The click and rattle of a chain replaces the "swoosh." Cries of "oohs" and "oofs" echo in the air. Downhill speeds make the heart pound, so head on down the ski slopes---with your mountain bike. Melting snow doesn't deter adrenaline jockeys. Head up the mountain on the ski lift with your bike and take to the slopes with two wheels instead of skis. Out of the gate, New Mexico's ski resorts give you off-snow action with the addition of mountain bike trails from top to bottom.
Where to Ride
New Mexico's most famous ski resorts---Angel Fire, Sipapu, Taos and Sandia at Cedar Crest---are all open for mountain biking in the summer. Sandia is just outside of Albuquerque, making it about 45 minutes from the city and its Sunport. You can get to the other three in northern New Mexico heading north from Santa Fe into the southern Rockies. The three northern New Mexico resorts are close enough to each other so you can hit them all in a weekend. Most of the resorts rent bikes and have full-service bike shops for on-the-scene maintenance.
Riding Gear
All the resorts require helmets, and padded gloves will help your hands take the vibrations and bumps. Derriere-padded bike pants are recommended over regular pants to avoid uncomfortable blisters. The bumps and grinds of the ride make the packs more practical than frame-mounted bottle holders for your drinks; they can rattle their way out of the holder on rough track. Clip-on shoes are best for maintaining pedal control, but toe clips are a good alternate. At these elevations, you'll want to use some kind of strong sun protection.
Bike Gear
The bike trails are generally groomed, but they are steep and they're rough in places. A patch kit, air pump and basic repair tools are smart additions to your hydration pack or an underseat gear pack. Have some citrus-based cleaner and chain lubricant waiting at the bottom to clean the bike after the trail ride. A multi-purpose bike tool is a must to check chain tightness, brakes, and cables. Ski runs can be rough on the bike and a routine safety check for bolt tightness and brake function is prudent before each run. Remember if your bike has disk brakes, they are going to be sizzling after the ski run; you don't want a disk brake "tattoo" on your calf.
Safety First
Ski runs are set for different skill levels; the bike runs are as well. Know your capabilities before taking the plunge. Keep a safe distance between yourself and riders ahead of you. If you're coming up on a slower rider, give the "On your left" shout in time to safely pass. Yield to faster riders. Be alert as to who is behind you and let them pass with a safe clearance. A first-aid kit for basic scrapes and cuts is a smart option to toss in the hydration pack. Remember to carry identification and your health insurance card. Adrenaline's great, but don't outride your skill level and risk your life.
Trail Ethics
Stay on marked or approved trails. Don't short-cut switchbacks and never blaze a new trail. If a rider is down, stop and render aid. When someone's doing a trailside repair, check to see whether assistance is needed. Keep your wrappers and other trash with you and not left along the trail. When passing obviously less-skilled riders, do it safely and avoid startling them into losing control or falling.
Trail Energy
No question, you're going to need a lot of water cycling in the desert mountains of New Mexico. Low humidity makes it very easy to dehydrate on a high-intensity run. Hydration packs are the way to go, and the large 3-liter packs are a good bet. Have a non-sugared electrolyte replacement drink when riding an hour or more. The sugared drinks increase your dehydration rates. Carbonated beverages are worse. An energy bar with proteins and carbohydrates is a sensible hydration pack addition. You'll want to have some snack for the downhill ride.
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