Adventure Cycling Association Forum
Bicycle Travel => Routes => Topic started by: Figaro on January 08, 2021, 10:08:56 am
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I'm looking at several options for a bikepacking tour this summer depending on how Covid plays out. One of my options is to fly to El Paso and ride HWY 9 to Hachita, NM and pick up the GDMBR north from there. Anyone have experience they can share about that stretch of highway? Doesn't look like a bad stretch of road from Google maps. Thanks.
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I drove the stretch about 7-8 years ago. A quiet road west of Columbus (all services). Between El Paso & Columbus the traffic picks up the closer you are to El Paso.
Other than Columbus and El Paso, there are no services, including water. Hachita might have water but it was definitely a dying town when I went through. Be prepared and carry plenty of water, enough to get you Columbus to your next supply spot!
NOTE: If you are planning on doing the GDMBR, consider starting in Douglas, AZ and use the Geronimo Trail to get to Animas from the south and then work your way over to the GDMBR, either via Lordsburg (services) or Hachita (original route). Both would meet up around White City. The Geronimo trail is quite nice.
Tailwinds, John
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Thanks for the info John. Looking at google maps, it seems there are dirt/sand roads running parallel to the paved road for nearly the entire length. Since I'll be on my bikepacking bike, I guess I can always ride off the pavement if I choose. If my plan A doesn't work out (Prudhoe Bay, AK to Antelope Wells, NM) then this may be my Plan B...El Paso to Hachita, then North on the GDMBR to Montana, then East South/East back to Lexington, KY. Everything right now depends on Covid and how open/closed things are.
I drove the stretch about 7-8 years ago. A quiet road west of Columbus (all services). Between El Paso & Columbus the traffic picks up the closer you are to El Paso.
Other than Columbus and El Paso, there are no services, including water. Hachita might have water but it was definitely a dying town when I went through. Be prepared and carry plenty of water, enough to get you Columbus to your next supply spot!
NOTE: If you are planning on doing the GDMBR, consider starting in Douglas, AZ and use the Geronimo Trail to get to Animas from the south and then work your way over to the GDMBR, either via Lordsburg (services) or Hachita (original route). Both would meet up around White City. The Geronimo trail is quite nice.
Tailwinds, John
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You and I think a lot alike. After my elderly father passes, depending on the timing, I will go Prudhoe Bay to Mexico or northbound on the Great Divide probably start in Brownsville and work my up to get into shape a little or Douglas, AZ, if I am for once actually in shape.
However, I will always take a quiet paved road over a parallel dirt road anytime. ;) . When I say quiet, I mean about 200 AADT so pretty dang quiet.
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...consider starting in Douglas, AZ and use the Geronimo Trail to get to Animas from the south... The Geronimo trail is quite nice.
I see the Geronimo Trail is marked 'high clearance vehicle with 4WD recommended'. What's your assessment for cycles? Touring bike, all-road bike, gravel bike, mountain bike, dual suspension mountain bike, fat bike...?
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There are a few report out there over on CrazyGuy but this is the one that originally got me interested in the alternative as he has ridden the GDMBR both directions.
https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=1mr&page_id=367471&v=bs (https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=1mr&page_id=367471&v=bs)