Art Gardenswartz: Outdoor Recreation

In the early 1950s, when Art got his first bicycle, his family lived in the last house on his street, which was then at the eastern edge of the city. Drawn to the mountains (which today mark that eastern boundary), Art hopped on that bicycle and started exploring. He has continued that journey through the New Mexico outdoors ever since. As a young man he ran competitively, played tennis, fished, skied and cycled. In the mid-1970s, like his father and his great-uncle before him, Art opened a sporting goods store, selling much of the same equipment he used. In the early 1980s he ran his first marathon. Today, in his 60s, Art continues to run, ride, swim and compete in many forms of outdoor recreation. In the last couple of years he has won his age group in the XTERRA World Championship triathlon in Hawaii and the Bolder Boulder 10K run.

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Questions & Answers

Q: Is there any place to rent bikes near the Paseo del Bosque Trail in early October? It seems like every thing I read. only rents in the summer. We want to rent a bike on the trail or nearby.: A: I suggest calling High Desert Bicycles on Paseo and ask for Randy. He should be able to help point you in the right direction.

Q: We have visited Albuquerque before and taken an ATV tour, but we would like to know where we can ride with our own ATV's. Are there ATV trail heads where we can park, and ride our own ATV's? Can you put me in touch with an ATV Club in your area?: A:
Unfortunately I'm not too familiar with ATV activities. I recommend you start by calling New Mexico Jeep Tours - they should be a good jumping off point and can probably point you in the right direction. Sorry I can't be of more help! Best of luck!

Q: are there any creeks or rivers to swim in (not the rio grande) i heard of some place called jaimes pronounced "heymiss": A:
I think you are referring to Jemez Springs. The Village of Jemez Springs is one of New Mexico's most enchanted destinations! Nestled between stunning red rock mesas (remnants of ancient lava flows over a million years old), the village is named for its famous mineral hot springs. While I'm not sure the hot springs qualify as a great swimming destination, they are a perfect place for a relaxing soak! While you are there, you might also check out Jemez Falls (an amazing spot where the river drops 70 feet through a series of falls).

Q: Art, I will be in ABQ for 1 day and would like to rent and ride a trail bike w/o getting hit by a car where is the most convenient place to do this? Bosque trail or sandia?: A: Both are relatively safe. If you mean the Sandia's, they are real trails (mountain biking). There is paved bike trail next to Tramway, adjacent to the Sandia's that has some has stop lights. The Bosque is a paved, flat trail with not cars and no lights. Check a few questions down for info on where to rent bikes.

Q: I'd like information on ATV or Jeep tours or rafting, I see very limited information on these. Thank you.: A: For information on Jeep tours, I'd start here. Companies like New Mexico Jeep Tours have fantastic offerings that I highly recommend taking advantage of. Rafting is offered by several regional partners in Santa Fe & Taos- check here for some good information on rafting. You also may want to look into a company called Sundance Aviation that charters flights on glider planes... it's a little bit removed from your question, but is very cool and worth pointing out.

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