Need rec for destination in west TX or NM

We will be traveling to Big Bend Jan 6-14 and our next stop after that is Albuquerque Jan 22-27, so we need to find somewhere in between. We'd like a place that is above freezing during the day and we have to have cell service so my husband can work. And El Paso is not a place we want to visit again.

Anybody have any recommendations? We like to hike and bike so near to places where we can do that. I'm out of ideas.

Is Las Cruces worth visiting for a week?

Janis
Austin, TX