This is going to be a training event. We will start at the Elena Gallegos Picnic area at 9:00 a.m. for a run/hike up Pino Trail and across the Crest Trail to the top of the Sandia Peak Ski Area (upper Tram terminal). Here you will transition to your mountain bikes and begin the ride. Plan to drop your bikes at the Sandia Peak Ski area the day before or have someone take your bike (shoes and helmet) the morning of this event. If you drop your bike the day before you will have to ride up with the bike and lock it up. If someone takes it over for you then they will have to ride up with it and watch it for you until you arrive off the run. The best plan would be to have someone take it for you so they can also take your helmet, bike shoes and anything else you might want, i.e. extra water, food, etc. The ski area has agreed to "work with us" on the usual lift ticket cost which is only $10. But be prepared to pay for the ride up the lifts with your bike. The lifts open at 10:00 a.m. Your teammate or support person should be there before then so they are first up the lift at 10:00. If you drop your bike the day before don't forget about transportation back to town. I am sure we can do some carpooling after the event. I am going to check to make sure we can ride the lifts back down with our bikes.

Once on the bike you will ride down Golden Eagle Trail and back up the King of the Mountain Trail finishing at the top of the ski area/upper Tram terminal. A nice lunch and a few beers will surely be waiting for you (if you don't forget some legal tender) and we can all tell tales over lunch after the punishment we are going to dish out on ourselves.

The run/hike will be about 7 miles total (4.5 up Pino and 2.5 across Crest Trail). The bike will be about 16 miles total (8 miles on each trail). You can do this solo or as a duo in any gender combination you like. There is no registration fee but you all have to be NMARC members ($20 for the year).

Just so it will be a real adventure race there will be two checkpoints on the course for you to punch a passport. They will be obvious and you will not need a map unless you don't know the Pino or Crest Trails at all then I would grab a map somewhere. None will be provided. You are responsible for all your own gear and you must wear a helmet on the mountain bike section. This is a requirement by the ski area. You may want to ride the bike trails at the ski area before the event if you are not familiar with them.

Sound fun?!? Start training now...even though this is not a "race" I am sure there will be some competition...right Steve?