The Rio Grande Bosque Trail is a good ride  almost anytime.  Some days more traffic than others, no cars, but dogs, slower  bicycles, baby strollers, (with kids leaping out) runners, horses, walkers,  skaters, scooters, horse and dog poop, and least I forget goatheads.  The views  are great, the river, birds, and some of the most expensive real estate in  Albuquerque.

Dodging all this activity is fun but keeps this  from being the perfect ride.  What to do?  Go when most of these things are  missing, a night ride.  All you need is a light.  The summer is great but keep  your mouth shut if you are a vegetarian.  A great ride but not  perfect.

The perfect ride came on 29 December 00.  The  temperature in the low thirties.  (Some would think this less than perfect but  these same folks will tell you of their perfect ski day at 5 degrees, as will  I.)  The wind still, no bugs, and the crows quiet.  We head south from Alameda,  a trip we have done hundreds of times even at night.  The first ice patch from  the bridge shadow is not bad just hold still.  Next was the bridge.  Thirty feet  of ice and snow.  Don't unclip the rail is the right height to hold for  balance.  Now we are moving, just taking it easy, not wanting to work up a  sweat.  A quarter moon makes just enough light on the snow in the woods.  Venus  is very bright next to the moon.  Things look different with no leaves on the  trees.  The west bank lights are more apparent.  Occasionally the river comes  into view with the moon and lights glimmering on its surface.  Our senses are  alive.  The lack of normal visual stimuli and the cold calm air intensify the  smells and sounds.  A fire engine miles away, someone cooking with garlic, and  there's the horse poop in the middle of the lane.  We talk about what we hear,  smell, and see.  Perfect.  The Botanical garden is ahead with colored lights in  the greenhouse.  Stopping on the trail, the river of lights is great.  Hundreds  of people wonder the gardens.  A bathroom break is called and we walk through  the plaza.  The tail lights of our tandem, flashing, add a little more to the  festivities.  A cup of hot chocolate and we are on our way.  Stopping along the  trail we have an excellent view of the small fireworks display.  These set atop  a radio controlled boat in the pond.  Heading north we encounter one other lucky  person out enjoying the night on bicycle.  We pass under I-40 the noise not  bad.  Our mind blocks some sounds while clarifying others.  Amazing. Listening  to our tires while starring at the little patch light ahead we identify smells.   We talk about the coming year, goals, visits, and vacations.  We round the  corner, lift the bike over the gate, wait on traffic, and we are complete.  Many  were invited to this ride, but no one came.  We enjoy riding with everyone very  much but just maybe, this was the perfect ride because it was just the two of  us.  Very much in tune with the tandem and each other.  Thanks  Vicki.

Rick T.