"Santa Fe Century" Route

Santa Fe Century General Route This is not an official map of the Santa Fe Century nor does it represent the Santa Fe Century in any way. This map is provided for NMTS members who might not know the route so that they can ride all or part of the route. The annual Santa Fe Century is a great ride. There are long isolated stretches on the route where there is no water or supplies available. It is advisable to have support. The route is mainly out in the open so riders are vulnerable to the wind and summer thunderstorms. Be prepared. The temperatures get pretty high in the summer and it can snow in Santa Fe in November so this is a spring/fall ride. Since this is a loop you can start or finish anywhere on the loop. The section of Old Las Vegas Highway from US285 that parallels I-25 east to Santa Fe is in terrible condition, 2-lanes, and has fast traffic. Avoid this if you can. This will be rebuilt in 2005 - 2006. Heartbreak Hill is pretty steep and will be rebuilt in the spring of 2006. In the spring watch for sand on the downhill sections from winter snow sand trucks until rains wash it off. The hill and big rollers on US285 from the NM41/US285 junction are not as steep as Heartbreak Hill but really go on. Notes: See the Falcon Guide book, Road Biking New Mexico by Nicole Blouin for a more details. There is a grocery store in Madrid. There are convenience gas stations in Lone Butte (on NM14 near I-25) and El Dorado (US285 near I-25). That's pretty much it. There may be something open in Galisteo, don't count on it. Stanley is pretty barren. Santa Fe Century Roadway: All paved in good condition,some shoulders, light traffic, except near Santa Fe.

Elevation Profile

The total elevation gain is about 4880 which makes it a moderately hard century.