Searchers & Senderos [SAS]: Friday, September 5th through Sunday, September 7th, 2025 - NMBR's Vehicle Supported Backcountry Biking [VSBB] traversal of the Gila National Forest – Guided by NMBR’s Jake Quiñones

Overview

3-Day Ride and Drive Adventure // New Mexico ’s Gila National Forest // Daily Bike Ride Mileage: 10 to 30 Miles Per Day // Total Drive Mileage: 150 to 200 Miles // Approximate Elevation Range: 6,500 to 9,750-Feet // Areas of exploration will include Gila East, Black Range, and Continental Divide. Searchers & Senderos provides a unique and challenging opportunity for adventurists to experience the Gila’s remote territory and breathtaking landscapes via bike. The SAS’s bike routes are appropriate for strong and experienced riders that have attained the level of skill, strength, and endurance necessary for multiple days of bike riding over rugged terrain, at high altitudes, and in varying weather conditions.

The Experience

This September, New Mexico Black Range will guide a three-day overlanding and biking (combo) adventure which will traverse New Mexico’s vast and diverse Gila National Forest. Each day of the three-day Searchers & Senderos tour will include bike rides covering a variety of backroads and landscapes. Both ride and drive routes will include washboard, two track, primitive non-maintained, graded, mountain shelf, dirt byway, and (least of all) pavement. Route landscapes will include chaparral, canyons, rangeland, and forest. Areas of exploration will include Gila East, Black Range, and Continental Divide. The SAS experience will provide outstanding vistas, historic landmarks, wildlife viewing opportunities, and aggressive elevation contours. While the SAS bike routes will include some rough and rocky mileage, the majority of biking mileage will not be overly technical or include single track. Depending on finalized routes, weather conditions, and road conditions, rides will range from 10 to 30 miles in distance. All SAS rides will start and finish at NMBR’s various SAS basecamps. Driving will include traversing a mix of backroads between basecamp locations. Evenings will include relaxing at camp, gathering around the propane fire ring to recount the day’s adventures, and camping under the stars.

The Searchers & Senderos riding experience has been developed for mountain and gravel bike riders who possess a moderate cycling experience level (or above) and moderate cycling fitness level (or above). The SAS ride routes feature long climbs and steep descents. Participants should be well conditioned, skilled, and prepared to handle the rigors associated with riding 3-days where the terrain, temperatures, weather, and altitude will provide a variety of challenges for riders.

Where, When & Pricing

Searchers & Senderos will take place Friday, September 5th through Sunday September 7th, 2025. Participants will meet the morning of Friday, September 5th in southern New Mexico; the exact departure location and details will be provided during the SAS registration process. Pricing for a single driver single participant is $991.00 (plus tax). Pricing for each additional participant in vehicle (passengers and minors) is $924.00 (plus tax).

What to Expect

Ride to Thrive: Riding, will be the main focus and form of adventure during the SAS experience. Drive time will be minimal each day.Vehicles will serve as a means to access backcountry riding and camping opportunities. For those interested in NMBR’s overlanding-focused trips, check out our Scheduled Trips webpage for other trip options.

Daily Rides: Each morning, participants will be briefed with details surrounding the Searchers & Senderos ride route, ride distance/duration, terrain, weather, communications, safety information, and other details. Bike rides will vary from 10 -miles to 30-miles each day of the three-day adventure. The SAS rides will follow a group ride format. Ride pace will be steady (not too slow and not too fast) in order for the group to cover daily route mileage in a manageable timeframe. The guide and group will make frequent stops for rest breaks, scenic views, water/snacks, and for slower riders to catch up. The rides will not be a race or allow for participants to ride ahead of group.

Rider Qualifications: Searchers & Senderos is appropriate for strong and experienced bike riders that have attained the level of skill and performance necessary for multiple days of riding long distances, day after day, over varied terrain, at high altitude, with significant elevation gains (climbs). Participants will be expected to train and build strength/endurance in the months and weeks leading up to SAS. Participants should be prepared, able, and willing to ride in varying weather conditions on uneven, loose, muddy, rocky, and/or wet ground surfaces along the SAS bike routes. Participants with health conditions or limitations should consult with their doctor prior to signing up for this tour.

High Altitude: The SAS drive route, ride route, and camp locations altitude will range from approximately 6,500 to 9,750-ft. Riders can expect anywhere from 1,000 ft. to 2,000 ft. of climbing each day.

Bring the Right Bike: The Searchers & Senderos routes are appropriate for both mountain bikes and gravel bikes. Participants planning to ride gravel bikes should be aware that the SAS routes feature multiple sections of rough and rocky roads. In this, previous gravel bike riding experience over rough/rocky terrain, and proper bike/tire set-up is critical. Vehicle Requirements: A high-clearance 4WD or AWD vehicle is suitable for Searchers & Senderos. While the SAS overland (driving) route is not technical or overly rugged, rain and moisture may provide for slick, muddy, and difficult driving conditions. Please see “NMBR Searchers & Senderos - Pre-Adventure Checklist” for a complete list of requirements.

Bike Gear: Riders will be required to wear personal protective gear such as a helmet, sunglasses/eyewear, and gloves. Riders will be required wear weather and temperature appropriate footwear and clothing. Riders will be required to bring adequate provisions for daily rides such as water, snacks, tire inflation means, spare tube, bike tools, and other various items. Riders will be required carry a small first-aid kits and FRS/GMRS radios. Please see “NMBR Searchers & Senderos - Pre-Adventure Checklist” for a complete list of requirements.

Planning & Preparations

All Searchers & Senderos participants will be responsible for their own vehicles, bikes, bike equipment/gear/provisions, food, drinks, water, supplies, and vehicle equipment/gear/provisions, and camping equipment/gear/provisions. Services or re-supply of any kind, including cell signals, fuel, food, water, or anything remotely civilized, will be unavailable for driving stretches of up to 200 miles (or more if re-routes occur). NMBR has compiled a comprehensive checklist, “NMBR Searchers & Senderos - Pre-Adventure Checklist”, to help participants plan and gear up for the SAS ride and drive experience. During the SAS pre-trip planning and preparation period, NMBR will be available to provide expert opinion and feedback to registered participants for any questions or concerns related to getting ready and gearing up for the adventure.

A Note on the Southwest’s Monsoon Season: This NMBR trip/tour will take place during the Southwestern monsoon season when heavy summer rain storms can occur. In this, riding, driving, weather, road, and camp conditions could provide wet and muddy. Participants will need to plan/prepare accordingly and bring the appropriate all-weather clothing, gear, and shelter.

Overland & Biking Tour Activity Level & Rigors to be Expected

The Searchers & Senderos experience is geared towards individuals with a strong background in camping, endurance riding, outdoor adventures, and driving off pavement. Participants with health conditions or limitations should consult with their doctor prior to signing up for this physically and mentally demanding trip. While the weather in New Mexico is generally mild and pleasant in September, SAS participants should be prepared for varying weather, temperature, and surface conditions along the bike ride routes, overland (driving) routes, and at camps. Seasonal monsoon rain showers and lightning storms are entirely possible (and likely) during the course of this trip. Participants should be prepared, able, and willing to ride and drive in off-pavement scenarios for up to eight (total) hours per day, for three consecutive days, in varying weather conditions, in varying temperature ranges, on bumpy, rough, and (sometimes) challenging backroads. Backroad conditions (for both bike riding and driving) could include off-camber and steep accents/descents, rocky and loose terrain, mud, hail, rain, wet ground, water crossings, branches/limbs/vegetation, and/or wildlife/animals.

SAS Elevations: Route and camp elevation range will vary between (approximately) 6,500 to 9,750-feet with temperature ranges between (approximately) 40F (nighttime) to 80F (daytime) depending on weather conditions. Bike rides and camping on this trip will occur [largely] at elevations over 7,500-feet.