I’ve heard some interesting things about Marfa, TX, and thought it might have some potential for a fun training weekend in the middle of nowhere. Has anyone been? I know Ft. Davis is nearby-ish and has some good riding. Anyone have any tales from Marfa??? Road quality?
I don’t really know much about Marfa except for the fact that there are supposed to be some mysterious lights way out in the middle of nowhere. I guess that’s their real claim to fame. Is there somewhere to swim in Marfa?
You can travel less distance and find somewhere better to train in my opinion. How about San Angelo? You can open water swim at the Middle Concho River and run “The Dirt Road From Hell” which is the run course of the Wool Capital Triathlon in August.
The Wool Cap is an under appreciated gem of a race that’s been around for 20 years. It’s very low key but just about all the big time Texas triathletes have done it at one time or another.
When we going?
UT has an observatory in Ft. Davis. I don’t know what that has to do with riding.
You will enjoy its high-end shopping:
Dancing:
Top notch resort:
now if you meant Malta, it’s a different story…
you choose your marfa…
I would think Marfa would be a great place to ride and run. I haven’t been out there in a while, though(I am about halfway between Austin and Marfa). It IS fun to get a six pack and go look for the Marfa lights:) I have also heard that there is some great art and some really fun things to do there. As for San Angelo, I go swim there 3x a week…wouldn’t swim in the M. Concho. The Wool Capital is a great little race, doing it this year. If you go there to train, let me know:)
My friend and I did a training trip out there last winter and posted extensively on it – http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?post=1135142;search_string=alisha%20alicia;#1135142
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Marfa is a must-do for some long-distance mind-clearing training… amazing night skies too… two girls trained there this past winter and posted on it here on Slowtwtich.
I live down the road a bit; was just thataway a couple of weekends ago- I’d probably pic Ft. Davis to stay and train out of- the roads are skinny 2 laners, twisty turny, some good short steep climbs, or ride out toward Balmorhea Park, swim in the spring fed pool there (natural rock bottom and fish, CLEAR) then bike back up to Ft. Davis, alt. is 47-4800, Marfa is 49-5000 alt. not much traffic on the roads but when it goes by it’s 70mph.
Great off road training as well- nice and cool even now in the middle of summer
You tell me… you’re the one with the busy schedule.
btw - do you and the mrs want to go tubing this weekend?
3h down the road…only in Texas 
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posted 80mph the whole way baby!
I don’t know what kind of training getaways you go on, but I don’t go shopping for designer clothes on mine…
And I believe the Thunderbird was bought by a trendy hotel in Austin (Hotel San Jose), and it’s supposed to be pretty cool. So there!
I was looking at the website for Chinati Hot Springs and am intrigued by the description of the springs: “the waters contain lithium, arsenic, and a variety of other natural healing minerals.”
Don’t listen to Frenchie sis, Hell Paso people get tons of lithium from their water…messes em up.
I have the quick trip to Oklahoma this weekend so I can’t tube this weekend damn it! You still want to ride the Katy ride? I need to get my lazy butt back to training. Only the two rides since IMCDA. After this weekend I am back on.
Lithium should at least cut down on the bipolar situation in EP…
Yes for Katy. Definitely.
It was specifically requested that you come tubing. Apparently you are the life of the party. I’ll let you know when they plan to go again…
You know me…a party waiting to happen.
I am in for next time as long as we are in town
anyone else get the feeling the name marfa is a misspelling of martha?
It’s Texas. Anything is possible. Oh wait, that’s Ironman’s motto.
the town was named after Marfa Waffinton would be my guess.
underated giggle.
As a former west Texas boy, Marfa was nothing more than a small oil patch in the absolute middle of nowhere; however, in the last 10 years, it has become (believe it or not) a haven for artists (mainly contemporary). Similarly, there are a ton of east and west coasters living/vacationing there…it is quite amusing. Also, for those that do not know, the Prada store pictured above is simply art…irony at its best.
Should be a great place to ride.