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Two Loops East of Socorro |
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Two Loops East of Socorro |
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This easy, level ride along ditch banks in rural Socorro features great views. At the 2.9 mile-marker, you can decide whether to take the short loop and head back toward the Plaza (for a 5.3-mile ride), or to continue on the ditch road and take the longer version (7.7 miles total).
| Mileage | Surface | Notes |
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| 0.0 | PAVED | From the Plaza head north on Bernard Road; turn right at San Miguel Mission onto Otero Ave.; continue east across California Street, go under 1-25, past the sewage-treatment plant, across the RR tracks and keep going straight as the road turns to dirt. |
| 0.8 | DIRT | Continue east on the dirt road. |
| 1.1 | DIRT | Turn left (north) just before the irrigation ditch. You may hear peacocks calling nearby at this point. If you go too far (another 50 yards) you will come to the much larger "low-flow channel." |
SHORT LOOP (Skip to LONG LOOP if you want a longer ride): |
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| 2.7 | DIRT | Junction of an irrigation ditch and a road to your left. For the shorter loop, turn left (west) and follow along the ditch. The dogs along this ditch road can be intimidating, but don't seem to be harmful. |
| 4.3 | PAVED | Turn right onto the road that becomes paved in about 0.1 mile; this is the road you left town on. Cross the RR tracks, go under the freeway, and cross California Street, heading west. |
| 5.1 | PAVED | At San Miguel Mission head south back to the Plaza. |
| 5.2 | PAVED | Back at the Plaza. |
LONG LOOP: |
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| 2.7 | DIRT | Junction of irrigation ditch and a road to your left. Continue north without turning here. |
| 4.0 | DIRT | Flood control canal. Turn left (west) up on the high bank; cross the RR tracks. |
| 4.2 | DIRT | Turn left (south) and follow the ditch on its left bank. |
| 4.9 | DIRT | Turn left on the side ditch and follow its left bank. |
| 6.7 | DIRT | "T" intersection. Turn right, then go south on the frontage road. |
| 7.2 | PAVED | Turn right, go under 1-25, cross California Street. |
| 7.5 | PAVED | San Miguel Mission; turn south toward the Plaza. |
| 7.7 | PAVED | The Plaza. You've completed the Long Loop. |
