Routes - 200k

MANZANO MOUNTAIN AIR
March 29, 2008 Start Time - 6:45 AM

Cloudburst Over Bosque Peak

This route is primarily
                                    an out and back that starts at Tramway and Central in Albuquerque and passes through Tijeras Canyon and then along the eastern
                                    slope of the Manzano Mtns., southeast of Albuquerque.  Most of this route is familiar to Duke City riders,
                                    particularly the start and finish through the canyon, and the northern portion of NM333 and the return on NM217. 
                                    The route then turns south through the Manzanita, continuing along the eastern side of the main range of the Manzano's,
                                    past old pueblos and Salt Mission churches, while passing through old Spanish villiages and land grants that have retained
                                    their rural and historic character.  

The majority of the brevet is between 6000' and 7000' with
                                    almost 7800' of elevation gain in the 129 miles.The route starts at 5700' and climbs slowly to Tijeras on Historic
                                    Route 66 and continues to climb to 7600' over the next nine miles on NM 337.  This is the longest climb with
                                    the most elevation gain in the ride.  There are several fairly steep climbs interspersed throughout the ride with the
                                    most difficult being just north of Chilili on the return at mile ninety six, but the finish is predominantly downhill. 
                                    After the third checkpoint on Sedillo Hill, riders enter Tijeras Canyon that usually has wind, east or west.  This finish
                                    often is into a headwind, but it is on a gradual downhill that will help diminish the affects.  However, if the
                                    wind is from the east, it will be a screamer.

Although the brevet starts at the edge of a large city, 
                                    most of the countryside is remote.  Traffic is minimal with the early start and then there is the rural character of
                                    the southern portion.  Traffic will increase on the return.  The road surfaces are generally good throughout. 
                                    The southern portion is narrower with a medium grained chip seal surface, and less maintained, but it has the least traffic. 
                                    There are a few services along the way and they are fairly evenly spaced and stocked with what is typical at gas station convenience
                                    stores which are noted on the route sheets.  The exception would be Maggie Lujan's breakfast burritos out front of
                                    Ray's Service Station in Tajique, a good reason for a fast start as she leaves when she runs out.  We will have
                                    food and water available at the turn around checkpoint in Mountainair. There is also the 'Ten Points General Store'
                                    which also has great homemade burritos and a great variety of things including handwarmers. It is a south of the intersection
                                    of NM217 at mile 20.25 on the way south and mile 104 returning. 

The times will not be fast for a 200km, due to the amount of climbing for the distance. This
                                    is the beginning of the windy season, but with an early start and with much of the route within a pinyon/juniper/ponderosa
                                    forest the wind is better than most other local routes.  The fastest riders could complete the brevet around 7 hours
                                    and the slowest randonneurs might take the full 13.5 hours. 

The start is in the Albertson's (formerly
                                    Raley's) portion of this large parking area  Parking is plentiful at this corner by Albertson's and across Tramway
                                    at Smith's.  Please don't park in front of Starbuck,s, Einstein Bros Bagels, or Dion's as these are
                                    very busy all day. 

Normal low temperature at the start is 40°F and the normal high at the highest elevation would be 60°F. The normal high in Mountainair for this date is 64°.

Manzano Mountain Air - Registration Form - '08

Registration Form - '08

Waiver and Release of Liability

Route Sheet

Registered Riders

Check the weather! Type in Zip Code 87059

Elevation Profile

Map of Route

Google Map of the Start

Where to Stay: (Across Central from the Start)

Best Western: 12999 Central NE, 505 298-7426, 800 366-3252, bestwestern.com

Comfort Inn: 13031 Central NE, 505 294-1800, comfortinnabq.com, choicehotels.com