ALBUQUERQUE!

We arrived Monday night the 6th just 10 miles outside of Albuquerque, New Mexico and overnighted at the Route 66 Casino.  (Nothing to rave about there, just another Indian Casino).  Next day we moved up to the Sandia Casino & Resort parking lot in northwest section of town.  Great views of Sandia Peak from there!  Did a 47 mile ride on the Rio Grande Bosque Trail (multi-purpose trail along the Rio Grande River) and up to the Sandia Peak tram (nice climb).  Took it easy on Wednesday getting rested up for the ride with the Chile Peddlers on Thursday.  Best thing about Albuquerque so far – the Green Chile Cheese Fries at Stone Face Tavern!!  Had them three days this week!

View of Sandia Peak

The Thursday ride with the Albuquerque Chile Peddlars (Rick’s old riding group) was great.  We did a brisk 38 miles up and around Cedar Crest.  Dean and Lee Marvin were there on their tandem, Joe and Janet Vertrees on singles, and Tom Mayer.  It was a beautiful day, great company, and the main climb was first, and then the “rollers” which were very, very fun.  Afterwards we had lunch at the Greenhouse Café in Cedar Crest.  Later Rick and I had dinner at El Pinto with Dean and Lee; great food  and again, great company.

We’ll be staying in Albuquerque for another week  and then head back to Flagstaff to cooler weather and to do some riding on good old Lake Mary Road with the B.O.B. trailer on.  Funny thing, I just learned what B.O.B. stands for – “Beast of Burden”!  (Glad it’s the trailer and not me!!)  We are currently looking at starting our ride across America around September 15, maybe a few days before that.  Very exciting, just about a month away!

Albuquerque Sunset

Our stats this past week were very low; I’m not even going to publish them.   This was a “rest week” which has probably been sorely needed.  After all, we need to heed Dennis Morris’ advice not to peak too soon….