Saturday, October 6, 2007

Next RIDE: Dirt

Yo!
We're at it again at the Ski Area, going to be a purely shuttle'd experience this time and it's gonna be a blast with the cooler-weather and late-summer-ish trails. Should be some awesome colors amongst the trees as fall sets in, so if you aren't up for the ride, you should consider just the round-trip on a lift to take it all in. Here's the particulars:

When: THURSDAY (Oct 11) 11am
MEET: To be determined, (near 4-hills most likely)
Rate Info: CLICK HERE
Back: Should be back by late afternoon

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN MORE INFO or WANT TO SUGGEST SOMETHING: Comment!
Rock on!

NEXT RIDE...Road

Hey Folks~

Been a short while since the last posting, I do apologize but as life gets busy... you know what I mean.

Anyhoot, Now's the time to enjoy the fall weather and get a ride in, lots of rides in, as the weather is cool/crisp, and the heat is reduced by a nice breeze This coming Saturday - Oct 13 - we're going to ride along Tramway from South to North and right before scooting around the corner and downhilling-it to I-25 we'll climb up to our turn-around point at the base of the La Luz Trail. Yep, some climbing is in order, and not too-difficult a grade to surmount over the mile-or-two distance. So for those amiable, here are the specifics:

Ride: Out and Back to La Luz trailhead
Where from: Formerly Raley's store parking lot, Lomas just West of Tramway
Assemble: 6:45a
Leave: By 7:05a
Pace: 14-25mph along Tramway, then whatever crawl-ascend can be mustered up to the trailhead.

We should conclude our ride by Mid-Morning (10am-ish) and be avail for whatever our weekend plans are. This ride was selected for it's length and climb, wide-shoulder both N & S, and the probable lack of Balloon-tourist traffic that would prove contentious elsewhere while still allowing a view of the balloons if they would be drifting South.
Any questions/comments, post in the comments section and I'll fill you in.

Tuesday, September 4, 2007

Phenomn!

Had an incredible time at the Caldera this past Sunday with Steve Johnson. If you'd planned on going, wanted to go, or just missed it altogether, here are a few pics to show you what you missed. Here's part of the intro downhill-ish section: Valle Caldera1
It was at least a mile long, and was a fun (fast) swoopy jeep-road through the forest. I hit 30mph carving it up, definitely smile-ville.
Then, after some killer meadow crossings we began the hurt. The climbs were tough, but the views were incredible. Here's one from the first few miles: VC-pause on climb

I'm planning on doing this again in MAY '08 when the VC Trust opens their gate to MTB'rs again. Lotta training to do so there are no "push" moments where we wimped and chose Hike-a-bike as the climbing method due to the strain. 29.4 miles total, ascended and descended roughly 2500', and endured sleet/rain/mud/creek-crossings/and a good dose of misery with the threat of lightning strikes while getting so soaked it made trail negotiating difficult. Great for the memories though, and a nice gash that'll be my take-away as a scar to remember it by. ~E

Monday, August 27, 2007

MTN RIDE-VALLE CALDERA!!!

Yep, Time like never before, a ride in the dormant volcano! Mountain Bike with us on a fabulous ride in the Reserve. HERE IS THE LINK for you to reserve your spot, and be sure to sign up for the CLIMBER route designation. We're going to hit it this coming Sunday morning, SEPT 2. As we get there and in, then we'll decide the length/difficulty we'll agree on doing. You really don't want to miss it as they only open the place to bicycles twice a year.
Here's the particulars:

TIME: 6am to figure carpool/ride scenario and scoot North.
MEETING AT: Lowe's Home Center, Paseo/I-25. In the parking-lot in front of Lowes nearest Paseo Del Norte (in the central North section).
THE RIDE: Valle Caldera National Preserve.
RIDING 20-30 miles, 3-6 hours depending on participants and experience level. We'll be looking forward to you joining us!

Together is better!
~Ethan

Last weekend's ride..

Heck yeah! Climbing King of the Mountain was tougher/and more fun that expected. Happy to give the "clinic" to Harold, Pat, and Ali on the finer points of technical riding. Missed Offir and anyone else at the top as we were slower than expected getting up there. Not so easy on it's own, but add a relative newbie with a 50# Magna FS rig, and you know we're stopping to rest regularly. Was able to "clean" more sections than I'd thought I would, so pretty impressed/satisfied with myself.
For those that missed it, and you don't want to miss it before it's over for 2007, either get your b-hinney in gear and get up there this weekend. This is the last weekend of the regular summer-season, but not the last time you can hit it. During the balloon fiesta week they open again for all the fine folks that are here to visit, and for us who didn't catch enough of it to do it again in a slightly more chilly month. TENTATIVELY SET: SKI AREA NEXT RIDE OCT 13 (Saturday) For those up for the challenge of a good climb, or those who want to coordinate and meet (more sync'd next time) at the top.

~E

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Something to stir up da hype...

CHECK THIS OUT! It'll get your gumption-running! I totally wish we had it in line for this Saturday's ride (noted below) but alas, it's much, much, much more mellow but fun all the same. ~E

Sunday, August 19, 2007

More Details on Saturday's Ski Area Ride...

Hey Gang,

Thought it'd be prudent to pass on the additional details about this Saturday's plans. HERE is a link to the ski area we're going to ride. The cost is minimal ($9-one round trip with Bike/$16 all-day with bike) and they have nice bikes avail to rent for those who do not have but want to join anyway. Check the above-link for additional info. Also: HELMETS are mandatory, body-armor optional. Don't think you'll need the body armor, it's all about how fast you go really, the GE run is pretty mellow at slower speeds. Be not afraid!
Two different start/meet times are in order for our assault/gravity-fest at the ski area, so pick you passion and drink your fill. Because of the 2 different start places and times do take note of the particulars if you are interested in joining. I've invited a bunch of people to check this blog if they had any measurable interest, and hopefully all who were invited can join us. Together is better!

The Climbing party will rock up King of the Mountain to wait for the down-only set to arrive at the top before descending. I am very-amped to do the climb myself, so this will be the first time I'm not present at the bigger assembliage of folks to "rally the troops". As some of us live on the East and West side of the Sandias, we will be meeting in the parking-lot at the Ski area around 6:45am to start climbing by 7:10am. With the head-start we should be at the top with plenty of time to meet those shuttling up.
So, Climbers: 6:45am @ the Sandia Ski Area Parking lot. I am driving from my house around and up, so anyone who would like to car-pool from my Lomas/Tramway vicinity is welcome to post a comment here to claim a spot in 'Netta (my Honda). I have room for 2 additional bikes on the trunk rack, plus a third could de-assemble to fit in the trunk if technically possible. Otherwise, if your partial to the pain climbing would add to the gravity-assisted descent and want to join, please do and we'll see you there.

The Shuttle-bunnies will be meeting at the Starbucks/Dion's at Four Hills to carpool. Starbucks is a nice pre-ride espresso, but with the limited parking it's advisable to park on the South-side of that strip of businesses nearer the Dion's. My friend Bryan works at that Starbucks, and I wouldn't want our parked remains to keep him from additional tips because some soy-half-caff latte-lover couldn't find a parking spot nearby. The Lifts start-up at 10am, So I'm going to guess that meeting around 9am and leaving within 15-20minutes will get you to the ski area, get your lift-ticket, etc and be ready to shuttle by 10a. I am only suggesting this start point for the carpoolers in the shuttlin' set. It's a pretty sweet lot on the Easternmost-edge of Albq. proper and convenient for most. I am not sweating this choice. If it's agreed anywhere else is more convenient for that group (i.e. Grace) post a comment and get the word out of the best option. I'll be seeing you at the top.
Shuttler's: 9am @ Starbucks/Dion's 4-hills, Central/Tramway When we assemble at the top together, We'll take Golden Eagle down.
Right On! I'm really looking forward to this, and again hope everyone invited can make it. It'd be great to have such a presence Praising Him up there! I read every comment, and reply, so do make any questions known. ~Ethan-ator

Thursday, August 16, 2007

Mountain Ride...Ski area

Hey-Hey-Hey!

Last year we had a blast hitting the ski-area trails, and thought before they shut it down for the season we oughta hit it again. This year I'm not going to be just down, but climb up like Harold did last year. I've tentatively set it for next Saturday the 25th. If you're up for it, do join! Together is better and there's room enough for you too!

More later as it develops, but please reply if you have an interest in joining.

Monday, August 6, 2007

Logo upcoming...

Hello Dear Reader,

In the near future you may be accessing this site via a .com without the blogspot part. Working with my wife is always a blessing, and she's helping design our club logo as well as leaning towards doing a little CSS to pretty-up our webbie in a full-tilt kind of way.
WHY? With a Logo we're able to do imprinting, (shirts, jerseys, hats, water bottles, etc) and instead of the long-winded 'net address and limits that blogger places on the free blog space I'm using now, a legit webby would be better with that logo on the above-noted "etc". I'll have a nifty redirect when the new webby is up, and will be figuring up T's to start our club ID for mass acknowledgement.

Last Saturday, and next ride...

Hey, Hey, Hey!

Last week if you missed it, you missed it! We had a great time cruising the bosque then took a side-excursion to meet a brother who couldn't join at his work at the airport. 35+/- miles all around, and got it done in a mellow-ish pace kind of way. 3-medium hills in the route (up Rio Bravo, University, and Randolf all going counter-clockwise), not too bad and not nearly as tough as Heartbreak on our previous jaunt.

Next up is a hilly-er route, and I need to tally votes to decide. Please let me know which option would work for you and you'd prefer doing.
Option 1: Fourhills start, early departure (6a?), Finger drills, 20 miles or so of foothill punishment.

Option 2: Fourhills start, not-as-early departure (8-9a?), thru Tijeras, out to Ribs on N-14 (Sandia Park? Canoncito?) for BBQ lunch. I don't know the mileage, but do know it's a climb all the way out there, then a blast-fast return to 4-hills.

Date is NEXT SATURDAY Aug 18. Do reply with your preference, and DO JOIN!
~E

Friday, July 27, 2007

Next Ride...

Hey Gang,

The next ride we'll be doing will be August 4th. That morning is the monthly Men's Breakfast @ Grace Church, and since most of us will be there for that it seems most prudent we start from there, and after we'll depart. Here is where the church is at, and we'll get started around 8-8:30am, (when the breakfast fellowship concludes). Men, you're welcome to join us to the breakfast, as usually it's great eats and a chance to hear God speak through someone on a "manly" topic. Ladies, you're welcome to join us too, but probably around our start-time you'll find us assembling/assembled in the parking lot ready to hit it before that day gets any warmer.

Our route is a simple one, we're going to get over to the Bosque Trail via a few choice turns, and take it down to either it's very end at Rio Bravo (then back over to the river trail on Rio Bravo) or find a good turn-around point prior to that before heading back North to the Church.
Again:
Meeting: 6901 San Antoinio NE, Grace Church parking lot
Time: we'll leave by 9am
Route miles: short 25-30 at a moderate pace (14-18mph)

Re-directed...

Hello again,

I decided to re-form the club blog so that the sharing of it's address isn't too cumbersome. Here is where you can find it from here on out, and blogger will do the hosting duties until we're confident the club's site can support it's own domain and all the trimmings associated. Check back often for updated ride schedule!

from the first bloggity

Sundoxazo Ciclismo is a club that enjoys to ride together and share God's love with one another and anyone we may encounter on our route. I'm really, really blessed to have such a wonderful group of friends that enjoy riding as much as I do that I can fellowship with, and enjoy joining me as I organize different routes to conquer. We've ridden intense climbs (Heartbreak anyone?), long 4-hour affairs with rollers in the mix, and short "finger" rides that have challenged us. We are eager to have you join us, so stay tuned for the next rides I'll post here.
Also look for commentary-posts from some of the other riders in our fellowship, as well as some bits from the devotionals we usually share before we hit the road.
Road? Yes, most of the gang posess road-rigs and prefer the paved, but I'm blessed to have the quiver for mountain rides as well. If there is any interest in rides I do in the dirt, make it known via a comment and I'll post about those jaunts as well. THIS is my other blog and contains more than cycling stuff, but if you just want to be tuned in to the SC fellowship, you can set your "preset" for right here.
Serving with You~
E