Great Divide Mountain Bike Route #5

http://www.renaud-bray.com

http://www.renaud-bray.com

This segment of the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route climbs out of Colorado and into New Mexico. There it traverses the remote, high-elevation Tusas Mountains before passing through three New Mexico villages straight out of Old Mexico: Canon Plaza, Vallecitos, and El Rito.South of Abiquiu, home of the late painter Georgia O'Keefe, a tough, 25-mile climb up Polvadera Mesa leads into the Jemez Mountains. Elk and black bears are common residents in this heavily forested portion of Santa Fe National Forest. South of Cuba the route winds through the carved maze of terrain that separates Mesa Chivato and Chaco Mesa. It is an incredibly eroded, otherworldly landscape of pinon-studded plateaus, deep arroyos, tall volcanic plugs, and abandoned ranches. This spectacular and exceedingly remote stretch of land dishes up dozens of short, steep climbs and descents. From there the route winds across the northwest flank of the San Mateo Mountains before dropping into the sprawling community of Grants and then skirting the lava flows of El Malpais National Monument. The route in this section remains on the east side of the Continental Divide until just north of Pie Town, where it crosses to the west side.ABOUT ADVENTURE CYCLING MAPSAdventure Cycling maps are created by cyclists, for cyclists, and they are some of the best available for those in search of discovery and adventure in North America. The maps reflect the association's research as well as suggestions from thousands of cyclists who have explored the Adventure Cycling Route Network. Adventure Cycling develops the best cross-country, loop, coastal, and inland cycling routes available, with turn-by-turn directions, detailed navigational instructions for the tricky sections, and elevation profiles in the high country.The maps are waterproof and designed to fit in a handlebar-bag window or jersey pocket. The maps provide information specifically for cyclists: the location of bike shops, sources for food and water, and listings of overnight accommodations including camping facilities, small hotels, and cyclists-only lodging.