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Out and About: Century, Bike Swap Kick Off Bike Month

Posted on: Saturday, 7 May 2005, 15:00 CDT

For local cyclists, May means two things: National Bike Month and the Santa Fe Century. Bike Month means a number of pro-bike activities, including Bike-to-Work Day statewide; the century means a few thousand cyclists will be pedaling south from Santa Fe on May 15, on 25-, 50-, 75- and 100-mile voyages.

Bike Swap

Those shopping for bike gear at reasonable prices -- or those looking to clean out the garage -- might want to check out the 11th annual Bike Swap May 14 in Albuquerque. Hundreds of used bicycles and thousands of accessories, including clothing, will be sold at Sports Systems, at 1605 Juan Tabo NE from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Besides a parking lot full of products, the swap will also have a number of bicycling groups and cyclists on hand to answer questions about bike commuting and safe, fun places to ride. Groups scheduled to attend include the New Mexico Touring Society, Albuquerque WOMBATS (Women's Mountain Bike and Tea Society), the Southwest Velodrome Association and Trail Partners, an affiliate of the International Mountain Bike Association.

People who want to sell bikes or gear must check in their items at the same location from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. May 13.

In years past, more than half of the gear moves within the first three hours of the swap, so get there early for the best selection. Buyers can usually find BMX, kids', road, mountain, cruiser and comfort bikes, along with the odd bike trailer, tandem or trail-a- bike. Most accessories and clothing are used, but some brand new, still-in-the-packaging items are sold.

Bike Swap benefits BikeABQ, a nonprofit organization that promotes bikes as viable transportation.

"Swap proceeds support bicycle safety education and BikeABQ advocacy efforts in Albuquerque," said Gail Ryba, president of the Bicycle Coalition of New Mexico, of which BikeABQ is a part. "BikeABQ is organizing Bike-to-Work Day in Albuquerque along with the city of Albuquerque; they have been organizing Bike Education courses periodically; also bike mechanic courses, to encourage people to get more comfortable on bicycles."

Sport Systems and BikeABQ personnel will be on hand Friday night to help price the gear. Sellers will get 83 percent of the asking price, with BikeABQ getting the net proceeds after expenses. You can also donate items and get a tax deduction.

Call (505) 296-9111 for more details.

Santa Fe Century

Beginning two decades ago as a 250-person bike ride, the Santa Fe Century has blossomed into a national event, with thousands of people coming from across the country to ride 100 miles of Northern New Mexican roads.

This year the century will begin and conclude at St. Vincent Regional Medical Center, on the corner of St. Michael's and Hospital drives. A few hundred riders will do out-and-back rides or 25, 50 and 75 miles to Eldorado, Galisteo and Stanley, respectively. About three quarters of participants will tackle the full 100-mile loop, which heads down the Turquoise Trail (N.M. 14) through the old mining towns of Madrid and Golden, across the Ortiz and San Pedro Mountains, up and over the 11.4 percent, 300-vertical-foot Heartbreak Hill, across the Estancia Valley to Stanley, north through the village of Galisteo, past Lamy and Eldorado and finally back to Santa Fe.

At the end of the day, 100-mile riders will have climbed 4,300 feet.

There is also a mostly flat 50-mile mountain-bike loop that includes six miles of dirt road.

All routes are marked with signs at each intersection. Additionally, riders will be given detailed route maps that include mileages to each of the six food stops, which will have free beverages, fruit and snacks.

Support vehicles will be out the routes to help with any mishaps.

Online registration for the century is closed, but people can register the night before (5 to 7 p.m.) and the morning of (6 to 8 a.m.), at the century headquarters at St. Vincent Regional Medical Center.

For $5, you can get a bellyfull of pancakes before the ride at the hospital.

The 100-mile riders can start at any time after 7 a.m. Most riders will head off at 7:30 a.m. The 50-mile ride will start at 8 a.m. and the 25-mile group will set off at 8:30 a.m.

Afterward, a pasta lunch will be available for $6.

For more information, go to www.santafecentury.com.

Every Thursday in Out and About, Santa Fe residents Ben Delaney and Jill Janov provide ideas, tips and commentary about outdoor activities, sports and gear. And they do get outside sometimes. Really. Contact them at bdelaney65@msn.com or jjanov@comcast.net.

Source: The Santa Fe New Mexican

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