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SPOTLIGHT:
New Mexico - It’s better on a
bike! by Sherri Bryant
Whether you are an
experienced cyclist or you haven’t been
on a bike since you were eleven years
old, you will thoroughly enjoy biking in
New Mexico. From the high desert plains
to winding mountain roads, New Mexico
offers a myriad of choices for the
cycling enthusiast.
Imagine, topping a curve
and experiencing the most intense sunset you have ever seen in your
life. Peddling through nature trails replete with rabbits, chipmunks,
birds of all kinds.
Our abundant wildlife can easily
be seen from the seat of your bike.
Young or old, no matter your age,
chances are if you can walk, you can
ride and you will be glad you did.
If you live in New
Mexico, there is no better way to
explore your own community than to go
out bike-riding. You will find trails,
streets, nooks and crannies that you
have never seen before.
As residents of New
Mexico, my husband and I leave every
evening about eight o’clock in time to
catch the sunset. We stop for a bit to
watch the brilliant colors merging and
moving as if in a kaleidoscope, then
feeling renewed we make our way through
beautiful paths and trails supplied by
our local college campus.
We enjoy the
late-evening scent of pines and
junipers, sage, all sorts of flora and fauna. Nothing
compares to the freedom of a bike with
the breeze in your face, revitalizing
yet caressing. Our ride lasts about an
hour as we meander across campus,
through neighborhoods, in and around the
groves of pine, until after dark, we
make our way home.
Staff photo
If
you plan on visiting New Mexico, bring your
bicycle! If you do not own one or do not wish to
transport a bicycle, many tourist areas in New
Mexico offer hourly and daily rentals. Exploring
by bicycle will give you an insight to the area
you are visiting that is just not available by
car.
You may decide to stop and talk to locals, or
dash into a street café for a drink and a break
while taking in the view and enjoying the
amenities. If you are camping or staying in a
downtown area, having a bicycle is ideal to
easily get around. Campgrounds offer nature
trails, and biking will offer exercise, nature
and mobility through the grounds. Downtown areas
can be congested, expensive to park, and hard to
maneuver in, so having a bicycle can be a big
boost allowing you to visit and explore at your
leisure.
The places you will want to ride and the type of
riding you enjoy doing will determine your
needs. If you are going to be riding on flat
ground, you needn’t spend too much, any ordinary
bicycle will do. If you want to test your skills
on trails and hills, a mountain bike will better
suit your needs. And of course for highway
riding, you will want something with a variety
of gears to help you pace your way.
Some interesting places to
explore on bicycle are:
Red River, New Mexico. Rentals available. Small
main street mountain town. Great for leisure or
mountain cycling. Take your bike to the top of
the ski area and have fun coming down.
Santa Fe, New Mexico. Rentals available. Ride
the square, explore Santa Fe’s unique
side-streets and culture. Stop for a concert in
the park.
Albuquerque, New Mexico. Rentals available. For
city cycling, of all the beautiful cities in the
southwest, Albuquerque’s sun, mild climate and
striking view make it worth the peddle. Bike
paths, trails, numerous bike groups and tours,
many to the top of Sandia Crest.
Additionally many areas of New Mexico have
seasonal and annual runs. Silver City’s Annual
Tour of the Gila in May is one such noted race.
Featuring hundreds of cyclists from all over the
world, the race has divisions for all skill
levels and covers up to 340 miles through Grant
County. Spectator activities are also provided.
Whatever your cycling tastes and desires,
cycling in New Mexico will be an experience to
enjoy and remember.
Tips:
Always carry your
water-bottle, you’re in New Mexico.
Check local bicycling
safety laws and ordinances.
Always lock up your bike,
even in the smallest town.
For
information about accommodations, recreation, dining and much
more in this area and many other US destinations, take a moment
to visit our US Travel Directories:
