Highway 6 (counterclockwise)

A great long ride that naturally breaks up into three parts: I-40 West across the mesa and down across the Rio Puerco; Highway 6 through the Rio Puerco valley; back up the Rio Grande valley. Everything else being equal (ie. the wind), this ride is easier this direction than clockwise because you get the hard part out of the way early.

• Ride West on Central to the top of Nine Mile Hill, where Central meets I-40
• Continue West on the I-40 Frontage road for ~9.3 miles
• Continue West on the I-40 shoulder for ~13.5 miles
• Exit onto Highway 6 to Los Lunas.
• In ~3.5 miles, there will be a store - The "Mustang Store", even though it's no longer a Mustang. Stop and get food and drinks. It's a long way to the next re-fuelling options.
• Continue on Highway 6 to Los Lunas
• Turn left onto Isleta Blvd. (314)
• Continue North on Isleta/Coors
• Turn right onto Rio Bravo to get back into town