Possibly one of the best mountain bike rides in New Mexico is here at White Mesa only 45 minutes NW of Albuquerque. If you're a geologist it's especially cool since there numerous travertine springs, sink holes, faults, and big gypsum deposits to geek out on. To get there drive NW out of Bernalillo on Hwy 550 until just before San Yisidro (about 30 minutes). Hang a left on Cabazon road, take the immediate first left and go another few miles. There is a gravel parking lot on the right with a posted map. Speaking of which - there is no need to take a map since they are posted at each trail junction which is really sweet. There is enough riding here to keep you busy for a few hours doing just the trails posted, however there are a lot of worn in pirated trails around that are fun as well. No crowds....We were here on a Sunday afternoon in May and only saw one other biker.
Gettin' jiggy with the travertine
Lots of steep swoopy smooth singletrack
Much of the riding is along skinny ridge tops
The trail traverses many of these wet travertine deposits - good traction but you are only riding on a thin crust of minerals and the hollow sound you hear as you ride over it increases the pucker factor quite a bit
....and the consequences are not good. Yes, these holes go all the way to the mojo. I'm sure there is a mountain biker down there somewhere
the creep on the steep
