Friends of the Blog Pat O. and Khal S. have expressed a desire to pedal around the Duke City for a couple of days, and thus we shall.
The inaugural Ruta del Rancho Pendejo shall be June 2-3, with two stages, one on road and the other off. Which comes first? Chicken or egg? Weather, the gods and other actors beyond our control shall dictate the schedule.
Likewise the routes. The road stage will probably cover the Paseo del Bosque (from the Alameda Open Space trailhead south and back again), but additional trails will be on tap (Paseo del Norte, North Diversion Channel Trail) should the spirit be willing.
The bosque trail is as flat as flat can be, so any old road/cyclocross bike will do, but we may find ourselves climbing The Invisible Hill (the New Mexican wind is renowned for its ability to adjust so that it is always in your grille). Also, and too, traffic is heavy on weekends, so gird your loins for other cyclists, joggers, skaters, dog-walkers, stroller-pushers and other impediments to forward progress.
There’s also the option of climbing Tramway east of Interstate 25, a pleasant half-hour grind with soothing views of the Sandias. You gain about a thousand feet from the Rio Grande to the intersection of Tramway Boulevard and Tramway Road (which in itself is a nice little climb to the Sandia Tram proper). Masochists who find us feeble taskmasters may sample the climb to the Sandia Crest.
The off-road stage is likely to take in the trails surrounding the Elena Gallegos picnic area, and perhaps those to the south of Menaul Boulevard as well. The clinically insane ride these on cyclocross bikes, touring bikes, and even single-ring, flat-bar, canti-braked townies with a low end of 38×28, but we will not laugh at anyone who prefers an actual, y’know, like, mountain bike, an’ shit. Well, not much, anyway, and certainly not where you can catch us doing it.
The Ruta is an extremely casual, social weekend of gentle riding open to all Friends of the Blog. I recommend seeking lodging somewhere in the ABQ Uptown area (Interstate 40 and Louisiana). Over the years Herself and I have camped at the Hilton Garden Inn, the Homewood Suites, and the Hampton Inn (Carlisle and I-40) and come away with our throats uncut, our guts unshot, and all our possessions in hand.
Sustenance is a work in progress at the moment. You’ll be on your own for breakfast, but depending upon turnout evening meals will probably be at one of the justly heralded green-chile beaneries in the North Valley, a 20-minute drive from El Rancho Pendejo and ABQ Uptown.
Post-ride refreshments may be available on the patio at El Rancho Pendejo, where your hosts will include Your Humble Narrator, Herself, Field Marshal Turkish von Turkenstein (commander, 1st Feline Home Defense Regiment) and his adjutant, Miss Mia Sopaipilla.
Sound like your idea of a good time? Holler at me by May 1 — ogrady (at) maddogmedia (dot) com — so I can gauge the size of the peloton.
Mad Blog Media 
I have been looking forward to another morning ride on the Paseo del Bosque for over a year. It would be so cool to meet some of the folks who hang around Mad Dog Media. You think Paul and Phil will show up? If we can’t get them, how about Charles for live ride commentary?
Should I bring the PX-4?
Rumor has it that Patrick is riding 100 miles a week preparing for the Ruta. Man probably has podium legs by now. You all need to sign up to help me keep up with him. I sure would like to ride with all of you. You too Hurben, but that is a long way to go for two days riding. Next year maybe we need to come to you ?
Patrick’s legs by June:
i’m wondering if i need a new bike for this event.
I’m riding two that are kinda old, so you probably don’t need a new bike. But it is a convenient excuse for one, Looking forward to seeing you there.
Hope everyone has a great time! if you ever want to create such a thing over in Italy, let me know. I think our Piedmont Cycling Resort https://www.piedmontcyclingresort.com/ could be persuaded into providing some special rates for a few days of Maddog foolishness.
I can promise near-zero traffic, the best food in the entire world, 4-star lodging and more.
Now that sounds like a good time. I need to get off the Large Irish-American Arse® and get myself a passport, if Uncle Sammy will let me have one.
Wish I could come. It sounds fantastic. We recently bought a lot on the Arkansas River within walking distance of downtown Salida, Colorado. Our goal is to build a house there and move there within the next few years. We would love to host a group of you all there!
Well done indeed, Sharon. My man Hal Walter has craved a place down there for years, but he needs enough acreage to support a teenage son and a few jackasses. Pricey stuff, that.
You gonna pitch a tent there this summer?
We go every summer for a week or two. There are a few other cyclists from our town that have been going for many years and they originally invited us. Lots of cycling, hiking, kayaking. All things outdoors. Fantastic people.
I’ve always liked Salida. Hal and I raced the Banana Belt Loop there in 1991, and the legendary Colorado journo Ed Quillen lived there. He also founded Colorado Central</em>, the regional mag that features Hal’s column.
There’s the annual Colorado Brewers Rendezvous at Riverside Park, Absolute Bikes, Amica’s Pizza, a bunch of hot springs within cycling distance … what’s not to like?
As it’s still snowing here the number of miles on bike thus far in 2018=O. How far are the rides and are their decent rental bikes out that way? Would love to fly out but worry I’d be a mile behind before we even leave the parking lot.
you won’t be alone.