This route starts in Mesilla Plaza. On the southeast sits the former courthouse, a pink stucco building. In 1881, the infamous Billy the Kid was convicted of the murder of Sheriff Brady and sentenced to hang here. Rumor has it he dodged the gallows that day and went into hiding. Emerging decades later as William Bonney’s. This adventure ride follows the area of his legendary exploits in Doña Ana County to the far side of Robledo Mountain.
West of Fort Selden, you’ll pedal near Black Hill Hideout. A rocky outcropping that gave Billy, and his gang, a vantage point to monitor soldier activity at the fort below. Story is they scratched their names or initials onto the rock.
Back in Old Mesilla, you can recover from the day challenge by stopping into La Posta. It’s where Billy ate at times, no doubt after alluding authorities in the Chihuahuan Desert.

-Gravel Adventure Field Guide’s Las Cruces/Doña Ana County Edition

Route GPX can be accessed here>>>El Chico Bandito