Monumental Loop // Bikepacking New Mexico

The desert is the best place to be in the fall, and a bike is the best way to explore the desert. I traveled to Las Cruces, New Mexico, way down in the Chihuahuan Desert, to ride the northern half of the Monumental Loop. Developed by Matt Mason on Bikepacking.com, this mostly off-pavement route provides a sampling of the vast Organ Mountains - Desert Peaks National Monument that surrounds the city of Las Cruces.
I found the route to be a challenging and fun mix of gravel, dirt, sand, rocks, and single-track, as it alternated between pleasant countryside orchards and the relatively untouched desert landscape within the Monument. Each trip into the Monument was unique, offering sweeping views, sizable hills, and ever-present cacti.
It was a treat to return to this landscape I was so amazed by when hiking the CDT last year, and definitely scratched my annual biking itch just in time before the ski season starts up.
bikepacking.com/routes/monume...

[@8rett]

Fantastic! I wish there were more videos on the Monumental Loop. I miss living in the area and exploring the truly wild parts of the chihuahuan desert

[@philiporourke7896]

Great vid, dude. So much fun to watch, but camping without a tent, no way. Thanx.

[@jbtv8031]

Great video! Thanks for sharing. Planning on riding the Monumental Loop fall 2024. This made me even more excited to go!!!

[@andyruiz5720]

When do you plan on doing this loop? I'm in southern New Mexico planning a trip soon

[@jbtv8031]

Looking at October. How about you?

[@RusselGrimes]

My buddies and I are riding this trail first week of Nov. have fun.

[@baler1992]

Love it !!!

[@david_wiese]

Cool loop!

[@rarksz]

Dope! Would love to see more of the sleep set up next time. No tent out there is wild!

[@AlpineAtlas]

Thanks for watching! If there's no chance of rain or bugs I'm likely cowboy camping. Can't beat sleeping under the desert stars.

[@BluecollarBackcountry]

Nice video Josh. This has been on my list for a while. thanks for sharing it with us. ✌

[@bettybarnett6994]

Beautiful scenery!

[@mattmason7498]

Well done! Glad you enjoyed the route.

[@AlpineAtlas]

I certainly did - what a treat to get to explore this area. Thanks for your work in creating and sharing the vision.

[@wtuttle1970]

Awesome video dude! Come up to north Idaho. Fly into Spokane and I will SHOW YOU AN ADVENTURE!

[@stephenkohler3472]

Looks gorgeous out there!
Awesome quality on the vid too.

[@AlpineAtlas]

Thank you very much! It's a special place indeed

[@amineroadbikerider1504]

cool video i really enjoyed the landscapes

[@AlpineAtlas]

Glad to hear that! Thanks for watching

[@MikeIvisonJr]

Nice video man! My favorite shot was the cattle tank water source. Fun to see that in first- and third- person.
I have a few adventure videos of Northern Japan posted on my channel if you're interested in seeing the scenery there!

[@dlambbikepacking]

Hey Josh, awesome video. You do a great job of balancing riding shots with commentary. I'm from Austin and looking for winter routes to complete. The Monumental loop is my #1 choice!

[@AlpineAtlas]

Thanks so much! Have fun out there.

[@robertt9270]

You’re amazing!

[@robertt9270]

I love NM! I had some friends who did the entire CDT on Bikes with necessary variations. I learned from them that when it rains in the desert the mud turns to a peanut butter consistency. Very hard to get off!

[@AlpineAtlas]

Absolutely! I came to NM to avoid snow and mud in Utah. I'd love to ride the Divide in the future.

[@chasingbirds3073]

Nice video! I did the loop last year. It is an epic ride.

[@drumist101]

What gear ratio are you running?

[@AlpineAtlas]

I'm still new to the bike world...but the bike came to me in 2.47 (42/17) and feels fun most of the time. I'll get a smaller chainring if I decide to go for steeper routes in the future. Thanks for watching!

[@davidfarber6883]

transition glasses or two pair?

[@AlpineAtlas]

Interchangeable lenses! Smith wildcats

[@kennahl6149]

Size large BC?

[@AlpineAtlas]

The bike? Yes it's a Large

[@joeywhite6008]

How do they now foxes or wild dogs or snakes not gonna get them while they sleeping outside in the desert

[@AlpineAtlas]

None of those animals have any reason or interest to approach a person. Humans have been sleeping out in the desert for thousands of years - it's also very fun and beautiful under the stars

[@joeywhite6008]

So animals like that wouldn't try to eat a human if they're like really hungry or something?🤔

[@mray8519]

“Cows eating a cactus”, no doubt thinking “this is bullshit, other cows have green grass, shade trees, water, what the fuck did we do wrong?”

[@AlpineAtlas]

Such a great point! Cows Did Nothing Wrong could be an entire novel.