This was really a great 142 mile ride. It had a little bit of everything (beautiful scenery, changeable weather,varied terrain, tough climbing, etc) and I felt strong the entire way. ( For those following on Twitter, I again messed up starting my Cyclemeter App and only have the detailed route data for the 91 miles from Chama to Taos.)
We started at 6:45am when there was just enough light to safely bike. The temperature was in the mid-30's so we were layered up. We headed south on Highway 84 traveling 47 miles to Chama. Although cold to cool all of the way, the ride to Chama was very pleasant with great scenery and light traffic. This is ranch country with many cattle grazing in the pastures, set against a mountain backdrop highlighted by patches of yellow aspens.
We had an early roadside lunch in Chama where we pondered the almost 100 miles and long climbs that lay ahead. We headed south out of Chama on 84 and then turned onto Highway 64 headed towards Taos. At mile 70 of the ride the fun began with the toughest climb of the entire trip - 10 miles with a grade I would estimate at 6-8%. At this point our 5 person pace line broke apart and it was every person for themselves. I fell into my climbing rhythm and headed up the mountain.
It was a defining climb for me - one which I thoroughly enjoyed and well always remember. With an "aggressive" climbing pace I was soon well ahead of the rest of my group and riding solo to the top. It was then that the storm clouds which had been building over the mountains since late morning decided to do their thing. The sky grew very dark to the south of me with loud claps of thunder and flashes of lighting increasing in frequency and intensity - and the temperature dropped sharply. Although I had a rain jacket with me, it was clearly not going to be adequate if the storm cell moved over me. Plus there was no way I was going to continue biking in lighting. Since I could still see blue skies off to the east and north, I pushed the pace as hard as I could hoping to get some distance between me and the storm - and with a little luck it worked. I made it to the top without getting wet, said a quick hello to the waiting Trek Travel van, and took off on a long descent hoping that the storm would stay in the higher elevations.
However, I soon rode into a cold light rain (but no lighting) and then chose this inopportune time to have my first flat tire of the trip. As I stood there in the rain forlornly getting ready to do my clumsy job of removing the rear wheel, one of the Trek Travel guides appeared on her bike (she had left the van at the summit shortly after I passed by). With great relief and humility, I stood by as she quickly and efficiently replaced the tube and got me on the way.
Others in the total group of 30 riders were not so fortunate. Depending on their timing in going over the summit, some were caught in heavy rain and hail. At least one rider suffered hypothermia and he and several others had to finish the day in the van.
There were several more short, but tough, climbs as we headed east towards Taos. At the 110 mile point we crossed Highway 285 and began a long, gradual 20 mile descent to the Rio Grande River Gorge with beautiful views of the Taos and Sangre de Cristos Mountains in the distance accented by a rainbow appearing to hover directly above the town of Taos. I coasted for much of these 20 miles enjoying the scenery as others in our small group rejoined me. We all stopped on the bridge (the fifth highest in the U.S.) over the Gorge to take in the dramatic view of the river far below. It is really amazing that you can be a few feet away from the bridge and have no idea that a 650 ft gorge lies just ahead.
Strong headwinds, which I would estimate at 20 to 30 mph, hit just as we left the bridge and they stayed with us the remaining 13 miles into Taos. The winds combined with heavy traffic, no shoulder, and fatigue made this the least enjoyable stretch of the ride. But after over 9 1/2 hours in the saddle we arrived at our hotel at about 6pm with a great sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.
I feel great and am enjoying my day of rest in Taos.
Steve
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