ROUTES - 600k

This is the crown jewel of the New Mexico Brevet Series. This brevet traverses the northern two thirds of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, starting and ending in Taos. This route will test the strength and stamina of even the fittest riders as there is over 24,000 feet of elevation gain. We have tweaked the route some for '09. We wanted to eliminate some very rough pavement out to Ocate' and include the Rio Grande Overlook as it has brand new pavement and great views. We also wanted to make the route shorter so that it is closer to being a 600k. Riders will begin with a warm up through town, up to Arroyo Seco, and then start the steady climb to Taos Ski Valley (great restrooms 500' past the PO Box on the same level) before returning through Arroyo Hondo, and then heading north on an out and back via Questa. Several miles north of Questa we will be turning onto NM 378 headed for the Wild Rivers Visitor's Center, continue past to La Junta Overlook. From there we head north to Costilla and then along the Rio Costilla to the PO Card drop @ the Amalia Post Office. After a quick return to Questa, the course heads up to Red River and ultimately over Bobcat Pass before descending to Eagle Nest. Following is an out and back in the beautiful Cimarron River Canyon. We will shorten this to Ute Park instead of going all the way down to Cimarron. Upon returning to Eagle Nest, the route passes through the Moreno Valley and then heads over Palo Flechado Pass to complete the clockwise Enchanted Circle back to Taos. Riders may then catch a little rest or head back up Taos Canyon to Palo Flechado before the rapid decent into Angel Fire (be careful on this descent as there are some sharp turns at speed). The Elk Horn Lodge is another easy place to stay as it is right on the highway, has a laundramat next door if needed, a convenience store and bike/ski shop on the other side with a great breakfast burrito at the cafe' in the same complex, and the manager, Leon, is extremely helpful. From there the course travels the quite road NM 434 through a heavily forested and winding downhill. This gives way to the river valley country surrounding Mora as it passes through the llama ranches. (An option exists to stay at the The Mora Inn, which is actually in Cleveland a few miles north of the intersection.) A steep climb awaits outside of Mora to Cebolla Pass. Then there are rolling to the checkpoint in Sapello. The route now heads towards the Checkpoint at Morphy Lake. After doubling back to NM 94 the course begins a steady climb through Mora again and then up Holman Hill. This is a steep climb, for 6.2 miles, but rewards are many on the backside along the Rio Pueblo, passing through Tres Ritos and Sipapu Ski Area. The final and fairly gentle climb up U.S. Hill is again rewarded with a long descent to Taos for a fast finish. There are lakes and numerous small rivers along much of this route as it is in New Mexico's largest and tallest mountain range. This is the heart and soul of northern NM rolled into one beautiful ride. Completion will require a lot of heart and soul, but a blood donation is not required.