Did my. first "proper" gravel ride today on the dirt section of the Santa Fe Rail Trail. This portion extends 10 miles to the south of the point where the paved path ends, and features lots of rollers, little whoop-de-doos, and some side hits for mtn bikers. It's smooth, with some loose sections and a few minor washouts. I had to walk up one steeper section that featured a blind hairpin curve against a rock wall. No thanks. Even if I had the skills, I'd walk that as there's no visibility ahead on a trail with other cyclists and hikers and dogs.
The beginning of the dirt section, south of I-25.
Heh heh - just proving it's me.
Besides beautiful views, I was treated to these cute painted bluebird houses.
Cholla cactus - common sight in NM.
Headed back towards Santa Fe - with the southern end of the Sangre de Cristo's in the distance, Mt. Baldy and the tippy top of Ski Santa Fe are just visible.
I turned around before the trail's end, and before I was near feeling tired, because, in the past, I ran into trouble (dehydration and altitude sickness after an easy mtn bike ride in CO requiring hospitalization!). It was a little tough to turn around when I was having so much fun, but I'm fortunate that the dirt trail begins only a mile and a half from my house, so there's plenty of rides in the days ahead as I acclimate to the altitude and dry air.
gaptrail.org
