Hi Folks,
A few final notes for this upcoming weekend's Cruces Basin Ball Buster out of Hopewell Lake. There's only a handful of people signed up at the moment so if you're looking at a last minute decision to come up and ride/camp for one or all days don't worry about needing to register, there will be plenty of space. Weather is looking fantastic with highs in the mid 80's and lows in the mid 40's.
Group Campsite 2
consists of individual sites 5-9, check in is 2 PM Friday so if you arrive
after that you should be able to use any available space in those
sites. There is supposed to be water available at the campground but as of a report from Joe last weekend it was down for repair so plan to bring enough to get you through your stay.
There is no cell phone service in this area so be sure to have downloaded your GPS files.
Because of the remoteness of the course it is very difficult to arrange water drops. That said there are generally good water options on the routes (all of these require the use of filtration/purification):
Brazos Ridge CDT and Gravel Epic: After passing through Osier you cross the Rio Los Pinos, this is a good spot to filter at about the furthest point out on the course. You'll also cross the Rio Los Pinos on FR87 between FR133 and FR93. Gravel riders will cross this both outbound and on the return. CDT riders will not cross this on the return.
Brazos Ridge CDT Full: Lagunitas creek has had a reasonable flow in it when I've encountered it. You cross it on the CDT shortly after crossing FR87 from Lagunitas campground heading south. On the way outbound you will cross the Rio Los Pinos on FR87 between FR133 and FR93, you may just want to top up here to be safe.
Brazos Ridge CDT Half: You'll cross Rio San Antonio on FR93 before you reach FR87, or a few miles later on FR87 before you reach FR133.
El Rito Gravel Epic: This one could be a challenge to find good water. The best option is when you cross the Rio Vallecitos in the community of Vallecitos, however I have encountered some aggressive dogs in Vallecitos. One option is probably El Rito creek which you will cross after the major descent on FR106 immediately before you turn left on 559 although this is a seasonal creek and may have little/no flow. This is at the far south end. I spoke with a person at the El Rito Ranger Station who indicated if the Fire service guys were around there could be access to a water tap there. This is on your left shortly after the left turn in El Rito. In a pinch if you locate the water tap and top up it is better to ask forgiveness than to have an issue later. Those who choose to shorten the route and not do the southernmost loop should not count on finding water. There are a few small creeks that might work, but they may not be flowing well and likely fouled by cows.