The first ever New Mexico Bike Packing Summit will be in Las Cruces on Friday, Oct. 22, 2021.
Titled “Origins and Connections,” the summit hopes to bring together local, statewide, and out-of-state outdoor enthusiasts to discuss connecting the state’s four major bike packing routes and how to promote these routes in a way that supports inclusivity and equity.
The Summit will begin with a New Mexico Makers / Meet-and-Greet session from 8:30 a.m. to noon at Outdoor Adventures, 1424 Missouri Ave. The session will feature New Mexico-based manufacturers and retailers that focus on bicycle or outdoor recreation gear.
After a lunch break, the Summit will continue from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Klein Park, 155 N Mesquite St, with three speaker panels
- State Rep. Angelica Rubio will moderate a discussion featuring recipients of New Mexico’s Outdoor Equity Fund, the first of its kind in the U.S.
- Axie Navas, Director of the New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division, will discuss the last two years since the division was created and the next steps for New Mexico’s outdoor recreation economy.
- Bailey Newberry, owner of Sincere Bicycles in Santa Fe, and a New Mexico bike packing network expert, will discuss his recent trip on the Continental Divide and will share stories about the network and its future.
Pablo Lopez, co-founder of the Monumental Loop and manager of Outdoor Adventures, one of the event’s supporters, said, “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. 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, co-founder of the Monumental Loop, added, “Since our advocacy began several years ago, it’s amazing to see how well the state and local leaders have responded to our vision for the Monumental Loop and the intersectionality of how lives can be transformed just as much as the economy. Next month’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.”
Visit Las Cruces is excited to support this event, said Hilary Dutcher, Outdoor Recreation Sales Manager for Visit Las Cruces.
“Bike packing has grown in popularity and is an adventurous way to explore the lesser traveled portions of the public land that surrounds us,” Dutcher said. “Bringing awareness to this trend and the opportunities it presents to Las Cruces is great for visitors and locals.”
For information contact Matt Mason, by calling 575/636-4952, or by email at: matterhorn2174@gmail.com.