Climate Ride Texas — Big Bend, Marfa, Terlingua

Accommodations

Hotels

Total Mileage

290 Miles

Group Size

16 Maximum (new small group departure)

Range of Daily Mileage

21-63 Miles

Fundraising Commitment

$3,500

Trip Length

6 Days

On this charitable event, all of the biking takes place on paved roads. Local guides and our Climate Ride team will take care of all the details, allowing us to ride, connect, and see this little-traveled area of Texas. Climate Ride charitable events bring together bright minds, breathtaking routes for all cycling abilities, and an unforgettable combination of passion and purpose. On this trip, we’ll get a first-hand look at the environmental issues affecting the Chihuahuan Desert.

If you’re ready to sign up and ride, click above to register! Space is limited.

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Event Itinerary Overview

(Your Ride Guide will include full details)

Day 1

Warm Up Ride - 21 Miles, 650 Feet Elevation Gain.
We’ll meet our guides at our host hotel in the multi-cultural border city of El Paso (or arrive in Marfa on your own). Following introductions, we’ll load bikes and luggage and begin the short three-hour journey to Marfa, the sleepy ranching town that has become a world-renowned Minimalist art center thanks to the legacy of artist Donald Judd. After lunch, relax in Marfa and enjoy our historic accommodations, the Hotel Paisano, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Or, you can take a warm-up ride across sprawling ranch lands to historic Fort Davis, the highest town in Texas. There you can pay a visit to the Fort Davis National Historic Site. Our after-dinner treat? The mysterious Marfa Lights!

Day 2

60 Miles, 2028 Feet Elevation Gain.
We start our day with a ‘must-see’ exploration of the Chinati Foundation, the brainchild of artist Donald Judd who transformed a sleepy ranching town into a world-renowned Minimalist art hub and the eclectic enigma that is Marfa today. Afterwards, we’ll make a run for the border, cycling from Marfa through the Chinati Mountains to Presidio. Along the way we’ll picnic in Shafter, a ghost town once noted for its silver mines. Then enjoy a 1600’ descent and a fast finish as we roll into Presidio, the oldest continuous settlement in North America, dating back to 1500 B.C. Relaxing poolside may just be the perfect balm for tired legs before our Mexican fiesta-style dinner.

Day 3

63 Miles, 3,360 Feet Elevation Gain.
Today we experience the mighty Rio Grande at its finest as we ride El Camino del Rió from Presidio to Terlingua. The route is described as one of the most scenic stretches of roadway in North America, and by day’s end, you’ll know why. We take a well-deserved rest at the overlook atop Dark Canyon, known locally as “The Big Hill,” the steepest sustained road grade in Texas. Our efforts today are greatly rewarded with a jaw-dropping mixture of dramatic canyons, lush Rio Grande floodplain, and majestic mountains as the road rises, falls, and twists its way through this incredible landscape. Finally, cap off the ride with more amazing scenery as we pedal into Terlingua to our historic accommodations: a restored mansion in heart of a ghost town. We’ll celebrate the day's accomplishments with dinner at the iconic Starlight Theatre in Terlingua.

Day 4

62 Miles, 3,041 Feet Elevation Gain.
Bidding a fond farewell to Terlingua, our route today takes us through the heart of Big Bend National Park, our ultimate destination. Encompassing more than 800,000 acres (larger than Rhode Island) the park is a remarkable land of contrasts, combining river floodplain, high mountains and Chihuahuan desert in three distinct ecological zones. We cross the park from west to east, with stops at Panther Junction Visitor Center and lunch at Dugout Wells Picnic Area. When we arrive at Rio Grande Village with Mexico’s majestic Sierra Del Carmens looming just beyond, take a leisurely stroll to Boquillas Canyon to witness the stunning views, sheer cliffs and riverfront beach of Big Bend’s deepest canyon. Afterwards, saddle up for the short ride to historic Langford Hot Springs where you can soak in the natural springs while enjoying unparalleled scenery right on the Rio Grande. From the hot springs we take a van ride to the Chisos Mountains Lodge, ideally situated amidst the towering Chisos Mountains.

Day 5

47 Miles, 2,097 Feet Elevation Gain.
Today we experience the Big Bend “triple treat,” riding through mountains, desert and river floodplain all in one day. Beginning in the Chisos Basin, we climb through Panther Pass before a breathtaking five-mile descent out of the Chisos Mountains and back into the Chihuahuan Desert below. Then it’s on to the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive where the road becomes a roller coaster of scenic vistas, with the beauty of the Chisos Mountains our constant companion. We pedal till the pavement ends at the trailhead to spectacular Santa Elena Canyon, Big Bend’s most westerly canyon and every bit the equal to Boquillas. The short hike into the canyon is a ‘must’ as you behold the US-Mexico international border separated by the thin ribbon of the Rio Grande hemmed in by 1500’ canyon walls. After the hike, we take the van back to our overnight in the Chisos Basin.

Day 6

36 Miles, 923 Feet Elevation Gain.
Our final ride doesn’t disappoint as we make one last thrilling descent from the Chisos Mountains and head north to Persimmon Gap. We make a brief but fascinating stop at the Fossil Bone Exhibit, which details 120 million years of the region’s paleontological history, before continuing alongside the towering Del Carmen mountain range. Our route follows the old Comanche war trail through Persimmon Gap, where we say goodbye to Big Bend National Park and have lunch. Then we hop in the van for the transfer back to El Paso (or Marfa), arriving around 4:00pm. Departing flights can be scheduled for 6:00pm or later.

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FAQs and More Info

Meals

This is an all-hotel trip. All meals and snacks are included once the trip begins (excluding alcohol and additional beverages). Breakfasts and dinners will be handled by local establishments with social distancing in place. Lunches and healthy snacks will be handled by our local guides. We serve delicious energy packed meals with lots of fresh ingredients to satisfy all tastes. We can accommodate special diets; just let us know your preferences. We do not provide alcoholic beverages but feel free to bring your own. We do provide lots of snacks and plenty of water. If you require or prefer special snacks and electrolyte supplements we recommend that you bring them.

Breakfasts: Provided from local restaurants to order. Coffee, juice, and tea options provided.

Lunches: Prepared by local establishments to order or as picnic lunches prepared by our guides and served at designated stops along the cycling route.

Dinners: Ordered from provided menus at local restaurants and hotels as identified in the itinerary.

Provided snacks: Healthy snack choices provided in van transfers and at sag stops on the route.

Beverages: Water and rehydrating drinks provided throughout the trip, available in the van for long transfers and at all roadside sag stops.

Soft drinks, Alcohol: Not included; available for purchase throughout.

Travel Information & Accommodations

This trip will meet at 7 AM MST at our host hotel in El Paso, TX. You will most likely need to spend the night before in El Paso. Make sure you eat a big power breakfast to get you ready for the day!

The cycling event will end in El Paso on Day 6 around 4 pm. Flight departures from El Paso should be made for after 6 pm.

If you are driving, you can meet up with the ride in Marfa, TX at our first hotel and leave your car there during the ride. At the end, we’ll drop you off back in Marfa to meet up with your vehicle. This would avoid the shuttle from and to El Paso.

Getting To and From El Paso, TX

We recommend arriving in El Paso at least one day before the departure of your trip or before 7 am on November 8 (Day 1). Cars from home and rental cars can be left in El Paso during the trip.

Flying into El Paso, TX

Airport Code: ELP

El Paso Lodging

El Paso is a popular summer vacation spot. It is a good idea to book your rooms several months in advance if possible. There are many lodging options in El Paso, but we’ll have some recommendations and an official trip hotel listed here soon, and in your Ride Guide once you register.

Cell Phone Service & WiFi

There is limited cell phone access during the day, but there should be service in town. We recommend you enjoy this digital detox!

What do I need to bring on the ride?

All riders need to have a bike (see your Ride Guide for bike rental info), helmet, gear, and a suitcase or duffle containing clothes, toiletries, and anything else necessary for several days on the road. The Ride Guide will contain a more detailed suggested packing list. The Ride Guide will be distributed to participants before the event. If you have a non-perishable personal favorite snack or electrolyte brand please feel free to bring some along!

Road bikes are required for this trip as we’ll be riding on paved roads. The most important factor in choosing a bike and pedals is your comfort. You want to be riding a bike and using pedals that you will be comfortable riding with for multiple hours a day, for several days in a row. Our local outfitter has bikes available for rent. Cost and more information will be available soon.

IF BRINGING YOUR OWN BIKE: Have your bike tuned up before the tour and have any worn-out parts replaced. You may want to ship your bike ahead of time to our outfitter. There will be an assembly fee, and they can also disassemble and box it up at the end of the trip as well.

What kind of support can I expect on the ride?

Climate Ride has partnered with an outfitter to provide the most experienced and friendliest professional guides. We have rest stops each day with snacks and water, and on-route we have vehicle support that carries luggage, and also functions as a mobile mechanic and first aid station. You can also expect an unlimited supply of camaraderie and encouragement from the Climate Ride staff, the guides, and your fellow riders!

What does my fundraising support and why is it so important?

This is a special Climate Ride Funders Trip and the proceeds directly support Climate Ride’s work.Your fundraising on Climate Ride Texas will benefit the programs and efforts of Climate Ride including our community scholarships for young climate leaders. You are helping us grow the organization to become an advocacy powerhouse that engages people in the world of active environmental philanthropy and sustainable solutions. Because of this, you cannot select from the beneficiary list. All donations are tax-deductible.

Fundraising and Transfer Deadlines | Important Dates

Fundraising Deadlines:

$500 to be raised by:	TBD
$750 to be raised by:	TBD
$1,500 to be raised by:	TBD

Learn more about deadlines and transfers on our Policies page.

Note: If you’d like to register after or near a fundraising deadline, don’t worry, we’re here to help you get up to speed!

What precautions are being taken for Coronavirus?

Please visit our Covid-19 Policies and Procedures Page.

We want to keep everyone as safe as possible during this trip, so we recommend being very cautious and following the recommended protocols for coronavirus during the two weeks before this trip. We recommend getting a COVID-19 test, self-isolating as much as possible, and taking extra care when traveling to the Ride start.

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Far West Texas and Big Bend Ride

Big Bend National Park, Marfa, Terlingua

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Event Itinerary Overview

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