Life, food, events, and community in Albuquerque, NM

Favorite Fall Rides

Yesterday (Sunday) I took the Riverside Drain Trail (the paved trail on the east side of the Rio Grande) south from Mountain Road all the way down past Rio Bravo (at the end, it actually turns toward the mountain and loops back to join the trail again at Rio Bravo). From Mountain down and back its probably about 20 miles or so.

I have never taken this route before and WOW! What a ride! Especially at this time of year with the wonderful golden light and shimmering cottonwoods changing color. I was not out to take photos, but this would be a great opportunity. You get it all - farming, huge cottonwoods, industrial refuse, huge concreted arroyos, views of the mountains, etc.

The trail is fun and narrow in some places (and I was watchful for trip wires - there would be many opportunities here and it is a less traveled route) and quite bumpy, but this is the price you pay for zooming so closely among the trees and its well worth it. I actually stopped and let a little air out of my tires to make for a more comfortable ride. But the scale of intimacy, the dappled sunlight passing through the gilded leaves, the tiny corridors opening up to stunning vistas - it was all a very moving experience. I plan to go again next week.

Anyone else have a favorite ride for this time of year?

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Permalink Reply by Bosque Bill on October 27, 2009 at 9:20am: I assume you are talking about the trail that is officially named the Bosque Recreation Trail. There are many beautiful views all along there, it goes north from Mountain Rd all the way to Alameda, especially this time of year with the Cottonwoods turning.

There are some alfalfa fields about a half-mile north of Rio Bravo Blvd that frequently have a few Sandhill Cranes feeding in them from now through February. It is worthwhile to keep watch as they will occasionally be quite close to the trail.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Wade Patterson on October 27, 2009 at 9:35am: That's the one! On my *new* bike map, they call it "Riverside Trail" at the southern end and "Paseo del Bosque Recreational Trail" north of Mountain. I'm not sure they've made up their minds...Whatever its called, the southern leg was wonderful and a section I had not explored, even though I used to live down there for 9 years.

Not to knock the northern section above Mountain. That is what I usually ride - from Mountain to Alameda and then off into Corrales and beyond (and back). There, the views are sweeping and dramatic because you are mostly up on the levee and above the bosque and river. What I loved about that southern ride was that you were more in and among the bosque and farms with trees closer in, nice natural "tunnels" and a bit of shielding from the wind. It was also less traveled and more intimate.

I didn't see any cranes this time around, but we lived about 1/2 mile north of Rio Bravo and there was a large area in the river there where the cranes would gather at this time of the year in large numbers (probably right where you are talking about). I would regularly see 50-100 congregating at dusk and then flying out again a little after sunrise. Great stuff.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Bosque Bill on October 27, 2009 at 9:50am: That section with the trail in a tunnel of trees is especially nice on a hot summer day as all that shade and water nearby lowers the temp both real and perceived. I'll frequently stop at a bench there to have a mid-ride banana and just soak in nature.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Phil_0 on October 30, 2009 at 12:47pm: Wade, is this trail paved for its entire length?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Wade Patterson on November 3, 2009 at 9:05am: Yes it is. THings are a little bumpy in spots from roots growing underneath the trail, but the entire length is paved. I rode it on a road bike and, while it was a little jittery in spots, it was thoroughly enjoyable.; ▶ Reply to This