The Enchanted Circle Century Bike Tour offers participants the opportunity to tour some of the most scenic areas in the southwest.

You will begin your tour in Red River (elevation 8,750 ft.). Red River is an old mining town that boomed nearly a century ago when gold was discovered in surrounding mountains. Red River, which sits in the midst of the million plus acre Carson National Forest, has long been a popular four-season resort area. It is noted for its' hiking, fishing, and bicycle touring opportunities in the summer and its' Nordic, Alpine skiing and snowmobiling opportunities in the winter.

After leaving Red River, you will proceed sharply downhill 13 miles, passing several National Forest Campgrounds and one large Molybdenum Mine operation on your way to Questa.

Making a left turn at the traffic signal in Questa, you continue south toward Taos. At the Lama turn-off our photographer will be positioned to catch you in action. His pictures will be for sale in front of the Red River Town Hall. Proceeding south you will climb up and over Garrapata Ridge. The Sangre de Cristo Mountains will change from forest conditions into a semi-arid environment much like the rest of New Mexico.

Century riders will continue on Hwy 64 East back into the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. You will have a pretty steady climb inside the Taos Canyon for approximately 15 miles to the top of Palo Flechado Pass, elevation 9,100 ft. This road is narrow and traditionally has a lot of automobile traffic. Please ride single file and allow vehicles to pass. When you reach the top of the pass you will find a very welcome and very popular rest stop at the top of Palo Flechado Pass. READ THE ATTACHED PALO FLECHADO WARNING.

Leaving Palo Flechado, you will descend into the Angel Fire/ Moreno Valley area. At the bottom of the series of switchbacks from Palo Flechado, you will approach the turn off to Hwy 434 into Angel Fire. At the blinking light you will turn right on to Hwy 434. Head through Angle Fire, traveling 7.3 miles to the Black Lake Fire Station and another rest stop. Here you will turn around and retrace your route back through Angel Fire, on your way to Eagle Nest. Passing through Angel Fire you will notice the Ski resort and Country Club. Angel Fire also has several shops and activities available for guests and locals to enjoy. They have a very active biking and hiking club and are excited to be added to the Enchanted Circle Century Bike Tour.

Riders, BE AWARE when descending Palo Flechado. In the past this treacherous pass has been the site of several accidents and injuries ALL caused by cyclists going too fast.

The road is rough, narrow, has gravel on the shoulder, steep, and has hairpin turns you wouldn't try at 15 mph in a car. In short, its dangerous if you are going too fast!!! New Mexico motorists are not accustomed to sharing this particular piece of road with bicyclists. Neither are the log trucks.