30.6
PDI
15.8 mi
DISTANCE
4,734 ft
GAINED
5.7 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
Page Contributor(s): Joseph Coleman, Bend, OR; Timon Fish, Albuquerque, NM.
INTRO
From approximately mile 6.5 this ride is gravel-dirt for 3.2 miles at 5.5%. However, we are informed by cyclists that it can be done on road bike with 28mm or bigger tires.
"I do it a lot on my road bike with 28's. The dirt section is never too bad unless it's muddy or icy." Timon Fish (KOM), Albuquerque, NM. You need not descend the gravel - here's the loop route which includes descending the traditional Sandia Crest route on fully paved Hwy 536 - Route.
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josephbcoolman
I lived in Albuquerque for 11 years. I climbed ( and raced ) Sandia Crest dozens of times. Locals call this ride “Around the Mountainâ€. This is an alternative to Climbing the Crest. You can start in the village of Placitas , it's paved for awhile but soon turns to dirt, mostly dirt with some washboard sections. This is a very doable ride ( going up, do not descend on a road bike ) Back in the day I only used 23mm tires. I wouldn't do it now on anything less than 25mm -28mm. It is a Epic ride. Goes by the Sandia Man Cave. Come out at the switchbacks that is the last part climbing to the Crest.
