Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta Ride October 6-12 / Don & Thom / L4 / HEB / 7:30 AM

"Would you like to ride in my beautiful balloon?" is what the 5th Dimension would sing back in the 70's!!  Well, here is your chance to actually ride in a balloon or see hundreds of balloons of all shapes, sizes, colors and designs!  Then join The Esquire ( Don ) and the Reverend ( Thom ) as they lead you to the Land of Enchantment and you end up in Albuquerque for the 49th Annual Balloon Fiesta!!  On your way there, there is a stop in Roswell, New Mexico where you might see some little green men roaming the streets!  While in Albuquerque, when not attending one of the balloon sessions, there is the opportunity to explore the wonders of the area.  There is Old Town, Madrid ( the city where "Wild Hogs" was partly filmed ), Sandia Peak, the Tramway, and endless New Mexican eateries.  There is also a planned ride that will take you through Los Alamos, Valles Caldera National Reserve and through the Jemez Pueblo region.  There will be a group dinner at one of Albuquerque's most popular restaurants where Christmas happens all year long!  This week long, Level 4 ride, will go kickstands up at 7:30 am sharp from the HEB in Leander.  So....... do you want to ride in a beautiful balloon??.......... then this is the ride for you!

HEALTH ADVISORY:   The elevation of Albuquerque ranges from 4,900 feet above sea level in the valley (Austin is from 429 feet to just about 1,000 feet) to over 6,700 feet in the foothills.  The mountain around the city can go over 10,300 feet.  Make sure that you are physically healthy and able to withstand the mileage of this trip (around 1500 miles + round trip) and altitude prior to signing up!!

This is a trip of a lifetime and has the potential to become an annual favorite.  Be sure to make your reservations early as this is a popular event and the Best Western hotel in Albuquerque will not hold our block past Sept 7th.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.balloonfiesta.com after 10:00 am on Friday, July 2, 2021.

Reminder - We have two CTHOG RC led rides on Sunday, October 10th as well as a dinner ride the same day.  You may wish to focus on attending the balloon festival Friday and Saturday.

PARK AND RIDE TICKETS - We recommend purchasing Park & Ride tickets.  We recommend getting the shuttle at Hoffmantown Church (8888 Harper Road NE).  Park in the northeast parking lot only.  Tickets can be purchased online at www.balloonfiesta.com.

ALL PARK & RIDE TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED ONLINE ONLY.  THERE WILL BE NO SAME DAY SALES AT REMOTE LOTS.    

Your Park & Ride Ticket includes: 

Round-trip transportation to and from Balloon Fiesta Park
Expedited route to bypass heavy traffic
Admission to the Balloon Fiesta event

Advanced Purchase Prices:
       • Children: (5 and under) FREE 
       • Children: (6-12) $10  
       • Adults: (13-61) $22 
       • Seniors: (62+) $20
       • Bus Only: $12

Purchases made after midnight for morning sessions on the day of, or after noon for evening sessions on the day of (ONLINE ONLY): 
        • Children: (5 and under) FREE 
        • Children: (6-12) $12 
        • Adults: (13-61) $25 
        • Seniors: (62+) $25 
        • Bus Only: $12

In case of a weathered-out session, retain your ticket as a raincheck for admission. You may present your used/scanned ticket for admission at the Park admission gates. In order to use Park & Ride for another session, you will need to go online to purchase a Bus Only ticket to board the bus.

GENERAL ADMISSION TICKETS

$15.00 per person per session* (over the age of 12 years old)

*One Session is all Morning activities or all Evening activities.  *General Admission Tickets are good for one session, any day

Four Packs of General Admission Tickets and Single Session General Admission can be purchased online at www.balloonfiesta.com

LODGING iNFORMATION:

Hotel room blocks have been reserved for 10 Kings and 10 Double Queens.  Lodging information is listed below: 

Wednesday night, October 6, 2021 – Roswell, NM

Holiday Inn

3620 N. Main St.

Phone: (575) 623-3216

Rate:  $96.00 plus tax per room per night

Rooms will be held until September 20, 2021

The group reservation is Central TX Harley Owners Group

Thursday – Sunday nights, October 7-10, 2021 - Albuquerque

Best Western Sure Stay Plus

10330 Hotel Avenue NE

Phone: (505) 275-8900 

Rate:  $149.00 plus tax per room per night for Oct 7, 8, and 9.  The rate is $95.00 for Oct 10.  We recommend requesting a room away from the pool side of the hotel for some peace and quiet.  Our recommendation is a second floor room on the East side of the hotel.

Cancellation policy is a minimum of 24 hours prior to date of arrival to avoid penalties

Rooms will be held until September 7, 2021

The block reservation name is Central Texas HOG

Monday night, October 11, 2021 – San Angelo

Holiday Inn Express

4613 W. Houston Harpe Exp

Phone: (325) 223-2200

Rate:  $109.00 plus tax per room per night

Rooms will be held until September 27, 2021

The block code is CHO for Central TX Harley Owners Group

Once you have made your lodging reservations please remember to register for the overnight online on the CTHOG Website by clicking on the REGISTER HERE button on the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta Overnight Calendar entry.  Registering for the overnight ensures you receive all communication from the overnight Road Captain and most important lets the Road Captain know you will be joining the ride.  This ride is limited to 40 members.