The annual turkey day ride was a bit chilly but at least we got 4 people to show up. Friday, was a nice hike up at Elena Gallegos with Ann and our canine companions. The season's first snow made it quite pleasant. Saturday, Ann and I started out together in the north foothills and the trails were fantastic with the moisture received over the holiday. Ann stayed in the north foothills while I added in the south section to complete over four hours of riding time. The Garmin battery crapped out on me, but I know from experience that this route is in the 35 to 40 mile length. Sunday, we hit the north foothills again, and ran into Jeni on the trail going alongside Simm's Park. The three of us then continued on up to the wilderness boundary at Pino. Fun ride, and Jeni is looking strong on that singlespeed which is no surprise considering her coach! It was a good day to wrap up the long weekend. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, I think. I find it so much more relaxing than the others, and I'm thankful for being able to spend time with family and friends.

Man, I can't believe the year has gone by so quickly. Seems like it was just recently that I posted about last years annual trail work day.

We had another fine day for doing maintenance on our adopted trail. It always amazes me how much work gets done with only 11 or 12 people! Our trail is really looking good these days, despite the terribly dry conditions. We need some moisture badly this winter.

Riding was also good this weekend. I did some exploring in the east mountains Sunday. Found some dynamite stuff that I'd never been on. Amazing numbers of trails up here. Pace was leisurely so I could find the forgotten trails. Amazing too how much more wildlife I see when I'm on the singlespeed, rolling quietly along.

The weekend saw Ann and I in the land of pump jacks for our niece's wedding, so the bikes stayed at home. Before leaving though, got to let the wheels run free in the foothills Friday morn. Saw some cool stuff too. That's Albuquerque locked in fog. Don't see that happen very often. Though I've seen lots of Tarantulas in NM, this is the first one I've seen in the foothills. The clouds were really cool over the Sandias too. Fall has arrived. It's good.

Random weekend shots. Stopped by the Bland cemetery while exploring Saturday. It’s a beautiful and peaceful spot. One of the few marked graves is of Helen Blount, the former caretaker of the Bland Ghost Town. Bland was a mining town, where as used to be standard practice, they heap-leached gold from ore using cyanide. Still don’t think I’d drink the water in this area unless I was desperate! Found a morel mushroom but left it for another lucky soul. Asters, sunflowers, Indian paintbrush are blooming full, and a sure sign that fall is on the way.

Sunday found us on the steep climb up to the La Luz trailhead at 6:30am. Nice to be doing it with mountain bike gears though! Watched and cheered for a few friends doing the annual La Luz trail race. Laurie A. took an age group win on her first time trying, and Donnie C. ran by us in a blur. After the runners came through, I continued on for a mini epic in the north foothills, and it was one of the most enjoyable rides I’ve done in the foothills in quite some time. Trails were super fast and the legs were enjoying the day. Ended up with 25 miles and about 3,300 feet of climbing. Got done early enough to put together the new dog kennel for our 3 year old that suddenly turned mental. Labs, gotta love em. Instructions said it was a 2 hour job, which is why it took me over 4. Now that I’m thoroughly tired, it’s back to the grindstone…..

Getting some good riding in still, but just haven't felt much like posting up. I'm maybe a little bored with the blogging thing. Ran into this guy in the south foothills. Thanks to Jens from BWR for pointing him out! East mountains were terribly muddy, so it was foothills riding again.