ROUTES - 200k - RADIUM SPRINGS

This ride starts and ends at the Leasburg Dam State Park, Radium Springs, New Mexico. It then heads north through the chile and cotton fields, and pecan orchards of the Lower Rio Grande Valley tracing the route of the ancient 'Camino Real'. Rider' then loop up and around the 'National Scenic By-Way', 'Geronimo's Trail', to the foothills of the Black Range into Hillsboro and then to the old silver mining town of Lake Valley, on yet another 'National Scenic Byway'. Next up is the mild downhill return back to the Rio Grande Valley at the "Chile Capital of the World", Hatch, and a fast ride back to Radium Springs.

The start/finish has changed to Leasburg Dam State Park as there is more parking and large clean restrooms w/showers. There is a $5 park entry fee or you may camp for $10. The park normally opens at 7:00, but they are opening it at 6:30 for us. The park also closes at 5:00, but you will have the combination to the lock to enter and exit as you please. (The tree lined road outside the gates is part of the park property and they do not want us parking there and it does not save the fee.) The map of the campground has a link below.

We will be starting in daylight so lights and reflective gear will not be required. However, if you do not think you can complete 130 miles in less than 9 hrs., you need to bring lights and reflective gear (see 'Rules for Riders). Sunset will be at 4:55 or so and twilight will last another 20, so pack a headlight and a good tail light. This is the cheapest insurance you can buy. I carry a light on my road bike at all times and it is obnoxious in the odd blinking pattern. I know that law requires a non-blinking light, but overkill here will never get you a ticket. I also carry a smaller, but effective back-up. Headlights that can go into a blinking mode for twilight conditions is your best protection to prevent being 'turned into' and the blinking mode doesn't use much power. I used to hate this safety gear, but many miles in poor or confusing light conditons has made me not concerned about a pound of lighting/safety gear.

After leaving LDSP,we will head head west on NM157, then take a right heading north on NM185. From there we follow the river until the Boarder Patrol Checkpoint at mile 13.25 (total elapsed milage). Any illegal aliens could be removed from the event. Please carry your driver's license in case they ask. The route continues north on NM185 until we "turn" on NM26 at mile 22.8. Less than a half a mile later we take a right onto NM187. At mile 32.5 is J&M Grocery Store in Garfield. The first official checkpoint is at mile 47.4 at the Lakeview RV Park in Caballo. (A word of general randonneuring etiquette; if you use the restroom at a business, you should purchase something. These are very small businesses, often on ancient septic systems.) While this is along the riverbed and is "flat", there is an elevation gain of 1000'.

From here we climb to Hillsboro on NM152. This is the longest sustained climb of the day with only a few steep sections. There is a small store just before the checkpoint on your left. The checkpoint is in city park on the right This with the mountain cottonwoods along Percha Creek. There are porta-potties supplied by the town and we will have food and water available.

Turn left onto NM27 which has rollers up and down the washes draining the Mimbres Mtns. This adds another 1100' to the total vertical in the 17 miles to Lake Valley. The ride gets faster as we head to Nutt where a left onto NM26 leads to a fast return to Hatch. There is not a checkpoint in Hatch, but there are several gas stations and stores to refuel/rehyrate/relieve.

A right onto NM185 with 114.2 miles burned, you are heading south through the Rio Grande Valley again on the home stretch. Air it out here for the next 20 miles. The "flat" vertical is now the "flat" descent. A left turn onto NM157 and a quarter mile brings you to the finish.

This is a scenic ride in the beautiful outback of New Mexico for those wishing to maintain fitness or ride an organized century (or longer) for all twelve months. Elevations range from 4000' at the start to 5300' near Lake Valley.

Please be sure and read the rules via the "RULES FOR RIDERS" link. Individual support is only allowed at checkpoints. Race directors may authorize changes as conditions demand as safety warrant, but adherence to the RULES FOR RIDERS, is imperative. As always, ride hard, ride long.