DKinsey Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 I'm headed to Moab from Houston Texas in March and looking for route suggestions after I'm in New Mexico. Last Year I went to Ouray Colorado via Las Vegas New Mex.based on some suggestions made here and that was nice.Wondering if I should work my way via Las Vegas NM. again or catch 550 @ Albuquerque and head up from there.Is 550 as nice in NM as Colorado? Thanks! Link to comment
johnlt Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 One alternative would be to go north out of Las Cruces on I25 to 152. Take 152 to Silver City then 180 north to 78. Ten 78 west to 191. The run up 191 (the old 666) to Alpine AZ is one of the most fantastic motorcycle roads in the country (~100 miles). Check weather before because much of it is over 9K feet. 191 goes all the way to Moab. Link to comment
** Chris ** Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 I agree with Johnlt. 191 is a great road! 152 is pretty fun also. More fun in the daylight than at night. Link to comment
Twisties Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 I think that is a great idea. We rode it last March around the middle of the month and it was touch and go, but a great ride. You will need winter gear, and check the road report as previously suggested. We had 20' walls of snow on the sides of the road, lots of rocks down, ice encroaching from margins, but always a dry path through. We had high wind from I-40 north, and I understand it is common that time of year there. Allow for Canyon De Chelly if you are interested. We broke off 191 at Many Farms and ran up through Monument Valley (163 from Kayenta to Mexican Hat). Another alternative, if you have the interest would be to come through Chaco Canyon. Not much in the way riding, but Chaco is worthwhile. Link to comment
Whip Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 If ya get on 191 to far south you'll end up on I-10 forever. The way you went the first time is pretty good or............ We go north in Junction(off I-10) on 83, 87, Big Springs, Mule Shoe, Clovis, Tucumcari NM, then stay on I-40 to Gallup over to Ganado then 191 to Blanding and then Moab. I like I-40 better than I-10. BTW....550 in NM is nothin like 550 in CO. Matter of fact I've never been on a road like 550 in Colorado....maybe "Going to the Sun" in Glacier NP. Good Luck and have fun!!!! Link to comment
Twisties Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 BTW....550 in NM is nothin like 550 in CO. We would typically go through Abiquiu, Tierra Amarilla, Chama, Pagosa Springs when going from ABQ to Durango when we lived in Durango, but I don't know that I'd recommend it on a bike in March. Maybe check the road report. Link to comment
hopz Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 I have some experience in what you want, but... you need to know that March can still be problematic in the mountains of N.M. Take the highway from Amarillo to Dalhart. Dalhart to Raton area, Raton to Eagles Nest/Taos via 64. 64 to 84. 84 to 160 thru/by Durango to Mancos- north on 145 to Telluride. West on 46 thru Naturita to Utah and LaSalle Junction, north to Moab. Unforgettable route/trip. The key is 64 through Eagles Nest. If that is open go for it. I used to be Road Captain for a rather large group of riders from Cut 'N Shoot Texas. I led a group of 70 bikes from the northern edge of Houston to Grand Junction, CO on this route... (well most of it) for a gathering. I think of this as the Best of the West. PM me for details. Link to comment
Whip Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 Dalhart to Raton sucks....87/64 45mph speed limit more LEOs than bugs. 4 lane smooth flat and straight. Makes ya wanna scream. Link to comment
hopz Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 Whip said... Dalhart to Raton sucks....87/64 Whip is right, but the OP has already been to Las Vegas, NM (best breakfast place in the country by the way...)(shoot, on second thought, if it was me I'd just go back to LV and eat breakfast, again.) Anything south towards I-40 and beyond is just flat and well, like West Texas. Besides, by the time you get to Dalhart most anything looks better. If there is a better way to get to the Eastern end of New Mexico Highway 64 I'd like to know it too. Link to comment
DKinsey Posted January 27, 2009 Author Share Posted January 27, 2009 Great suggestions...all. I am gonna save all these suggestions and use what I can this time,kinda weather/time permitting.Hopz what is the hot set-up for breakfast in LV? I stayed at the Plaza Hotel last time and it was pretty cool, the restaurant was good for dinner and breakfast. I may spend the night there and work my way to Moab from there... Link to comment
hopz Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 I cannot tell you the name of the restaurant despite having been there a dozen times. It is downtown, across the street from a small park/empty lot where the locals have a Flea Market on the weekends. I usually find it by driving south on the highway (Grand Ave) and looking to my right. When I see the pick up trucks I just head there. Scrambled eggs and Green Chili... bacon on the side. Link to comment
Yeeha! Stephen Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 Dalhart to Raton sucks....87/64 45mph speed limit more LEOs than bugs. 4 lane smooth flat and straight. Makes ya wanna scream. Most of the construction in that stretch is complete and the speed limit is back up. And you could always visit the Capulin Volcano... Link to comment
jjsrt Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 I am planning a run from wisconsin to denver in late May. iwould like to go through the mounument valley area on the way to Scottsdale. Any sugguestions out of Denver? Whats the weather like late May? any advice would be appreciated! Regards,JJ P.s. cabin fever sucks!!! Link to comment
Twisties Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 I am planning a run from wisconsin to denver in late May. iwould like to go through the mounument valley area on the way to Scottsdale. Any sugguestions out of Denver? Whats the weather like late May? any advice would be appreciated! Regards,JJ P.s. cabin fever sucks!!! How much time do you want to take from Denver to Scottsdale? Are you interested in things like Mesa Verde? Link to comment
Whip Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Dalhart to Raton sucks....87/64 45mph speed limit more LEOs than bugs. 4 lane smooth flat and straight. Makes ya wanna scream. Most of the construction in that stretch is complete and the speed limit is back up. And you could always visit the Capulin Volcano... I don't remember seein any construction..........I am glad the speed limit is up though. Link to comment
jjsrt Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 A couple of days.... I just got my BMW ON magzine Jan. it has an article on Monument Valley. Looks interesting, any input would be great! L8tr JJ Link to comment
Twisties Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 Monument Valley is one of the most photographed places on earth. The riding is straight and sometimes windy, particularly in spring. In late May roads will be open unless there is a storm. Weather is typically fine, but last year we had people delayed in getting to Spring Torrey in CO. It can happen. Here is a Two Day Route that will pick up some seriously fine CO riding, from the I-70 exit to Durango. I-70 is not bad at all in the included stretch, I love Glenwood Canyon. You could make an even better 3 day trip of it This Way, as the section on 191 south of I-40 is superb. Enjoy your ride. Link to comment
jjsrt Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 Thanks Twisties...I'll make it a good one! Regards, JJ Link to comment
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