Cruise the Caldera 2008

It started off as a lazy hazy warm day cruising by bike through the Valles Caldera National Preserve. When I started there was not a cloud in the sky. Despite my late start, the weather was so nice that I decided to take the high road to Redonditio and do a clockwise loop through Valles Caldera National Preserve.

Only four days out of the entire year are set aside for semi-supported mountain bike events at the preserve. The fee is $20 for the day and I wanted to make the most of it for the second consecutive year. Last year I got rained on, but I was looking forward to better weather this year. The events at the preserve mostly have to be booked ahead and there is no refund. There are a few things that you can do by just driving in and paying a small fee, but mostly you have to plan ahead.



Just a few minutes before this massive hail storm blew over the mountain I ask a lady who was passing me near the top of Redondito whether she thought it was going to rain. She looked at me like I was crazy and said, "I don't think so." I have had my butt kicked so many times in the Jemez Mountains that I have learned to come prepared for the worst. So as I stood under a tree away from the direct impact of the dime-size hail that pelleted the mountain for about 30 minutes she and her group where making a hasty retreat back down the mountain. They did not look like they staying too dry or very warm.



It has become a tradition to take a picture on myself on this ride waiting out the rain/hail. The silnet poncho worked great while I was sidelined during the worst of the storm. Then I doffed the poncho and donned my full rain suit to ride down the mountain. About half way down I stopped to eat some lunch, and a couple of sopping wet and obviously cold riders told me that I was cheating to have a full rain suit and a helmet cover. It pays to commute year-round, because you learn to be prepared for whatever Mother Nature has to offer.

As I was returning to the staging area where I parked I saw a herd of elk that some hikers had scared off Cerro La Jara. One of the baby elk was trapped in cow fence and screaming like mad. I stopped some preserve folks and we discussed coyotes versus elk and survival of the fittest. They also indicated that the commotion that the bikers had caused yesterday and today probably caused the herd to run. I did not want to argue, but it was actually some hikers who ran them off. We were not even close. I would estimate that the road we were on was at least a half-mile away from the herd, but the hikers were just a couple hundred yards away at best. Hopefully the hikers will move on and the herd will return before the coyotes show up, and the youngster will get loose from the fence.

Even though the information provided when you sign up for the ride included bringing rain gear, many riders did not have any. As I was riding back to the staging area in my full rain suit a preserve van gently pulled up beside me to see if I was doing okay. As I turned to the open window on the van I saw that it was full of drowned (biker) rats. Right behind the van was a dually pickup loaded with their bikes. As usual, I declined the ride.

It is not uncommon for new bike club members to make fun of me for the stuff I carry on club rides. I think that too many riders have really gotten caught up with grams and speed instead of common sense and safety. When they start riding with me at 5:30 am in the winter or on a multi day bike-camping tour like the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route type stuff, then I might consider listening to their opinion. In the meantime just try to enjoy the ride.

On my way home I checked out some Forest Service Campgrounds and took the back way to Jemez Valley via the Gilman Tunnels. These massive tunnels were carved through solid rock mountains; first to get the narrow gauge trains in and out of the Jemez with timber, and later used by logging trucks.

Many tourists never see or experience why New Mexico is called "The Land of Enchantment." Maybe that is a good thing?