Big Bend

Dan, Gary, Wes and Jim staging for Tuesday's ride.  Off road across the Old Ore Road towards the Rio Grande Village - 30 miles of rocky single track.  Dan was already a bit banged up from an over the handle misadventure in McAlister park getting ready for the week.  Gary decided to duplicate the stunt on this ride, landing on his shoulder, hard.  That eliminated off road riding for the rest of the week.

Wednesday road ride from Presidio to Lajitas was "highlighted" by the mile long climb with 14% grades.  We rode along the Rio Grande on a nicely rolling road.  That's Mexico in the background.

Thursday's ride started by climbing the 1 mile, again with 14% grades, out of the Chisos Basin.  This is the money shot of this location, looking west thru the "Window" where you get to watch the most beautiful sunset you will ever see, every night of the year.

After the 1 mile climb out of the basin you get to up your average speed with 6 mile 4-% grade descent down to the main Big Bend National Park Road.

A little bit of headwind compensated nicely for the mostly down hill ride, everyone seemed happy on the day.  Gary took the day off, his shoulder finally got the best of him.  Plus he got to spend a bit more quality time with his wife Ann, who is annually gracious enough to ride sag for us.  That allows us to do point to point rides and choose our directions based on the wind direction on a daily basis.

Stopping along the Ross Maxwell scenic drive Jim and Wes stop for a photo op looking back at the "Window" leading back into the Chisos Mountains.

I kinda told Wes I wouldn't include this pic, so let's keep this on between us OK ;>

Dan, Gary, and GG have been going to Big Bend every year in late February.  GG decided to tear her knee apart skiing so she sat this year out rehabing from surgery.  Jim joined the group last year for the first time, and somehow earned a reinvite for this year's trip.

Since GG had to miss this year, Wes decided to go along.  Usually we do 2-3 MTB rides and 2-3 Road rides, this year ended up being 3 road rides due to a combination of Dan's cracked rib and Gary's separated shoulder.  Are we getting older our just unluckier, or maybe both.

Anyways, the trip was good, the fellowship was great, the rides were spectacular (where else can you ride 50 miles with spectacular vistas on great roads while being passed by maybe 5 cars.)

Definitely worth the trip and highly recommended to all.