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This is our closest ski area to town. In warm months they take mountain bikes and hikers up in the lifts. It's not even 7AM so nobody's here yet. I wish I had checked the gauge before coming up here! I swear it was at a half tank when I left. At least it's all down hill to the gas station.
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After coming down from the Sandias a little micro brewery caught my eye. Still too early, gonna have to come back another time for a pint also leave the bike at home for that one.
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I went North passing through Madrid which seems to be a regular route for me these days. On up into Santa Fe to see how their ski area looks.
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Ok, this ride is developing a theme. Plus, the twisty roads up to the ski areas are a blast (if their clean!) This shot over looks the Santa Fe area. Too bad there's such a haze today!
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I rode on further out of Santa Fe to Espanola and thought about going to Taos. Plans had been made to be at my parents house at 4pm so I actually had to plan out my route a little bit. Hey, Pajarito ski area isn't far, I thought! Just through Los Alamos and up some more twisties, woohoo...
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After Pajarito it's a nice ride through the forest into the Jemez Mountains. I had never stopped at Bandelier National Monument before. Another dirt road, but a nice one so I went for it. Glad I did too it's such a beautiful area. Green meadows, tall pines and aspens. If they hadn't been burned by recent fires that is!
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Another visit to the Valles Caldera volcano then back down the mountain to Soda Dam. People jump off of this rock into the breathtakingly cold water below. Not today though.
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I took so many pictures but should stop there. The ride was aroundt 300 miles but took over ten hours. I'm trying to work my way up to making a 13 hour, 700 mile each way ride. One day each way. The bike I'm sure now can handle it so any limitations are on me. I'm almost ready for the challenge.
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