Travelilng through Colorado

[frankd]

Starting on Oct. 1st, Barb and I will be travelling with some friends, heading west from Illinois and ending up in Albuquerque in time for the Balloon Fiesta. Our daughter lives in Albuquerque, and we were out there last year for the Fiesta. We live in northern Illinois, and our friends live in the southern tip, so it'll probably be best for us to meet near St. Louis, and head west to Colorado Springs. I've already decided that I want to ride through Wolf Creek Pass (again), and then like C.W. Mcall says in the song, end up in downtown Pagosa Springs, and from there we'll travel down to Sante Fe, and into Albuquerque. Something else I'd like to do is to ride up Pikes Peak. Is this too late in the year to think of doing that on a bike, or is there a posibilty that the freshly paved road up will be snow free? Any other suggestions of things to do in south west Colorado?

 

We went to Sante Fe & Los Alamos last year, but our friends have never stopped there, so that's a stop we'll take. Also in the plans are to ride south from Albuquerque and visit Roswell. Anybody know of anything else to see in New Mexico??

 

Frank D.

[BigLenny]

Frankd, Great questions. There is a high possibility my wife and I are about to change our eastern trip to a western trip Thursday due to hurricane Isaac. I'm interested in seeing what people suggest.

[Redneck]

There are a lot of nice places to see in NM Eagle nest is one of my favorites ,Red river ,angel fire ,taos. If you are going to be in Los Alamos take hwy4 to Jemez springs it will t into 550 go left and you will come out at Bernalillo (north end of Albuquerque)

photo 1 is between Los Alamos and Jemez springs photo 2 is Eagle nest nm.

[Guest tx2sturgis]

If you can divert thru Taos area, there are lots of 'shoppertunities' awaiting in the Taos Plaza, the females will love it. Good New Mexican food, and entertainment also. On the way in (or out, depending on your route) ride over to the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge and park on the west rest area...good view of the bridge and the canyon below.

 

The towns of Red River, Eagle Nest, and Cimarron are beautiful little towns up in the southern Rockies, the vistas are impressive, the nights are coolish, the local food is wonderful, and the people are friendly. The cool night air is filled with the sweet, sharp smell of millions of pine trees. The Enchanted Circle is a great ride....and for some reason, your bike will get almost TWICE its usual MPG on this ride. If you dont get better mileage, go back and ride it again, SLOWER!

 

Highway 434 from Mora to AngelFire is a skinny paved road that takes you up to around 9000 ft and winds it way between individual trees. Again...GO SLOW!

 

But in this area, dont ride out of town after dark, the local wildlife can be thick. ESPECIALLY around Bobcat Pass.

 

Albuquerque, in addition to the Balloon Fiesta, offers up the Sandia Tramway, Historic Old Town, and the nitelife on Central. And of course casinos. Hard Rock Casino, Route 66 Casino, Santa Anna Star Casino...pick your poison. They all offer great food and entertainment, as well as a plethora of one-armed bandits. Almost every meal in New Mexico is ordered with Red or Green Chili, I prefer the Green. Possibly cheesecake doesnt come with chili, but damn near everything else does.

 

After youve consumed that half-gallon sized burrito or 2pound cheeseburger loaded with famous Hatch Green Chilis, be sure to order that Fried Ice Cream dessert...it is to die for!

 

If you smoke, you can buy cheap cigarettes on the reservations, or in the casinos.

 

Roswell, of course has the Roswell Alien Museum. ET Phone Home.

 

Dont forget Ruidoso, and the Ruidoso Downs Race Track and Casino. You could win LOTS of money. Or not.

 

If you happen to ride thru that area check out Cloudcroft, and then head on down towards Alamogordo...Visually stunning, as you approach White Sands.

 

Lets see...I've probably taken all your free days and extra vacation money....I'll stop now.

 

 

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Edited August 28, 2012 by tx2sturgis

[Redneck]

Trying pics again.

[TwoStars]

The Million Dollar Highway (Rt 550) connecting Montrose and Durango, CO is an interesting ride - shear drops with no guard rails. I'm told that it freaks some people out. I thoroughly enjoyed it, even on the Venture beast.

 

Check out the following picture I pulled of the internet, as I was too preoccupied to take my own pictures:

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3d/Million_Dollar_Highway_10_2006_09_13.jpg

Edited August 29, 2012 by TwoStars

[Redneck]

The Million Dollar Highway (Rt 550) connecting Montrose and Durango, CO is an interesting ride - shear drops with no guard rails. I'm told that it freaks some people out. I thoroughly enjoyed it, even on the Venture beast.

 

Check out the following picture I pulled of the internet, as I was too preoccupied to take my own pictures:

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3d/Million_Dollar_Highway_10_2006_09_13.jpg

I'm in Silverton now and rode 550 today and it is an awesome ride.

[Redneck]

Pics of the million dollar hwy aka Colorado 550 from today's ride. This road is nothing short of spectacular.