The second annual New Mexico Bike Packing Summit returns Friday, Oct. 28, in Las Cruces. It is hopeful of bringing together local, state and national outdoor enthusiasts to discuss connecting New Mexico’s four major bike packing routes and to promote these routes to support inclusivity and equity.
The Summit begins with a New Mexico Makers Market from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Outdoor Adventures, 1424 Missouri Ave., featuring New Mexico-based manufacturers and retailers that focus on bicycle or outdoor recreation gear.
After a break for lunch, the Summit will continue from 2 to 5 p.m. at Klein Park, 155 N. Mesquite St., with three speaker panels:
- Jon Yazzie: Owner and CEO of Dzil Ta’ah Adventures, an adventure travel company based in Arizona that uses proceeds to help fund a local youth cycling program.
- Annijke Wade: Adaptive cyclist and advocate for adaptive cycling.
- Andres Esparza: Grassroots Engagement Director for the Conservation Lands Foundation.
“The trail network has existed for a very long time, but next month’s bike packing summit makes the work that many of us have been putting in worthwhile,” Pablo Lopez, co-founder of the Monumental Loop and manager of Outdoor Adventures said. “I want folks to come together to celebrate the accomplishments we have made, but also to discuss what the future holds, especially for local access to our outdoors.”
Matt Mason, the co-founder of the Monumental Loop, notes that since advocacy began state and local leaders have responded well to the ongoing vision for the Monumental Loop.
“This year’s summit is an exciting opportunity to highlight these efforts, as well as solidify what many of us have always known— that access to the outdoors should be for all of us, we just have to make the investments to make it so,” Mason added.
“Visit Las Cruces is excited to support this event,” Hilary Dutcher, Outdoor Recreation Sales Manager for Visit Las Cruces. Said “Bike packing has grown in popularity and is an adventurous way to explore the lesser-traveled portions of the public land that surrounds us. Bringing awareness to this trend and the opportunities it presents to Las Cruces is great for visitors and locals.”
For more information on the New Mexico Bike Packing Summit, contact Matt Mason at 575-636-4952 or matterhorn2174@gmail.com.
