North-Central New Mexico road suggestions

I'm heading down that way (solo) in 3-4 weeks and have an idea of where I want to ride. I only plan on taking 3-4 days but can afford to be a little flexible if there are additional roads or sites worth taking the time for.

Here's the route I'm looking at. <Clicky>

Do any of you locals have suggestions? I'm also open to dining and lodging recommendations since I have no real plans at all.

Thanks,

Dave

pinhead said:

I'm heading down that way (solo) in 3-4 weeks and have an idea of where I want to ride. I only plan on taking 3-4 days but can afford to be a little flexible if there are additional roads or sites worth taking the time for.
Do any of you locals have a suggestions? I'm also open to dining and lodging recommendations since I have no real plans at all.

Thanks,

Dave

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I'm not a local, but your route looks to get you close to Chaco Canyon. If you have any interest in archeology, it's a must see site. The road going in from the highway is dirt (13+ miles), but not too bad as long as it doesn't rain. I would plan to spend at least a half a day, but a day is better. You can also get a back country pass so you can take a trail up the cliff (steep climb, but not "climbing") and get a good overview of the site, and good pictures. If it rains while you're there, it's a real bitch riding out. Took me 3 hours, but I didn't drop the bike . There's also a nice campground just north of Chama, if you're camping.

Thanks for the suggestion James. I'll definitely check that out if time and weather allow. A little dirt won't scare me off.

James said:

pinhead said:

Do any of you locals have suggestions?

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I'm not a local, but...

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I shouldn't have sounded so selective :blush2: Good advice is welcome from anyone :fool:

also not local but that part from Taos to Santa Fe looks good to me. If you are in Taos at mealtime check out Orlando's (just about where your "B" point is). In Santa Fe: La Choza or Harry's Roadhouse. Both excellent.

Then on 84 is Abiquiu. don't know if you are a fan of Georgia O'Keeffe but you could stop by Ghost Ranch there and check it out and also take a look at a cabin frm the movie City Slickers if you like. Ranging on west of Abiquiu is unknown to me. I don't think you can go wrong, though.

Sounds like a good trip!

Lee B. said:

If you are in Taos at mealtime check out Orlando's (just about where your "B" point is). In Santa Fe: La Choza or Harry's Roadhouse. Both excellent.

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That's exactly what I'm looking for. Thank you for the tips. I think I've been to Orlando's before, but I can't remember for sure. I'll definitely try it this time.

On your route:

• On state route 17 west of Antonito in the little town of Orca (at the intersection of For. Rd. 250) is a little lodge/eating place -- it's not fancy, but good and the Mexican is authentic.
• On US 84 approaching Abiquiu is the Abiquiu Lodge and my dual-sport buddies and I stayed and ate there on our Cont. Div. ride -- it was very nice (we thought), of course we were able to split the bill.

Off your route:

• Just a little north of US 84, in the little town of El Rito is the, world famous, "El Farolito" restaurant.
• Just south of your route in Cuba (on the hwy 550) is a very authentic and good Mexican restaurant -- I think the name is "Bruno's"? or similar.

I am not a local or very familiar with the area (traveled the area in a cage a couple of time) but check out https://www.motorcycleroads.us/regions/nm_mountains.html. Click on any of the Hwys listed on the right of the map for greater details.

For input on roads across the nation the home site is: https://www.motorcycleroads.us/index.html. I have found for the roads that I have check out and ridden, the input on the site was pretty accurate.

Enjoy your ride….

charismaticmegafauna said:

Just a little north of US 84, in the little town of El Rito is the, world famous, "El Farolito" restaurant.

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Um, yup. This looks like one I don't want to miss :dribble:



That right there is right up my alley. :yahoo:

AethonFJR said:

...check out https://www.motorcycleroads.us/regions/nm_mountains.html. Click on any of the Hwys listed on the right of the map for greater details.

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I actually stumbled upon that site while searching out roads for this trip. It definitely helped. Thanks for the tip.

This from one of Adventure Cycling's maps of The Great Divide Mountain Bike Route:

(Cuba NM) "Not the least noteworthy of its attractions is El Bruno's Ristorante y Cantina, arguably the best Mexican-food eatery on or in close proximity to the entire Great Divide Route."

I concur -- and that G.D.R. is some 2800 miles long.

If you're planning to check out the little town of El Rito? -- then you might want to take a look at (nearby) Ojo Caliente too. And, maybe?, 'take the waters'? These old 'Spanish Land Grant' style towns have been around for a long time and have been largely by-passed by modernity.

Local here. Great choice in roads, those are some of my favorite.

Couple of issues.

1) Keep an eye out on the road from about 15 miles north of Cuba all the way into Cuba. It is a very well known cop fund raising area and the locals are a bit more strict than state cops.

2) Watch out on the road from Cuba to that lake NE of there. There are a couple of cow gates (they use round pipes) with 1-2 that are near curves, just becareful on them.

3) When you reach Bernallilo you will need to continue south on I-25 to I-40 then head east. That road you have on the map is a dirt road and while it's usually okay any wetness turns it into a mud bog at various points.

Good Luck and have fun. I'm in Albuquerque so pm me if you need something. -Joe

charismaticmegafauna said:

(Cuba NM) "Not the least noteworthy of its attractions is El Bruno's Ristorante y Cantina, arguably the best Mexican-food eatery on or in close proximity to the entire Great Divide Route."I concur... If you're planning to check out the little town of El Rito? -- then you might want to take a look at (nearby) Ojo Caliente too. And, maybe?, 'take the waters'?

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Thanks for the tips. I marked Bruno's on the GPS. A coworker and rider friend of mine also recommended Ojo Caliente. I plan on stopping by to take a look but I don't know if I'll have a soak.

tindjin said:

1) Keep an eye out on the road from about 15 miles north of Cuba all the way into Cuba. It is a very well known cop fund raising area and the locals are a bit more strict than state cops.

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Good to know!

tindjin said:

2) Watch out on the road from Cuba to that lake NE of there. There are a couple of cow gates (they use round pipes) with 1-2 that are near curves, just becareful on them.

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Noted!

tindjin said:

3) When you reach Bernallilo you will need to continue south on I-25 to I-40 then head east. That road you have on the map is a dirt road and while it's usually okay any wetness turns it into a mud bog at various points.

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The weather isn't looking so good so I've changed my route to avoid that section. Thanks for the heads-up.

tindjin said:

I'm in Albuquerque so pm me if you need something. -Joe

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Will do. I'm hoping to hit the road sometime this weekend, but I'm not sure the weather is going to let me. :angry:

Dave

NM Just saw the ride report.