Liteville 301 First Impressions

Its been awhile since my last post. I'm not riding quite as often as I'd like, I haven't been feeling too good, and there just hasn't been much in the mountain biking world to excite me lately. Hopefully all those things will change.

I took my virgin ride on the Liteville 301 on Sunday, and rode it again on Monday. It rides great- It feels like an old glove that you loved, thought you'd lost, and then found again. It does everything well and is as stiff as all get out! I haven't finished tweaking the cockpit for my desires but even the way it is now gives me very little to complain about. It rides like a proper trail bike. Uphill it can hold its own with any trail bike out there and on the descent, it far exceeds my abilities. I am happy.

On a separate note. My Ikon rear tire ripped open coming down Rambo. I don't have a lot of time on it and maybe it was bad luck but if you look at the pictures, It seems like it should be a bit tougher. I like the tread and weight though. I give it another shot, but it might be too light-weight for around here.

Till next time.

Charlie S.

Santa Fe Mountain Bike Loop

I managed to haul my tired old body up to Santa Fe for a ride on Thursday. I haven't been getting outside of ABQ much this summer, and it was about time. The rains have finally decided to grace us with their cooling love and the trails were in perfect condition.

The first climb up Big Tesuque to Aspen Vista- notice the superhero traction

My loop was short but had a fair amount of climbing. I started at Big Tesuque campground (Elev. 9,600) on Hyde Park Road and road up to Aspen Vista. I took Aspen Vista to the top (Elev. 12,000) and then connected to Raven's Ridge and rode it all the way to Winsor trail. Then down Winsor for a few miles to where the Big Tesuque trail intersects (Elev. 9140), then up a mile and a half to where I parked. It rained a bunch but never hard enough to be a bother. The lightning however, was scary enough that I took cover a few times. I highly recommend this loop if you want great views, a hard ride, some elevation training, an escape from the heat, and some occasional hiking (on Raven's).

The top of Aspen Vista. The trail on the right takes you to Raven's Ridge

The view of Lake Peak from the traverse to Raven's

Nambe Lake with the Rio En Medio fire scar in the distance

Santa Fe Baldy

Don't Fall to the right

On the way back up Big T.

It is a pretty hard 13 miles but totally worth it.

Charlie S.