Palo Duro Inquiry : Memorial Weekend - to hot? or just right?

[slysop]

Looking to gather a group for a ride in the Palo Duro Canyons.
Has anyone been there during the end of May?
Debates are .. It will be to hot.

Well maybe we will just spend the day in the A/C and ride at night

[rovertd]

The daytime highs can be pretty variable that time of year, but the mornings are always cool 50s even on 100+ days. The sunrise is a spectacular time to be riding in the canyon. Night riding is fun and not technical...except for dodging bunnies.
After missing last year, I'm doing the 24 hr race again June 2nd and 3rd.

[SharkAttack]

Was out there last Thurs-Sat. Thursday afternoon ride was mid-90's at least, but not oppressive thanks to tree cover and speed of the trails. As rovertd said, mornings should be very cool. Fantastic place to ride, but bring extra contact lenses if you're following a group.

[June Bug]

We were there around Memorial Day weekend a few (3? 4?) years ago after a fairly wet spring. Flowers were gorgeous, temps were pretty warm but doable, BUT the biting flies were horrible. While we were riding, they were biting us through our clothes AFTER we had sprayed ourselves with insect repellent. Don't know if this would be a problem in drier years but it would be something to prepare for with some heavy duty insect repellent. Gorgeous place. I've enjoyed both of my visits and rides there.

[docscotty]

[IMG]a href="http://s1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc438/docscotty/Wounded%20Warrior%20Ride/?action=view&amp;current=W100K049.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc438/docscotty/Wounded%20Warrior%20Ride/W100K049.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>[/IMG]

Just go do it...............the place is awesome.

[docscotty]

[slysop]

Nice! Thanks for the updates.
Yea this may be our destination for the next holiday!
I think Angel Fire Bike Park is still in the mix but I think we are leaning towards Palo Duro.

[June Bug]

Was wondering if "about" the same amount of drive time could get you to Cloudcroft, New Mexico.
Not really (Lubbock is ~7 hours total), and you are talking about a three day weekend.
Distance between Austin, Texas (TX) and Cloudcroft, New Mexico (NM)
How many miles? 603 Miles / 970 Km
How many hours? This take 9 hours 57 mins
One can haul buns on I 10 all the way to Ft. Stockton; suggested speed is 80.
Route map HERE.
Austin, Fredricksberg, Ft. Stockton, Pecos, Carlsbad, Artesia, Cloudcroft.
Plus, Carlsbad Caverns are right on the way and always worth a visit, especially if kids are involved.
8600 ft elevation and lots of camping in the national forest close by.
Save that for July 4th, which is on a Wednesday this year. Take off Thurs & Friday and have a 5-day weekend.

[slysop]

Was wondering if "about" the same amount of drive time could get you to Cloudcroft, New Mexico.
Not really (Lubbock is ~7 hours total), and you are talking about a three day weekend.
Distance between Austin, Texas (TX) and Cloudcroft, New Mexico (NM)
How many miles? 603 Miles / 970 Km
How many hours? This take 9 hours 57 mins
One can haul buns on I 10 all the way to Ft. Stockton; suggested speed is 80.
Route map HERE.
Austin, Fredricksberg, Ft. Stockton, Pecos, Carlsbad, Artesia, Cloudcroft.
Plus, Carlsbad Caverns are right on the way and always worth a visit, especially if kids are involved.
8600 ft elevation and lots of camping in the national forest close by.
Save that for July 4th, which is on a Wednesday this year. Take off Thurs & Friday and have a 5-day weekend.

Sounds like a plan.

Good mountain biking in cloudcroft?

[ilike2bike]

I was there June 6(ish) a couple years back for the 24 hour race.... it was 125 degrees. No joke. I personally saw 119 on a thermometer. The roadies said it was like 140 on the asphalt. It was less than stellar weather. But maybe I am just a wuss.

[slysop]

I was there June 6(ish) a couple years back for the 24 hour race.... it was 125 degrees. No joke. I personally saw 119 on a thermometer. The roadies said it was like 140 on the asphalt. It was less than stellar weather. But maybe I am just a wuss.

I dont blame you. I would be a total wuss at those temps!

[rovertd]

I rode the infamous ultra-hot 24hr race too. The roadies were recording 130+ a thermometer in a "sunny" tree near the asphalt hit 140 it was absolutely insane.
But for a ride Palo Duro is nice especially if you can do the morning.
My family owned a retired summer camp at the end of Haynes Canyon outside of Cloudcroft so I've got a little experience there as well.
For the same drive time you have to decide do you want cool/cold high altitude riding or hot fast riding.
I prefer Cloudcroft with tourist outings and fun (solar observatory, white sands, petroglyphs, valley of fire, or Rudioso Casino if you like that) to Canyon/Amarillo.