Early August Rides, Part 2

On another cool afternoon with only moderate wind, I was able to ride up the Griegos Interior Drain, where the goatheads were proliferating despite the mowing by the City.  Heavy machinery tracks showed their efforts, but they largely missed the dreaded patches of goatheads.  Fortunately, they haven't yet matured into hard, dry, tire-killing calthrops. 

I then crossed west near Valley Haven Park to briefly follow the Albuquerque Acequia up to the Duranes Lateral.  Fewer goatheads in the shady sections here, but horse nettle and other obnoxious plants were making a start after the recent rains. 

I followed the lateral to Veranda (where the ditch crossing was in poor repair and the water level quite high)...

... and peddled past the Candelaria Nature Center before heading home via the east bank portion of the Paseo del Bosque Trail and thence east on Campbell Rd.  For variety, I used the Campbell to Matthew segment of the Albququerque Acequia to finish things up. 

Early August Rides

The weather has cooled off a bit and that's letting me get out more in the afternoon.  Early in the month I took a ride south, but turned back short of the I-40 underpass by the river.  Rain and wind were bearing down on me.  I followed Duranes to Los Luceros and then the Duranes Acequia to Thomas Village before heading home on Matthew.