39 miles with up to 2,540 feet of climbing

On this first riding day of our Big Bend and the Texas Mountains Tour, we begin with a highlight ride. After a morning shuttle from Marfa we start east of Presidio, Texas and ride a beautiful route along the Rio Grande. On this ride Mexico is just to our right (30-feet away) for nearly the entire route. The terrain is undulating river grade (1% to 2%) as we ride through Big Bend Ranch State Park. There is one significant climb on this day with a 10% average grade for about a half mile. We finish the day pedaling into the Barton Warnock Visitors Center and then a short shuttle to the ghost town of Terlingua, Texas, which is famous for its Annual International Chili Cookoff.

Standard: 48 miles with up to 2,500 feet of climbing
E.F.I.: 96 miles with up to 7,455 feet of climbing

Today we start the riding early from Terlingua to the spectacular Santa Elena Canyon via the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive.

We will have lunch at the end of the ride near Santa Elena Canyon and then take a small hike to take in this majestic canyon and the Rio Grande River with Mexico merely a stone’s throw across. After our hike, we shuttle to the Chisos Mountains Lodge. The E.F.I. option is to ride from Santa Elena Canyon to Chisos Mountains Lodge for an epic 96 mile day!

Standard: 30 miles with up to 785 feet of climbing
E.F.I.: 60 miles with up to 4,725 feet of climbing

Today is a layover in Chisos Basin with options for hiking and for a ride from Chisos Basin to Rio Grande Village and back. On the ride we start from the Chisos Mountains for a 29-mile descent towards the Rio Grande and the Rio Grande Visitor Center near the river and Mexican border. After the descent cyclists can spend a few hours on the river at an excellent natural hot spring or can opt to ride back to the Chisos Lodge from the Hot Springs to make it 60-mile day with a stiff 4,725 feet of climbing.

78 miles with up to 2,845 feet of climbing
45 mile lower mileage option

Starting from Chisos Basin, we ride north over Panther Pass, descend down to Panther Junction, cruise through Persimmon Gap, and then out of Big Bend National Park eventually making our way to the quirky west Texas town of Marathon. Early in the ride we will stop at the recently opened Fossil Discovery Exhibit, a self-guided exhibit with an amazing collection of animal and plant specimens spanning through 130 million years of geologic time.

After departing the exhibit, the terrain along the way is rolling and the wide-open desert views are spectacular! Our accommodations this evening is at the world-class Gage Hotel in Marathon, a true oasis in the desert.

63 miles with up to 3,500 feet of climbing
50 mile lower mileage option

This is another highlight ride of the Big Bend tour! Starting from Point of Rocks Roadside Park we ride a classic loop through Davis Mountains past the McDonald Observatory back to Fort Davis and to our hotel. It is a day to remember. The Davis Loop offers very quiet roads, beautiful scenery, and challenging climbing.

Tonight after dinner if skies are clear and dark we take an optional shuttle back to the McDonald Observatory for evening stargazing. NOTE: The evening stargazing is dependent on the seasonal schedule of the observatory and availability.

32 miles with up to 2,675 feet of climbing

The final day is a reverse ride of the prior days’ route back through the Davis Mountains. After departing Fort Davis the climbing comes early as we ascend towards the McDonald Observatory. From here it is rolling terrain for the next 15 miles until the last final stretch where we enjoy a fun and fast descent. The ride ends in Wood Canyon where we pack up and shuttle back to Van Horn and then end in El Paso.