Taos to Angel Fire to Mora (105 miles)įor a comparatively small place, Taos sure packs a lot in, and arty types will be right at home. There are no less than three art museums here and Novelist DH Lawrence also owned a ranch in Taos. Here, are some seriously pleasant curvy roads as the road heads south to Pinos Altos and crosses the continental divide for the second time on the route.Īnother ten miles further down the road and you will find yourself back in Silver City, just in time for fish and chips and a glass of blond ale at NM’s first microbrewery, Little Toad Creek. It’s not until you ride through unspoiled areas like the Gila though, that you realize why you sometimes need to stop and take five.Ĭarrying on the 35 north, less than 20 miles further and just past Lake Roberts you’ll pick up the 15 heading west. There’s nothing like a curvaceous well-kept road progressing through beautiful countryside to make you realize why you throw a leg over the saddle. This wilderness area is super cool and as well as being the sixth largest in the US, is the very first designated wilderness reservation in America. Just past town the 152 bends northeast through Grant County, and approximately fifteen miles later the small ranch community of San Lorenzo appears.įrom here, state route 35 heads northwest through Mimbres and into the southern edge of the Gila National Forest. Butch Cassidy’s Wild Bunch regularly kicked up in the local saloons, so the townsfolk elected Dangerous Dan Tucker as sheriff.Īnyways, head east from Silver City towards Santa Clara. This town is where Billy the Kid and his buddy Sombrero Jack got arrested twice. Strictly speaking, its name should be Copper Town, as this was the area’s first mineral find and it wasn’t until the 1860’s that prospectors discovered the far sexier silver. As Silver City is the biggest place in the area though, let’s begin there.īefore you go nailing that throttle, take a short while to check out the history of this great little town, as it’s one of those hidden NM gems, and packed with cowboy history. Maybe not the most inspiring of names, but according to the Federal Highway Administration this route also answers to, the Trail of the Mountain Spirit, Scenic Byway, which sounds way cooler.Īs it’s a loop (or a triangle if you’re feeling picky) you can start anywhere you like. Last but not least, liability insurance is mandatory to the tune of a minimum 25K per person and 10K for property. Lane splitting is a no-no, but the cops don’t mind side by siding. You will also need at least one side view mirror turn signals are optional, but mufflers are a must. Helmets are compulsory for rider and passengers if under 18, while for 18s and above, wearing a lid is optional.Įyewear is mandatory without a windshield, and if you ever fancied four-foot high apes, with no handlebar limitations, this is the place to give them a go! Finally, as a precaution let someone know where you’re heading and when to expect your return.īiker related regulations differ from state to state so read on for a quick rundown on the laws of the land. If you’re going somewhere really remote consider taking extra fuel (make sure though, to stow it out of the sun). There are plenty of sights with up-to-date gas station info, not to mention apps to download. Likewise, whenever heading off on a new journey, schedule any fuel stops you know how much you get to the gallon, so it’s easy to plan accordingly. Make sure you’ve got plenty of drinking water as staying hydrated is key to enjoying a long ride. Whenever you are planning to ride vast distances in low populated areas, common sense should prevail. From exploding nuclear bombs in Alamogordo to aliens queuing up to torment the locals in Roswell.Īs previously mentioned, the topography and climate differ greatly from bend-swinging in the north to the wide open table-flat arid vistas of the south, so take this into account when planning your motorcycle road trip. Its largest city, Albuquerque is home to over a quarter of the entire population and located almost in the center. Like all states with an abundance of space and not many residents, weird stuff happens. In the north, the state butts up to Colorado and Utah which gives the area a noticeably colder, more Alpine climate. Its southern border is the hot arid gateway to the neighboring continent of South America. However, with a mere two million residents rattling around, it’s also the sixth least populated and features 4 of the best motorcycle roads in southwest. miles. The ‘Land of Enchantment’ is the fifth largest state. The state is vast, covering well over 120,000 sq. Mention New Mexico and several thoughts immediately jump to mind.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |