It is early morning as your friendly and knowledgeable guide fits you to your state of the art E-Bike. Dawn in Albuquerque during the Balloon Fiesta means the Mass Ascension, where hundreds of balloons lift over the Sandia Mountains. With colorful orbs dotting the horizon your perception of the sky as a vacuous space will be transformed into an ethereal dimension. A bucket list moment for all!
The rest of the city will be loading into their cars, battling lights, exit ramps, and multi-lane maneuvers.
But that is not your style, not the way you enjoy your vacation.
In the pre-dawn you will set out for our adventure. Dressed in cozy layers with up to date bike lights and convenient H.I. trunk backs, you will weave though historic Albuquerque neighborhoods that lead to Bosque del Norte Trail adjacent to the Rio Grande. Along the way your guide will illuminate the colorful history of the city, including the development of agricultural communities dating back to the 1700s.
The Bosque, which means a cluster or grove of trees, is an otherworldly place. Towering cottonwoods line the banks of New Mexico’s largest river the Rio Grande. The pedal assist bikes allow you to determine what level of exercise you wish to experience, and the suspension assures a smooth ride in a natural setting.
When you arrive at the festival grounds your guide will help you navigate the bike valet, and the key festival locations. After being given a ticket good for the legendary New Mexico breakfast burrito (a delicious morning staple for locals) and coffee or hot chocolate at Rex’ Burger you will have a chance to let it all soak in.
There is nothing quite like the atmosphere of the Balloon Fiesta. You will feel like a kid again. People’s spirits are high, and there is a buzz in the air, as teams prepare for the Mass Ascension. Everywhere are color saturated balloons inflating into shapes you could never imagine.
As the balloons lift into the heavens the energy shifts. People watch in awe and reverence at the bond of our humanity, the marvel of engineering, and the pursuit of adventure.
After having a couple hours to explore the festival we will return along our peaceful route to the H.I. Travel Hub at Los Poblanos. You will leave feeling deeply connected to the world’s most spectacular Balloon Festival, as well as, happy and reinvigorated by the old fashioned fun of an E-Bike ride. Check off the bucket list and reserve your spot today!