Fort Davis Cyclefest, Ft Davis, TX

September 2007

Thanks to Peytons and the PBBA for hosting another great ride on the most scenic roads in the state!And thanks to the cowboy who was cooking the cubed steak at about the fifty mile mark on the loop ride. The weather was perfect for the ride on Saturday and the hill climb Sunday morning. Looking forward to next year.

There are a few options for the bike ride: 10-mile, 28-mile, 56-mile, and the 75-mile routes. I wasn’t sure how the routes were laid out before I went out and I thought the 56-mile route was on the same path as the 75-mile one, but that wasn’t the case. The 56-mile route goes to Alpine and comes back Prude Ranch outside of Fort Davis; and it doesn’t have the huge climbs and descents of the longer ride. The 75-mile route separates from the 28 and 56-mile rides at Fort Davis. Regardless, the weekend was outstanding. The weather was perfect. The scenery was dazzling. Very little car traffic compared to other races and the road surface was in very good condition. The bike club hosting the race did a phenomenal job – both for the race and the dinner afterwards at Prude Ranch. They went above and beyond what other races do for their riders. It was a long trip from the Metroplex to the Davis Mountains, but it was a lot of fun and well worth the time. Now that I know what the weekend is all about, I am planning to do the 75-mile ride next year (heaven help me). In addition to the Sunday rides up to the observatories, there seem to be other Sunday rides. These may be more informal gatherings for one last ride around the area before heading back home.

September 18-19, 2004

Don't let the elevation discourage you from riding Cyclefest. This ride has something for everyone. Two routes to choose from: Hwy. 118 from Ft. Davis to Alpine and back where you can ride any distance you want, out and back, up to 50 miles. And the Scenic Loop of Hwy. 166 where you forget about the climbs once you see the view from the crests. Its the personal challenge and the view of the Davis Mountains/Chihuahuan Desert that keep me coming back to this ride. Maybe next year I will finally succeed in making the mile and a half, 17% grade climb to the McDonald Observatory telescopes.

I rode the Scenic Loop consisting of Hwy. 166 &118 which is 75 miles. Without a doubt this is the most scenic route in Texas! I enjoyed this route more than any other I have been on in this state. IT has some good steep climbs along with some fast descents. Rest stops are not huge but have water, Gatorade, fruit and cookies. There were about 270 riders. I was told that count was unofficial. . If you want goody bags and packets and pampering then this ride is not for you. If you want challenging terrain, fantastic scenery with elevation then Ft. Davis Cyclefest is the ride to go to next year. I will be back!

This event is AWESOME!! Absolutely AWESOME!! if you are able, there is no excuse to skip this ride. Peytons Bikes and the PBBA do an great job organizing this ride. I've only been riding for 3 months, but i have done a ride every Saturday since Italy. the fort Davis Cyclefest was the only one to surpass my expectations. I did the 75 on Saturday and the 7 mile climb on Sunday (the pride is well worth the pain). the 75 had good surfaces, stunning scenery, and NO CARS!!! At All. just the sag passing occasionally, but mostly keeping their distance. that's right... making themselves known, without choking you on exhaust (hooda thunkit). the drive from mesquite was 9 hrs with 3 pit stops and 45 min lunch. the ride itself is worth the drive, but you also get star parties at the observatory, great town and people, the marfa lights, and the history and beauty of the area. and for those who are concerned, the shirts are awesome. both the ride shirt and the climb finisher shirt. I will definitely do this every year, and take as many riders with me as I can. -jd74p

The 75 mile Scenic Loop ride is the biggest, manliest ride with the most pointless suffering possible in one day in Texas short of a race especially when combined the next day with the climb up Mt Locke to the McDonald Observatory parking lot. Doing the loop without someone riding SAG for you would be too risky and awfully lonely. Thank-you PBBA and Richardson's for making it possible. I'll keep coming back every year as long as you good folks put it on. If you can do only one non-charity, organized ride a year in Texas, do this one. In 2004, the rains brought lots and lots of yellow wildflowers on the hillsides especially in the Limpia Creek canyon. The hills were wearing yellow! I bring my "B" bike with a triple that has a 28-32 combination.

September 2003

I did this last year, and will go again this year. Unbeatable views, ~5400 feet of climbing on the 75  mile loop, ~1500 feet of climbing in 6 miles for the Sunday hill climb.  Typically 200-300 riders, excellent support (they invite riders to try  the long loop and will gladly sag them past the worst of the climbs or  back to the start/finish if needed, also they provide plastic bags to  dump extra clothes, etc. off at rest stops and they will transport  these  back to the start/finish for you). Taking a tour of the observatory is  also neat. 8 hour drive from Richardson.

September 21 - 22, 2002 

The Ft. Davis Cyclefest has a lot to offer to everyone. All routes lead out of the Prude Ranch, 6 miles northwest of Ft. Davis and go downhill through canyons into town. Easy paced riders can enjoy a ride into town, through the Ft. Davis and Indian Lodge National Parks and back; enthusiasts have a "set your own distance" ride that takes you into Alpine and back down Hwy. 118 (maximum of 50 miles round trip or anything in between you feel like); and the serious rider can experience the closest thing to a Tour De France segment with the 75 mile "Scenic Loop" through the mountains. Due to the remote location, SAG was good considering the distances covered. Rest stops were spaced about 12-15 miles apart. The altitude was not a problem to this "flat land" rider and many personal bests for speed were set on the two courses. Plenty of flat stretches, rolling hills, and a few steep grades to climb (and come down - FAST!). The Big Bend area scenery is the attraction for this ride. This was my first time, and I will definitely be back. This ride is put on by the Permian Basin Bicycle Association and it shows that bike riders are involved in every aspect of this tour. There was a Sunday "King of the Mountain" ride up Mt. Locke at the McDonald Observatory that I did not participate in, but if you are up for steep hills and the competitive aspect of who can make it up the hill without quitting, this would be the second ride for you