Biking to Balloon Fiesta – free bike valet service

riding bikes to Balloon Fiesta

For the past three years we have taken the bike trail to Balloon Fiesta.  We live in the north valley and catch the bike trail at Paseo Del Norte and take it across to the Diversion Channel.  There we catch the long trail and ride it all the way to Balloon Fiesta Park.  You drop your bike off right in front of the park and they give you a ticket to reclaim it after the festival.  This service is free (they accept donations).    Our ride takes about 15 minutes and saves us the headache of having to park.  Not to mention parking can be far away and taking a shuttle to the drop off area makes no sense to me.  Riding our bikes gives us some exercise and is fun in the early morning because we get to wear or headlamps.  We pack our bike trailer with hot chocolate, blankets and cameras.

the view from our front yard

Last year my husband ended up getting a flat tire on the way over.  The bike valet supplied a tube and fixed our tire for free!  We donated 20.00 for the service because it was so unexpected and gladly welcomed.  I was just so impressed with the level of service and have been a loyal supporter ever since!  If you don’t live close to Balloon Fiesta you can still drop your cars off at a bike trail and head on over.  For example, you can park at the Railrunner station one 2nd Street and El Pueblo and catch the bike trail to the diversion channel.  Click here for more information about the FREE bike valley service.

Bike Valet hours of operation and details….

• Morning Sessions 5:30AM to 10:30AM
• Evening Sessions 5:00PM to 9:00PM
• Bikes not picked up from the bike valet area will be removed and stored. The bike owner will have to call the Balloon Fiesta main line at 821-1000 to arrange pick up.

The bike trail runs along the AMAFCA North Diversion Channel crosses underneath Paseo del Norte and Alameda Blvd. continuing north where it crosses from the west side to the east side ending just north of the Balloon Museum. There you will find the Bike Valet staffed by local bicycle group volunteers of Bike ABQ, NM Touring Society.

S

It’s balloon fiesta time!

Fall is my favorite time of year.  I love that the weather is getting cooler, the garden harvesting begins and the smell of roasting green chile is everywhere.  Not to mention, there are a lot of activities in the city during fall.  There are the Corrales Harvest Festival, Balloon Fiesta, art festivals, corn mazes and haunted houses to visit.  Our next upcoming event is the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.  If you have never been before or if you haven’t been in ten years you should consider going.  It has a fun family friendly atmosphere and is one of our nation’s top festivals to go to.  This festival has something for everyone in the family!  

Balloonists on the approach for the key grab - an event where balloonists attempt to grab keys placed at the top of poles located around a large grass field. The prizes are, of course, cars and trucks!

The Mass Ascension takes place on October 1 at about 7:15 a.m.  This is an ascension of all of the balloons (hundreds!).  It usually happens in two waves and it seems to me like the number of balloonists gets larger every year.  You’ll want to get there early to park and find a good spot to watch the launch.  We usually get to the park by 6 a.m.  

A large grass field provides the launch site for hundreds of balloons. Fiesta goers mill about watching and cheering as balloons lift off.

Balloon Glows are my favorite part of balloon fiesta.  Balloons fire their burners and light up at the same time.  It really is quite spectacular.  My son loves the special shapes rodeo where he gets to see the Darth Vader balloon along side with a cow, a witch and many other ‘odd’ shaped balloons.  

Special shapes balloon include Darth Vader, the Creamland Cow, Sunshine, the Orient Express Train, pigs, bees, laydbugs and many, many more!

When is all of this fun starting?  Tomorrow!  October 1-9

Click here for a schedule of events.

If  you live near a bike trail consider riding your bike all the way to entrance.  The balloon fiesta offers a FREE bike valet service that is AWESOME!  We use the bike valet every year and save $10 on parking.  More to come about that on our next post.

S