I had originally wanted to head up to do the Cumbres Toltec Hwy 17 ride between Chama, NM & Antonito, CO but alas had to stick closer to home and went with my backyard mountains instead.
I always seem to either be too early or just too late to make the Jemez colors but decided to go for it since it was a beautiful day and I was up for a ride anyway.
The weather was clear, temp running about 50 degrees, yep that's t-shirt weather for some. Got to take advantage of it now since the colder temps are on their way.
I did bring along a long sleeved t-shirt and gloves in case it gets cold. Temps can easily drop 5-10 degrees where I was headed.
There were hints of yellow and orange/gold in the mountains just behind my place.
Heading out Hwy 4, I make my way upward.
The temp was dropping, good thing my window thermometer is on the Standard and not the IS otherwise I probably would have listened to my hands when they were telling me "
now would be a good time to put on them gloves and maybe them sleeves!!!" I left them in the saddlebag to keep them nice and warm.
Plenty of folks out in the Bandelier National Forest
permit only area cutting and loading up on firewood since the temps have been dropping over the past two weeks.
Still only teaser colors so far...
Just up ahead: Valle Caldera
Around this bend is one of my favorite photo op spots and just across the road is where people will practice their mountain face climbing.
Here's what I'm calling today's
Money Shot. This is what I was referring to as one of my favorite spots.
I hung out for a few shots and then headed toward the Ridgeback Cafe; a good place to stop for some breakfast and a fat cup of coffee. Now this is how I like to start out a good ride.
I continue on due west via hwy 4.
I didn't really find the reds and yellow/oranges I was hoping for so I took a stroll along the stream.
At this point I was somewhat out of road for colors but the weather was still great, the tunes were flowing through all 4 speakers of my new-to-me-this-year IS so I headed on further west and looped around and down to Santa Fe to have lunch in the old town plaza area, finally rolling back in about 5:00. Another great day and ride.
I'm glad I chose Saturday to go since, as you can see from my back porch shot, Sunday is cloudy, overcast and sprinkling.
