Santa Fe Century
Well, as those of you who have followed me since I first signed on here remember, I have never done a full Century distance on an organized ride...... can't say that any more. 105.76 miles on a tough rugged mountainous ride, mostly over 7000 feet. I chose this one to try for not because I think I'm tough, but because they give you lots of time to finish..... start whenever you like and they sweep the course at 5:30pm. Soooo, I started at 6:30am and soon found out I had a lot of company.
Found these wierd formations about thirty minutes into the ride.
Took a little detour off the main road to take a sight-seeing tour of the historical village of Los Cerrillos, N.M.
The Cerrillos Opera House where historians tell it Lilly Langtry once performed. I wonder if that is where Judge Roy Bean fell for her.
Mary's Bar has been in several western movies...... in this case, it has a trusty red steed tied to the hitchin' post out front....
What keeps Los Cerrillos alive today is turquois mining.
Left Los Cerrillos, and headed up the hill three miles to the old coal mining town of Madrid. Madrid was a company town once owned by the Santa Fe to mine out the anthracite coal in the region. After the steam engines died out, the need for coal died, and the town with it. A resurection and re-birth as an artists community followed in recent years. This is 26 miles into the ride, it took one hour twenty minutes to get this far..... the next nine miles by comparison took one and one half hours
Our first rest stop at Madrid
A couple I rode with for a bit...notice the old steamer up top.
New Mexico's finest were in abundance on our parade. This was one of the safest rides I've been on that traveled on major roads. These boys were working hard to keep speed down, and safety up for us. It was most appreciated.
I'll bet I saw 50 of these cars if I saw one. Great job by the New Mexico State Police.
Here is a small group leaving Madrid.
Some remnants of the old "company houses" still occupied.
After Madrid, came the hardest part of the ride, we've had a 18 mph headwind all the way, but only a moderate climb out of Los Cerrillos up to Madrid, now the climb into the mountains start.
This was an unrelenting climb that just kept going up and up for the next seven miles before topping out. After a short steep downhill, it was back up again, another four miles to Golden, N.M.
This is about all there is of Golden.
Another 3 mile climb, and a short downhill and we turned to the east to face our biggest challenge...... Heartbreak Hill. I turned off the main highway, and found my lowest gear, a mile up the road at three miles an hour and we came to our rest stop, just before the real climb started. So, when we started up this.....we had already been climbing what I consider a steep hill.
Not particularly long, but steep enough to have most of us walking. There were a few strong hardy souls who rode all the way up.
Your's truly walked it. I got up about a third of the way, and powered out. I walked up with a girls track and field coach from Texas A&M who powered out about the same place as I did. She and I rode together for many miles after that, and it was a thoroughly enjoyable visit. I have no doubt that the true climbers in our group would have no trouble at all with this hill, and the way to find out is to go to New Mexico next May and try it out! After that hill, we were done with climbing for a while, but as I was to find out later, certainly not all by a long shot. I started having a little cramping problems by the time I got down to Stanley at mile 65, but a couple of Advil took care of that, and by the time I got to Gallisteo, my cramping was over. I really think the cramping was a result of elevation and less oxygen for hard working muscles.The tailwind I thought I'd have after Stanley never materialized, the wind we had from the southeast all morning died to about 8-10, not much help. On the east side of the ride from Stanley back to Santa Fe there was mostly desert and cattle lands, rolling hills from Stanley to Gallisteo.
I'm afraid I found not much to interest me in Gallisteo, except maybe this old adobe...
This was mile 82 and I was starting to get a bit tired by now. But, the next 20 miles looked like this, so if I thought I was tired then, you should have seen me 5 miles from the end.
At the top of that hill came a big surprise, they routed us up onto I-25 for 8 1/2 miles.
I-25
I've never ridden on an Interstate before, so it was a new experience, especially one with a 75 mph speed limit....... whiz....whiz. I really thought the climbing was supposed to end when we got on the Interstate.....wrong! More uphill for 5 more miles before topping out. I got within sight of the top and my feet were so sore, I just couldn't press down another pedal stroke, so I stopped on the shoulder of the Interstate, sat down and peeled off my shoes and gave my feet a massage....what a relief! Just about that time, one of the Sag drivers pulled up, called me "old timer" and wanted to put my bike on his rack and take me the five more miles to the end. I told him "Over my dead body, I made it this far, I'm riding in!' He could see I was serious, so he left, and I put my shoes on and left also, finished it up non stop, checked in at the end, then rode the bike back to my motel. It was all over. I did my Century, the first for sure, and most likely the last, but I got ONE in. This was a very well organized ride, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants a challenging Century, although not particularly a first Century. Great support, great people, and about 3000 riders to share it with. I'm glad I did it. By the way.....I'm framing my bib number with the mileage on it and putting it up on my diploma wall.
Found these wierd formations about thirty minutes into the ride.
Took a little detour off the main road to take a sight-seeing tour of the historical village of Los Cerrillos, N.M.
The Cerrillos Opera House where historians tell it Lilly Langtry once performed. I wonder if that is where Judge Roy Bean fell for her.
Mary's Bar has been in several western movies...... in this case, it has a trusty red steed tied to the hitchin' post out front....
What keeps Los Cerrillos alive today is turquois mining.
Left Los Cerrillos, and headed up the hill three miles to the old coal mining town of Madrid. Madrid was a company town once owned by the Santa Fe to mine out the anthracite coal in the region. After the steam engines died out, the need for coal died, and the town with it. A resurection and re-birth as an artists community followed in recent years. This is 26 miles into the ride, it took one hour twenty minutes to get this far..... the next nine miles by comparison took one and one half hours
Our first rest stop at Madrid
A couple I rode with for a bit...notice the old steamer up top.
New Mexico's finest were in abundance on our parade. This was one of the safest rides I've been on that traveled on major roads. These boys were working hard to keep speed down, and safety up for us. It was most appreciated.
I'll bet I saw 50 of these cars if I saw one. Great job by the New Mexico State Police.
Here is a small group leaving Madrid.
Some remnants of the old "company houses" still occupied.
After Madrid, came the hardest part of the ride, we've had a 18 mph headwind all the way, but only a moderate climb out of Los Cerrillos up to Madrid, now the climb into the mountains start.
This was an unrelenting climb that just kept going up and up for the next seven miles before topping out. After a short steep downhill, it was back up again, another four miles to Golden, N.M.
This is about all there is of Golden.
Another 3 mile climb, and a short downhill and we turned to the east to face our biggest challenge...... Heartbreak Hill. I turned off the main highway, and found my lowest gear, a mile up the road at three miles an hour and we came to our rest stop, just before the real climb started. So, when we started up this.....we had already been climbing what I consider a steep hill.
Not particularly long, but steep enough to have most of us walking. There were a few strong hardy souls who rode all the way up.
Your's truly walked it. I got up about a third of the way, and powered out. I walked up with a girls track and field coach from Texas A&M who powered out about the same place as I did. She and I rode together for many miles after that, and it was a thoroughly enjoyable visit. I have no doubt that the true climbers in our group would have no trouble at all with this hill, and the way to find out is to go to New Mexico next May and try it out! After that hill, we were done with climbing for a while, but as I was to find out later, certainly not all by a long shot. I started having a little cramping problems by the time I got down to Stanley at mile 65, but a couple of Advil took care of that, and by the time I got to Gallisteo, my cramping was over. I really think the cramping was a result of elevation and less oxygen for hard working muscles.The tailwind I thought I'd have after Stanley never materialized, the wind we had from the southeast all morning died to about 8-10, not much help. On the east side of the ride from Stanley back to Santa Fe there was mostly desert and cattle lands, rolling hills from Stanley to Gallisteo.
I'm afraid I found not much to interest me in Gallisteo, except maybe this old adobe...
This was mile 82 and I was starting to get a bit tired by now. But, the next 20 miles looked like this, so if I thought I was tired then, you should have seen me 5 miles from the end.
At the top of that hill came a big surprise, they routed us up onto I-25 for 8 1/2 miles.
I-25
I've never ridden on an Interstate before, so it was a new experience, especially one with a 75 mph speed limit....... whiz....whiz. I really thought the climbing was supposed to end when we got on the Interstate.....wrong! More uphill for 5 more miles before topping out. I got within sight of the top and my feet were so sore, I just couldn't press down another pedal stroke, so I stopped on the shoulder of the Interstate, sat down and peeled off my shoes and gave my feet a massage....what a relief! Just about that time, one of the Sag drivers pulled up, called me "old timer" and wanted to put my bike on his rack and take me the five more miles to the end. I told him "Over my dead body, I made it this far, I'm riding in!' He could see I was serious, so he left, and I put my shoes on and left also, finished it up non stop, checked in at the end, then rode the bike back to my motel. It was all over. I did my Century, the first for sure, and most likely the last, but I got ONE in. This was a very well organized ride, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants a challenging Century, although not particularly a first Century. Great support, great people, and about 3000 riders to share it with. I'm glad I did it. By the way.....I'm framing my bib number with the mileage on it and putting it up on my diploma wall.
104 days ago
Another fantastic report. I've driven to Madrid from ABQ. Not sure I could ride that. Congrats on completing that century.
3 months ago
Great write up, Riki. I have to say you were in pretty good company with several 'old timers' from the folks I saw coming in across the you-made-it-line!Does an old heart good don't it to see the 'kids' following an 'old timer?'
Personally, I would have that bib matted and framed with this above it:
See you at the Witchita's, Riki!
Personally, I would have that bib matted and framed with this above it:
See you at the Witchita's, Riki!
3 months ago
Maybe you should have just punched that guy in the face for calling you "old timer"
I had one of the best milkshakes in the world in Madrid, NM. Probably tasted good because I just climbed up from Cerrillos. That is a big climb up out of Madrid and the time I rode up Heartbreak hill a few years ago I was hike-a-biking to get to the top.
Great ride report with the added side trip into Cerrillos. I'm a little surprised they routed you onto I-25.
Looked like a great weekend with everybody. I would have loved to be there. Our annual fund-raiser golf tournament for high school athletics that I am involved in was successfull, but we played eighteen holes in 36 deg weather with spitting snow and drizzle. That New Mexico sunshine looked much more inviting!!
Big kudos on your century ride Richard....way to go!!
I had one of the best milkshakes in the world in Madrid, NM. Probably tasted good because I just climbed up from Cerrillos. That is a big climb up out of Madrid and the time I rode up Heartbreak hill a few years ago I was hike-a-biking to get to the top.
Great ride report with the added side trip into Cerrillos. I'm a little surprised they routed you onto I-25.
Looked like a great weekend with everybody. I would have loved to be there. Our annual fund-raiser golf tournament for high school athletics that I am involved in was successfull, but we played eighteen holes in 36 deg weather with spitting snow and drizzle. That New Mexico sunshine looked much more inviting!!
Big kudos on your century ride Richard....way to go!!
3 months ago
Jim, we had a bunch of fun that weekend, would have had even more if you'd been along.....maybe next time we can all get together. Now at least I know I can handle 7,500 feet, I can probably ride almost anywhere within reason.
3 months ago
Jim.....I was so upset by his remark about me being an old timer, I thought..."I'll show you who's old", so I jumped to my feet, told him I'd ride in, started to mount the bike, and then promptly laid the bike back down so I could put my shoes back on........ I refuse to call it a senior moment!
3 months ago
This is the fourth year for me to do that ride, and it has always gone along I-25 a short distance.
The old timer remark, bet you weren't the only one to hear it from this person. And, bet he wonders if he will be doing a century----or any bike riding---when he is an 'old timer! I'm going to go out on a limb and say NO. As far as senior moments----I'm just glad to still be having moments!
The old timer remark, bet you weren't the only one to hear it from this person. And, bet he wonders if he will be doing a century----or any bike riding---when he is an 'old timer! I'm going to go out on a limb and say NO. As far as senior moments----I'm just glad to still be having moments!
3 months ago
Hey there Riki! That SAG was your cycling angel just giving you a little push to finish by getting your dander up. "Old Timer" indeed! LOL :0) What a glorious ride with good company and extremely beautiful vistas. Jeez, you had it all like a present from the universe. I loved looking at your photos of those hills and imagining riding that route.... The lane for the steepest part of Heart Break Hill seems almost too narrow to navigate on the bike. I think I would have walked it for fear of falling off the bike into the ditch. You could not have picked a better ride to claim as your first century and then some. Thanks for keeping the faith and for sharing! Teesiea's photo of you "thumbs up" says it all. Congrats friend!
3 months ago
TL....you can take the whole road, there were a lot of riders zig-zagging back and forth across the road until they gave up. You don't have to stay on the shoulder, nobody did, except us walkers. I'm sure you could make it without any problems. Actually, compared to your Centuries out there, you would probably find this one boring....not enough climbing. That could have been the SAG's incentive for saying that too.....to get me up and finish. It didn't really bother me, except to give me something to chuckle about later.
3 months ago
Walking up a hill? Been there, done that! One of those times, I heard a creaking noise and wondered what was wrong with my bike. It wasn't the bike, it was my knee!
3 months ago
SF....I seem to be hearing more and more of those "creaking noises" anymore, and I know they're not the bike! As far as walking....on that hill, I had no choice. I would have ridden it if I could have, just to say I did. Didn't have the strength or endurance. Had a tough time walking it.
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