Taos Area Road Riding

The road riding in Taos is as underrated as it is challenging. Our roads are narrow with little to no shoulder, but this shouldn’t discourage any cyclist from enjoying epic scenery and world class climbing. The trick is to choose your route and time wisely. Remember to be prepared for changing weather, especially during monsoon season which is mid July through September. Roads here are rough, so bring plenty of spare tubes and a patch kit. It also helps to have some road side repair skills. We have rides ranging from short town loops to several century options and beyond. Contact Taos Cyclery for up to date road conditions and ideas for that perfect road ride experience.

Taos Area Road Rides

The Enchanted Circle - Our most popular road ride route. This is an 85 mile loop through the towns of Questa and Red River and near Angel Fire. There are several options to make this a century. The route goes over 10,000 foot Bobcat Pass and Palo Flechado Pass. It can be done in either direction. Call us first for a heads up on traffic in the canyon and which direction suites your style.

The Mora Loop - Longer, harder, and more scenic than the Enchanted Circle. This one follows highway 518 over US HIll, past Sipapu Ski Area, down Holeman Hill and through the town of Mora. Then riders go through some pristine New Mexico rural terrain on their way to Guadalupita and on to Coyote Creek State Park. The road becomes narrow, super scenic, with three 10% grade pitches before the clearing near Black Lake. Take in the Wheeler Peak Wilderness and all its splendor on the way to Angel Fire. Then it’s up and over Palo Flechado Pass and on down into Taos. This 107 mile beauty will give you something to write home about and keep you coming back.

The New Mexico Death Ride Double Century - Just the name alone should thin the field on this one. So daunting, only two riders have successfully completed it. From Taos ride to Tres Piedras, many riders will drive here and us the local ranger station as a starting point. Then ride the mountainous terrain through the Brazos area. This is also some of the best shoulder in northern New Mexico, which is why the drive is worth it. The Brazos Cliff overlook is your point of no return. The descent to Tierra Amarilla is fast and fun. Head north to Chama, a short 100 miles from the start and not even half way yet. Climb into Colorado and create Cumbres and Mongas Pass, both over 10,000 feet. Then descend some of the most scenic road around along the Conejos River into Antonito, Colorado. Turn south and return to Tres Piedras via highway 285. This completes the 140 mile loop for those who drove. Death riders will return to Taos, crossing the Rio Grande Gorge bridge for the second time. If you complete this one let us know so we can add your name to the Hall of Fame.

The Taos area has many loops ranging from 12 to 50 miles. There are many small back roads which feature our rural terrain. Not to be missed are: the Hondo-Seco-Valdez loop, a road classic; the Taos Ski Valley climb, super scenic and cool on a hot day; and US Hill, another classic climb with a ripping fast return. Finally, just riding around the historic plaza district is a fun way to see the center of town. Bicycles move faster than the cars and parking is never a problem, just bring a lock.

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Winter and early spring can be the best time to road ride because there's less wind. As long as you're prepared for whatever conditions you may come across, there are many options. Longer rides are difficult because of cold temp's and shorter days. Climbs are difficult as a painful chill is likely when descending while sweaty after ascending. The Ski Valley is not recommended during ski season because of skier traffic, especially on weekends and holidays. The West Rim road is popular for its smooth flat pavement and low traffic flow. By the end of March the riding window is such that rides like the Enchanted Circle and The Brazos Overlook are not out of the question. There are multiple town loops that showcase our rural terrain. These vary in length from 12 to 35 miles or more. Come by or email for details on these hidden gems. Layers and wind shells are key this time of year to make your ride as enjoyable as possible.