Lost in Translation

   Went up to Taos last weekend and road the Double Boundary. Didn't quite get it done as John and myself couldn't find the Elliott Barker trail to get over to the Jaracito.Very frustrating. I think my next move is to get a Garmin and getting the tracks for the races so that I don't get lost. For these rides I prefer to ride alone but the ride in Taos is soo remote and there are soo many turns that It is easy to get lost. I Rode with BoulderBill and a guy from Austin that has a frame building company. He was riding a killer looking geared 29er. They are called True Fabrications. The bikes looked killer and he was a reaally nice guy to boot.So I rode with those guys for about 30 miles then they dropped me before we got to the food cache. I was feeling great at this point and just thought I would be fine since we were pretty much done with the North Boundary section which seems tuff to navigate. I got up Bull Springs Meadow and decided to take a break and wait on Maka who I thought I saw as I crossed 64 at Palo Flechado Pass. As it turned out it was Maka who decided to take the road there up to the food stop. So I waited up at Bull Spring Meadow and a guy named John from Cedarcrest I believe, came riding up and seemed to have a firm grasp of the route so I rode with him till the food stop. At the foodstop Bill had made us a couple sweet turkey sammies and I had a redbull and I was ready to go. Bill and group had all ready come and gone. So John and I went on with our ride. We got up to Elliot Barker and from there we never found Jaracita we spent 2 hours looking for the trail but we just kept coming into this private property. So we finally decided we weren't gonna find the race course and had to back track and go out at Valle Escondido. It was beautiful down in Valle Escondido and then the 15 miles back to Taos on 64. BoulderBill finished his first NM Endurance series ride. I think Bill hooked up with Lenny to finish up the ride. Lenny also had tracks on his GPS. Bill was riding on a rigid SS as well.

Hotel room chillin




The sun was starting to wrap around the hill as we climbed up towards the cut over to Devisadero












I liked this cairn. Very well balanced like we all should be



This the guy from Austins nice looking True Fabrications 29er all equipped for a day in the saddle. That even looks like a first aid kit on the top tube.




Bill getting Surly







The IF out of retirement



Nothing like some 2 track thrown in for good measure




After the food stop John and I stopped for a second so John could grab his battery that he had stashed before our lunch break



John retrieving his stashed battery




Beautiful in New Mexico



Then John and I lost our way. Real bummer . Enjoyed the 15 mile road ride back to Taos.



Stopped to chill by the river on the way home



The Vulva








Just another normal sunset in Santa Fe



The Apsens here in Santa Fe have been blowing up this week
Photo by Todd "missing Link" Glatz



    What is in your audio player? I have That new Pinback Autumn of the Seraphs I
was talking about a couple blogs ago. I am enjoying it. Ben at work hooked me with the self titled debut Pinback album and that is definitly one of my favorites. Music always seems to get ruined by comfort and fame
               Later

2 Years in Santa Fe

Ella was enjoying our trip to Jemez Springs


    What a 2 years it has been. The rides have been bountiful and I feel like I am just starting to get to know some of them. There are sooo many more to ride.Cochiti is prolly my favorite local area soo far. I definitly have to get into Colorado more often. Salida was a highlight fo sho. Really want to hit Crested Butte and Durango and Fruita. Then there are all the trails in Arizona and Utah. WOW too many to think of. Heading up to Taos this weekend to attempt the Double Boundary Race put on by endurance maniac Matt. Should be a good time no matter what happens. I am meeting BoulderBill who is coming down to ride some fine New Mexican trailage for the first time. Did a fun ride with Jeff the other day up to Atalaya and over to the Dale Ball South trails had a fine time and i snapped a few shots. Jeff was rocking a fine Coconino.
west side


Jeff starting the 1600 ft of elevation gain in 3 miles that we have ahead of us







Isn't she lovely


This guy was even interested in Jeffs Coconino



This section is a nice respite from the climb











Then it was on to the Dale Ball South







    The nights here are starting to get chilly. Really good sleeping weather.Up in Taos this weekend We might get to see some aspens turning gold. Love the way the trail becomes blanketed in the fallen aspen leaves.

The girls hiking at Soda Dam



Shiprock the namesake of the road we live on




   What do you all think of this Sierra Nevada Anniversary ale. I found it to be pretty good. On my 2nd sixer


   What is in your audio player? I have Old Crow Medicine Show in mine.It is there self titled album. GoatHawk at work hooked me up with it and I have been playing it a lot. I enjoy some bluegrass every now and again.
   All right see you all in Taos for either the Double Boundary or Frazier Mountain Madness. Let's meet at Eskes


                  Adios

Gettysburg of the West

    Back in July, Anthony, Todd and I went to Glorieta for some fantastic mountain biking. Whenever I go riding at Glorieta I feel like there are wild animals about. I still have not seen a bear or a lion though. I know they are out there looking to get me. When we got to the firetower we relaxed for a bit and a couple from Durango came biking up. They were in town and decided to do this ride which was in the guide book they had. They were really nice. Durango must be full of outdoorsey peeps. Anthony took his camera along and took some great shots. I snapped a few as well.




Chatting it up with Todd






Todd coming into town.




I am really concentrating on something








Todd always makes everything else seem mundane










Fun Switchbacks on the top






Anthony stepping out from behind the lens



Gotta love the pine needle section







I love the Broken Arrow view






Anthony on the obligatory rock below broken arrow









I must be going the wrong way









This was one of the riders we met up at the tower from Durango




    So next time you find yourself in the Santa Fe area, be sure to go enjoy some time up on Glorieta Baldy. Make sure you are Bear Aware though. :)
    What is in your audio player? I have been digging in the crates again and busted out a classic cassette. It is Fear: The Record. A classic punk album full of cynisism. Rings true in todays political climate.


   The Vapor Trail 125 is happening this weekend coming up .Sounds like a brutal ride. Ed from CO is doing it. can't wait to read his review. Also like I brought up last post is the 1st annual Santa Fe Mountain Bike fest. Come get your ride on.

               See you