Bicycling Question

[mountaindocdanny]

My original plan to trek through Arroyo Venado next week has changed. I've been struggling with my desire to see some remote country with my oldest son's need to spend some one on one time with me. I've decided that my Deadhorse trip needs to be put off and I'll be taking my three year old with me down to the Bend for 4 1/2 days instead.

 I'm juggling around options for us. One thing I've thought about is bringing my bike and the boy's trailer and biking through the park for a few days. I'm intrigued by the idea of biking down the Old Ore Road and spending a night at one of the backcountry sites. We're veterns to unsupported bike trips through remote country, so that doesn't really concern me. The bike is a cyclocross bike I've taken on some rough single track (pulling the trailer). We also have plenty of storage in the trailer for water adn gear. What I am curious about is how much sand is on the Old Ore Road. I can do rock, gravel, hills, etc. Deep sand is a bear and not much fun for extended periods. Does anyone have any input regarding road conditions? Thanks.

-Danny

[RichardM]

I only recall one sandy section (maybe two) in a wash when we drove to Ernst Tinaja.  Lots and lots of bumpy sections with exposed rocks.  The big hill will be lots of fun, both ways.  I'd imagine the road would rattle your teeth pretty good, not to mention your son's.  Not something I'd be willing to try, but maybe I'm too used to biking on pavement.

[SHANEA]

BBRSP has an outstanding biking trail known as the Contrabando loop that is very long, relatively flat, etc.  A little bit of sand at the start.  

Contrabando Multi-use Trail is an easy to moderate 19 mile trail system.

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/big_bend_ranch/activities.phtml

[TheWildWestGuy]

I would rethink the idea of pulling a bicycle trailer with a 3 year old down the Old Ore Road.   There are sections of the road (especially between Roys Peak Vista and Ernest Tinaja) that are OK but most of it will be either too sandy or too rocky and rough to be of much fun for more than a few minutes.   See my Post on "what to do with small children in the Park" for some alternative ideas. ... TWWG

[chisos muse]

I would rethink the idea of pulling a bicycle trailer with a 3 year old down the Old Ore Road.   There are sections of the road (especially between Roys Peak Vista and Ernest Tinaja) that are OK but most of it will be either too sandy or too rocky and rough to be of much fun for more than a few minutes.   See my Post on "what to do with small children in the Park" for some alternative ideas. ... TWWG

Yup, I just spoke with someone who recently biked it and offered the same description as TWWG. She also said that there were quite a few incline's as well. The handout for Bicycling in BIBE describes Old Ore Rd. as a strenuous ride, 26miles, 4-6 hours.

[SHANEA]

as a strenuous ride, 26miles, 4-6 hours.

You meant days or weeks right - 4-6 days... :?:  

[chisos muse]

as a strenuous ride, 26miles, 4-6 hours.

You meant days or weeks right - 4-6 days... :?:  

Nope! Well, maybe if you're Arte Jonson? (showing my age)

[dryer]

When off road biking in the Big Bend, half the mileage of what you are normally use to.  In other words, 10 miles in BB equals 20 on other trails.  Old Ore Road(ridden it many times) is VERY bumpy and long and a child in a trailer won't last long. The sun, even in winter, can be deadly.  The best direction is from Dagger Flats back toward Candalia if you do it.      
A ride a friend and I now call "the death ride" really did almost kill us due to heat, deep sand, mechanical problems, bad water planning.    That ride starts at Glenn Spring and heads toward the Mariscal Mine, over to Solis, and back, a 37 mile triangle.  The temp was 80 when we started and ended up at 107 deg. midway through the ride.  There is no shade, so bring a poncho/tarp or space blanket and provide your own.  
In the event it rains, expect a long slog.  

I manage a nature preserve with bike trails and thought I knew biking backward and frontwards.   Big Bend bites hard if you screw up!

[Robert]

Last year we cycled out towards Ernst Tinaja on the Ore Road. This was my first experience mountain biking in Big Bend. As others have said, very rocky, lots of sections with deep gravel. There is no way I would try to pull a trailer with a child on this road.

[SHANEA]

Artist conception of new biking trails in the high Chisos.

[westtex]

I drove the old ore road last weekend and there are several hills that used to be very rough on trucks that have been recently graded.  Even though I would not want to be pulling a bike trailer down some of the hills with sharp turns and bumps.  I am sure you know your limitations and will be able to handle it if you decided to, but I am a road bike guy myself and would not want to tackle the mountainsides....yet

[Roy]

My 2 cents;  Old Ore Road has deep/soft sand in quite a few of the washes crossing the road starting with Javelina Creek on the north to Ernst Tinaja on the south.  I can't remember any long stretches, but you'd be continually riding in and out of the stuff.

[Roy]

Nope! Well, maybe if you're Arte Jonson? (showing my age)

Hey Ruth;  didn't recognize you without the hair net.

[chisos muse]

Nope! Well, maybe if you're Arte Jonson? (showing my age)

Hey Ruth;  didn't recognize you without the hair net.

 :lol:

[wildman]

Did you already attempt this trip??  The sand (in the wash crossings) streches are not a riding problem.  I have made 4 rides down this road and I think it is great.  Camping along the way would just add to the experience.  The local bike shop (Desert Sports) has sponsered a full moon ride.