Day #16 - Santa Fe to Las Vegas, NM

May 19, 20242 min read

Updated: May 24, 2024

73.5 mi, 3,863ft gain, 58-85F/sunny with wind gusts last 15 miles

This morning we rolled out from Santa Fe and headed East. It was uphill right away and I’m still not sure if it was the elevation or not waking up yet, but my heart rate was a bit higher than I would expect. Maybe my body needed more than 24 hours off the bike. Who knows. Around 45 minutes in I started to actually feel like I could ride like normal.

Our elevation today started around 6,500 and topped at 7,500 ft. Once out of the city the ride was wonderful. We climbed a lot, it we were on the side roads and the frontage road for 95% of the day. We had about 5 miles on the shoulder of a lesser traveled highway than we have been doing.

The route had a lot of up and down hills with small climbs added in there. Nothing too challenging, but it does start to zap your energy. Luckily we had a tailwind out of the first SAG at the Pecos Historical area. From there you could go down the hills no braking and attempt to keep your momentum going as far as possible to help with the next hill. For those friends from AK, it reminded me so much of doing Chena Hot Springs! I loved it. Today’s route is my new favorite.

After the 2nd SAG stop as we curved around with the route that tailwind turned into a side wind in the valleys. This caused some cautious bike handling, but everyone did really good. It can be unnerving to have the gusts push you and feel unsteady.

Coming into Las Vegas we got to see all the old buildings, I love it. The history here is so unique. Old Spanish meets Santa Fe trade route meets cowboy country / rough rider reunion town. The hotel we are in is one of the oldest, built in 1880’s. The town plaza is unique and charming. This is the first town we’ve stayed in that feels smaller America to me.

We got here earlier than our rooms were ready, so we had drinks in the bar. I wondered the hotel and took some pics.

With the wind today my allergies are acting up. I walked about a mile and half to Walgreens for some Claritin. In looking for a route I found this greenway path by the creek. It was lovely. I talked with Jason and enjoyed the greenery.