SantaFe.com

Summer is upon us and with it the lure of the wilderness. Adding to our earlier list of great hikes, here are eight more excursions that mirror the beauty and diversity of northern New Mexico. Bring plenty of water, power bars, sunscreen, a camera, as well as a map and guide book. Again, we thank the authors of Day Hikes In the Santa Fe Area for their comprehensive overview and helpful hints, for which this article is indebted.

ASPEN VISTA – If altitude isn’t a problem, this is an easy, gradual climb that starts at 10,000 feet on a dirt road (Aspen Vista Road) and winds through groves...

Monday, June 9, 2008
by Michael French and Bill Oehlschlager (Photographer) • SantaFe.com

Doug Pickett couldn’t remember how he finished in any of the three times he competed in the Chile Challenge mountain bike race at the Angel Fire Resort.

He was simply happy to finish.

“Those are some tough courses,” said the owner of Taos Cyclery, who competed in the cross-country and the Super-D events. “The courses are very technical. I’ve even seen some pro riders have to stop and pick up their bikes.”

But it’s exactly because of the difficulty of the trails that more than 2,000 competitors — amateurs and professional alike — will descend upon Angel Fire today to compete in the...

Saturday, May 24, 2008
by Vince Kong • Journal Santa Fe

After years of making the daily drive from Madrid to Santa Fe, Frank Clifanger can attest to all the beautiful sights found along N.M. 14 — most of which, he said, are not found sitting in a car.

But they can be easily spotted while riding a bicycle.

Still, the 36-year-old avid cyclist and employee at Bike-N-Sport doesn’t suggest making the trek along the mostly two-lane road by yourself.

“When I first moved from New York to Madrid, I thought ‘What a great road to ride,’ ’’ he said of N.M. 14. “Then I started working (in Santa Fe) and would make that drive twice, maybe three times a day....

Saturday, May 17, 2008
by Vince Kong • Journal Santa Fe

Meander along the Old Santa Fe Trail - One of the most popular short rides in the city begins at the historic Plaza and ends at the village of Canada de los Alamos. The car traffic can be a little tricky in the beginning, but an experienced rider will have few problems and the stops along the way (plan close to a full day for this round trip, and bring a picnic lunch) are a must intro to the City Different. Starting out in the Plaza area, you can stop at the San Miguel Mission, Loretto Chapel, and Saint Francis Cathedral. The next benchmark is the intersection of Old Santa Fe Trail...

Monday, April 28, 2008 at 10:22 AM
by Tim French • SantaFe.com

A hundred miles of history pass under your wheels as you bicycle New Mexico down the ancient Turquoise Trail through the old mining towns of Madrid and Golden, across the mineral rich Ortiz and San Pedro Mountains, across the Estancia Valley through the villages of Cedar Grove and Stanley and on to the very old village of Galisteo, and 100 miles after you start, wheel back into Old Santa Fe. In addition, there are 25, 50, & 75 mile "out & back" routes and an easy 50 mile ATB loop with 6 miles of country dirt road.

Starts from the Century venue at St. Vincent Regional Medical Center...

I have daydreams about ancient civilizations and secret government bases housing the latest technologies, that I am on an archaeological expedition or that the mountain underneath my feet contains a subterranean laboratory, or that I might turn a stone over and find a semi-precious mineral from a nearby mine. This usually happens while I'm riding my bike. Sure, I have an overactive imagination, but this is all closer to reality than you might think.

In New Mexico, you are never far from public land. National Forests and Parks, Bureau of Land Management areas or even just the municipal...

Tuesday, January 15, 2008
by Sean McGarrity

One of Santa Fe's best kept secrets is that a bicycle ride around town can be one of the highlights of a visit here. Sometimes visitors will put off cycling “for another time” due to a tight schedule. The funny part is, there is no better way to shop, eat, or save time than to ride a bicycle in our magnificent city, and the magical hills that surround it. Cycling avoids parking hassles like running out of quarters and searching for a space and makes navigating the old, winding streets of Santa Fe a simple pleasure. We think it's the easiest way to get around downtown and Canyon Road, and a...

Tuesday, January 15, 2008
courtesy of Mellow Velo