Author: Mike Long; Published: Oct 20, 2011; Category: Big Bend Info, General, Mountain Bike Event, Trails; Tags: Big Bend Info, Cycling, Mountain Bike; No Comments
Fall has finally arrived to the Big Bend area and has brought with it cooler temperatures perfect for getting out and riding.
Cycling season here in Terlingua is typically from about the end of September to about the end of April. Our seasons for riding are a bit backward from the rest of the country, prime time out here is the off-season for a lot of other places. If you are looking for a place to ride to extend your fall riding season or a place to escape the winter doldrums, Big Bend could be exactly what you are seeking. And don’t forget that Spring starts early out this way, come on out and celebrate with us at the Chihuahuan Desert Dirt Fest in mid-February.
Now is the time to start planning your Fall, Winter or Spring Mountain Biking trip to the Chihuahuan Desert and the Big Bend has some of the most spectacular riding of West Texas.
Author: Mike Long; Published: Oct 14, 2011; Category: Big Bend Info, Current Events, General, Mountain Bike Event, Trails; Tags: Big Bend Info, Cycling, Festival, Mountain Bike; No Comments
Contrabando Trails, BBRSP - photo by Crystal Allbright
Save the dates for the next edition of the Chihuahuan Desert Dirt Fest: February 16-18, 2012.
Desert Sports and Texas Parks and Wildlife at Big Bend Ranch State Park are teaming up again to present 3 full days of fun desert riding over Presidents’ Day Weekend in 2012. In 2011 we hosted rides in Big Bend National Park, Big Bend Ranch State Park and the Lajitas Resort Trails - some of the best riding in the whole Big Bend area. Last year we celebrated the newly dedicated IMBA EPIC ride in the State Park, the Fresno/Sauceda Loop. In 2012 we continue the tradition with rides on the Contrabando trails, the Rincon Loop and the Lajitas trails. We’ll be working on some new options for the upcoming year’s schedule of events and may even include an opportunity for doing the EPIC as a 2-day ride for folks wanting a more leisurely pace.
We are still working on a final schedule of rides and events, so stay tuned and check back for more information. We’ll be posting more details on our event web pages at http://www.desertsportstx.com/mountain-bike-event/ .
Author: Desert Toad; Published: Sep 7, 2011; Category: Current Events, Mountain Bike Event; Tags: Mountain Bike; 4 Comments
Join us on Sunday, October 2nd for the 8th Annual International Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day, supported by the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA). We’ll meet 10 am at the Lajitas Airport Trailhead for some fun adventure on Loops 2 and 3 (with options for distance and difficulty). Have your bike checked and your helmet fitted while we gather (helmets required). Each young rider will need their responsible adult. Join us at Desert Sports for an after ride social with refreshments and hula hoops.
In support of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! initiative, IMBA has pledged to get 30,000 children participating in 300 cycling events on Oct. 1 (with IMBA’s blessing, we are holding ours on the 2nd). Our local ride is brought to you by Desert Sports and Big Bend Trails Alliance along with our host Lajitas Golf Resort and Spa.
For more information give us a call 888-989-6900 or email. Follow us on Facebook or check back here for updates. Please let us know if you plan on attending.
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
