• Day 1: We arrived in Grants, New Mexico, checked into a Motel, and had a free afternoon. We decided to ride the nearby 20 Mile GDMBR segment from near the Bandera Ice Caves (NM-53 & NF-50 Intersection) back to Grants.
• We performed the bike ride from south to north so as to be copasetic with our other GDMBR ride directions.
• As we arrived, we saw the advertisement signs for the Bandera Ice Cave and we decided to visit there as soon as our bike tour was completed.
• We were able to ride quickly since we were not carrying camping gear.
• The ride was very pleasurable, mostly downhill, and complete with everything that we like about riding.
• We met two (2) different Couples from New Zealand. The second Couple knew about the first couple because riders, like us, would inform them about what is on the trail.
• We met a few other Solo Riders as well.
• When we arrived at Grants, we saw quite a few of the old US Highway Route 66 Signs, we got some pictures.
• WE HAD A GOOD DAY

Day 1 - We Arrived in Grants, New Mexico, Checked into a Motel, and Since We Had a Free Afternoon,
We Decided to Ride the Nearest 20 Mile GDMBR Segment From Near the Bandera Ice Caves Back to Grants
(Labeled as Day 1 on This Map)

Above Left: We arrived at our desired start point near the Bandera Ice Cave (NM-53 & NF-50 Intersection). This is the end or beginning of the Chain of Craters Back Country Byway. We are heading north, opposite this direction, toward Grants.

Above Right: No sooner than we had our bikes set-up and ready to go, this Couple from New Zealand stopped to chat. They mentioned that they had not seen anyone heading north for quite a while; we explained that we were not going to far north at this time of the year (it is October). We shared our limited trail information with them.

Above Left: Now we are facing north at the end of the Back Country Byway. We will turn left on NM Hwy 53, ride about a mile on pavement and then turn right/north on NF-50.

Above Right: We're just riding along, singing a song, ...

Above Left: Here's 50.

Above Right: Classic National Forest Cattle Guard (Cibola National Forest).

Above: Cibola National Forest - We get to ride uphill for about 3 miles and then we cross Continental Divide Crossing #18.

Above Left: Our first roadway sign. NF-50 actually turns away to the northwest in about 5 miles and then we will take NF-49 all the way into the outskirts of Grants.

Above Right: We're about to enter a public road across private properties.

Above: We are riding through the private properties community which appears to have a small set of artists, metal workers, potters, and a campground.

Above Left: Ancient Way - Arts Trail Site.

Above Right: We're heading for Grants. The Oso Ridge Look Out, while not on our map, appears to be an off-road from the Continental Divide (Crossing #18) that is coming up soon.

The Continental Divide (GDMBR Crossing #18)

Above Left: This appears to be both the Continental Divide (Crossing #18) and the turn-off for the Oso Ridge L.O. [Look Out].

Above Right: We've crested the Continental Divide and we're heading into a big valley.

Above Left: We're enjoying a downhill run.

Above Right: Oil Shale or Pumice? Well, we checked, it's Pumice (Lava Rock).

Above: All downhill.

Above Left: We met this Couple riding south on the GDMBR all the way from Canada. They are also from New Zealand. We informed them about the other New Zealand Couple but while they were aware of some Kiwis in front of them, they did not know who they were. We will meet this Couple again, tomorrow. We wished them good riding.

Above Right: Northbound on NF-50 (Cibola National Forest, NM).

Above Left: Old Ranch Entry Style from the late 1800's and early 1900's.

Above Right: Cibola National Forest, NM, cattle guard and entry.

Above: Heading north on NF-50 (Cibola National Forest, NM).

Above Left: We have reached our turn-off for NF-49 and Grants, NF-49 actually goes straight ahead, it is NF-50 that turns away.

Above Right: Bad Road.

Above: The Flower is called Indian Blanket.

Above: Little hill, nice road, north on NF-49.

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Above: Natural open field.

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Above: We're beginning to enter the ZUNI Canyon area.
Notice the contrast between the white gypsum hill and the red sandstone hill.

Above Left: Cattle Guard.

Above Right: Red and White Mesas.

Above Left: We're biking into of Cibola National Forest again.

Above Right: We took a break and Terry petted some horses.

Above Left: Red Mesa.

Above Right: Mostly White Mesa.

Above Left: Mostly White Mesa.

Above Right: Horse Property.

Above: Iron Horse Sculptures (art).

Above: Grants, 11 Miles, NF-49; Zuni Canyon Guardian.

Above: Range Land.

Above Left: Lava Rock.

Above Right: Purple Daisies are always a late season flower and a pleasure to see.

Zuni Canyon
(NF-49 eventually becomes Zuni Canyon Road, south of Grants, NM)

Above Left: More or less the entryway into Zuni Canyon proper.

Above Right: Zuni signs on a water tank.

Above: A wonderfully classic New Mexico country view (looking east).

Above: Long ago, a volcano erupted in the area and lava flowed.

Above: Zuni Canyon.

Above Left: Zuni Canyon.

Above Right: Leaving Cibola National Forest, NF-49 becomes Zuni Canyon Road and leads directly to Grants, NM.

Grants, New Mexico

Above: Riding out of Zuni Canyon we see Grants, New Mexico (sitting on Interstate-40 and the old US Highway called Route 66).

Above: Riding into the city we see this front yard Korean War Memorial and Memorial to this family's Mother. We just had to stop and pay our respects.

Above Left: Korean War Memorial and Memorial to this family's Mother. Salute.

Above Right: Interesting Gateway, based on wheels and it has an old style Penny Farthing type bicycle in the wheel collection.

Above Left: It's called MOO Street. Well, maybe some letters are missing?

Above Right: Explanation of the Mount Taylor Volcano Eruption, the most recent was 1200 years ago.

Above Left: Welcome to Grants, NM.

Above Right: Historic Route 66.

Above Left: Terry Struck and the Bee are in front of the Historic Route 66 marker (New Mexico, US Hwy-66).

Above Right: Dennis Struck and the Bee are in front of the Historic Route 66 marker.

Above Left: Phillips 66 on Route 66, hmm.

Above Right: The GDMBR continues left on 2nd street, we're going straight to a motel.

Above Left: Dinner Time.

Above Right: Giant Dream Catcher.