Lyrics by Courtney Knott | Photos by Tory Powers

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As a New Mexican who drifted away from the Land of Enchantment long before I began my descent into the depths of cycling, I was eager to explore my home state on two wheels. And, as a cyclist? Very excited to find the hype that so many people I’ve met over the years have shared.

Known in particular for the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, the green chili and its growing position in the film and television production industry (Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul), Albuquerque is the most populous city in New Mexico. But don’t worry – Duke City is scenic, easily navigable, and seemingly immune to the downfalls of major urban areas (traffic, etc.).

This is not surprising considering that New Mexico ranks fifth in the United States for land area, but 46th for population density.

Located in the north-central part of the state and served by the Albuquerque International Sunport, the city is divided from north to south by the Rio Grande River and framed to the east and west by the Sandia Mountain Range. -Manzano and the West Mesa and Petroglyph National Monument, respectively.

My riding partner and true New Mexican, Robbie Douangpanya, brought such rich history to life as we scoured the city for the best routes to ride and restaurants to restock. If it’s safe to assume the friendliness of a city’s residents is directly correlated to quality of life, then New Mexico has to top both lists!

A short distance from our Old Town hotel is the Paseo del Bosque trail. This 16-mile (26 km) paved multi-use trail (no street intersections!) is a fun, flat route that provides easy access to the ABQ BioPark system (Zoo, Aquarium, Botanical Garden, and Tingley Beach), but is also a link to countless rides across the city. Its ease of access and use allowed us to park our four wheels and rely on our two.

Bonus: Alongside the paved path, there are miles and miles of flowing dirt trails and singletrack that will have you grinning from ear to ear (even on 25s and tires!)

Day 1 – Tramway, La Luz, Les Doigts

We were aiming to tackle some elevation in the foothills on the east side of town. After a delicious breakfast at Bike In Coffee at Old Town Farm – a bike-centric cafe nestled under a canopy of lush greenery (with burritos, a bike repair station and bathrooms) – we cycled to and through Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, a charming town with agricultural roots displayed in the form of vineyards and green chili patches dotting the roadside.

Once on Tramway Road (NM 556), the wide shoulder and stunning views of the Sandias made the steady, gentle climb a pleasant warm-up for what was to come.

Forest Rd 333 offers the first chance to add some pizzazz with a nearly 1,000ft (300m) 2 mile (3.2km) climb to the La Luz trailhead!

Embark on a climb to La Cueva Picnic Area and The Fingers (a route that winds through the quiet, hilly streets of the neighborhood; definitely download it to your head unit) and you’ve got a great day of climbing ! Although you can do a full loop, I recommend retracing your strokes for an out and back.

There was only one good option for lunch after a day of climbing: Duran’s Central Pharmacy on historic Route 66. This iconic spot claims to serve “the best authentic New Mexican food on the planet.” and I challenge you to find someone who disagrees.

Day 2 – Petroglyphs

The West Mesa and Petroglyph National Monument serve as the city’s western geological boundary, and that’s where we were heading next. Once again we hopped on the Paseo del Bosque trail from our hotel and headed north to Alameda Open Space.

From there, you can head into Boca Negra Canyon via bike paths to West Mesa, float over the hilly terrain of Unser’s bike paths, and descend Atrisco Hill before a flat finish. Petroglyphs carved into the basalt bear witness to the powerful presence of Native Americans long before the arrival of European settlers. This heritage, along with the influence of early Spanish and Mexican settlers, can be seen in every fabric of the city, from the architecture to the cuisine.

We went to Sawmill Market for lunch on the way back to our hotel. This artisanal food hall was a perfect place for three different appetites: those of two hungry cyclists and our faithful photographer (also hungry). But when it came to dessert, our appetites became one. To see! Neko Neko.

Despite the overwhelming number of choices for this Japanese-style froyo, the young lady working helped us arrange the most perfect combinations in the most positive customer service experience I’ve had in my life!

Day 3 – Sandia Ridge

Quite possibly the most epic road climb in the state, and possibly the entire Southwest of the United States? Sandia Crest! But first, the downtown farmers market!

True to local fashion, Robbie lined up straight for a buttery croissant from Blue Door Pâtisserie (also located in the sawmill market) and we came out on the other side with… salsa! Six pots between the three of us. When in Rome…

Back to riding. You have several options for starting points, depending on how tall you want to go. Gain 3,800 feet (1,160 m) in just under 13.5 miles (21.8 km) – starting at the bottom of Sandia Crest Road – or 5,880 feet (1,790 m) in 58 miles (93 km) – starting at Tramway and Central. Either way, you’ll find yourself traversing areas of changing vegetation as you make your way to the sky.

Sandia’s summit rises to 3,240 m (10,640 ft) and offers stunning views of the city below and beyond. What makes an ascent painful almost always guarantees a descent super fun, and this is no exception.

To close the loop; my enthusiasm to explore cycling in Albuquerque was anything but disappointing, and I had high expectations! 10/10 New Mexicans (and non-New Mexicans) would recommend. And the Last Supper? Tamales the size of our heads, of course.

See you at the ABQ!

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