| Ride Reports
d&D in Vermont - 2006 *NEW* September 14, 2002 Ride Report |
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Here is a ride report for Red
River and a "new to cycling" partner.
by Kevin, Cindy and Spencer
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Dennis
& dede Heading north between Las Vegas and Springer in a pouring rain, dede and I each said more than once “this is really stupid.” We were heading toward La Veta, Colorado to ride the Stonewall Century the following day and we agreed that if it was raining in the morning we would not start on a ride through Cuchara pass, some 3000 feet higher than La Veta. However, at 5 am on Saturday, the stars were out, so at 7 am we were off. The Stonewalls are igneous dikes that radiate from the Spanish Peaks, and as we rode toward the pass, the slanting sunlight illuminated and emphasized the walls snaking down from the peaks. It was as beautiful a beginning to a ride as I can ever remember. Climbing Cuchara Pass from the north was a piece of cake, we went by two tandems (three counting the one stopped at the first rest stop) and several singles. The pass came up quicker than we anticipated, and we flew down the other side. It is much steeper and straighter and we set a new speed record on the Calfee, 60 mph. In the back of our minds we knew we had to come back up later in the day, the curse of an out and back course. We dropped down, down, stopped at the rest stop at North Lake 25 miles in, ate a home-made brownie, and continued past the next rest stop at Stonewall (big stonewall here) through Weston, blowing by every single except one in this stretch and down to the lunch stop in the fire house in Segundo. Everything you could want to eat, couches to sit on (in the fire house remember) home-made Mexican Wedding cookies, peanut butter and jam, whole wheat bread, perfect plus cold cuts, gorp, nuts, pretzels, bananas. Back on the bike, now we had to go back up, 25 miles to the North Lake rest stop, although we skipped it as we had stopped briefly in Stonewall. Some sections were steeper than we had remembered in this stretch, passed several people walking. Kept going up, then at 82 miles we hit the really steep pitch, no 60 mph going up, more like 4.4 mph. We kept moving though, and made the summit, stopped to put on jackets and eat a home-made oatmeal cookie. Listened to one of the firemen who sagged the course on his Harley tell how Christ changed his life after 10 years in prison (Santa Fe during the riots, Clinton, San Quentin, and some prison in South America). As a serious non-believer, I wanted to tell him Christ had nothing to do with it; he changed his own life, but too tired to argue. Down the hill toward La Veta, back in tandem territory, going by all the singles except for the two women who went by us in the first steep section with hairpin curves. They looked good, quickly left our sight, but we soon caught up and then went past them and every single we saw on the last 17 miles of downhill. Finished with a great sense of accomplishment, 103 miles with my altimeter showing 8450 feet of total gain (dede’s altimeter said 12,100, but I think that was high, the ride organizers say just over 8000 feet, but maybe she climbed more than me). Just under 6 ½ hours riding time, but over an hour of standing and eating home made cookies. We think only 1 other tandem completed the 103 miles. We think the other 3 turned around at various points. Smarter than some bears! It is a terrific century, very well organized and supported, about 350 riders. They say next year they will have more home baked goods. We will be back, and will try to bring more Chile Pedalers. There are several places to stay in La Veta. We stayed at the La Veta Inn and although it is very nice we can not recommend it. The bar where smoking is allowed opens into the lobby, the restaurant and to the stairs up to the rooms. There were always people in the bar smoking. We will find a new place next year unless they rectify this situation. |
| Spike’s Ride
Report
Vicki & Rick, Julie & Daryl Bouchard, Lee Marvin, and Dennis & dede showed up to ride the 50. It was a great day. We killed ourselves trying to keep up with V&R. After the ride we all convened at V&R’s for Dos Hermanos take-out. All in all it was a great day. Daryl even won a backpack! dede |
| September 14, 2002
Ride
We had a good turn out for the El Malpais, La Ventana out & back ride from the El Malpais Visitor's Center. It was a perfect day - cloudy, beautiful riding weather. 4 tandems & 3 singles showed: new members, Howard & Heidi Schnell; Jonathan Brinkerhoff (regular stoker Eileen) w/Laurel McGinty; Janet & Joe Vertrees; ourselves then Roann Sexson, Vicki and Loraine Kubik; John Wanik stayed @ the visitor's center to relax. Everyone rode all of the 50.8 miles to the "Chain of Craters" Road. The sun came out after we got back and we (Vicki, Howard & Heidi ) ate at the overlook picnic area on the rocks. dede |
| Ride Report August
10, 2002
Tandems in the Wind by Janet Vertres The weather report said Saturday would be “breezy”, but I would argue that it was downright windy. Dean remarked that a 25 mph wind was indeed a mere breeze according to New Mexico standards, but I say anything above 15 mph qualifies as windy! Windy it was and the wind speed continued to pick up as we congregated in the parking lot at Smith’s. The New Mexico Touring Society was there in force as well, so we had the company of good friends. Several new tandem folks joined us, as did Mike and Leslie (Joe and Janet’s neighbors) on their single bikes. All in all, there were 20 riders, Dean and Lee; Jonathon and Eileen; Mike and Joan (from St. Louis), Dennis and dede; Bruce and Delmar (father and son); Carla and Scott (friends of Bruce); Julia and Greg (sister and brother-in-law of Joe); Mike and Leslie; Chris and Sandy; and Joe and Janet (ride sponsors). The increasing wind-speed made folks anxious to get started and after a few fits and starts, we were off to do battle with the forces of nature. Three ride options, ranging between a little over 30 miles to a little over 50, ensured that there was a ride for everyone. The setting was the East Mountains, and although Joe selected the more difficult loop direction, most seemed eager for a challenging ride. The scenery was beautiful along the back roads, thanks in part to the recent rains. The cloud cover kept the temperature down and there were times it threatened to rain. Wildlife sightings included prairie dogs, meadowlarks, hawks, and vultures. The most exciting wildlife encounter was a black bear that crossed in front of Julia and Greg as they went south on S. 14. Most people met up at the Oak Flats picnic grounds for a mass descent down S. 14 and on into town. With the wind at our backs, we were barreling down faster than the cars. Going downhill with the wind at our backs was a welcome relief after all that climbing in the wind. Mike and Joan stated they hit 50 mph for the first time ever on their recumbent. Some of us wonder if their speedometer was out-of-whack, but clearly we were all flying low. The fast pace and easy ride at the end left everyone with a smile on their face. If only Einstein’s had pie on the menu, then it would truly have been a perfect ending to a great ride. |
| Ride Report July
13, 2002
By Dennis Cooper Return of the Aussies This ride was memorable for two reasons. First, Kay and Paul came with their recumbent for the first time in more than a year, with the weak excuse that they had spent a year in Australia. We got to hear some tales from down under, but hopefully we will get to hear more and see maps and pictures to understand the geography. Second, we had six bikes when we started, with the seventh catching us a few miles into the ride. Joining us for the first time since Christmas were Karen Ann and Ryan on one bike and Agustin and Dylan on another. Tom and Edel, along with dede and Dennis completed the starting sextet of tandems. Lee and Dean caught up a few miles into the ride, and shortly flew off for ten extra miles, arriving back at the cars before the remainder of the teams. They are training for a three day multi-stage race for tandems in Portland, OR around Labor Day. The ride was interesting for dede and me because dede’s knee had been bothering her for a few days prior to the ride. It felt better that morning, but just after we stopped at the Tajique store, she jerked her leg sideways in response to a landing fly, thereby making her knee really hurt, particularly while standing. We then had to ride almost without stopping (a big change for us), as she could ride but not walk or stand. Interesting, but hopefully not something we repeat. The route for the ride was recycled from a few years ago; Estancia, Tajique, Torreon, Manzano, Punta de Agua and then loop back on SH 542 & SH 41 to Estancia (Lee and Dean added the five mile leg to Mountainair). I like the route, and don’t understand why we don’t get there more often. No great place for pie, I suppose, but I am doing my research. “Bird of the Day” was the Western Tanager. |
| Ride Report June
23, 2002
Dennis and I arrived at San Felipe Casino around 7:30 am (the ride was to start at 8 am). We got our bike and ourselves ready but no one had shown by 7:58 am We tried calling Vicki & Rick on their cell but no answer. We decided we would be riding by ourselves. Then out of no where 2 blurrs screeched to a halt panting. The Thompsons and Marvins had decided to ride out to the casino and meet up with us. It was a good thing because we couldn’t keep up with them even after they had pooped each other out. We all rode via the frontage road to Bernalillo then the Tompsons and oursevlves rode to the Jemez Dam while the Marvins rode back home. After we got back to Bernaillo the Thompsons rode on home and we rode back to San Felipe. I very good ride. dede |
| Ride Report
6/16/02:
The Chile Pedalers club founders, Dennis & Lindsey Morris, were in town this past weekend. We meet at the Santa Ana Star Casino to start the ride. Rick got off work a little early and went to Krispy Kream to get donuts to take up to the group. At the last minute we decided to pedal up instead of driving. We took 'the big bag' off the back of the bike and tied 2 dozen donuts on with a bungy cord, yes they were in boxes. We were a couple of minutes late but we were soon forgiven when they saw the treat! At this point none of us realized that we would be spending the day in Benalillo. We rode the Uncer loop. When everyone got back to the parking lot we decided to go to The Range for lunch. As it turned out we waited for about an hour and 15 minutes for a table. We forgot that it was Fathers Day. This gave everyone plenty of time to get to know two new people who came to the ride, Hal and Barbara. Since this was Rick's 'Friday' we invited everyone to meet us at O'Niells Pub for drinks and to listen to the Buckarettes ( a neat band that plays cowboy music and has a very colorful sense of humor). Later that evening Dennis and Lindsey meet us for drinks at the pub. We had a great time talking about all of you who were not there! The later it got the better the stories! Vicki & Rick |
| Ride report—April
13, 2002
The Spring wake-up ride brought out four teams for a spirited ride on Saturday, April 13. Actually it was a bit more spirited than we wanted. We were hoping to get more folks out who haven't been riding so much so we could take it easy. But instead we got Joe and Janet, Dean and Lee, Dennis and dede, and ourselves. That means we were working pretty hard just to keep them all in sight. But the weather was nice, the wind not too strong, and a great breakfast at Einstein's Bagels put us in the mood for riding. We met at the Santa Ana Star casino for a somewhat belated departure. Since they built the new parking lot, they no longer have speakers all over belting out "Horrible Hits from the '60s" all day. So there was not a lot of incentive to get going. I always thought they played all that lousy music to get people out of the lot and into the casino. I wonder what they play inside? We had lots of options for the ride, but given the makeup of the group we chose to go uphill for the first five miles, to the National Guard Armory west of Bernalillo, then south on Unser, through northwest Rio Rancho, and back on 528 to the Star. This is a great loop ride with rolling hills, lots of open space, and a big shoulder on 528. To finish it off, we took a bit of a break, then rode out to Jemez Dam to get in another good 10 miles on a beautiful road. Altogether it was a pretty quick 35 miles, no flats, no hassles, good company, and good exercise. Just what a bike ride should be. Tom |
| Ride report—January
12, 2002
The January ride was a one hour spinning class in Santa Fe. The Thompsons and Marvins came up to join dede and Dennis. This was scheduled to take the opportunity to see the exhibit at the O’Keefe Museum of O’Keefe’s O’Keefes (Georgia O’Keefe’s paintings that she kept in her collection). Lee called and suggested we also go to the Plaza and see the Olympic torch come through Santa Fe. We did, and were stopped by a police roadblock as we drove toward the Plaza. The torch was minutes away from this location, so we just got out, walked about 50 feet, and watched the torch come right by. We then went on down to the Plaza, ate, and then watched it come into the Plaza. We saw the O’Keefes, went to the spinning class, ate and drank wine. A very nice Saturday in Santa Fe, even without getting on the tandem. Dennis Cooper |
| Chile Pedaler Second Full
Moon Ride—December 28, 2001
By Dennis Cooper The Chile Pedaler second full moon ride occurred the Friday after Christmas, December 28. As with the first ride, the Thompsons organized the ride. We met at Matt’s Pools on Alameda, across from the Bike Path parking lot, and rode the bike path to the Aquarium and back, about an 18 mile ride. PNM and the City of Albuquerque had the Christmas light show going, and it was fun riding by the various light arrangements. We stopped and had hot chocolate at the Aquarium, but did not do a walking tour of the show. We had four participating tandems; Thompsons, Marvins, Mayers & Collins/Cooper. As was the case with the first full moon ride, this was the warmest winter ride of the year so far, and we did see the full moon. After the ride, we retired to the Flying Star on Rio Grande for sustenance. |