Jenny's View
Read more from Jenny on her blog, View from the Plaza.
Dear Friends,
If you’ve never tried cycling in Santa Fe, consider taking a spin on the Santa Fe Rail Trail. It’s a safe path for walkers and bicyclists that has become a city favorite. Since it connects to many back roads with bike lanes, you should be able to ride leisurely to most places you need to go.
In fact, the trail connects the Santa Fe Railway Depot near downtown to the train station in Lamy (35 miles round-trip), though just beyond Santa Fe's city limits, the majority of the trail is unpaved. Last weekend I had the opportunity to ride the distance, and was rewarded with a delicious lunch and live music on the patio at
The Legal Tender
, a wonderful nonprofit restaurant located within the Lamy Railroad and History Museum. With a committed staff of volunteers, excellent cuisine and a room dedicated to Fred Harvey, I highly recommend a visit. After refueling, spinning back to Santa Fe was a breeze!
The Rail Trail came about as a true community project, using funds from all levels of government plus private donations raised by the Santa Fe Conservation Trust. The trail runs parallel to the historic Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe Railway line and passes through gorgeous terrain, enhanced by junipers, yucca, and vibrant chamisa. A perfect autumn excursion!
If you’re interested in more rugged terrain, join the hard-core cyclists that will also be in town for the
International Mountain Biking Association World Summit. Or, a more indulgent ride is offered at the third annual
Santa Fe Gourmet Classic, a “bike tour different” featuring catered Southwestern fare at five refueling stops along the 65-mile route.
Hope to see you on the trail!
Jennifer Lea Kimball
