Black Range Highway

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Originally constructed in 1937 as a WPA New Deal project, the Black Range Highway (New Mexico Highway 152) has been designated by the Bureau of Land Management as a Back Country Byway.

I have added the Black Range Highway to my personal pantheon of favorite bicycle touring roads. Though only 65 miles long it is beautiful, has almost no automobile traffic, and is full of historically significant things to see.

I feel lucky to have had the chance to ride it. At this time last year I am told it was closed due to snow at higher elevations, which is not that unusual. Bicycle tourists in the early spring and late fall are sometimes forced to detour to Interstate 10 due to weather issues.

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