Part of actual trail.
June 21, 2009
10:00 am ride start
There will be a shorter ~12mi loop this year and also the original ~20mi epic loop for ther racer types. Both are examples of the wonderful senic gnarly trails available in the Sandias. Mmm...senic. Mmm...gnarly.
<Short course map> <Short Course Directions>
<Long course map> <Long course Directions>
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Sign in on site 45 minutes before the ride.
Meet at the horeshoe bend about 1/4 mile up the crest road from Doc Long.
We will hand out coursemaps at the start. We will try to mark some of the course, but most of it is unmarked. Do not expect a groomed 4ft wide NORBA ski area course. If you can ride all of it you have a good shot at athe word championships for observed trials. Expect to push some sections.
The old course was 19 miles and the fastest riders did it in a little under 3 hrs, though some riders took as much as 5 hrs. It is psycho climby and technical. If your NORBA license does not say cat 1 or 2 or if you are not an endurance ride person I would recommend the shorter course.
Though there is no entry fee, but if you would like to make a donation to cover my time in getting this organized, say like $10 if you have a USAC racing license and $15 if you do not, that would be appreciated.
Legal stuff: This is an informal practice/training event and not a real “race”. It is, legally speaking, an insured training ride. It is held under a USAC non-competitive permit (pending). No prizes will be given out. No entry fees will be collected. Unofficial “results” will be posted for the racer types, but they do not count towards any point series or upgrade. Helmets required. NORBA rules apply.
In the foreseeable future we cannot do this as a real race, put it in the NMORS and all that, because a few sections are on trails not recognized as official trails by the forest service. They are not illegal to ride, but they cannot be used in a permitted event.
POTLUCK: will be sponsored by Fat Tire Cycles, and will be in the Doc Long picnic area and will follow the ride. There will be some food and drinks provided by Ribs and by Fat Tire. If you can bring something more that would be cool. If not there will brobably be enough to go around.
For info contact: Hawke Morgan 2596885 or email yourstruly@operamail.com
DIRECTIONS: Proceed from Albuquerque as is going to the Sandia Peak Ski Area. You will pass a sign on the right that says Cibola National Forest, continue about 1/2 mile to Doc Long which will be on the left. Park for free 1/4 mile above Doc Long at the horseshoe bend, or pay $3 and park in Doc Long. If you do not pay in Doc Long and get a ticket it is $60!!!! We will start out from the horseshoe bend.
Ben Hall was a local cyclist who raced for Fat Tire Cycles. He was killed in an accident racing in Moab on April 25, 2004. We did the first one of these around that date in 2005, but on a normal year the trails are snowbound in April.
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