Author: Desert Toad; Published: May 20, 2011; Category: Current Events, In the Media; Tags: None; No Comments
Texas mountain bike trails of Big Bend experienced a burst of activity over three days in late April when 14 Wounded Warriors came to ride 100k with former President George W. Bush. Barrett Durst of Big Bend Ranch State Park asked Mike Long to help choose the routes beforehand, and Crystal Allbright of Desert Sports and Kevin Urbanczyk of Sul Ross State University joined the bright orange-vested ones to assist and lead rides during the event. The routes covered 12 miles of the Lajitas Resort Trail System on day one, and in the state park day two consisted of 30 miles including a stretch of the Government Road and day three finalized the 100k with 21 miles encompassing the Contrabando Dome Loop. The warriors held up in fine form on the rugged terrain as they kept pace with President Bush and they were thrilled to be joined by Lance Armstrong on the last day of riding.
Here’s ‘Doc’ Kevin U’s article in the Skyline (page 1, page 2), a Sul Ross State University paper.
‘Camera Lady’ Crystal was asked to submit her version to Big Bend Now.
Other local coverage by Big Bend Gazette with additional photos and info in the May 2011 issue of the Gazette.
W100k includes excellent images of the occasion by Paul Morse and other photographers along with insightful interviews with the warriors.
Author: Desert Toad; Published: Mar 8, 2011; Category: Mountain Bike Event, Trails; Tags: Mountain Bike; No Comments
Over 180 registered riders enjoyed a gorgeous weekend of mountain biking at the Chihuahuan Desert Dirt Fest held Feb. 17-19, 2011. Three days of riding featured the best mountain biking in the area: the Old Ore Road in the Big Bend National Park, the Lajitas Trail System, and the Big Bend Ranch State Park Trail System. Celebrating the Epic designation from IMBA (International Mountain Bicycling Association), the enthusiastic state park staff provided support for three days of riding on the Contrabando Dome Trail, the newly cleared Rincon Loop, and the climatic 54-mile Epic Loop. Benefiting the Big Bend Trails Alliance, riders enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere along with the challenge of the trails. Base operations were held at the lovely Maverick Ranch RV Park at the Lajitas Golf Resort and Spa where Bike Mojo refereed the Bike Toss and other bike games. Throw in after-ride beer tents, an 85 ft. pedal-powered rattlesnake from Austin Bike Zoo, and a dance at the Lajitas Amphitheatre with the energizing Pinche Gringos for a weekend of festivities.
Thanks to all the volunteers for their dedication. We are grateful to our longtime sponsors: Bicycle Sport Shop, Bike Barn, Richardson Bike Mart, Bike Mojo, Specialized and Real Ale Brewing Company. Appreciation goes to local sponsors: Cottonwood General Store, Chili Pepper Cafe, Kathy’s Kosmic Kowgirl Kafe, La Kiva, Lajitas Golf Resort Spa, Long Draw Pizza, Starlight Theatre, Tivo’s and West Texas National Bank. You are the key to the fun times had by all!
See more images and videos from the Desert Sports produced event.
Author: Desert Toad; Published: Dec 14, 2010; Category: Current Events, In the Media, Mountain Bike Event, Trails; Tags: Festival, Mountain Bike; One Comment
Rock Quarry Trail - Big Bend Ranch State Park
Prime time on the trails is now. There’s mucho ground to cover and fine weather to pull you along this winter. Trails are in good shape and ready for mountain biking enthusiasts.
Yes, it’s buzzing about mountain biking in Big Bend. Big Bend Trails Alliance and Desert Sports have paired up with Big Bend National Park, Big Bend Ranch State Park and Lajitas Golf Resort & Spa to offer some outstanding mountain biking for all levels of riding. From the challenging jeep roads in the national park to the smooth packed trails of Lajitas to the rugged, epic of the state park.
Did I just say epic? Just getting here can be epic, but now much of the Big Bend Ranch State Park trail/jeep road system, known as the Fresno-Sauceda Loop, has been deemed EPIC by the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA). Jeff Renfrow of Big Bend Trails Alliance applied for this honored status, and now it’s time for cyclists to celebrate this fine award.
Join us for the Chihuahuan Desert Dirt Fest on February 17-19, 2011! We’ll be featuring some of the outstanding riding in the Big Bend. Old Ore Road in the national park on Thursday, Lajitas trails on Friday, and portions or, if you dare, all of the state park’s EPIC loop on Saturday. Family and Kid rides on Friday and Saturday. And, of course, there will be celebrating. Details about the fest are still on the ironing board, so we will be posting very soon on the Desert Sports website.
In the meantime, check out ‘the buzz’….
“Mountain Bike Dream Ride in Big Bend Ranch”
by Karen Hoffman Blizzard
Texas Parks and Wildlife
“IMBA Unveils Six New Epic Rides”
“The 2010 Epic Rides”
IMBA Trail News Fall 2010 newsletter – hard copy only
Cover photo by Crystal Allbright of KT Misener on the Rock Quarry Trail, Big Bend Ranch State Park
“Biking in Big Bend Ranch State Park is Truly Epic”
by Pamela LeBlanc
Austin American Statesman
“Are IMBA’s Six New ‘Epic” Trails Really Epic?”
by Chris Lesser
Adventure Journal
Mountain Biking Big Bend Ranch State Park
a Texas Parks and Wildlife Film
This piece will air on TPW TV in March.
and then, a bit dated but never posted…
Biking Big Bend
a video by Crystal Allbright, music by Julian Mock
Author: Desert Toad; Published: Oct 3, 2010; Category: Current Events; Tags: hooping; 7 Comments
Dust off your hula hoops for WORLD HOOP DAY on Sunday – 10.10.10! Have fun, stay fit and exercise your imagination. We’ll be hooping all day at Desert Sports with a group hoop from 5 pm – 7 pm. Don’t have a hoop? We have a fleet of hoops to try and a few for purchase…all sales go to making hoops for the young ones at Casa Hogar Orphanage in Ojinaga, Mexico. Give a kid a hoop and watch the smiles. Can’t make the Terlingua gathering? Join the world of hoopers wherever you are hanging out, and plan for next year’s date – 11.11.11!
Author: Desert Toad; Published: Jul 27, 2010; Category: Flora and Fauna; Tags: Flora; No Comments
The summer rains have certainly greened up the Chihuahuan Desert here in the Big Bend of Texas. Lush vegetation blankets the desert floor and is spotted with the brilliant flowers such as Baileya multiradiata (Desert Marigold) and Commelina (Dayflower or Widow’s Tears). The prickly pear is boasting their fat fruit, called tunas, as a second wave of cacti blooms went through the yard at Desert Sports just last week. The humidity and soil moisture has triggered the Cenizo, also known as Barometer Bush or Texas Sage, to bloom. Often the flowers are a shade of purple, but there is a white version behind the shop. Candellia, a Euphorbiaceae family member, seems to be the plant of the year, as the slender clump of waxed stalks are covered in tiny blooms. While the birds are getting the fledgings out of the nest and some are starting on a second brood, more green is pushing through the ground surface. Young leaves that are opposite and pinnately compound announce the orange of caltrops to be seen in August. Looks like the rains will continue and bring water to the Rio Grande where the Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens) wave their welcome with leaf-drenched branches.
