Southern New Mexico- Fall trip?

[imeugeneius]

I'm down here in southern NM (Las Cruces) and I'm starting to put some ideas together for a weekend bikepack trip in the fall once things cool down.  I'm a total rookie with packing gear on the bike, but am starting to put the pieces together through the help of another member here as well as resources online.  I'm running on a slivers budget for this, so any advice on doing this on the cheap first time around would be great.   

Anyone else out here in NM getting out to ride? 

I've checked the usual (Gila, CDT sections) and have a few route ideas.  The Magdalenas/Plains of San Augustin west of Socorro seem to have a lot of possibilities as well- I'm heavily leaning towards something up in this area, specifically connecting over to the Quebradas Backcountry Byway.

The prospects here are exciting.


Peace.

   

[ekloco]

How about NORTHERN NEW MEXICO???

I live in Santa Fe and the weather is just starting to turn perfect.....I know a few routes to suggest....Personally I want to take the bus to Taos and ride back to Santa Fe hopefully on a two day weekend but maybe it would stretch to three days.

The route would be pavement/fire roads/ two track / very little or no singletrack.

Any time from 8-8-12 til end of October is good with me.

P.S. I started a thread in last Feb 6 in the "routes" forum entitled " Anywhere within 5 hrs. of Santa Fe (South) ? "....I recieved a few good suggestions....check it out

[imeugeneius]

Thanks for the feedback! 

I am connecting with some of the local riders down here.  A few of us discussed some trip ideas last night after the group ride.  There's more interest in this locally that I had thought.  Our biggest issue down here is water, water, water.   

Northern NM is definitely on my list, especially the Chama River area.  So Taos to Santa Fe in a weekend?  Sounds excellent.  A quick two day push would definitely coincide with my work, and a 3 day would be doable with enough notice. 

Please post up when you start putting a details together and if you don't mind some company. 

[ekloco]

I just recieved an email form Cass Gilbert, the international bike packer with a blog "While Out Riding" ...we are planning some late September trips (in addition to my August trips) (and October trips)....

The More the Merrier.....it would be great to have you and your Amigos along.

Tim

[imeugeneius]

I've been following Cass's blog and admiring his photography for quite some time now, well before the idea of bikepacking became a twinkle in my eye!  Love his words and photographs.

Thank you for the invitation and I may very well take you up on this, even if I can only join you guys for a section.

Let's keep in touch.  I assume this is the same ekloco (Tim Nelson) from the mtbr forums and the Hermit Peak trip report, correct?  I came across your name doing some digging on ideas. 

I have been UL backpacking for several years now, so the biggest hurdle at this juncture is putting together a setup for carrying compact/light gear on my Surly KM.  I want to get this right the first time around, but realize that's a lofty goal.  The main frame bag seems pretty straight forward and I'll likely go MYOG on that one, single horizontal zip for slipping in gear/bladder.  Seatbag?  I'm looking at Cleaveland Mountaineering bags or Oveja Negra threadworks for a seatbag.  Trying to do this on a budget. 

Any advice or suggestions are appreciated. 



 

[offroute]

imeu, just popped in to cheer you on. I rode from Grants to Silver City along the GDivideMBR and had a blast. Took the easier option out of Grants. I spent 6 days on it in late Oct (4.5 days on the stretch from Pie Town to Silver City).

It's mostly attitude, but UL backpacking experience and bike prowess will pay big dividends. You're basically there. Two of my buddies hefted external-frame packs on a bikepacking trip in '75...just a point of reference for ya 

Cheers, stay psyched.

Mike

[wahday]

I would be interested in finding more out about any trips you all have planned (either imeugeneius or ekloco) I live in ABQ and we have some land in the Zuni mountains near El Morro Nat’l Monument that is a good jumping off point for a number of excursions. My next trip is likely to be a 2 or 3 day outing from our place, over the Continental Divide, and up to McGaffey. That’s where some great singletrack is (and where the 24 Hours in the Enchanted Forest event is held each year). My idea, if time permits, would be to bike up there, spend the night, ride those trails the next day, stay there again and then return on the third day.

I’m game for other journeys as well. Fall or spring ride through the Chain of Craters would be nice and could connect on the south end to Pie Town or the north end into the Zunis (or even all the way to Gallup).

I have not done a lot of bikepacking, but plenty of backpacking and canoe tripping so I've got gear and experience. Married with 2 kids, so time is my greatest demon...

A recent solo overnighter in the Zunis: http://highaltitudehomestead.blogspot.com/
24 hours in the Enchanted Forest (to see videos and maps of trails there): http://www.ziarides.com/24hitef/

[fastmtnbiker33w]

I'm down in El Paso and have a route from Alamogordo to Dell City....270 miles through a lot of rolling desert dirt roads and the old cattle drive route through the Guadalupe National Forest.  I've also ridden quite a bit around the Silver City area and could easily help you set up a ridiculous single track route with plenty of access to water.

Myself and a couple others in the area are debating whether to "host" an event that would go from Ruidoso to Dell City....probably around 400 miles.....with a huge loss of elevation.  The riding around Cloudcroft is super epic and you are almost guaranteed to wake up with elk sniffing your bike.  Water is limited but there are reliable sources with great trails into and out of them.

Feel free to pm me and we maybe we can talk on the phone or connect at the Horny Toad Hustle.  I plan on doing the chainless DH and maybe racing the XC there in Sept.

[wahday]

Thanks for the reply. I would be interested in some info on Silver City trips especially. I love that area, though I have not biked there, just car camping with the family. I need an excuse to get back down there.

This weekend I'll be scouting out part of my Chain of Craters to Gallup route through the Zunis. No camping, though - just a full-day explore to see if I can make it over the divide and to check on a potential water source. Planning to do Chain of Craters to our land near El Morro in October and then be ready to try the full ride to Gallup in spring or summer. We'll see...

[imeugeneius]

Sorry to let this post fade.  Thanks for all the replies, this is good stuff. 

Cooler weather is upon us, finally!  Not sure about you guys up north, but it's still hot as hell down here in Cruces and the possibility of cooler temps in the near future got me reeling. 

I'm hoping to get in a shakedown trip in the area soon, thinking about a swift overnight out north of town in the Robledo/Sierra de la Uvas mountain region.  Only loose end is figuring out a simple, yet reliable handlebar setup for carrying my drybag.  Not too worried about that, this should be about having fun first and foremost.  I'll post up here once I get things sorted out and get in some miles with my kit.  I'm currently setup SS (32/18) on my rigid, which is a good ratio for general riding in my area, but not sure how that's going to work with a loaded bikepack setup out on county/forest roads all day.  Tempted to go with a 1x9 setup, but I'm not sure I want to go down that rabbit hole of more junk, gear, mechanicals, money, etc........  I'm a one bike owner and it has to do it all for me- tall order.   

Anyone in our great state putting together any epic routes or short overnighters soon?   

[wahday]

I am trying to plan a trip October 13/14 or 20/21. This will be in the Chain of Craters area along the Continental Divide near Grants. Many options but will be an overnighter. Trying to persuade the wife to go with me, but if that doesn't work will do solo or try to find someone else (putting out feelers here...)

Distance can vary. The byway is about 40 miles with many exploratory options along the way. If doing it solo, I will need to loop it back to the car which brings it to about 80-90 miles. There are other options, too.

A few fun things to figure out:

• My new bike does not have rack mounts (which is how I have done it in the past) and so I am going to try and attach a dry bag to the seat/seatpost. Almost there...
• Looking to build an alcohol stove. Never brought a stove bikepacking before, so this will be new. Its gonna be chilly in the AM so seems worth it. I have an msr whisperlite but want something even lighter.
• Trying some new ideas with shelter. Wanting to make a 12 X 12 Tyvek tarp which can be configured in numerous ways. But can't seem to find Tyvek in anything larger than 10ft. Will still work but not as ideal.
• Looking to make some camp shoes/sandals from old insoles. Not my idea, but they look great.

Let me know is anyone has interest. Trying to get the wife to commit or not in the next week so I know how to plan.

[radtron]

This might be late notice but I am in Albuquerque and have a some days off.  I'm looking to go out for a cool weather trip maybe GET from Albuquerque to belen then Rail Runner back to Albuquerque. Let me know if your interested.  Plains of St. Augustine sounds good as well.

[wahday]

Hey Radtron, I replied to you via e-mail. I don't see having time to get out again before spring but would like to hear more about your ideas. I've tooled around the Plains of San Augustin a little, though not by bike. Copper Canyon, Water Canyon and the Magdalena Mountains are really nice to explore with great camping in both developed areas (which are still not all that developed) and just in the forest. Some nice singletrack trails in there and I think at least some of the developed campgrounds in that area have potable water as well, but don't quote me on that.

Keep us posted on your doings!

[radtron]

I guess I should update you on my East mountain GET experience.  I attempted to ride the East mountain single track to Belen.  When I reached Isleta Pueblo land I was discovered by tribal police.  They allowed me to bomb down a road through Hell's Canyon and then they gave me a ride in their truck to the rail runner.  It was getting close to dark so I took the rail runner to Belen and stayed with some relatives over night.  I then took off for the Manzano mountains via the highway that connects Belen to mountainaire.  I took the fire road up through priest canyon to red canyon campgrounds.  I camped over night then road to the town of manzano refueled with water and snacks and headed for fourth of july canyon.  Near fourth of july canyon i took a jeep road north through forest service land to the Chilili Land grant.  I then took an old jeep road up the land grant boundary back to Isleta Pueblo.  I camped near the border of Isleta Pueblo, the air force base and the town of Cedro.  I had to stealth camp that night fortunately the moon was full enough.  I then got up early morning packed up and headed back to albuquerque via the highway.  This trip took one night more than expected and I needed to take care of business in town before I had to return to work.  Because I bypassed the single track route back to town I got home at 1030 in the morning.  Good trip.  I hope to find some other bikepackers in central new mexico to ride with.  I like using the rail runner and connecting busses because I can do big loops and end up back at home when I'm done. 

[wahday]

Bumping this thread.

Thanks for the report Radtron. I love the idea of looping straight from home and this trip looks great. Any chance you took some pics of the GET through the Manzanos? It looks pretty stunning and I found this great ride report that includes the section you rode: http://www.topofusion.com/diary/2008/10/23/grand-enchantment-trail-to-duke-city/

Were you not able to pick up the GET from the southern end of the Manzanos? It looks like you pick up the Manzano Crest Trail (which is the same as the GET here) but from the ride report above, sounds to be a little hard to find (and it peters out in places). Sounds like you more or less traveled the route, just maybe not on the singletrack (if it really exists).

Still up for a spring trip and I've been upgrading some equipment. Do you think you could have done this as an overnighter if you had take the train straight to Belen, or is it really a two-night excursion?

Any other Albuquerque bikepackers out there?

Pics from my Chain of Craters excursion in mid-October: http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/index.php/topic,4721.msg39932.html#msg39932

[radtron]

I'm not computer savy enough to shrink my photo sizes to post to the forum.  Yeah I basically connected to the GET route from Belen.  I think it's possible to do this in one night but I would'nt want to. Need more daylight then what's available in the fall and spring and wouldn't want to do it in the summer.  This section is mostly fire road and jeep road until you get the single track section of the east mountains. It would be possible to poach the wilderness area and take the crest trail but that's a little tricky.  The Bike GET is different then the Walking GET because of the designated wilderness areas.  I also just got a bunch of CDT topos and have been looking at doing some kind of loop using the raill runner and CDT , or GET and CDT or some combination of all of the above.