Barela Loop (Trinidad Classic)
This route features some of the best scenery in the area even though it takes you east, away from the mountains. Follow Main Street past the hospital and turn right on CR 24.6. You’ll have a few more miles of pavement then a gravel climb up to the gun range. Hold onto your butt and descend Frijole Hill. At the bottom pedal about one more mile (now merged onto CR22) then turn right on 85.5. This is the toughest part of the ride (besides climbing Frijole on the way home!) At least the epic views make the suffering worth it. After a steep section, you have another couple miles of false flat to contend with. Don’t miss the Airmail Box. Finally, you’ll have a sweeping view towards the east as you begin the to head downhill.
There is still a small climb before a solid seven or eight miles of fun gravel descending. At the tiny hamlet of Barela (really just one ranch house — no services), you’ll turn left on 105.5, which will take you up and down a few gravel hills along the traintracks before re-joining 22, which turns back into 24.6 at the bottom of Frijole Hill. If you choose, you can extend this route to 50 miles and change by turning right on Frijole Hill onto CR 81.5 and returning via Main St or through El Moro
