Was planning on doing a ride from TN to New Mexico and Colorado in late May, but some of my party have decided that the Colorado high elevations will still be to cool to enjoy. Now, we are talking about going on a more southerly route to include San Antonio, across W Texas, into Newv Mexico then heading back east. Any advice on scenic routes or highlights that we don't want to miss in these areas? Thanks in advance!

 

San Antonio is already hot in late May. If you're going into town you can check out the River Walk in downtown SA, but it's very touristy and crowded. I'd skip through SA and go west. You can go to Fredericksburg where they have good German food and beer; north of Fredericksburg is Enchanted Rock which is the second largest pink granite rock in the world (a 45 minute walk to the summit). You can go to Kerrville then south on old 16 to Medina on a great hill ride. From Medina go West to Vanderpool (check my blog: swriding.blogspot.com for info); then Leakey and Camp Wood then north on 335 then south on 336 that makes the circle of the Three Sisters highways, a must in the hill country. Keep going West to Fort Stockton then go South to Marathon which is north of Big Bend National Park. Enter park and go to the Chisos Basin then exit on West side of Big Bend at Study Butte; go north to Alpine. Go West to Fort Davis and visit Fort Davis State Park and then the McDonald Observatory which is the highest point in Texas for TxDot highways. Go north back to Fort Stockton then Pecos and enter New Mexico. Go to Cloud Croft or Ruidoso then north to Santa Fe and Toas. Go to Durango, CO and then West to Mesa Verde National Park (not too cold).

 

+1 on the Three Sisters (335,336 & 337) plus most of the roads in the are like 16 are just as good. Just watch your gas if your riding on west of San Antonio, the stations get few and far between unless your near the Interstate. If you see a sign Next Gas 128 miles...believe it!

 

Going west out of San Antonio on the interstate there really isn't much to talk about after you get past the Hill Country around Kerrville. The speed limit goes to 80 mph past Kerrville which is a good thing but the bad side is your mileage goes to hell in a hurry. Pedalling hard trying to stay ahead of 18 wheelers going 85+ is not really my idea of a great ride. Even getting off of the interstate and wandering out through west Texas north of I10 is still a lot of nothing. I have ridden it several times from San Antonio to Colorado and you just kind of have to gut it up and get through it. If you have time the ride out Hwy 90 through Del Rio and on through Big Bend is much better, some time spent in Big Bend National Park is worth it, but watch your fuel planning, gas stations are pretty far apart through there. San Antonio itself is a great town, spend some time on the River Walk and ride through Bandera and the 3 sisters is very nice but takes a lot of time.

Between Durango and Grand Junction up the Delores river is a little town called Gateway, it has a great resort area, nice restaurant, some of the rooms have a hot tub on the patio and a really nice car musem, that is well worth the stop for a night. Almost any riding in western Colorado is super, you will of course have to do the ride from Durango to Silverton then across the million dollar highway into Ouray, ultra scenic, but in late May the weather can be a little iffy. The Molas Pass is almost 11,000 feet and you can get some pretty spunky weather almost anytime.

 

jemez area, and the enchanted circle, both in northern new mexico, are beautiful. lots of small towns, good food, and casinos in new mexico, if those interest you.

 

we were out in big bend about 3 weeks ago and temperatures were already close to 100 degrees...all of texas will be hot the end of may. in colorado some of the high mountain passes are still closed for off-roading, but the highways are fine. it is pretty cool early in the morning--sleep late, eat breakfast and hit the road after 9 a.m..

you choose--beautiful mountains and wonderful riding with the possibility of a little cold weather, or go to texas and know you are going to be hot, sun-burned, and uncomfortable all day every day. born in texas 63 years ago and still live here. we head to the mountains anytime we get a chance!!

 

Southern New Mexico - Carlsbad Caverns, Roswell (International UFO Museum), Lincoln NM(Billy the Kid stomping grounds), Ruidoso, Alamogordo NM (Space Museum), Hillsborro (Emory Pass) and Socorro NM(Very Large Array).

Northern New Mexico - Tijeras Canyon, Turquoise Trail (Madrid "Wild Hogs"), Santa Fe, Chama, Taos, Red River, Eagles Nest and Raton.

Look these up for more in depth information. Plenty of good places to ride and alot of history.

Enjoy you visit in our state!

 

If you head north out of the Big Bend area, at Marfa take hwy 17 to Ft Davis, then hwy 118 to I10 west to HwY 54 TO Gaualope Mtn National Park, then Hwy 62/180 to Carlsbad. Spend the Nite, Next day take hwy 258 N. about 10 miles out of town take hwy 137 to Sitting Bull Falls, Then to the end of the road, Then ride is well worth the detour. Half way is a Cafe with big hambers. Be sure you fill up in Carlsbad. Then to Croftcloud. If you have time, go to Silver City, Off I25 take hwy 152, lots of shape curves , so watch your speed. Out of Silver City, go to Gila bend Cliff Dewelling.

If you Google Motorcyle rides New mexico, silver City or any of the other places that you might like to go, there are lots of ride information , maps, GPS Corrdinaces and trip reports. have a great time. So Links.

http://www.sundaymorningrides.com/road/states/NM.shtml

http://www.sundaymorningrides.com/road/states/TX.shtml


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Robert

 

Thanks for all of the info. Don't think we will be able to make it inti Colorado. Are there any other areas in New Mexico worth mentioning?

 

if you're into it, there's lots of hot springs scattered through new mexico. also, lots of indian ruins, chaco canyon, bandelier, canyon de chelles, as well as pueblos with people still living in them: taos (mentioned before), acoma, etc.