The Goathead Report

Finally, we've had a serious freeze in the Near North Valley and that's it for the annuals.  Amazingly, after all the rain in September, there really weren't that many goatheads out there on the bike paths this fall. 

Wait... ah, say what? 

Let me back up and explain the rationale for this blog.  I've been walking and biking the ditch banks and acequias of Albuquerque for almost 30 years.  There are hidden treasures for the adventurous hiker or biker.  Now, armed with Google Glass, I'm going to start recording the routes, the distances, the sights and sounds, the ditch bank conditions for those who would like to explore this surprisingly remote inner city sanctuary.  The waterworks of the North Valley represent a direct tie to irrigation systems used by local farmers, 19th century farmers, 18th century settlers, all the way back to the Conquistadors, and before... the Native American farmers from time immemorial. 

Now then, on to the goatheads, Tribulus terrestris L., a member of the Zygophyllaceae, which includes the widely known Creosote Bush, Larrea tridentata (DC) Coville.  Goatheads are familiar to bicyclists in the southwest due to the many flattened tires and lame dogs caused by their fruits, which form a calthrop with serious 1/4" projections.  Goatheads are a seasonal problem in the North Valley where I bike, but a little kevlar and lots of green goop in the inner tubes plus a good tire pump get me by. 

Stand by for this weekend's first Google Glass report.  For now, here are a couple photos from the last two week's rides, taken with my Droid.

 

From the Bosque Bike Path north of the I-40 underpass.

 

The Matthew-Campbell bike path.

 

The best Sandhill Crane watching in the city, part of the Rio Grande Nature Center on Candelaria.  This field is north of Veranda, one block north of Candelaria where the residents feed the cranes, making them almost tame.

 

The Griegos Lateral, dry in November.  Between Griegos and Candelaria.

 

The Griegos Lateral just east of Veranda.  The crane watch fields are to the right but better viewing is from Veranda, which can be reached from this acequia via any of several small bridges to the west bank and then a cut in the fence to the street itself.

 

The cottonwoods at the entrance to Matthew Meadow where I begin my rides.