A few spots left in the sell-out recreational ride on a world class race course
The organizers of the Tour of the Gila bicycle stage race, along with record-setting ultra-endurance athlete Lael Wilcox, are welcoming recreational cyclists to southwest New Mexico for a fun and timed road ride on Saturday, October 10th.
The 2026 Lael Wilcox Gila Monster Gran Fondo presented by Hidalgo Medical Services is a chance for non-competitive athletes to enjoy iconic and scenic racecourses. The event ensures participants are supported in the challenge with well-stocked aid stations, support vehicles carrying inflation and hydration supplies. The day is capped with a post-ride party with friends made along the way.
Cyclists wanting a memorable day on their bikes can experience:
Choose from Three Classic Routes
Choose from three distances, all out-and-back on New Mexico 15, the Trail of the Mountain Spirits Scenic Byway. The 80-mile course goes from downtown Silver City to the Gila Cliff Dwellings Visitor Center then finishes in Pinos Altos, while the 60-mile route takes you to another vista but leaves out 2,500 feet of climbing. The 30-mile course begins and ends in Pinos Altos and turns around at the breathtaking Wildhorse Mesa. Each is offered thanks to ride sponsors Copies on the Run, Gila Hike & Bike, and Morning Star Sports!
Top-Tier Support
Event sponsors and volunteers ensure plenty of fuel and hydration options at multiple aid stations, on-course mechanical support, and SAG vehicles.
After-Ride Party
Cold drinks, charcuterie, and music to celebrate the achievement.
Learn More & Register
Registration costs $110 and is open online at bikereg.com/gila-monster-gran-fondo through Thursday, October 8, at 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time. In-person registration is available at Gila Hike & Bike (103 E. College Ave.) on Friday, October 9, from 3 to 7 p.m.
The locally owned Murray Hotel and Copper Manor Motel offer special deals to ride participants. For a 20% discount at the Murray Hotel from Thursday, October 8, through Sunday, October 11, guests may call 575-956-9400 and press option 2 to talk with the front desk. For a 15% discount off rooms at the Copper Manor Motel over the same time period, guests may call 575-538-5392.
The 2026 Lael Wilcox Gila Monster Gran Fondo presented by HMS is sponsored under a special use permit with the Gila National Forest and held under USA Cycling Permit.
Tour of the Gila Celebrates the 40th Edition in 2027
With the 40th edition set for April 28 – May 2, 2027, Tour of the Gila is the iconic road bicycling stage race based out of Silver City, New Mexico. Since 1987, the race has become renowned worldwide for notoriously challenging courses and is a treasured favorite among cyclists at all levels. Over five days, athletes follow routes leading from the town’s colorful streets, through the region’s rich history, and along the edges of the nation’s first designated wilderness. Sanctioned by both the global and national governing bodies of cycling, Tour of the Gila is where amateur competitive cyclists to compete on the same courses on the same days as the pros. Each fall, recreational cyclists have the opportunity to pedal a supported ride on the road comprising two mountainous racecourses.
The 2026 Lael Wilcox Gila Monster Gran Fondo presented by Hidalgo Medical Services will run on Saturday, October 10. Registration is open on BikeReg now.
