West Side Loop #2
This is a 44 mile loop that extends West Side Loop #1 to the north by crossing I-40 and continuing north to Paradise Hills.
It begins on the paved Bosque Path where it intersects Paseo del Norte. You can park at Bosque Trail lot off Rio Grande Blvd, or at Riverpoint. From Riverpoint, use the frontage road and bike path to cross the river. You could also start at the Alameda parking lot which adds a couple of miles to the ride.
Go south on the bike path. Montano is 3 miles from the start. Eventually you will pass the Rio Grande Nature center, Tingley Beach, the Zoo, and the Hispanic Cultural center. There is no sign on the bike path at Rio Bravo. It is the overpass after you go around a gate, 12.3 miles from Paseo. Go left on the access road to enter Rio Bravo road and head west across the river.
Rio Bravo is busy for a few miles but there is a wide shoulder to ride on. After crossing south Coors, traffic is minimal. The climb up the mesa is about 800 feet but not steep. Turn right at the top of the climb (no other choice really) and head north. There are great views of Albuquerque and Sandia mountain from the wide-open high desert west mesa.
The next big intersection is Central/Rt66. Cross the dived highway, heading north over I-40 and onto Paseo de Vulcan. This road has little traffic but is often windy in the afternoon. There are no facilities until you get to Paradise Hills so carry plenty of water and food for this section.
Paseo de Vulcan curves past Double Eagle Airport, then a few miles later turns east down the mesa, past Ventana Ranch, and finally becomes Paradise Hills Blvd. This road is bad until you near Golf Course road where it has been repaved with a bike lane.
Continue past Golf Course to Eagle Ranch. Turn right, cross Paseo del Norte, and follow it down to Coors. Cross Coors, take the bike lane 1 block south to the road that leads to Riverpoint.
