Cyclists travel the Quebrades Desert Kraken

More than 100 participants took part in the scenic bike race on Nov. 2 known as the Quebradas Desert Kraken. On the extra-long course, riders navigated a demanding course that wound its way through the landscapes of the Quebradas byway, passing through the agricultural areas of San Antonio and Luis Lopez.

“The weather was really awesome. Had a little bit of a tailwind, or a wind from the south, which is atypical,” Ryan Travelstead, co-organizer of the event, said. “I think that the idea is that the courses are going to be challenging, and the wind just adds to it.”

Travelstead said what started as a couple of friends getting together to ride bikes has grown into a semiofficial gravel race series. After COVID halted races, he and his friend Greg Foster started getting fellow cyclists together for group rides.

“Michael Thomas Coffee used to give us some money to go travel to races. And then after COVID, we noticed there was hardly any races, especially local races,” Travelstead said.

Travelstead and Foster, who were part of the Nero Veloce Bike Club, had the idea to use the money from Michael Thomas Coffee to buy insurance, start a website, and put on pseudo-legit races in New Mexico. Their goal was to make cycling more accessible, which is one reason why they offer at least two distances to appeal to beginners and advanced participants.

“We’ve done informal races for a long time, but nothing actually organized. Now it’s the most organized we’ve ever been.” Travelstead said.

Travelstead said the first year, they expected 10-15 participants for the Quebradas Desert Kraken, but to their surprise, 40 people signed up. The following year, there were up to 100 participants. He credits the growth through word of mouth.

The Quebradas Desert Kraken is just one of six races in the Dusty Roadrunner Gravel series. In April, they hold a bike race in the Box just west of Socorro. All the races are free, and the courses are well suited for cyclocross, gravel, or all-road bikes. Participants are welcome to use any bike they wish.

The events are also unsupported, so participants are responsible for managing their own safety, mechanical issues and supplies needed to complete the course. The courses are unmarked, but GPS files, course descriptions and maps are posted online. Participants are also required to sign a waiver.

“But if somebody doesn’t make it back we’re going to go look for them,” Travelstead said, “So far, every single event we’ve done, we’ve had everybody accounted for, and that’s really the ultimate gage of success.”

Travelstead said they appreciate the beauty of the Socorro area and enjoy exposing people to it. They are grateful for the support from local ranches and landowners, who allow them to use the trails and if anyone has concerns to please contact them.

For more information and to register visit: https://dustyroadrunner.weebly.com

Race results

Top Three short course (20 miles)

Greta Martin 2:04:27

Chrissy Martin 2:04:37

Luke Martin 2:07:12

Top three long course (41 miles)

Russ McCoy 2:21:21

Chris Kelley 2:35:05

Al Senft 2:36:00

Top three XL course (59 miles)

Ryan Carmer 3:05:59

Nick Theiry 3:12:22

Jordan Kahlenberg 3:18:23