that I-25 is an effective barrier with few good crossings for cyclists.

Albuquerque W to E - The southern Direct Route Waypoint Description I-40 at Paseo del Volcan (Central Avenue) Actually, you can exit at the Rio Puerco exit at the Stuckey's and follow the frontage road on the north side of the road to Paseo del Volcan. There are a couple of gas stations here. Take Paseo del Volcan due south about 2 miles to where it dead-ends onto the new Rio Bravo extension. Turn east (left). Rio Bravo and Paseo del Volcan Rio Bravo downhill, whee, on the new pavement, with shoulders, all the way to I-25. Rio Bravo at Coors, Isleta, or Broadway is really dirty and the trash has lots of things that cause flats so stay out of the debris that builds up at intersections. I-25 & Rio Bravo. Cross under I-25 which becomes University. This section is a little convoluted, trying to get to Gibson and Girard. See the Albuquerque Perimeter Ride for agonizing detail for this section. Climb University, under a bridge at some traffic lights, curve right on Randolph, then left (north) on Yale. Turn right at the next corner on Alamo Ave. Then left on Columbia Dr. Then right on Miles Rd. and left on Girard to Gibson. You could take University to Gibson, then east but that stretch of Gibson is no fun. Girard and Gibson Take Gibson east with a shoulder to Carlisle. At Carlisle jog right onto the new bikepath that parallels Gibson east on the south-only side of the street. Gibson and San Mateo Bikepath ends. Jog right onto the parking lot that parallels Gibson east to San Pedro for 2 blocks. There are fast food places all along here. San Pedro Turn North (left) on San Pedro which has bike lanes, to Kathryn. Kathryn Turn east (right) onto Kathryn, cross Louisiana, and pass a community center. Southern dead ends at Utah, so jog right to San Jouquin, jog right on Virginia to San Jouquin again, continuing East. Turn left (north) on Wyoming. Take the first right on Susan, follow Susan to Moon, jog right on Moon to Southern again. Follow southern to Juan Tabo. Juan Tabo Turn south (right) on Juan Tabo to Singing Arrow. East (left) on Singing Arrow to Dorado (2nd stop sign). North (left) on Dorado one block to Weynonah then turn east (right) to Tramway. Turn north (left) on Tramway to the Tramway/Central/I-40 Junction. The are motels, a grocery store, and fast food at this corner. Tramway & I-40 Follow the frontage road, old RT66, on the south side of I-40 east all the way to Moriarty.

North - East

The North - East route is pretty straight forward if you are trying to go around the city. The first portion is the same as the N - S route.

Albuquerque N to E - The direct Route Waypoint Description I-25 at NM315 (MP252) or Bernalillo (MP242) Traveling North to south on I-25, you can exit I-25 at NM315 go west 1/2 mile to NM313, go south to Bernalillo. The stretch from Algodones to Bernalillo is picturesque. Or exit at Bernalillo, MP242 at US550, travel west to NM313 (1st stop light). I-25 from Tramway to Bernalillo is not pleasant with heavy, fast traffic so you may want to take NM313 from Tramway to Algodones (NM315) onto I-25. NM313 from Bernalillo to Tramway is narrow, 2-lanes with fast traffic but may be preferable to I-25. NM313 & US550 in Bernalillo Take NM313 south about 10 miles. There are no shoulders along NM313 (it has crumbling edges) and it has moderate and sometimes fast traffic. Flat. Dead ends onto Roy (Tramway). Tramway (Roy) Turn east (left) onto Tramway heading toward the Sandia Mountains. This is a really nice ride. Tramway has nice smooth shoulders and no rumble strip. Stay on Tramway as it climbs east and curves south. There are convenience stores along Tramway once it curves south. Follow Tramway south until it crosses under I-40. This is the junction with Central Ave. There are motels and a grocery store at this corner. Tramway & I-40 Cross under I-40 and turn east (left) on the frontage road on the south side of I-40. This is a nice route that you can follow on the south side of I-40 all the way to Moriarity.

North - West

There are several options for traveling North - West through Albuquerque. The beginning is the same as the North - South route. When several bikepath connections are completed in 2001 there will be more options.

Albuquerque N to W // Through town Waypoint Description I-25 at NM315 (MP252) or Bernalillo (MP242) Traveling North to south on I-25, you can exit I-25 at NM315 go west 1/2 mile to NM313, go south to Bernalillo. The stretch from Algodones to Bernalillo is picturesque. Or exit at Bernalillo, MP242 at US550, travel west to NM313 (1st stop light). I-25 from Tramway to Bernalillo is not pleasant with heavy, fast traffic so you may want to take NM313 from Tramway to Algodones (NM315) onto I-25. NM313 from Bernalillo to Tramway is narrow, 2-lanes with fast traffic but may be preferable to I-25. NM313 & US550 in Bernalillo Take NM313 south about 10 miles. There are no shoulders along NM313 (it has crumbling edges) and it has moderate and sometimes fast traffic. Flat. Dead ends onto Roy (Tramway). Tramway (Roy), 4th St. Turn west (right) onto Tramway, cross a bridge, curve south, as the road becomes 4th Street to the first stop light (Alameda). The stretch of 4th St. is wide with a center turn lane and is pleasant. Alameda (NM528) Turn west (right) on Alameda onto the bike lane and continue past Rio Grande where you see the Alameda Open Space Parking Lot on the south side of the road. Cross over (left) to the parking lot. On the west (far) end of the parking lot is the entrance to the N-S Riverside Bikepath. Riverside Bikepath Travel south along this lovely stretch along the Rio Grande. No traffic. This passes a cutoff to Mountain Blvd. which when ridden east, takes you into the middle of Old Town. Then there is a decision to make. The bikepath crosses under Central at the BioPark. You can turn west here or travel further south and take Rio Bravo or Bridge Blvd. west. I'd choose Central. Central (Old Rt66) The bikepath passes under Central. Go up the ramp to central, turn west (right) cross the Rio Grande and follow Central all the way to Paseo del Volcan. There will be traffic all the way but the last portion has a shoulder up Central. If traveling from the west you will see the BioPark on the north side of Central at the Bike Path. I-40/Central/Paseo del Volcan Cross over I-40 to the frontage road on the north side. Turn left (west) and follow the frontage road to the Rio Puerco exit, there's a Stuckey's there. From there you have to use I-40 shoulders until Laguna since there are no frontage Roads.

South - West

This route comes into Albuquerque from I-25 at the south although you might be coming north from Los Lunas.

Albuquerque S to W Waypoint Description Broadway Exit at I-25 Travel north on Broadway to NM303. NM303 (Desert Rd) Turn west (left) on NM303 to 2nd. St. 2nd St. Turn north (right) onto 2nd for about 1/2 mile to the Riverside Bikepath that is on the left(west) side of 2nd St. just past a school on the south side of a big concrete lined diversion channel.. Riverside Bikepath Turn left (west) on the Riverside Bikepath that curves north to Rio Bravo. Rio Bravo is the first street that goes over the bikepath. Turn right just before the underpass and go a few yards east to access Rio Bravo. The Rio Bravo overpass is not marked. Rio Bravo Cross Rio Bravo and turn west. Ride past Coors and Old Coors where the road is renamed Dennis Chavez Rd, up the hill to the dead end at Paseo del Volcan. Paseo del Volcan Turn right (north) on Paseo del Volcan to Central. Cross I-40, the I-40 frontage Rd is on the north side of I-40 and parallels I-40 to the Rio Puerco exit 140.