A CannonRide Around the Bend (Big Bend Region)

We will be heading out to that area towards the end of April. Most of the homework is complete and routes planned according to riding capability. We have planned for one "free day" and I hope to ride River Road, but in the opposite direction you did. How many hours would you estimate that segment took you?

Just returned from BB last week and thought I'd chime in here.

I assume you are talking about River Road West??? If so, it has undergone a bit of grooming since I was there last year and while still a great ride, it is not as "challenging" as in the past. In fact I'd say that Old Ore is now the more demanding of the two.

FWIW - River Road (West & East) are about 60 miles from end to end. Enter West off Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive - connects about midway to East and exits on to 118 on the far end of the park near the Boquillas border crossing - or reverse that in your case. Time to cross is anywhere from 2.5 - 5 hrs depending on your comfort/skill level off pavement. Gonna be hot in April for sure but you can find shade on the spur roads that run off RR west and head towards the river - shade trees make for a good place to take a break (snack) - be sure to take a camelback and plenty of water before you make the trek across.



-Brian

Mt Road Runner magazine came today. They have a write up about BB. I need to go back there. It's been a while.

Little over 2 months left to go before I make the journey!

Great report and have browsed through it more than once. Nice stuff!

I don't think Cannonshot will mind me posting this video--------it was on a road that he rode right along the Mexican border
way NorthWest of Presidio, Texas.
On his gps file you will see a waypoint "godzilla hill"----------that is this road ------I rode it this year---early spring.
I think all will enjoy seeing it--------Cannonshot's trip thru there was much harder than mine---as they had just graded the road when I rode thru.
If you want to do a day loop not carrying a lot of gear----Marfa, Texas would be a good town to hole up in.

So if you ride his tracks on this thread be sure and try to ride this----it was my personal favorite.
This road is "not" in BigBend.
If it's wet----------you won't make it. Carry lots of gas.

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Thanks for that video Big Dog. Headed to Big Bend Ranch State Park on Saturday. May well head over and ride Pinto Canyon. Will keep Chipsa Road in mind as well.

I very much appreciate Cannonshot's trip report. I love the history. Really adds to seeing an area.

Here is a map and the track of the area I rode.

thanks BDA! took me out of my cube for a bit

Thanks Big Dog. This is my 3rd trip to Big Bend area. Great place to get a winter ride in. I have the GPS tracks from Cannonshot. I am really ready to get back there.

You all are welcome-----Cannonshots tracks and stories are the best.

BigDog

Great riding along on this adventure Cannonshot. You just keep loading up my bucket list and I'll have to ride till I'm 100 yrs old.

Great to see what you saw on one of your visits to Big Bend, BigDog. I used Cannonshots RR to plan my first visit -- I'm a Texan and I'm ashamed to admit my first visit came at 50 years of age. I can't wait to go back. There's a bunch of opportunities to be a camp host there, work for 3 days and be off for 4.....you know, riding around and exploring.

All I can say is, make time to visit Big Bend!

Big Dog... thanks for the video... It allowed me to show my special son part of the route I took last spring, Marfa to Ruidoso on Pinto Canyon Road.

He enjoyed it very much.

I'd like to return and may go as far west as Candelaria, but I don't think I could muscle the S10 up or down Godzilla.

Of course, it will go down the hill, but I might not stay on it. I plan on on maintaining my amateur status...

NFE

i was born at the hospital there in 65..visited it in 12 and wasnt much to see

What an awesome ride!! Thanks for sharing!!

Great pics, thanks for sharing . Was following you with envy !!

Cannonshot

A belated thank you here also. Your RR motivated a buddy and I to head out to BB twice! With a third also planned for April of this year!

First trip the park was "closed" ....... politics......bummer, but we found Pinto Canyon Road and a few others in the area. Great riding.......I need to post that video!

Went back again April of 2015. Rode Old Ore Road and East and West River Road among some others! They were a bit of a challenge for an older gentleman on a GSA but it was worth the effort and I was quite proud of myself!

They maybe be easy for most but they stretched my skill level, especially the sand and the mud after a short but intense hail storm on River Road!
Old Ore still ranks as one of my all time favorites.......it liked better than the Aline Loop, Imogene and Ophir in CO which we did one year earlier. Old Ore covers awesome and varied terrain and in April the desert was blooming!

Guess I am a desert rat at heart!

Thanks again

Hope you don't mind me adding these photos from last year. If so let me know and I will delete.