Biking the Enchante Circle- Long but has pcitures! :)

[arielmoon]

Good for you and thanks for sharing your experience! I just love your matching jerseys!

[Aggie_Ama]

You had altitude sickness the WHOLE TIME?? i am speechless!
when race horses perform like you, it is said that they have a lot of heart.

Mild but yes, almost the whole vacation. Only Thursday afternoon, Friday and Saturday morning did I feel fine and then I had a blistering sunburn! My altitude sickness is a pretty bad headache and nausea. When I get at altitude (or at least this time and in Ft Davis) I have to force myself to eat or I would just as soon only drink water. Even then it is about half what I would normally eat. Also just some fatigue plagued me the entire trip. It was much worse this time even though I got a prescription to help speed up the acclimation.

[jesvetmed]

So glad to finally get the Enchanted Circle report and pics! IT looks like a LOT of open road.. congratulations on getting through it -- no matter what it took! I hope that you enjoyed the rest of your trip out there. It must not have been too awful if you are already considering doing it again!

From someone who has never ridden more than 45 miles in a day, I am in AWE.

[Aggie_Ama]

So glad to finally get the Enchanted Circle report and pics! IT looks like a LOT of open road.. congratulations on getting through it -- no matter what it took! I hope that you enjoyed the rest of your trip out there. It must not have been too awful if you are already considering doing it again!

From someone who has never ridden more than 45 miles in a day, I am in AWE.

It was gorgeous, although I should have used the book you sent's suggested route instead of being fearful of Bobcat Pass to start. The pass is 13 miles going the way we did it if you include the valley which gradually climbs, only 4 the other way. Problem is I tend to bomb with a big climb to start and that played against my mental picture. Live and learn.

The area is amazing for riding, shoulders in most parts and the parts without mainly had no traffic. Though I will say riding through Taos was nerve wracking even for an experienced cyclist. The best part is Palo Flecha to Angel Fire and Eagle Lake to Red River so it could be made into a painful short ride.

The whole area is just wonderful to visit though, especially since it was 101 here but high was about 78 in Red River! But the bike ride I didn't conquer so I am up for attempting it again or maybe somewhere else in the area. And the hiking, jeep rental, white water rafting and very modest mountain biking/trail riding we did was a blast. The area is so unpopulated you can just sneak away from everything and enjoy the butterflies, flowers, green grass, mule deer. I could go on and on and on!

[short cut sally]

What a beautiful ride and report. I enjoy when I get to see pics with the events. Its almost like being there with you..(minus the torture).

[Susan126]

Wow great report on your awesome epic ride! I would love to do it . . . I'll have to put it on my "rides I want to do" list!

Thanks for the report and the pictures! Enjoyed reading all about your adventure.

[denda]

Your pictures and story are VERY familiar. My husband and I did the Enchanted Circle Century in 2005 and 2006. Your posts about Bobcat Pass bring back painful memories. I made it all the way without walking, but I had to stop several times. It was a KILLER!
Wow, you saw a bear! I don't remember even seeing any deer.
We hope to be able to do it again next year.

P.S. - Go TEXAS TECH!

[Aggie_Ama]

Your pictures and story are VERY familiar. My husband and I did the Enchanted Circle Century in 2005 and 2006. Your posts about Bobcat Pass bring back painful memories. I made it all the way without walking, but I had to stop several times. It was a KILLER!
Wow, you saw a bear! I don't remember even seeing any deer.
We hope to be able to do it again next year.

P.S. - Go TEXAS TECH!

I really hoped even though I am not a climber I could make it. After I made the first pass I really thought I could and I really didn't want to walk in road shoes! But I really never adjusted to the altitude and my allergies were bad, so that could have been it but I think it was I am just a weak climber and need to work. We will go back and I will make it!

We saw plenty of deer on the trails in Red River (hiking) but none on the ride. Just birds, the bear, cows, horses and butterflies.