Today was the first day of a 300 mile bicycle excursion thru the mountains of northern New Mexico. After a lovely, scenic four hour drive thru the central valley of Colorado, thru small one street towns and with mountain ranges of each side we finally arrived in the town of Antonito, one of the hubs of the Cumbres and Toltec narrow gauge railroad (http://www.cumbrestoltec.com/).
We saw the railroad arrive at 4:45 pm steaming, whistling and hooting after hauling three carloads of people up what would be our first days' ride. (see movie below)
Finally at 7:30 am on Wednesday we are off on a 49 mile ride to Chama, NM, over two 10,000 foot passes. The first is a 2400' climb over five miles.
After a long downhill to an abandoned restaurant where we had sandwiches on the porch, we did another 750' climb to the second pass.
This could be one of the most lovely bike rides I have ever done. Rare cars on a road that winds thru lush forest, high above remote wild valleys, at times along the railroad tracks of the narrow gauge, and all the while with the songs of birds cheering us along. The climb was tough, but the scenery helped it to pass without a complaint. The final 16 mile downhill to Chama was a delight.
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