supcom

I just got back from riding and hiking in Big Bend National Park. I did some desert riding on unpaved roads, some paved road riding on the very steep road leding up into the Chisos mountains, and some incredible hiking.

Pictures at www.combatsent.com/gallery/bigbend2004

If you've never been to Big Bend National Park, you owe it to yourself to make the trip. If you live in Texas, you have no excuse so load up the MTB and enjoy some of the best riding in the state. Just take plenty of water with you!

BDK

Man that brings back a lot of memories. Went backpacking at Big Bend two spring breaks in college when I lived in Texas in 79, 80. I'm envious...

FrankB

I see your Don Quixote logo. Are you from Lubbock Bicycle Club?

supcom

No. I'm from the Dallas area.

spazzdog

Is Big Bend doable on a road bike?

jharte

Supcom, nice pics and ride info. And to think I set up my tent and slept in the rain last weekend!

supcom

Yes! Very much so. There are plenty of miles of very nice two lane road in the park offering incredible scenery with VERY LOW traffic. Be advised that there is generally about 20-30 miles between any services (including water) so be prepared and the grades can be long and deceiving. It's also brutally hot in the summertime but generally mild during the day in the winter. But there is quite a bit of cycling done out there on road bikes. Not just in the national park, but throughout the Big Bend region of Texas. Like the park, most of the roads have low, low traffic density and outside the park it can be 50 miles between anything. But the views are so stunning you'll smile all the way up the hills.

You won't be able to ride the unpaved roads without fairly wide tires. There's too much loose rock and rough stuff.

Roger Davis

What about a route to Big Bend from the Victoria area? Any suggestions or advise?
Thanks,
R Davis

steephill

Nice album. I drove across Texas several years ago and stopped at Fort Davis for two days of riding. I liked quiet peacefulness and air clear. I did the Fort Davis Loop. I've sinced wondered about cycling Big Bend so your album was very insightful.

That's a fairly minimum tent setup you have. Do you actually sleep on nothing more than a drop sheet?