A woman found herself stranded for 30 hours in the vast Chihuahuan Desert after the battery of her e-bike died, leaving her with no choice but to push the bike for 20 miles until she was rescued.
The incident, which occurred last November, was reported last week by Friends of Big Bend Ranch State Park. It underscores the risks of relying on electric bikes, especially in remote areas where such vehicles are not permitted.
Big Bend Ranch State Park, Texas’s largest state park, spans over 311,000 acres along the Rio Grande and is renowned for its rugged terrain and numerous outdoor activities. The park offers over 100 miles of paved roads and 160 miles of unpaved trails, making it a prime destination for biking enthusiasts, particularly those interested in bikepacking, gravel biking, and mountain biking.
However, the park’s expansive and challenging landscape, combined with limited cell service, scarce supplies, and extreme temperatures that often exceed 100°F during the day, makes it a risky environment for bikers, especially those who venture into the backcountry without proper preparation.
Friends of Big Bend Ranch State Park confirmed the woman’s safe recovery from a remote area within the park but reminded visitors of the park’s strict regulations regarding e-bikes. While electric bikes are permitted on paved roads, they are not allowed on the park’s trails.
The organization issued a safety warning, advising against the use of e-bikes in the backcountry, stating, “E-bikes may seem like an easy option for a smoother ride, but in such remote areas, they are inherently dangerous. If you can’t ride your bike without an electric motor, keep it out of the park and off the trails.”
This incident serves as a stark reminder for all outdoor adventurers to exercise caution and ensure they are fully prepared before embarking on journeys in remote, challenging environments like Big Bend Ranch State Park.
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