Bosque Boneshaker Gravel Grinder

Albuquerque is home to some of the best urban singletrack in the United States! Your journey begins in the historic Sawmill District, which will serve as your base camp during the Bosque Boneshaker.

From the Sawmill area you will enter the riparian forest along the Rio Grande, known as the Bosque, and enjoy a mix of gravel roads along the irrigation canals in the middle Rio Grande Valley, forest trails through the trees along the river, and paved cycling trails. You may see any of the wide variety of wildlife inhabiting the area including ducks, geese, cormorants, and other waterfowl. If you are lucky, you may glimpse a coyote, fox, or even a porcupine.

The longer distances (50- and 73-mile), continue along the Albuquerque Main Canal through the North Valley, which has a rural neighborhood feel and yet is close to the City.

From there, riders on the long courses enjoy a long, gentle climb to the base of the majestic Sandia Mountains, passing through the Sandia Pueblo. Look for buffalo grazing the pasture on the way up. Once in the  Sandia foothills, be prepared for the swooping roads of the Sandia Heights neighborhood followed by a climb up the Elena Gallegos Open Space area. The trails range from smooth and flowy singletrack to technical rocky climbs that may require a bit of hike-a-bike, all amongst a landscape of granite boulders, bear grass, wildflowers, and other native plants.

You will then begin your downward journey back to the Valley via the Michael Emory trail which follows the Bear Canyon Arroyo. Soon you will find yourself on the cycling trail network back through town, a quiet corridor which passes through multiple neighborhoods and parks on its way back down to the Bosque and to the Sawmill District to end the 50-mile route.

For the most adventurous, the 73-mile ride continues south of the Sawmill District and passes through remote Bosque and agricultural lands of the South Valley via the irrigation canal levee road, an area where even many native Burqueños cyclists have not had the opportunity to ride. The return trip north is mainly via smooth singletrack along the river and through the cool shade of the Bosque within sight of the river, before heading back to the Sawmill District, where riders will want to refuel and refresh at the Sawmill Market.

Route distances are 8/17/31/50/73 miles, and are approximately 60% paved and 40% dirt