Photo: courtesy David "wanderingpops" Sims, one of the great road rides I experienced because I couldn't ride trails
The wind never stopped! The horrendous winds that plague New Mexico every spring were relentless all the way into July. Mid-spring Arizona's largest ever fire broke out covering much of New Mexico with often thick very smelly smoke. And just as it was beginning to dissipate what seemed like half of New Mexico caught fire.
Two of the fires, both in the northern half of the state, became the two largest fires ever recorded here. With ever changing winds there was never any way of planning where the smoke would be and where it would not.
And to bring it all to a head, the worst drought in the state's history comes along and fear of more of these huge fires forced the closure of practically every National Forest in New Mexico. Not a bad idea considering how thinly stretched the fire fighting capabilities have become. So finally the city of Albuquerque followed suit and closed the bosque, first leaving the paved trail open but finally shutting it all down entirely.
First of all, this is a pretty minor problem (except for loss of business for those who count on outdoor recreation and tourism and the entities who count on tax revenue from the same) compared to those unfortunate folks who lost their homes or were evacuated for several days, and the businesses in Las Conchas that were closed for over a week due to evacuations.
Secondly, come on!!! It's Albuquerque. There are so many miles of road riding here there is no reason (except on the worst days of smoke) to not keep building cardio and climbing legs so that when the trails open you can hammer faster and climb harder.
The forests will recover, homes can be rebuilt and trails will be re-opened. And I have discovered that I like road riding better than I ever expected. I hate it for the loss of vegetation for food and homes for the wildlife but fire is a natural part of progression so they will recover also.
Come on 2012!
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