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. And after experiencing how people drive on that road and how little shoulder there is — as scenic as it is — I don’t recommend it alone.”
But with an estimated 3,000 other riders, well, that’s a different story. On Sunday, cyclists of all skill levels will converge on the roads along the Turquoise Trail for the 26th annual Santa Fe Century.
The start-finish line of the ride, which is not a race, is at St. Vincent Regional Medical Center. The route covers 103 miles through Madrid and Golden, across the Ortiz and San Pedro mountain ranges, through Estancia Valley and Stanley, and then into the village of Galisteo.
“With 3,000 people on the road, cars will have to be patient and be the secondary motorist,” he said.
But Clifanger also suggests that if you have never attempted a bike ride of five hours or more, perhaps one of the shorter distances could make for a more pleasurable experience.
“If someone were to wave a $10,000 check in front of your nose, most people have the strength to ride 100 miles,” he said. “But I also think that most people who attempt to ride 100 miles will also have ridden longer distances and have spent a lot of time in the saddle.”
So for those who do not want to take on the full Century, 25-, 50- and 75-mile courses are also options. Six food stops will be set up along the course, and patrol wagons will be traveling along the route to help cyclists.
Stephen Newhall, manager at Rob and Charlie’s bike shop, has ridden the Century on and off since 1992 and said the experience of traveling in a group larger than the population of some towns in New Mexico, in and of itself, is quite an experience.
“It’s just really cool to be a part of that many people riding,” he said. “It does spread out quite a bit between the fast people and the slow people, but it’s still a good crowd all the way around.”
And don’t be afraid of your mode of transportation not being the latest in bicycle technology, he added.
“If you look at the people in the fast group, they will be on high-end road bikes. But farther back in the group, you’ll see people on funky old bikes and mountain bikes. There was even a guy a couple years ago who did it on an old Schwinn Sting-Ray,” he said of the cruiser-style bicycle of the 1960s, which featured motorcycle-like “ape hanger” handlebars and a banana seat. “… There will be all kinds of bikes out there.”
But Newhall’s final suggestion for all newcomers is to simply enjoy the ride and take in the sights.
“You’ll see a whole lot more on a bike than you’ve ever seen before driving around in a cubicle,” he said. “And being one of thousands riding is a lot of fun.”
A pancake breakfast starts the day’s activities from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. There is not a set start time, so most riders begin their route between 7 and 7:30 a.m. Tents with refreshments will be set up in the parking lot at the hospital during the day.
Late registration runs 5-7 tonight at St. Vincent. Riders who have not preregistered are also welcome to sign up at 6 a.m. Sunday. Each rider must wear a helmet, and it is recommended that cyclists carry water, spare tubes and patch kits, sun screen and windbreakers.
