Since 1992, Neil Hannum of Durango and Aztec Adventures has ridden his bike with friends and acquaintances from Durango down to Farmington. He said he’d put out a note and interested cyclists would join in on the ride.
With San Juan County, New Mexico, and Farmington making a push to attract outdoor companies and tourists, Hannum decided it was time to make the ride an actual promoted and insured event for the greater public this year.
The first official event will take place Oct. 23 and will have three distances for riders.
Cyclists can ride “The Complete Jungle” from Durango to Farmington, which is roughly 50 miles long. Half the full tour will be on paved roads, and the other half will be on dirt roads and singletrack. The cyclists will start at the BMX track near Cundiff Park in Durango and take U.S. 550 south until reaching San Juan County Road 2300, where the dirt portion of the ride begins.
There will be lunch and an aid station at the intersection of U.S. 550 and CR 2300 in New Mexico.
The tour also will feature a 30-mile “Dirt Lovers Only” option where riders can skip the the highway portion and start at County Road 2300 in New Mexico.
The final distance is a 16-mile “Tiny Dirt Tour,” which will take place on the Road Apple Rally trails.
There also will be an approved E-bike route, which will follow OHV approved routes on trails along the west side of the Road Apple Rally segment.
For the other rides, Hannum said his favorite bike is a 27-plus mountain bike. Some have done the route on fat bikes and he said gravel bikes are OK too, but with wider tires because of the sandy sections.
“You don’t want too skinny of a tire,” he said.
Hannan also said they’re working with various groups on both sides of the state line to make sure everyone stays safe.
Riders must find their own transportation to the start or from the finish back. Hannum said they’re working to set up a message board to help the cyclists coordinate shuttles and said they could also contact him.
The three rides will finish at the San Juan College 6 Graves Bike Park in Farmington, where a free community event will also take place with vendors, guided rides around the new bike park and more. The community event will take place from about 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Registration and more information at https://raceroster.com/events/2021/47092/durango-farmington-bicycle-tour-2021
