27-03-2025
Don't Bust the Crust: Fat Bikers Ask Riders to Respect the Desert in New Video
The New Mexico Outside Fat Tire Society has posted a video about the importance of staying on trail in desert biomes so you don't 'bust the crust.'
'Dont Bust the Crust, Don't Make Dust' is a catchy-as-hell tune with a New Mexico/Ska groove about the importance of cryptobiotic soil in the desert, and asks riders to stay on trails to protect this important and fragile ecosystem.
While the desert may look barren to many eyes, there's actually a lot going in. Cryptobiotic (hidden life) soil is a thin universe of algae, cyanobacteria, and fungi that lives atop the ground in desert environments. This mat of life binds the desert top soil so it doesn't just blow away, and helps other plants and animals survive in these harsh climates. Cryptobiotic soil also contributes nutrients to the soil and absorbs water when it does rain, preventing water erosion and allowing other plants to benefit. Riding or stepping on it can wipe out 50 years of growth and contribute to erosion.
The song says in part:
Don't bust the crustDon't make that dustStick to the trailIt's a desert mustTread light tread true Keep the wild in viewCrypto's aliveAnd it's counting on you
Beyond the ecological lesson of staying on designated trails in the desert, the 3:43-minute-long video is a great look at the expansive Mariposa Fat Bike Trails in the high desert of Rio Rancho, New Mexico. The area north of Albuquerque is a haven for fat bike and trail riding in the high desert to the Sandia Mountain foothills. Enjoy the video here, and visit New Mexico Outside's YouTube channel for other awesome New Mexico fat bike content.
