Rollers Loop: 30 figgies + 2 muscle milk + 2 water bottles 65 miles round trip sounds great.. and chances are you're thinking of your car. Add a change of 2500ft elevation, and replace your car with a bicycle. Now you've got one great Sunday ride. I can't thank Capt Snookums enough for showing me this route. Absolutely Beautiful. Just because the first 20 miles are uphill (honest), don't turn this route down. Turn it down because the highway (212), undoubtedly the "Roller" of this loop, is a pain in your ass after that 20mi/2500ft climb. Up down up down, wash, rinse, repeat. These are the rides that build confidence in new riders, pushing limits and expectations, redefining your sense of personal reward. Take it from me: you've earned your victory shower after returning home from this route.This ride starts with several miles along Route 66, then the slow 20mi climb into the Tijeras canyon (where we saw some badass dude on a motorcycle being filmed for what I assume is a don't-speed-in-nm commercial), a turn into the Ciabola National Forest, then a long ride north along 212 (aka, "the Roller"). After that, nothing matters since your legs are burned out and your tush is pretty sore, but basically you head west, then take a route back to Route 66 and head home. It was worth it, and I'd be glad to show anyone else this route for the many aforementioned reasons.
Looking forward to this ride again. How about after the upcoming 150mi BikeMS 2010 fundraiser ride??
A few pix:A very long northbound road packed with big ups and downs.
This is the Breakfast of Champions.
Capt Snookums and I pushing along the East Mountains
This is the Breakfast of Champions.
Capt Snookums and I pushing along the East Mountains
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