The decent at the end starts at about Vinateria. I live around the corner from all that. I love running on Ojitos Canyon Trail and there's a road that goes out to the gate of a Bhuddist Monastery. Breathtaking isn't it?
Rode this trail in the early 2000's solo on a 4 bar full suspension 80mm travel front fork, 26" rim brakes, no gps. Brings back a lot of memories. This an epic bucket list ride just because of the challenge and to be able to say you did it. Rode angle fire to taos which looks like the direction you rode. Tough climb out of AF, once you you get on the ridge it is much more flat and not a lot of flow. It is hard to make a trail flow when you have to follow the ridge line to reduce errosion and keep it climbable. You did not show the jeep traps but your video reminded me about that one nasty switch back and that narley decent into Taos. I remember how bad my forearms hurt from grabbing the brakes. Forearms hurt but could not let go without bombing to fast for comfort. Make sure your brakes are in perfect shape before attempting this trail.
That's so accurate, John! Definitely got that forearm fatigue from riding the brakes! I imagine it was much worse with rim brakes! You basically get your whole descent over those last 3 miles into Taos. Agree with the lack of flow, outside of "Heaven on Earth" which I thought was the best part of the whole ride. I don't think I'd do the whole thing again. I'd either start at that lot in the middle, and go out & back on Heaven on Earth, or start from Taos and go out & back on the last 3 miles (which would probably be mostly hike-a-bike up). But I'd give myself a couple days to acclimate to the elevation first!
I left a comment about your IDB vid a few days ago, when I said I moved west after college, this is it! I live in Albuquerque, was at Angel Fire and Taos yesterday! Hope you have made it back since this video, cheers!
Nice! Not a bad place to be for a mountain biker! I did make it back to AF, but only to the bike park! Which is still my favorite bike park I've been to.
Good times and another great video. Isn't it crazy how long and tough rides make us wish the trail would just end already, but then as soon as you get home and get some food and rest you say, "I can't wait to do that again?"
We can usually physically do more than what we think we're capable of! But that was the most drained I've ever felt at the end of a ride. Even more than when I rode 32 miles in Indiana. Obviously that wasn't at near the elevation! I really think this same ride at a lower elevation wouldn't have been much of a big deal. Yeah, let's plan on it when the weather cools down a bit!
How long would you say this took you? I’ll be there in November and have some planned long trail runs but really want to tackle some stuff on my bike too.
Looks like fun but climbing at that altitude isn’t for me haha. Especially when Angel Fire is nearby. The dog running at you must have been a fun surprise.
When were you actually there and what was the weather like? I really liked the first 3/4 of the trail and thought I'd like to ride it and then the rocky descent started and now I'm not so sure. Great video and keep up the great rides.
This was on August 18th. Weather was great! Highs in the low 70's. Late summer is monsoon season, though, so they get rain every afternoon around 2pm. Because of that, I was kind of in a hurry. I think I would've been better off if I could've taken my time on the climbing. The last section is pretty rowdy! It's a lot steeper than the video portrays. But there were only a couple parts where I got off the bike and walked, and even those were rideable, I just didn't want to take a chance being out there by myself.
Nice documentary style and good overview including the shuttle. This is helpful as I'm putting together a trip for some folks this summer. Sorry you didn't feel too well! Your enthusiasm wasn't very high in parts but understandable!
Thanks man! Glad it's helpful! Yeah... dude... I was DEAD by the end of that ride! Pro tip: make sure you're acclimated to the elevation, and consume plenty of carbs before this ride! I learned the hard way! Did much better a month later in Crested Butte!
I think I had mild altitude sickness. I was really drained, short of breath, lightheaded and nauseous. I did much better the following month in Crested Butte. Tip: get at least 70% of your calories from carbohydrates, and you do better in the altitude! Worked well, along with easing into the bigger rides!
Why do you always ride alone? I live in Garland near the Rowlett trails and I am also retired military, which means I have all the free time in the world since I do not work. I am always up and available to join you on your trips if you desire. Aside from the safety aspect of having someone along, I will also split the trip cost with you. If you ever want to visit the Angel Fire area again, I have a friend who lives in Eagles Nest who would let us stay in his guest house for free.
I've been thinking about doing a video on that, actually. Main reason is that I'm an introvert, and I enjoy time alone. Actually, I NEED time alone, lol!
I am much like you, introvert wise. Only people I really enjoy being around is fellow mountain bikers. Anyways, the offer is always available. Early next month me and my buddy (who also has a TH-cam MTB channel (MTBdropIN) will be heading up to Bentonville for a few days of ridding.
The decent at the end starts at about Vinateria. I live around the corner from all that. I love running on Ojitos Canyon Trail and there's a road that goes out to the gate of a Bhuddist Monastery. Breathtaking isn't it?
Literally! Haha!
I love it ... "I don't think this trail ever goes down again" so it's been 2-1/2 years, are you still going up, like the Tower of Babel
Legend has it, I'm still climbing! :P
Rode this trail in the early 2000's solo on a 4 bar full suspension 80mm travel front fork, 26" rim brakes, no gps. Brings back a lot of memories. This an epic bucket list ride just because of the challenge and to be able to say you did it. Rode angle fire to taos which looks like the direction you rode. Tough climb out of AF, once you you get on the ridge it is much more flat and not a lot of flow. It is hard to make a trail flow when you have to follow the ridge line to reduce errosion and keep it climbable. You did not show the jeep traps but your video reminded me about that one nasty switch back and that narley decent into Taos. I remember how bad my forearms hurt from grabbing the brakes. Forearms hurt but could not let go without bombing to fast for comfort. Make sure your brakes are in perfect shape before attempting this trail.
That's so accurate, John! Definitely got that forearm fatigue from riding the brakes! I imagine it was much worse with rim brakes! You basically get your whole descent over those last 3 miles into Taos. Agree with the lack of flow, outside of "Heaven on Earth" which I thought was the best part of the whole ride. I don't think I'd do the whole thing again. I'd either start at that lot in the middle, and go out & back on Heaven on Earth, or start from Taos and go out & back on the last 3 miles (which would probably be mostly hike-a-bike up). But I'd give myself a couple days to acclimate to the elevation first!
I left a comment about your IDB vid a few days ago, when I said I moved west after college, this is it! I live in Albuquerque, was at Angel Fire and Taos yesterday! Hope you have made it back since this video, cheers!
Nice! Not a bad place to be for a mountain biker! I did make it back to AF, but only to the bike park! Which is still my favorite bike park I've been to.
@@huntstyle Have you ridden at Moab?
@@hawkbulletproof7635 yep
@@huntstyle If you haven't already, check out White Mesa or Placitas the next time you are in Albuquerque!
Why didn’t you drop on 6:28? You could’ve easily gone over that.
Drops get in my head! I'd send that one now, though!
Good times and another great video. Isn't it crazy how long and tough rides make us wish the trail would just end already, but then as soon as you get home and get some food and rest you say, "I can't wait to do that again?"
Spot on! That final descent would've been crazy fun had I not been so physically beat at that point!
Really enjoyed the video man! Great job!
Thanks Mark!
awesome trail putting it ln my wishlist
Bring your high altitude climbing lungs! I left mine in Dallas 😩
Kick ass, thanks for making this video
🤘 Hell yeah, glad you liked it!
That was awesome man! Event more wild you did it alone. I'm down for the Goodwater loop IMBA Epic in Georgetown. Maybe October?
We can usually physically do more than what we think we're capable of! But that was the most drained I've ever felt at the end of a ride. Even more than when I rode 32 miles in Indiana. Obviously that wasn't at near the elevation! I really think this same ride at a lower elevation wouldn't have been much of a big deal. Yeah, let's plan on it when the weather cools down a bit!
Hey man! Cool video, came upon it as I am in the area and want to ride South boundary. Can I ask where you started from? Thank you.
I took a shuttle and started on the end closest to Angel Fire
@@huntstyle ah I see, that's what I'm reading is most shuttle. I'm also from the Dallas area and enjoy your videos. Thanks for the reply.
@@1992chevycheyenne lol from the Dallas area (frisco) heading out tomorrow night. How was the trail? First time myself
How long would you say this took you? I’ll be there in November and have some planned long trail runs but really want to tackle some stuff on my bike too.
Looks like fun but climbing at that altitude isn’t for me haha. Especially when Angel Fire is nearby. The dog running at you must have been a fun surprise.
It's pretty brutal. I'm wondering how Crested Butte is gonna be! Yeah, I thought I was gonna run over that dog!
When were you actually there and what was the weather like? I really liked the first 3/4 of the trail and thought I'd like to ride it and then the rocky descent started and now I'm not so sure. Great video and keep up the great rides.
This was on August 18th. Weather was great! Highs in the low 70's. Late summer is monsoon season, though, so they get rain every afternoon around 2pm. Because of that, I was kind of in a hurry. I think I would've been better off if I could've taken my time on the climbing. The last section is pretty rowdy! It's a lot steeper than the video portrays. But there were only a couple parts where I got off the bike and walked, and even those were rideable, I just didn't want to take a chance being out there by myself.
Nice documentary style and good overview including the shuttle. This is helpful as I'm putting together a trip for some folks this summer. Sorry you didn't feel too well! Your enthusiasm wasn't very high in parts but understandable!
Thanks man! Glad it's helpful! Yeah... dude... I was DEAD by the end of that ride! Pro tip: make sure you're acclimated to the elevation, and consume plenty of carbs before this ride! I learned the hard way! Did much better a month later in Crested Butte!
sweet! :) it always seem to be an uphill climb!
Haha the climb is always so looooong!
Cool video! What kind of elevation sickness did you have?
I think I had mild altitude sickness. I was really drained, short of breath, lightheaded and nauseous. I did much better the following month in Crested Butte. Tip: get at least 70% of your calories from carbohydrates, and you do better in the altitude! Worked well, along with easing into the bigger rides!
Huntstyle Agreed. Man the elevation you hit had to suck coming from Texas.
@@christhepatriot4621 Yeah we're only at about 560 feet here in Dallas!
Are you now living in Taos? Or just vacationing?
No, that was just a weekend trip.
👍 📹
Beutiful scenery
It sure was!
Why do you always ride alone? I live in Garland near the Rowlett trails and I am also retired military, which means I have all the free time in the world since I do not work. I am always up and available to join you on your trips if you desire. Aside from the safety aspect of having someone along, I will also split the trip cost with you. If you ever want to visit the Angel Fire area again, I have a friend who lives in Eagles Nest who would let us stay in his guest house for free.
I've been thinking about doing a video on that, actually. Main reason is that I'm an introvert, and I enjoy time alone. Actually, I NEED time alone, lol!
I am much like you, introvert wise. Only people I really enjoy being around is fellow mountain bikers. Anyways, the offer is always available. Early next month me and my buddy (who also has a TH-cam MTB channel (MTBdropIN) will be heading up to Bentonville for a few days of ridding.
Was there last weekend and met up with a few other TH-camrs. We were talking about going to Angel Fire next year.
I was up in that area in June, didn't ride Angel Fire though, I just rode some of the local trails in the region.
You gotta ride the park! It is so much fun!