By Jo Mixon
Michael Martinez & Miller Talbot
Rough Riders 200
Angel Fire’s Double Century Cycling Event in Northern New Mexico
Michael and Diane Martinez along with Miller and Deanna Talbot have spent the past year preparing for “Rough Riders 200.” It is a high altitude Double Century Cycling Ride through the mountains of Northern New Mexico to be held this weekend, June 29 and June 30. The term century refers to an event where the daily course is 100 miles. Double century means 100 miles per day for two consecutive days. Day one cyclists will travel 104 miles. They start from the Blue Parking lot of the Angel Fire Resort and head through the Taos Canyon, over to Sipapu turning at Mora to follow the Guadalupita pass back to Angel Fire. Day two the route is 100 miles. Riders will again start at the Angel Fire Resort, head through the Taos Canyon and continue around the Enchanted Circle scenic by-way through Taos, Questa, Red River, and Eagle Nest and back to Angel Fire. These athletes will encounter the awesomely beautiful Sangre de Cristo Mountains while testing their bodies and abilities.
Michael and Miller are both avid local cyclists. Throughout the years they have heard many local cyclists voice the need and desire to have events of this nature and magnitude in Angel Fire. “We have the mountain roads, the altitude, the picturesque views and the routes to challenge any cyclists”, said Michael. They knew together, they could make it happen. Along with their wives they decided to start a promotion company and Hound Dog Events,LLC was formed. Their five-year plan includes cycling, trail running, mountain bike, endurance events and the possibility of marathons. They plan to be promoting up to three major events per year in Angel Fire in the future.
They have certainly been busy and haven’t missed a single detail to make their debut event well planned and organized. The Rough Riders 200 is paid for in part by Angel Fire Lodger’s tax and major sponsors. The Angel Fire Resort will be providing beer, food, and entertainment, The Trail Head Bike & Ski Shop is Rough Riders 200 headquarters and the place to purchase all Rough Riders apparel, and Resort Properties of Angel Fire are donating housing for state motorcycle police and one lucky winner. Taos Cyclery sponsors aide stations along the routes. Hosts for the aid stations are Holy Cross Hospital, Kachina Lodge, and Sipapu. Hammer Products will supply Hammer Nutrition products for every rider at each aid station. Also provided will be fruit, salty and sweet treats, and water. Rough Riders 200 is donating $1000.00 per day to the local groups volunteering to man the aid stations. These beneficiaries are Del Norte Mountain Bike Alliance of Taos, Taos Amateur Radio Club and Angel Fire Search & Rescue, Casting for Recovery, Ski & Snowboard Team of Angel Fire, and Shuter Library.
S.A.G vehicle support, sponsored by Patterson Family of Dealerships, will be available to help with flats, hunger knocks, water and lifts back to Angel Fire for the dreaded bonk. The Taos Amateur Radio Club and Angel Fire Search and Rescue have pitched in to provide mobile units at each aid station and communications throughout the event. State motorcycle police will be on the course and housed by Resort Properties of Angel Fire. Emergency services are ready and available if needed. Coldwell Banker of Angel Fire, Mammoth Mills & Log Homes, and John Sutton General Building Construction are sponsoring the start/finish lines. Hail’s Holy Smoked Bar-B-Q, Keller Williams of Angel Fire and Recovery Control Systems are route sponsors. Monte Verde Realty, Re/Max Mountain Realty, and A.J.’s Cyclery are general event sponsors.
Michael and Miller are excited about all of the support they are receiving from Angel Fire and the surrounding area and they have been working with other century groups such as the Santa Fe Century Tour. Everyone involved has been positive and helpful. Cyclists are signed up from Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and New Mexico. Hound Dog is excited about the new faces it will bring into Angel Fire this year and many years to come. Both Saturday and Sunday beginning at noon, they want to invite everyone, riders and the public, to enjoy the post-ride Beer, Meal, & Entertainment Tent on the blue parking lot of the Angel Fire Resort.
If you are interested in volunteering to help with the event call 575-224-1595. Also go to their website www.roughriders200.com for rules and instructions on how to enter the event.
Speak Your Mind