Notes
New Mexico Century done and dusted.
A couple of years ago I tried to do this ride and had a serious mechanical issue with my bike. The derailleur broke and embedded itself into the spokes of my rear wheel. K was there to rescue me and be the sag wagon. Although I completed 100 miles I wasn't able to go through the finish line. For an OCD person like myself, that just would NOT do. I wanted a repeat with an Official finish. So I planned this quick trip. Plus, it would be good training for STP in July.
I decided to ride my bike to the start since it was only a few miles from the hotel, which turned out to be a good idea (separate log entry) The roads were mostly quiet, and I determined that the day was going to start out warmly enough not to need long fingered gloves or arm warmers.
This year I was signed up for the Century (untimed) rather than the Gran Fondo (timed) since I didn't want to put any pressure on myself. The weatherman was reporting a nice day mostly early but then winds picking up later.
The start of this ride was slower than most Centuries I have participated in because there was a police escort which kept the pace very slow for around 7 miles until we got outside of town and ongoing construction. I understand why they did this, but as a rider it was incredibly annoying, because the pack kept creeping along and bobbling in fits and starts like an accordian. There was no escaping. Finally, we started moving and the crowd started to thin into packs moving at different speeds. I found a few good groups to hang with.
Santa Fe terrain is mostly high desert-y. There are miles of scrub brush and sand and reddish rocks. The sun is severe. But it is cooler than deserts at sea level. It is slightly higher than where I am 7200 ft vs 5280 ft. When you get out of town, it becomes hillier and there is enough elevation for skiing. I think it tops out around 10000 feet.
Our ride took us into some hill country during the first 3rd, which wasn't horrible, but it wasn't what I would call easy either. There was one steep pitch with a 12-14% grade which came after a long haul of 6% grades. A guy behind me asked aloud "Is this the hill everyone is talking about?" I figured that it was but just mumbled "I have no idea." I figured that if we didn't acknowledge its presence then it would not defeat us! It was a killer and there were some who walked it. I did not. My legs had it this year, and I churned up that stupid hill, never questioning my ability to ascend. I'm from Colorado now afterall. We eat hills for breakfast.
After that we had a glorious descent which was the just the best, not too steep and very little trafficked. Then it was on to the flatish part. The winds had started to pick up and first we rode into a crosswind/headwind. Then we turned and oh my what a wonderful feeling that was. The quartering tailwind was so strong that when I checked my Garmin I was going at 27-28mph, hardly pedaling. Glory to God. This went on for about 10 miles. All good things come to an end, though and it wasn't long before we turned again and got battered to bits by crosswinds and headwinds. I tried to lean slightly left with my bike into the wind so I didn't get blown over. Every now and again, a freak gust would pick me up and push me ever so slightly or cant my front wheel one way or the other. I was completely alone with the person ahead barely in sight. There were no drafting opportunities. Just me, my Bianchi, my legs and the Wind. It.was.insane.
The last 3rd of the ride was a cruel joke. After the enjoyment of the flats, meditative scenery, adobe houses, cows and horses, we were flung onto a busier highway which in addition to being windy started to climb. And we climbed and climbed and climbed some more. Big rollers with ups and downs after our legs were already smashed from pedaling in the winds.
Around 75 or 80 miles there was an aid station where I stopped to get more gatorade to stave off the leg cramps which were starting to assault me. I regrouped and remounted. The last miles were a blur of effort and counting down each mile until finally there was the finish. K was standing right there which was so sweet and unexpected. I thought we would just meet up after at the nearby gas station because we didn't know about the parking situation. It really was great having him there to share the moment.
Santa Fe, I enjoyed finishing your Century but I am pretty sure it is out of my system. The next time we visit You it will be purely for sightseeing and other fun.