Biking In and Around Taos

There are two main types of bike riding you can do in the Taos area.  One is street biking, the other is mountain biking.  Let’s explore some of the options.

Road Biking

Lower Ranchitos
If you enjoy street biking there are some fantastic, paved roads without too much traffic.  One is Route 240 or Lower Ranchitos Road.  On Paseo del Pueblo Sur (the main road through town) take your first left after you pass the plaza.  This is before the MacDonalds as you head south.  At about four miles you can take a right on Blueberry Hill Road and circle all the way back up to Paseo del Pueblo Norte.  If you are really ambitious you can then take Highway 64 west over to the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge and ride over the gorge.  The other option is to stay on Ranchitos and follow it around to route 68 which takes you back to town.  Since it’s easy to see where you are because of the mountains you can always take other side roads to stay away from traffic! 

Arroyo Seco and Arroyo Hondo Loop
This trip is about 28 miles. You have scenic riding through small towns as you ride first through the valleys of Valdez and Arroyo Hondo and then back up to Arroyo Seco.

The Taos Ski Valley
This trip is about 35.2 miles round trip from Taos to the Taos Ski Valley. There is elevation gain from 7000′ to 9300′.  You take a scenic ride alongside a river and to to the European style village of Taos Ski Valley and finally through Arroyo Seco and back to town.

MOUNTAIN BIKING

Southboundary, No. 164
This is a trail from Angel Fire that goes all the way down to Taos.  You can take a shuttle to Angle Fire.  If you start in Angel Fire it is almost all downhill some 20 miles meandering through the mountains surrounded by lush vegetation. After an initial two mile climb from the trail head on Forest Road 76 you can enjoy the single track route because there is not another climb.

West Rim Trail
Head North out of Taos on the main highway.  Make a left at the stop light to travel on Highway 64 and head toward the Rio Grande Gorge bridge. Cross over the bridge and enter the rest area. Find the trailhead is at the back of the rest area parking lot.  Non technical, flat desert riding along the rim of the gorge.  Approximately 12 miles ending in a descent into the gorge.

BIKE STORES

For renting or repairing bikes try:

Gearing Up Bikes
http://www.gearingupbikes.com
Address: 129 Paseo Del Pueblo Sur Taos, NM 87571
Phone: 575-751-0365

Taos Cyclery
http://www.taoscyclery.com/
Address: 114 Dona Luz St.
Phone: 575-758-5551