As I was thinking of cool things to do this spring here in Los Alamos, I was reminded of just how many clubs, social organizations, and sports leagues we have in our rather small community. For a small place, we really have far more to do than it might seem at first glance. But, as you might expect with any “Secret City”, you have to know where to look!

When folks first move into town, they often ask me how to “meet the locals”. There’s a notable lack of venues dedicated to just hanging out. We have several breweries and gathering places, but honestly, just a small amount of effort will get you enough friends that you’ll be busy every night of the week.

Tuff Riders

Most of us know how to ride a bicycle. But if you look around you, a bicycle ride could be an entire sightseeing trip opportunity. Los Alamos County is an amazing place to mountain bike! But if you’re new in town or just getting back into mountain biking, you might want to check out the Tuff Riders.

Believe it or not, the name has nothing at all to do with being tough, toughing it out, or any reference at all to stamina. Tuff refers to the geological composition of the terrain here in Los Alamos. Look around the area and you’ll see the lumpy and sometimes hollow sounding “rock” in our canyons and on the mesas. This rock is actually called Bandelier Tuff. It’s why Bandelier is called what it is and it’s also what gives some of our canyons their ancient wheel tracks and game trails.

The Tuff Riders acknowledge that some of this “tuff” terrain is great for mountain biking and they enjoy riding in the area and helping to maintain the trails as well. The club welcomes riders of all skill levels and intensities. Planned rides, field trips to other areas, and fun group activities like barbeques and picnics are only a tiny slice of what makes this a great group here in Los Alamos. So even if you’re not entirely sure you can keep up, you’ll be in great hands. And if you’re a mountain biker new to the area, this is a great way to find experienced riders to help identify trails and great scenic rides. You can find the Tuff Riders on their website and on Facebook so reach out and plan a ride to celebrate the warmer weather and return to sunshine!

Los Alamos Derby Dames

The sport of Roller Derby might not be something you’ve ever considered, but the Los Alamos Derby Dames are a super cool group of people dedicated to promoting women’s flat track derby in Los Alamos County. Even if you’ve heard of the Derby Dames, you might not realize that they are a 501 3(c) organization that not only has supporters both locally and nationally, but also supports other worthy organizations here in Los Alamos. The Derby Dames work with groups like LA Cares, Friends of the Shelter, and The Transgender Resource Center of New Mexico to promote awareness of social injustice, fitness and inclusivity, and underserved populations.

Check out their website for boot camp weekends and volunteer opportunities. Or, you can find their match and tournament schedule and go watch a derby bout! While you need to be 18 to join the Derby Dames, there is a league run by the organization for players of all ages. Derby has an amazing track record of teaching muscle coordination, teamwork, and assertiveness to all ages! And if you need a boost to get excited about Derby, Drew Barrymore’s directorial debut in 2009 was a movie about a “misfit” beauty pageant contestant from Texas who finds herself through Roller Derby. The movie, “Whip It” is a fantastic example of why Derby is such a great opportunity for folks to become part of a community of supportive friends and fellow competitors. Plenty of Derby Dames find their groove not by competing, but by practicing and finding their unique niche in organizing tournaments and events. There is something for everyone and tons of ways to get involved and feel great doing it!

Now, the Tuff Riders and the Derby Dames aren’t the only cool groups to join here in Los Alamos. Stay tune for future posts about other great organizations and social clubs here in Los Alamos. And when you’re ready to become part of our amazing community, give me a call! I’m Los Alamos’s hometown Real Estate Broker and I’d love to chat about Los Alamos with you!