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EL SANGRE DE CRISTO
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June 28 & 29, 2008
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| La Cueva |
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| Taos Canyon |
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. Riders will begin with a warm up through town, up to Arroyo Seco, and then start the steady
climb to Taos Ski Valley before returning through Arroyo Hondo, and then heading north on an out and back via Questa, Costilla,
and Amalia to the abandoned Rio Costilla Ski Area. This is a steep climb for the last few miles up to Rio Costilla.
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 to the town of 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. Randonnuers may then catch a little rest or head back up Taos Canyon to Palo
Flechado before the rapid decent into Angel Fire. 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 heavy forest and winding downhill turns into Mora. (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 and then
rolling hills to the checkpoint in Sapello. Staying along the eastern edge of the Sangre's and with views
of the Great Plains, the route out and backs to the time forgotten town of Ocate′. Once back at La Cueva, a right
turn begins a steady climb through Mora again and then up Holman Hill. This is a steep climb, 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 nice, neat little ride. Well maybe it's not so little, but it sure has and will require
a lot of heart and soul. A blood (sangre) donation is not required.
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| Looking up the Rio Costilla |
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| Sunrise on Bobcat Pass |
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| Cimarron Canyon Palisades |
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| Checkpoint #2 - The Mailbox behind us at Taos Ski Valley (between us and the bike) |
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The start is in the parking
lot of the Quality Inn which is convenient for the return into Taos and the subsequent return on US 64 to Palo Flechado Pass.
The Bean Coffee Shop is next door along with various restaurants, convenience stores and other places to stay w/o being in
the center of town where traffic is often slow.
Registration Form - '08
Waiver and Release of Liability
Registered Riders
Route Sheet
Elevation Graph: Coming in November, '07
Google Map of the Start
Route Map - Google
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Where to Stay: Taos
Quality Inn: 1043 Paseo del Pueblo del Sur, (575) 758-2200, (888) 638-8267, www.taoshotels.com/qualityinn Best
Western Kachina Lodge: 413 Paseo
del Pueblo Norte, (505) 758-2275, (800) KACHINA, stay@kachinalodge.com
Budget Host Inn : 1798 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, (575) 758-2524, (800) 32- 6009'
www.taosbudgetinn.com
El Pueblo Lodge:
412 Paseo del Pueble Norte, (575) 758-8700, (800) 433-9612,
www.elpueblodge.com Sagebrush Inn: 1506 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, (575) 758-2254, (888) 449-8267, www.sagebrushinn.com Sun God Lodge: 1043 Paseo del Pueblo
Sur, (575) 758-2200, (888) 638-8267, www.sungodlodge.com
Taos Inn: 125 Paseo
del Pueblo Norte, (575) 758-2233, www.taosinn.com/ Angel Fire Elk Horn Lodge: Highway 434, (575) 377-2811, www.rtours.com, Leon
Mora Mora Inn: HC 34 Box 610 Highway 518, Cleveland, www.morainn.com, (575) 387-5230,
Craig and Kristy Wolf
www.taoshotels.com/qualityinn
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| Wheeler Peak from Valdez |
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