[AtariAge]

Greetings!

At the end of this month I am driving to Vegas (from Austin) to attend a trade show. On the way back I plan on hitting some mountain bike trails in Arizona and New Mexico. The route as I have it planned now takes me through the following cities:

Flagstaff, AZ
Gallup, NM
Albuquerque, NM
Las Cruces, NM

Here is a Google Map:

Las Vegas to Austin

I'm looking for suggestions on great riding along this route. This route isn't set in stone, so I'm willing to go a bit off course if that'll bring me to some great singletrack. I'm leaving Vegas on Monday, August 2nd and plan on taking an entire week to get back to Austin.

Now, because I'm from Texas I'm used to riding in the summer heat, but I'd like to avoid trails in the middle of the desert that have absolutely no shade if at all possible. I consider myself a very good (but not expert/pro) rider technical-wise, probably a result of the never ending trails of rocks in Austin. And I don't mind climbing, although compared to many areas of the country Austin is fairly flat overall.

I really love long, fast, flowing trails that have periodic technical sections. But I'm open to riding just about anything, especially if it's generally known to be an epic trail..

Also looking for suggestions on lodging near my stops. I'm not going to camp, so looking for hotels and such. And if anyone wants to join me for a ride that would be great!

Thanks in advance for any advice!!

..Al

 

[Jemezc]

The Zuni Mountains SE of Gallup sound like just what you're looking for. Great single track with some shade and a little bit of tech here and there. Check out Gallup Trails 2010, NMES site, and the 24 hours in the Enchanted Forest site.

 

[Pawndream]

Good luck finding trees in Las Cruces! There is a nice slice of singletrack riding there though: Dona Ana trails. Here's a link that shows the area trails. The one you want is the Cerro Jornada trail network. Very flowy and fun.

http://www.lcrimrattlers.org/Maps.html

If you get tired of all that desert and want some alpine riding, make a slight detour on your way back and hit the Rim Trail (T104) in Cloudcroft, New Mexico. There's trees up there (9,000 feet!) and pretty good riding. Can be kind of rocky in parts, but fun. Only about an hour and a half away from Las Cruces.

 

[AtariAge]

I've actually decided to change my route a bit and go east into the Texas panhandle so I can ride Palo Duro, which I've never been to. So I'm going to avoid Las Cruces. I did have Dona Ana listed as a stop in Las Cruces, though.

So looks like my stops in New Mexico will be in Gallup and Albuquerque. I'm stopping in Alburquerque as I have some friends who live there. I purchased the Gallup Waypoints book last week, but haven't had a chance to look through it just yet.

..Al

 

[LCdaveH]

I've actually decided to change my route a bit and go east into the Texas panhandle so I can ride Palo Duro, which I've never been to. So I'm going to avoid Las Cruces. I did have Dona Ana listed as a stop in Las Cruces, though.

So looks like my stops in New Mexico will be in Gallup and Albuquerque. I'm stopping in Alburquerque as I have some friends who live there. I purchased the Gallup Waypoints book last week, but haven't had a chance to look through it just yet.

..Al

Yeah, yeah ... always a bridesmaid - never a bride.

safe riding

 

[RCC]

When you get to Albuquerque

or get an idea when you'll be here post it and if the time is right I'll show you a trail or two.

we normally ride Tuesdays and Thursdays after work around fourish and Saturdays we tend to start riding in the morning sometime...if you don't mind riding with a bunch beer drinking,old and slow guys youre welcome to tag alone.
RCC

 

[AtariAge]

My current plan is to get to Albuquerque on the 5th (Thursday) and stay for two days, leaving for Canyon, Texas sometime later in the day on Saturday.

..Al

 

[bsieb]

Hey AtariAge,

I'm usually at my cabin up in the Zuni Mountains, give me a call the day before if you want to ride with me.

505 236 0566.

 

[schneidw]

If it were me.. I would pass over the TX ride you have planned and instead, hit up the Otero trail network right off of Rt40 in Tijeras.. way better trails and cooler too...

 

[AtariAge]

Hey AtariAge,

I'm usually at my cabin up in the Zuni Mountains, give me a call the day before if you want to ride with me.

505 236 0566.

Thanks! I'll keep your number handy.

..Al

 

[AtariAge]

If it were me.. I would pass over the TX ride you have planned and instead, hit up the Otero trail network right off of Rt40 in Tijeras.. way better trails and cooler too...

Thanks for the recommendation, I'll do some reading..

..Al

 

[petal_007]

Tx transplant...

Being from TX.....and living in NM for the past 10 years...I've ridden in canyon and in Otero. It's just different riding. the TX ride is pretty flat. The NM ride takes way more indurance and skill level. Plus, he's right there isn't any shade in TX. I did a race in Canyon years ago. The course is awesome. The camping sucks so if you are looking to camp, well it will be hot and the sites are very close together. If you are looking for "mountain" biking stay in the mountains.

both nice trails, really it's what you want to experience.:thumbsup:

 

[stiingya]

If you are looking for "mountain" biking stay in the mountains.

LOL! sage advice, should be a signiture... :thumbsup: