New Mexico's Land of Enchantment
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New Mexico's Land of Enchantment |
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ROAD BIKING
MOUNTAIN BIKE
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Dates: (7 days, 6 nights; Sun-Sat) May 30-June 5; June 20-26; Sept. 5-11 Assembly Point: Albuquerque (airline, rail and bus service to Albuquerque; Timberline van transfers to and from transportation terminals prior to and following tour) Tour Cost: $1,295 (includes all lodging, breakfasts and dinners, support van, transfers, leaders, tour maps and narratives) For so many years, in the context of our earliest experiences in New Mexico, we cycled to the "doorstep" of the mysterious Jemez Mountains, hovering just to the west of Bandelier National Monument, only to turn back for our overnight in White Rock. Finally, with the introduction of the Northern New Mexico Alpiner, we climbed into the Jemez and discovered one of the Southwest's great alpine cycling adventures. The Northern New Mexico Alpiner assembles in Albuquerque in the heart of the Rio Grande Valley. Early-morning of Day 1, we'll climb the Sandia Crest as we ride the Turquoise Trail through historic Madrid on our way to Santa Fe. Following an over-night at Garrett's adjacent to the Plaza in Santa Fe, we'll ride the backroads through the Nambe and Tesuque Pueblos to Chimayo, where we'll visit the famed Santuario and sample some of Leona's freshly-fired tortillas. And then it's on to the challenge of the High Road as we climb to Truchas—gateway to the Carson National Forest. Ojo Sarco, Las Trampas, Chamisal, Penasco—these are the villages we'll visit along the High Road—they are the essence of northern New Mexico. We'll spend the evening in Taos at the Sagebrush Inn with its welcome pool and hot tub, and incredible northern New Mexican cuisine. Early-morning of Day 3, we'll ride beautiful Taos Canyon as it climbs gently along Taos Creek to the crest of Palo Flechado Pass and then descend into the ethereal Merino Valley for a visit at the DAV Vietnam War Memorial at Angel Fire. We'll continue on to Red River for the evening and a delicious western meal at Texas Red's. It's back to Taos early-afternoon of Day 4, with a full afternoon available to explore this fascinating area, including a visit to the ancient Taos Pueblo. We'll trace the course of the Rio Grande from Taos through Espanola to White Rock on Day 5. An interesting climb up to the Pajarito Plateau and Los Alamos is an additional option on Day 5, and we'll visit renowned Bradbury Science Museum. Katherine also is in White Rock and that's a primary reason why we've been coming here as often as possible for the past 12 years. After Kate's dinner, you'll understand a major part of our attachment to the area. It's on to Bandelier National Monument on Day 6 with an opportunity to explore the Anasazi cliff dwelling ruins of Frijoles Canyon. We'll then climb from Bandelier into the Jemez Mountains and descend into the Grand Valley as we trace the Jemez River in it's plunge to Jemez Springs. We'll conclude this extraordinary day with a soak in the natural hot springs of the Jemez River and spend our final evening at the Jemez River Lodge. Our descent continues on Day 7 as we return to Albuquerque, where our tour concludes. Total Mileage – 386
Assembly Point: Albuquerque (airline, rail and bus service to Albuquerque; Timberline van transfers to and from transportation terminals; note that this tour originates in Albuquerque but terminates in Denver) Tour Cost: $1,795 (includes all lodging, breakfasts and dinners, support van, transfers, leaders, tour maps & narratives) In so many ways, the New Mexico Rambler brings together the best of bicycle touring in the Southwest. The mellow, juniper-laden southern Rockies; the rolling high desert; the vast tablelands of the San Luis Valley and South Park; the surrealism of the Great Sand Dunes; and the alpine grandeur of Hoosier and Loveland Passes—these are some of the scenic highlights of this tour as we travel from Albuquerque to Denver. We'll ride from Albuquerque along the legendary Turquoise Trail through Madrid and on to Santa Fe where we'll spend the evening. The following morning, we're off to Taos along the backroads through the Tesuque, Pojoaque and Nambe Pueblos to Chimayo. We'll visit the Santuario de Chimayo, sample Leona's freshly-fired tortillas, and then challenge the magnificent High Road as it climbs from the Rio Grande Valley to Truchas and into the Carson National Forest. The day is a continuum of tiny villages—Ojo Sarco, Las Trampas, Chamisal, Penasco—that symbolize the spirit and culture of northern New Mexico. A 13-mile descent to Taos is a dramatic conclusion to an extraordinary day. We'll be ready for the layover day that follows in Taos with its opportunities to visit the Taos Pueblo and hike to the high alpine reaches of Gold Hill, New Mexico's third highest peak. Our lodge's inviting outdoor pool and hot tub are options for those who choose to treat a layover day literally. On day 4, we'll ride north from Taos along the Sangre de Cristos into Colorado. We'll overnight at the historic Zapata Ranch, adjacent to the Great Sand Dunes National Monument. We'll visit the Dunes the following morning enroute to Salida. As we continue northward into the heart of Colorado's Central Rockies, the changes in topography are dramatic. The mighty Collegiate Range with its snowclad "fourteeners" looms to the west as we ride to South Park and the 19th century mining camp of Fairplay. We'll spend the evening in the historic Fairplay Hotel and then climb Hoosier Pass (11,541') on Day 7 before descending to Breckenridge and an early arrival at the Beaver Run Resort. From Breckenridge, we'll ride the sparkling shores of Lake Dillon as we climb beyond timberline to the Continental Divide atop spectacular Loveland Pass (11,992'). A final evening in Georgetown precedes our descent into Denver where our tour concludes. Total Mileage - 524
7975 E. Harvard Suite #J Denver, Co. 80231 Telephone: (800)417-2453; or (303)759-3804 Fax: (303)368-1651 E-Mail: timber@boulder.earthnet.net
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New Mexico truly is a "Land of Enchantment" with its rich southwestern
cultural legacy and its striking contrasts in terrain. Both of our New
Mexico bicycle tours will explore the fascinating Santa Fe/Taos region of
northern New Mexico. We'll ride the high desert region surrounding Santa
Fe and climb into the alpine zone of the Sangre De Cristos that guard the
approach to Taos. We'll visit some of the many Native American pueblo
communities that blend with remnants of Spain's colonial empire in the New
World to convey an awareness of the cultural and historical vibrancy of the
region.
Date: (9
days, 8 nights; Sat-Sun) Aug. 14-22