Since we have returned to Santa Fe from Africa, via Houston, Austin and Llano, Texas we have tried to keep our carbon footprint to a minimum by biking as many places as we can.
We are very lucky to have the Arroyo de Chamisa Trail nearby which also connects to the hike/bike trail to downtown.
The only drawback we have had to our "reduce the print" has been a flat tire as we were setting off to exercise class. Not to worry. We had planned to take our bikes in for a tuneup when we returned and this made it necessary.
We took our bikes to our favorite bike shop, Frankie Flats which is located just past 2nd street accessible by the hike and bike trail:
Frankie Flats Bicycle Repair
1600 Lena St # D3
Santa Fe, NM 87505-3891
(505) 473-1712
See their website at http://www.frankieflats.com/ .
While we were waiting for our bikes to be tuned up, we used the Dahon "visitor bikes" we had bought for guests off Craigslist, to go downtown and use free wi fi.
Can you believe it! Another flat! We took advantage of the great Santa Fe Trails bus system and loaded our bikes on the front and rode to the nearest bus stop to Frankie's. Then we walked down the rail side trail to a gate that allows access to Frankie's.
We picked up the Downtube bikes he and Scott had tuned up, left the other two folding bikes to be tuned and the flat fixed, and were on our way down the trail.
By this time we were a little hot and tired, so stopped at 2nd Street Brewery which is easily accessible from the trail. Robert tried out a couple of their fresh brewed ales, and I had some house merlot.
We then rode on down the trail at sunset, a little nervous because it is very steep downhill in parts.
Santa Fe, what a great place to ride bikes! The more adventurous, like Frank of Frankie Flats, go for the mountain bike trails in the nearby mountains.
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