Exciting things happen around here every day; but as we get closer and closer to the Bike Fest more exciting things are happening!

Like what? You say.

Well, Right off the top we’ve got confirmation that the Austin Bike Zoo will be coming out the Fest again. If you don’t get how awesome these guys are and how cool it is to just watch that lit up 80ft rattlesnake (let along ride in it!!) then you are short on Whimsy! The beauty of the bicycle creatures sailing through the desert is just indescribable. But it’s more than that. The Austin BIke Zoo is a unifiying force that reminds us all that cyclists, not matter where or what they ride, are all cyclists together. And the just plain FUN of the bike animals reminds us all the cycling is FUN and we should CELEBRATE! The Austin Bike Zoo are also doing another Ride Across the Border the weekend after the Dirt Fest. Using the power of bicycles and fun to put some humanity and neighbourliness back into our friendship with the folks across the river.

And, as if that wasn’t enough, we also have confirmation that the Specialized Demo Crew will be back out again! Both the Men’s and Women’s Crew came last year and we all were so excited to try out the best of their fleet on the best of our trails. Always wanted to know whether double suspension 29ers are for you? Try ‘em out and get some info from the Professionals.

BUT WAIT … There’s more!
Lajitas, our host again, is planning another great evening of music on Saturday night; and this time they’re bringing it right down to the RV Park (so you won’t have to walk up that hill!!) and while they’re at it they’re gonna put on a Pasta Feed on Saturday night as well. (more details about that in the next update, including prices and when and how you can buy tickets)

Whew! … and that’s just today’s list of excitement.
There’s only one month left … Have you got yourself pre-registered? Got your accomodations reserved, your place and your meals at Sauceda if you’re doing the 2-day Epic? More importantly … have you got your sunscreen, your slime tubes and your camelbacks ready? ‘Cuz there is gonna be some fun riding in the Desert Sooooooon…

The logistics for riding the Old Ore Road are different than all the other rides in the Chihuahuan Desert Dirt Fest. But the ride is so beautiful and the rewards so high that the logistics arrangements required are well worth it. The Old Ore Road finishes at the paved road but our ride finishes at the Langford Hot Springs: just two miles further (to the right, and follow the signs to the Hot Springs) along once you hit the blacktop. It is  perfect end to the day …a well-deserved soak before heading back westward at the end of the day.

The Ride happens inside Big Bend National Park and so each car that drives into the park must pay it’s entry fee. The cost is $20/vehicle and is valid for one week. 

The Longer Ride is one way from the north end of the road. The map below outlines the start location and the basic route of the ride. The Shorter Ride is an out and back from the start to McKinney Springs and back to the start.

If there is a rider in your vehicle that is doing the Shorter Ride they can take the opportunity to drive your vehicle down to the Hot Springs to meet you at the end. It’s a great, easy way to get your vehicle to end of the ride along with your apres ride gear. This is our most highly recommended method of succeeding at this ride.

THERE WILL BE NO SHUTTLE TO RETRIEVE VEHICLES AT THE END OF THE DAY. Instead …

Big Bend Resort and Adventures, the Forever Resorts Hotel at the “Y” in Study Butte has agreed to provide drivers to shuttle folks’ vehicles down to the Hot Springs while the ride is happening. This will work best if folks carpool to minimize the number of vehicles to be moved since there are a very limited number of spaces in the Van that will transport the drivers.

If you take advantage of the shuttle service a donation of some very large amount towards the Big Bend Trails Alliance would be most graciously accepted by Event Organizers. It’s a Pay As Much As You Possibly Can type of thing (:}) . Reservations MUST be made at least a week in advance. Please send us an email (info@desertsportstx.com) with the subject line “CDDF Thursday Shuttle Reservation” to reserve a driver.

The best and easiest way to make your large donation to the BBTA is either with a cheque or cash at the beginning of the Old Ore Ride.

Stayed tuned for 2012 details! Check out 2011 story and images here…

Over 180 riders signed up for adventure in the Desert! We had three days of most excellent riding, hanging, dancing and more riding, again!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azA7vLKtE3A

On Thursday folks were riding on the Old Ore Road in the National Park with the Desert Sports folks,

or the Rincon and Dome loops with the Folks from the State Park!

the Specialized Demo folks were up bright and early hookin’ folks up with ultra-trick machines.

and afterwards we hung out with the BikeMOJO folks and then drifted over to La Kiva for great barbecue and some fun Austin Bike Zoo Adventures.

{click here}  if you’d like to see some more random photos: or {here} for some of the BikeMOJO’s publishable photos!!

On Friday folks were riding on the Lajitas Trails. Eighty-four riders started out together on another bright and sunshiney day; riding past the new Lajitas trailhead (for both their trail system and the Mesa d’Anguilla trail in the National Park) and out into the beautiful, well-groomed, world-famous trails on the Lajitas Property. {Click here} to view a slideshow of the mass start leaving from the Maverick Ranch RV Park.

Folks were also riding on the Rincon and Dome loops in the Big Bend Ranch State Park.

{click here} for some more shots of Friday’s fun riding: including some of the after party!

These rides are scheduled for the folks who are registered for the Chihuahuan Desert Dirt Fest. Rides are presented in conjunction with Desert Sports, Big Bend National Park, the Big Bend Trails Alliance, the Big Bend Ranch State Park and Lajitas Golf Resort. Helmets are mandatory. Every minor should bring their own adult.

… presented in conjunction with the fine folks at Big Bend Ranch State Park
and the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife

> BIG BEND RANCH STATE PARK: meet at Barton Warnock Center
The terrific rough and tumble riding! Riding into the State Park takes you into the wilderness on your bike: through creekbeds with flowing water and rock gardens and hills made of quartz crystal. The folks at the BBRSP have waived usage fees for riders for the duration of this celebration. Thanks, BBRSP!! We’re celebrating the designation of the IMBA EPIC route in the park … 
>> IMBA EPIC Ride (50+ miles): 8AM. This is not a ride for the first timer or even for the confident thrasher, this is the ride of folks who can give’r for six hours and then ride some more singletrack backwards to get home. Be honest with yourself before undertaking this Fresno/Sauceda EPIC ride. The last time folks out here did this ride they were out there for over eight hours!
>> Longer Ride (30+ miles): 9:30AM.  Beyond the Dome, past the Fresno drainage and further out to Rincon.
>> Shorter Ride (18+ miles): 10AM.  Nice ride that explores some unseen sections.
>> KID’S Ride (7+ miles): 10:30AM.  Cruise through some of the great singletrack and visit the Crystal Trail.

Trail Access during this event:

The fine folks at Big Bend Ranch State Park are waiving all Day Use fees Thursday, February 16 through Saturday, February 18, 2012. Trails are open from dawn to dusk. Helmets are mandatory. And feel free to drop by the Barton Warnock Center and tell them thanks!

The trails on the Lajitas Property are open for public use every day from dawn to dusk.

A few practical notes about riding out here in the Chihuahuan Desert.

- HELMETS are mandatory at all time that bicycles are being riddden. Butt on bike, Helmet on head, smile on face.
- WATER: it is a desert out here. Bring water. Drink water. Bring more water. Drink more water. 
- CACTUS: there are A LOT of spikey things out here that want to give you a flat. Most local riders use some type of sealant in their tires (Slime, Stans, Latex etc.) and carry at least TWO spare tubes (with sealant, too!). There are very sharp rocks out here as well and many opportunities to be going very fast so a tire boot is not a bad idea, either.

- TUBELESS TIRES: many folks run tubeless out here and love them and have great success with keeping air in their tires. BUT many folks also have frustrating days. Even if you are running tubeless make sure you carry spare tubes.
- WEATHER: can change quickly. Be prepared.

These rides are scheduled for the folks who are registered for the Chihuahuan Desert Dirt Fest. Rides are presented in conjunction with Desert Sports, Big Bend National Park, the Big Bend Trails Alliance, the Big Bend Ranch State Park and Lajitas Golf Resort. Helmets are mandatory. Every minor should bring their own adult.

On Friday there are LOTS of options for different rides so keep on scrolling down for lots more info!

LAJITAS TRAIL SYSTEM: rides meet at Maverick Ranch RV Park (except the Kid’s ride)
 These are the sweet trails that we all dream of when we think of West Texas. Groomed and well ridden; you’ll see all the classics: mini-monument valley, Fun Valley, JR’s singletrack and more! Fast, fun singletrack interspersed with crunchy creekbeds and tumbly rock sections. And the views!! Kick-ass downhills! Looking back at the Chisos from the top of Big Hair. Ahh. This is mountainbiking!

>> Longer Ride (20+ miles): 10AM, explore all the singletrack available! Choose a ride leader and stick with ‘em or head out on your own.
>> Shorter Ride (12+ miles): 10AM, visit some of the old classics close to the resort as well as some of the trails closer to the Airport.
>> KID’s RIDE!! 2PM: **meet at the Lajitas Airport. Fun, accessible ride for kids of all shapes and sizes. Every kid needs to have their own adult with them. Kids ride for free (but still need to go through registration)

…also on Friday the fine folks at the Big Bend Ranch State Park are joining in with the Epic Celebrations and are hosting two rides from the Barton Warnock Center. They are also waiving all day use fees for the entire four days. Hats off to the folks at Big Bend Ranch State Park!

> CONTRABANDO TRAIL SYSTEM The scuttlebutt about the Big Bend Ranch State Park as a mountainbiker’s mecca has really increased this year. Check out the Park’s own website where there is lots and lots of information about mountainbiking: including a video about riding,  downloadable maps of the park and the trails, and a PDF of the new Guidebook for Bicycling in the Park. 
>> Longer Ride: RINCON LOOP meet at Barton Warnock Center at 9:30am. 30+ miles. Ride the singletrack on the way up to the Fresno/Whitroy mines, up Fresno Creek and around Chimney Rock to loop back to the mines and zoom back down to the Warnock Centre.
>> Shorter Ride: DOME TRAIL meet Barton Warnock Center at 10am. 20+ miles. Ride up to the new Waterhole Trail and take the Dome back to the Camino Viejo trail and more singletrack options.

…also on Friday the second of the 2-day EPIC Option trips starts out as well. Check out more info about the 2-day EPIC Option on it’s own page.

Trail Access during this event:

The fine folks at Big Bend Ranch State Park are waiving all Day Use fees Thursday, February 16 through Saturday, February 18, 2012. Trails are open from dawn to dusk. Helmets are mandatory. And feel free to drop by the Barton Warnock Center and tell them thanks!

The trails on the Lajitas Property are open for public use every day from dawn to dusk.

A few practical notes about riding out here in the Chihuahuan Desert.

- HELMETS are mandatory at all time that bicycles are being riddden. Butt on bike, Helmet on head, smile on face.
- WATER: it is a desert out here. Bring water. Drink water. Bring more water. Drink more water. 
- CACTUS: there are A LOT of spikey things out here that want to give you a flat. Most local riders use some type of sealant in their tires (Slime, Stans, Latex etc.) and carry at least TWO spare tubes (with sealant, too!). There are very sharp rocks out here as well and many opportunities to be going very fast so a tire boot is not a bad idea, either.

- TUBELESS TIRES: many folks run tubeless out here and love them and have great success with keeping air in their tires. BUT many folks also have frustrating days. Even if you are running tubeless make sure you carry spare tubes.
- WEATHER: can change quickly. Be prepared.

These rides are scheduled for the folks who are registered for the Chihuahuan Desert Dirt Fest. Rides are presented in conjunction with Desert Sports, Big Bend National Park, the Big Bend Trails Alliance, the Big Bend Ranch State Park and Lajitas Golf Resort. Helmets are mandatory. Every minor should bring their own adult.

On Thursday there are LOTS of options for different rides so keep on scrolling down for lots more info!

OLD ORE ROAD in Big Bend National Park: meet at 10am at the North End of the Road. 
This is an absolutely gorgeous Park road that skirts the edge of the Alto Relex in it’s descent to the River and the Langford Hot Springs. The Ride will begin at the North end of Old Ore Road and finish with a well earned soak in the hot springs. Folks will need to think about shuttling cars from the top to the bottom: but we’ll work out the details later. Folks will also have to take care of their own entry fees into the Park.

Both the longer ride and the shorter ride will begin at the north end of the road. Park just off Dagger Flats Auto Trail, about a quarter mile from the blacktop. Long Ride tours all the way down to the blacktop (32 miles) and goes right to the Hot Springs Road turnoff. Short ride out to McKinney Springs campsite and back. This ride is an out and back ride. For more information about how the whole vehicle thing can work and the possibilities for having your vehicle shuttled click [here]

But Wait … there’s more!

… the fine folks at the Big Bend Ranch State Park are joining in with the Celebrations and are hosting three rides from the Barton Warnock Center. They are also waiving all day use fees for the entire three days. Hats off to the folks at Big Bend Ranch State Park!

> CONTRABANDO TRAIL SYSTEM The scuttlebutt about the Big Bend Ranch State Park as a mountainbiker’s mecca has really increased this year. Check out the Park’s own website where there is lots and lots of information about mountainbiking: including a video about riding,  downloadable maps of the park and the trails, and a PDF of the Guidebook for Bicycling in the Park. 

>> Longer Ride: RINCON LOOP meet at Barton Warnock Center at 9:30am. 30+ miles. Ride the singletrack on the way up to the Fresno/Whitroy mines, up Fresno Creek and around Chimney Rock to loop back to the mines and zoom back down to the Warnock Centre.
>> Shorter Ride: DOME TRAIL meet Barton Warnock Center at 10am. 20+ miles. Ride to the new Waterhole Trail and the Dome back to the Camino Viejo trail and more singletrack options.

…also on Thursday the first of the 2-day EPIC Option trips starts out as well. Check out more info about the 2-day EPIC Option on it’s own page.

Trail Access during this event:

The fine folks at Big Bend Ranch State Park are waiving all Day Use fees Thursday, February 16 through Saturday, February 18, 2012. Trails are open from dawn to dusk. Helmets are mandatory. And feel free to drop by the Barton Warnock Center and tell them thanks!

The trails on the Lajitas Property are open for public use every day from dawn to dusk.

A few practical notes about riding out here in the Chihuahuan Desert.

- HELMETS are mandatory at all time that bicycles are being riddden. Butt on bike, Helmet on head, smile on face.
- WATER: it is a desert out here. Bring water. Drink water. Bring more water. Drink more water. 
- CACTUS: there are A LOT of spikey things out here that want to give you a flat. Most local riders use some type of sealant in their tires (Slime, Stans, Latex etc.) and carry at least TWO spare tubes (with sealant, too!). There are very sharp rocks out here as well and many opportunities to be going very fast so a tire boot is not a bad idea, either.

- TUBELESS TIRES: many folks run tubeless out here and love them and have great success with keeping air in their tires. BUT many folks also have frustrating days. Even if you are running tubeless make sure you carry spare tubes.
- WEATHER: can change quickly. Be prepared.

a little 2011 magic!

[more information about the 2-day EPIC Option]  [Thursday info]  [Friday info]  [Saturday info]  [Big Bend Ranch State Park]

…presented by 

Big Bend Ranch State Park and Texas Parks and Wildlife

[some frequently asked questions >

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.