The best road cycling routes around Las Cruces

There are 5 road cycling routes around Las Cruces. These include 2 easy routes perfect for a relaxed ride and 3 moderate routes for those seeking a bit more challenge.

Las Cruces boasts an impressive 320 days of sunshine annually, making it suitable for road cycling year-round. While summers can be hot, the spring, fall, and winter months offer ideal conditions for exploring the region's diverse landscapes.

You'll find a mix of terrain. The Roadbike loop from Mayfield High School offers a relatively flat experience. Routes through the Mesilla Valley often feature flat, easygoing paths through farmlands and pecan groves. As you head towards the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument, you can expect rolling hills and some steeper climbs, providing a more challenging ride with stunning mountain backdrops.

Yes, Las Cruces offers several easy routes suitable for beginners or families. The Roadbike loop from Mayfield High School is an easy option, as is The Bean cafe loop from Mesilla. These routes typically feature lower elevation gains and are often found in the flat Mesilla Valley.

Road cycling in Las Cruces offers stunning views of the Organ Mountains, the vast Chihuahuan Desert, and the fertile Mesilla Valley along the Rio Grande. You might also encounter unique geological formations like Baylor Canyon. The The Bean cafe – View of the Organ Mountains loop from Mesa Middle School route, for example, provides excellent vistas of the Organ Mountains.

While primarily a desert region, you can find natural features like Fillmore Waterfall and Baylor Canyon in the broader Las Cruces area. Some road routes may offer distant views or access points to these natural attractions, particularly those venturing closer to the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument.

Yes, some routes are designed with refreshment stops in mind. For instance, The Bean cafe – View of the Organ Mountains loop from Mesa Middle School and The Bean cafe loop from Mesilla both incorporate 'The Bean cafe' into their names, suggesting convenient stops for coffee or a snack. Historic Mesilla, often passed by routes in the valley, also offers various cafes and eateries.

Yes, all the road cycling routes featured in this guide are designed as loops, allowing you to start and finish at the same point without needing to retrace your path. This includes routes like the Sagecrest Park loop from Mesilla Valley Mall and Soledad Canyon Windmill – The Bean cafe loop from Mayfield High School.

Elevation gain varies significantly. Easy routes like the Roadbike loop from Mayfield High School have minimal gain (around 36 meters). More moderate routes, such as the Soledad Canyon Windmill – The Bean cafe loop from Mayfield High School, can feature over 600 meters of climbing, offering a good workout and expansive views.

Within Las Cruces, multi-use paths like the Triviz Multi-Use Path and the Outfall Channel Trail offer easygoing options for road cyclists. Many routes also utilize roads with wide shoulders or designated bike lanes, especially in the Mesilla Valley, providing a safe and enjoyable cycling experience.