A great Socorro area trail guide from a the people that put together the Socorro Fat Tire Fiesta.
There is also a printed trail guide (2nd edition) available from two locations currently:
Spoke 'n Word Cycles, or the Socorro County Chamber of Commerce for around $7 + S/H.
"Unfortunately, the Second Edition has gotten a bit stale (~1994). We're in the process of updating all the trails, and adding new ones. The changes will show up on the website first; once we get it all settled out, we'll look into printing a Third Edition of the guide."

Taos

Angelfire Resort has mountain biking in the summer.
Mountain biking near Red River (near Taos)
The El Nogal Loop (near Taos)
Hiking and Biking, Angel Fire
Red River Miner, Biking Summer Guide, Red River
Mountain biking around Monte Verde RV Park and Campground, Angel Fire
Taos Outdoor Recreation, Taos, Mountain Biking and Rock Climbing
Native Sons Adventures, Bike Tours in Taos

Taos (North Central)

West Rim Trail

Near Taos, Contact: Bureau of Land Management, Taos, (505) 758-8851

The West Rim Trail follows the top of the 700 foot deep Rio Grande Gorge near the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge on US 64 between Taos and Tres Piedras. Start from the rest area on U.S. 64 just west of the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. The trail is well suited for beginners: it's fairly flat and most of the trail is pretty smooth but there are stretches of loose basalt. There is no shade, so it can get damned hot; ride early during warm weather. The trail ends at a parking area one-half mile north of NM 567. The round trip is 18 miles. If you really want to get the feel, continue on to the state road. Paved on top, N.M. 567 is maintained but wash-boarded gravel from the rim to Taos Junction Bridge down into the gorge. Follow the wash-boarded gravel from the rim to Taos Junction Bridge at Orilla Verde in the bottom, 3 miles and 700 feet down. Get water at the bridge campground.

Northeast

Elliott Barker Trail, Round-trip

Contact: Carson National Forest, Taos, www.fs.fed.us/r3/carson, (505) 758-6200

Elliott Barker Trail (Trail 1) runs along mountains flanking the Moreno Valley and Angel Fire. It's named after a notable New Mexican conservationist. The Elliott Barker Trail pullout is on US 64, 1.5 miles west of the Angel Fire Highway (NM 434). The first couple of miles are uphill and challenging before it levels out a bit (still uphill!) and runs south through beautiful stands of fir and aspen. You'll ride through Apache Pass at about 3.5 miles, then enter Valle Largo meadows at 6 miles. Keep riding south, enjoying the views of the valley and neighboring mountains, through Little Garcia Park, on around Osha Peak (elevation 10,770 feet), crossing Trail 164 at about 11 miles. Next you'll cross FS 70 and Osha Pass, then Little Garcia Park. After passing Osha Peak and crossing Trail 164 at 11 miles, the Barker Trail ends at FS 153 at almost 12 miles. The round trip is 23 miles through some of the most beautiful valleys and forest in New Mexico.

SantaFe

The Windsor Trail

The Windsor Trail is located just outside of the city of Santa Fe, in the Santa Fe national Forest. This ride is comprised of the main single track trail and several branching trails. The main Windor trail starts at the Santa Fe ski basin parking lot and travels down the mountain to the Tesque village. The trail can be ridden both up and down as well as a few looping routes around the upper trail system. The terrain is some of the most beautiful in New Mexico, it is also some of the more challenging.

Glorieta Baldy

Glorieta Baldy is located about 15 miles from Santa Fe off of route 25. It is in the Pecos national forest This ride is for advanced fitness level only, because it is a long on. It starts just outside the town of Pecos and climbs around 1,500 vertical feet within 16 miles. Upon reaching the top you are provided one of the nicer south eastern views in New Mexico. From here it is straight down. There is a 6 mile steep single track ahead of you. At the end you will run into the Glorieta Babtist center. You will ride through there complex and back along the main road to your car.

Eldorado Tracks

This ride is one of the eaiser rides of New Mexico, but still just as much fun. You drive from route 25 to the St. Francis exit and head away from town. This will take you to frontage road. Turn right on this and drive untill you hit the railroad tracks. Park your car on the either side of the tracks, and the trail is on the left hand side. The ride is of beginner fitness level, but can be of intermediate skill level depending on the condition. You will ride on this rolling single track as far as you want. The ride goes all the way out to Lamy if you feel like going that far, but most people turn around at the Eldorado Sub-division.

Los Alamos

The Berth Kanal

Trailhead is across W. Jemez from the outlet of the fit trail. Enter the dirt road and bear right, past the gate and right again onto the single track through the creek. Also known as the nail trail, because of Trapper John who made his home several paces from the trail was tired of hearing that ratchety sound in his "front yard" and had the great idea of foiling all mtn. bikers once and for all. Little did he realize we carry pumps! (excepts us eh?) The trail itself consists of a badass initial uphill that is a joy to clean. The climb is only about 1.5 miles long but its nothing to shake a rubber spoon at. At the top of the climb you will enter a meadowy area where a jeep road splits off to the left, take this road for about 100 yards and look for an overgrown single track on the right. Once on this single track you are in the Kanal, theres no turning back. The terain rolls for maybe another mile and then takes a steep dive into the canyon. The rest is all twisted down hill with many a creek crossing and several really gnarly sections! Best time to ride this trail is while its raining, thundering, and hailing!

Cabra

A good ride down Guaje is always best finished up by hitting Cabra. The trail comes off of the Cemetary Road. After intersecting with Guaje, the road heads downhill. Cabra leaves right at a very sharp downhill hairpin turn. Taking a hard right takes you down the right fork of the trail, which is a little easier than the left. To get to the left fork (which we still can't sort out from the Pajarito Trail), make a softer right at the hairpin turn, go over the little ridge, and up and down two dips. If you don't go through those dips, you ain't on the trail. Most of this trail is pretty technical downhill, although it smoothes out into fast singletrack in some places. The early sections of the left fork have some sandy downhills which have been WORKED by rain, motobikes, and mountain bikers. This fork also features a section of tennis ball sized loose rock interspersed with big boulders. The debate rages on and on about whether this badboy is cleanable. If you do clean it, you are badass!! The right fork has a few kinda funky turns where you go from downhill to uphill, but this side of the trail is without a doubt cleanable. Both forks continue down into Rendija canyon, there to meet SPD killing mud. The catch about riding Cabra is here - now you've gotta climb out of the canyon. The most often taken route is straight out towards the Sportsmen's club, although it's possible to ride along the Rendija trail back to the Cemetary Rd. All way's out are good finesse climbing, and they're all definitely rideable, though difficult. Our recommendation: Take the road back to town and stop and get a drink at the Conoco (or better yet, mooch one off someone you're riding with).

Juracid Canyon

Known by some as Acid canyon, the recent sightings of T-rex in this area have spawned the new name. Turn right into the small trailhead just west of the Aquatic center. A fast ride down a somewhat rutted double track leads you to dry stream. Cross it and follow the trail to the left towards the canyon. When you think you`re gonna fall off a big ol' cliff, you've hit the best part of the ride. The trail, which is VERY single track at this point, continues down into the canyon. Cross the creek, follow the trail right, and bear left up a super steep, rutted hill. Turn the corner and continue climbing until you ride through a gate. Continue straight along the jeep road, through another gate and onto Diamond at the golf course.

Guaje Ridge

This trail begins near the top of pipeline road. While climbing, about a mile from the top take a right onto a single track leading into the woods.

The entire trail is downhill! The first half is pretty hairball. Its narrow, winding, rockey, and off camber. Beware: many a rider has bonked a tree here, and they are notoriously stubborn creatures. Eventually, the trail leaves the canyon wall and begins winding down a valley floor, This is a blast! The trail at some points is one big rut from drainage, riding it is like bob sleding! FAST! The trail ends at the top of Cemetary (Guaje Canyon) Road. Shake out those hands!

Water Canyon

This is where George Lucas filmed the speederbike scenes in starwars. It is a mellow grade single-track descent through a lush green canyon, full of tall green grass, and flora galore. Not much too say, except that its a blast, and look out for the occasional root in the trail. This trail ends on the west side of W. Jemez rd., 'bout a mile south of the water tanks. Probably the easiest way to find it is to simply ride up it, but it can also be ridden by entering at the Berth-Kanal trail head and working ones way, on a series of singletracks and jeep roads, south (more on this later!). Oh yeah breath through your nose!

Pipeline Road

Pipeline is burl. It puts the punishment in the Pajarito Punishment. Pipeline is a jeep road which runs from town up towards the ski hill, gaining about 2000 ft as it does. To get to the trailhead, take Diamond to North Rd (the second left after the Texaco station). Pipeline leaves North about 1/4 mile away from Diamond. The road is a relentless uphill - about 6 or 7 miles of it. It is pretty loose in some sections, but a good tire will get you through all of it. The first 4 miles are uphill in all but a few sections. When the road reaches the Guaje Ridge trail, the terrain starts to roll more. At the very end is a steep loose downhill, which is co mpletely gnarly coming the other way. The road ends at Upper Quemazon. We definitely recommend downhilling this one - you can create sonic booms.

Lower Quemazon

Lower Quemazon starts in town. Follow Trinity road across Diamond. Take a left onto the residential street where trinity curves to the right (bout 1/2 mile past Diamond). Then IMMEDIATLY take another left onto what looks like a grey gravel driveway. About 100 yards up on the right is the trailhead. Take a left, through the gate at the water tank. This trail is a real challenge. Only reason its shy of the Gonzo-Abusive rating is that there is no immediate danger of death. But cleaning this bad-boy uphill is a real challenge, as well as a true test of bike handling skills. The first half of the trail is a consistent struggle over boulders, and around roots. After the steep loose water bar section the trail lets up a bit, into a plain old thigh burning single track climb. Luckily its short. The trail ends at the junction with Pipeline rd, about half way to the top. Tip: stay out of the ruts, the best line on Quemazon rarely is the obvious one.

Upper Quemazon

This trail runs from the end of Pipeline Road to the base of the Ski Hill. The trailhead starts at the ski hill parking lot. There are small waterbars here that you can get nice air off of. Good landings, too! After about 1/2 mile, you come to a gate. Continue straight through it. The trail climbs about a half mile, then drops into Canada Bonita, a large meadow. After a mile of fast singletrack in the meadow, it climbs back into the woods, and then descends towards Pipeline Rd. This part of the trail appears to be jeep road, but its not. There are large water bars on alternating sides of the trails. Be careful on these - during a race a rider hit a waterbar the wrong way, and did some soil sampling. Fun, except if you've just climbed Pipeline, in which case nothing is fun.

Perimeter Trail

This badboy is fast. The trail is so hard to find its almost not worth writing it up, but its so fun it'll just get a review, not directions (if ANYONE can give decent directions on this one mail em to us!!!). It runs from Pipeline to the Cemetary Rd along the boundary of Santa Fe National Forest. The first section of trail is pretty tight singletrack through the woods. The next section is singletrack with some ups, some downs, some loose stuff, and some burly stuff. There's only one unridable steep spot, and its 10 ft long. After the second water tank, the trail drops into a creek bed, and stays essentially downhill until you reach the Cemetary Rd. Every patch of roots is followed by a flat smooth spot, and many of the turns have berms. A few cool creek crossings, too!

Northwest

Mountain Bike Rides

The annual Mount Taylor Winter Quadrathlon in Grants sends cyclist-runner-skier-snowshoers north and up - way up - Mount Taylor. But go south and follow the pavement through a basin, site of the lava flow forming El Malpais National Monument and Conservation Area. Start from a Grants municipal parking lot on Santa Fe Avenue (historically, U.S. Route 66). Ride west on Santa Fe Avenue about 1.5 miles and turn left (south) over I-40 on N.M. 53. The otherworldly stream of frozen lava emerges on your left (east). You'll sense an upgrade, gaining nearly 1,200 feet in the 23 miles to El Malpais National Monument information center. The Continental Divide, three miles on, is a moderate climb. (Grants-Continental Divide, 55 miles round-trip)

Southeast

Mountain Bike Rides

The Rim Trail, Round-trip
Contact: Outdoor Adventures, Alamogordo, www.zianet.com/outdooradventures, (505) 434-1920

The Sacramento Mountains entice local riders and tourists alike with cool, green relief from the summer-hot plains below. Mark Bolinger of Outdoor Adventures in Alamogordo field-tested this ride. The Rim Trail (Trail T105) shadows the Sacramentos' western rim 11 miles through fir, white pine and aspen, with stunning views of the Tularosa Basin and San Andres Mountains. Linking old Indian routes, railroad grades and homesteaders' wagon roads, it is a designated National Recreational Trail. The route is a mix of intermediate and moderate stretches, with canyon crossings being the most demanding. Take N.M. 530 two miles south of Cloudcroft, turn right on Sunspot Highway (N.M. 6563) one-quarter mile to the trailhead at Slide Campground. Ride south, the rim will be to your right and paved N.M. 6563 on your left. Several roads, such as at Nelson Vista about five miles in, connect the trail and highway. (Round-trip, 22 miles)

Southwest

Mountain Bike Rides

Continental Divide Trail, Round-trip
Contact: Gila Hike & Bike, Silver City, (505) 388-3222

This ride is a snippet of fun clipped from a big adventure, the well-marked Continental Divide Trail. From U.S. 180 in Silver City, go six miles north and two west on Little Walnut Road (FS 506), to the Continental Divide Trail pullout. Cyclist Jack Brennan of Gila Hike & Bike recommends riding south for great views of the Mogollon Mountains. The ride does include a steep and rocky patch that humbles even experienced riders into walking short stretches. Enjoy the breathtaking view from the crest, or pedal on to the intersection with Bear Mountain Road (FS 853). (FS 506-FS 853, eight miles round-trip)

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