ABQ: Tours by Bike

ALBUQUERQUE

Touring the City by Bicycle


When you live in the same city for a long time it's easy to fall into a rut of going to the same places and doing the same things. To get a different perspective--try being a tourist for a day.

Routes Rentals & Tours is located at 11th and Mountain in Downtown Albuquerque. They offer a variety of bike tours, including BYOB: Bring Your Own Bike.

We recently took a bike tour along the bosque to look at historic sites in Old Town, ride to the top of the bike bridge over the Rio Grande to admire the view, stop by the Nature Center, do a wine and cheese tasting at a North Valley winery, and a stop by Los Poblanos Farm on the way back.

We chatted with the tourists on the tour about local history and recommended shopping.

Routes offers a variety of tours throughout the year, including special holiday rides and daily bosque tours.

SECRET ABQ: Bosque Ponds

SECRET ALBUQUERQUE

Bosque Ponds


View the Photo Journal.

In Downtown along the Rio Grande there has been the Albuquerque Bosque Restoration Project. Many people are familiar with the Tingley Ponds recreation area now used for picnics, fishing, model boat racing and paddle boat rentals. The area is connected by the BioPark train, road, the bike path along the Rio Grande, and hiking trails throughout the Bosque.

Far fewer people are aware of the ponds located in the Bosque that are part of a wetlands restoration project. The ponds only have hiking trail access (from the bike trail), and people and pets not allowed in the water. They located just west and a bit south of the Tingley Ponds.

The ponds are part of a larger goal to restore three distinct wetland communities (deep marsh, shallow marsh and wet meadow) to the riparian ecosystem, as well as provide additional habitat for wetland dependent wildlife like amphibians, fish and waterfowl.

The entire Ecosystem Restoration Project in the Bosque would involve 26 miles, from Corrales to the Pueblo of Isleta. Because the Rio Grande isn't allowed to flood as it would do naturally, due to agriculture, urban development and flood protection, it is estimated that the riparian habitat has been decreased anywhere from 40% to 90%. The lacks of flooding and wetlands not only harms wildlife, it also creates a fire danger to the Bosque and the surrounding city.

The willows and cottonwood trees along the Bosque are reaching the end of their current life spans. They rely on new flooding to germinate. The restoration project will help replant the Bosque with native species.


View the Photo Journal.

STYLE: Bicycles

STYLE

Bicycles

Five or ten years ago, bicycles were considered serious equipment for only the most sporty and athletic among us. Getting on a bike was supposed to entail stuffing yourself into spandex, a helmet, loading up on the water bottles and eschewing comforts like fenders or a kickstand.

Few bikes existed that would allow someone to comfortably hop on in street clothes and ride 3 blocks to a cafe. Or set up with the necessary equipment to make bicycle commuting to work a reality.

Luckily, recently, bikes have become a lot more fun. A couple years ago I was browsing an area bike shop and fell in love with an Electra Amsterdam in bright yellow, painted with tulips, and hand-tooled seat and grips. It was gorgeous. But it took the sales clerk several minutes to convince me that I wasn't too old to take the bike on a test ride.

Riding the bike was just plain fun. I could just hop on without having to "gear up" in special clothes first. The bike has a completely enclosed chain guard to keep grease stains off clothes. No more rolling up pant legs or wearing a rubber band around one leg. The bike also has rear guards on the back wheel to prevent skirts from getting caught.

The fenders and mud flaps prevent puddles in the rain from splashing up onto the rider. Not that it's much of an issue in the desert, although I still like the look. The bike has a back rack for panniers or baskets. And my very favorite feature--a kickstand. The bike won't fall over if I need to stop and leave it. Kickstands are one of the smartest inventions for a bicycle--ever.

The bike came equipped with a bell to warn pedestrians on the bike path that I'm coming. With only three gears, it's not much of an issue, though. I don't ride very fast on this bike. It was meant to casually tool around, not for speed or long distances. I added a cup holder sold by Electra that accommodates Starbucks.

The biggest selling point for me were the coaster brakes instead of grips on the handle bars. I have carpal tunnel and most bike brakes aggravate the condition. With the Amsterdam I simple pedal backwards to stop.

A lot of cool bike accessories have hit the market recently:panniers, which clip to the sides of the racks, now double as baskets, purses or brief cases; colorful messenger bags; and even full-sized suit garment bags. A commuter can still look professional while riding a bike to work.

Some of my favorite bikes include:

• Women's Electra Amsterdam--great look
• Electra Townie--an easy ride for folks not used to bikes
• Men's Public bikes--for style
• Industrial Bicycles--for durability and commercial uses
• Tri-rider Tandem--a trike at the back of the tandem for biking with someone of lesser abilities

Recommended reading: Just Ride by Grant Petersen

STYLE: Train Travel

STYLE

Train Travel

My favorite mode of vacation travel is by train. I like choosing a travel destination where I'm not going to need a car. There is something gratifying about railroad time, watching the countryside go by, and arriving at a new place gradually. Desert gives way to flat fields and ranches, which slowly builds into a city.

From the Albuquerque Amtrak station it's an overnight trip on the Southwest Chief to either Chicago or Los Angeles. Albuquerqueans are lucky to have a stop that boards in the middle of the day, unlike some stations, which pick up passengers at night. I would be less enthusiastic if I had to get on the train at 3 AM in the morning.

Going east, all mid-country trains head to Chicago. Unfortunately, there are no north/south Amtrak connections between Denver and El Paso. The local commuter train, the Rail Runner, does connect Albuquerque with Santa Fe, as the Amtrak train stops at Lamy, rather than Santa Fe proper.

I've been told the route through Denver, the California Zephyr, is one of the most beautiful trips.

Union Station, at the end of the line in Chicago, is located by a block just across the river from the Loop. It's a short walk to connect to the 'L' subway line. For some reason, Chicago's trains, subways, and commuter rails don't quite connect as seamlessly as most other major cities. However, it's still possible to get around, particularly when buses are added in.

The only Amtrak connection I have done in Chicago is Cleveland. When a four hour layover at the Chicago station is added in, Cleveland is more like a two day trip from Albuquerque. Some city connections, like Milwaukee, are much shorter. If you ever find yourself at the station with hours to spare, I recommend locking up your luggage and spending time walking around Chicago's Downtown. There are a bunch of great restaurants nearby.

Los Angeles, going west from Albuquerque, is a particularly notorious city for being spread out. I haven't tried to get around most of the city, preferring to stay in the Downtown area, where there are plenty of amenities and tourist attractions. The Amtrak stop, Union Station, is the regional transportation hub and connects with the commuter lines. It also links with the Amtrak west coast routes.

I particularly enjoy taking the train up the coast to Santa Barbara. A free trolley runs up and down their tourist row of restaurants and shops, with access near the train stop.

Bicycles are allowed on the Pacific Surfliner from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara, and some other routes, but not the Southwest Chief, unless crated like the airlines require.

Travelers are permitted a couple pieces of luggage, which can be checked, without any additional fees I'm aware of, as long as they meet size and weight restrictions. The train is a little more generous on size than the airlines.

So far, all of the stations I've traveled to have been located in decent neighborhoods close to amenities. Albuquerque may be one of the dicier stops, as it shares facilities with the Greyhound bus, and south of the station is an abandoned rail yard that's rather rough. (If you're a fan of Breaking Bad, however, walk just outside of the station and gawk. But don't wander too far.)

ABQ: Paseo del Bosque Bike Trail

ALBUQUERQUE

Paseo del Bosque Bike Trail

16 miles of uninterrupted paved trail runs from the northern end of Albuquerque to the southern end. The multi-use trail passed through Downtown on the western edge by the Biopark, Tingley Beach and the zoo.

The trail was named as one of the best in the western USA by Sunset magazine.


This trail is a beautiful ride along the Rio Grande through an area of trees known locally as a bosque. Native plants and animals can be spotted, including cranes in late fall and winter. It's a great way to watch hot air balloons at Balloon Fiesta on the northern end of the trail while avoiding the crowds.

The city is rather hot in the summer. Therefore, the best summer times to use the trail are in the mornings and early evenings. Albuquerque may not reach peak temperature for the day until 4 PM in the afternoon. Be advised to have plenty of water with you always. And thorn proof your tires if you are bringing your own bicycle instead of renting locally. The area is covered in goat head stickers--which are even worse on the connecting dirt paths. Trust me, you don't have enough patches in your repair kit. It's a long walk home if you get a flat. 


According to NMTS:

The bike path is used by children, recreational road cyclists, and experts (usually getting from one side of the city to another), not to mention walkers, inline skaters, joggers, and others. A gravel parallel road parallels the paved path on the northern portion. Be careful not to startle horses.

There is no water or bathrooms on the trail. There are porta-potties at the Alameda trail head and bathrooms at Tingley Beach. It crosses the diversion channel over several well maintained bridges and there are little benches along the way. The only negative is that there are several chicanes, or "mazes" south of Tingley beach where you have to dismount and walk your bike through. The are connections at Rio Bravo where you can find a convenience store nearby if you're getting hungry.