I took some time last weekend to ride a portion of the "Shadow of the Rockies" ride in New Mexico. I would describe it as easy riding on dirt, gravel, and a small bit of 4-wheel drive trails. I did the northern section last weekend and wondered if anyone else might be interested in doing any of this ride. I have the a map of the trail - anyone at all interested? I might be going out again in a week or two. first I need a new rear tire - got 7500 on the bike and the tire is near bald. let me know. Mike
New Mexico dirt roads
- Thread starter mrpincher
- Start date
Just watch out for the New Mexico dirt roads after a thunderstorm, especially the ones with a lot of clay. I've been on NM dirt roads that you can average 60 mph on when dry, but be absolutely and completely impassible, even on a 4WD an hour later. Slickest mud roads I've ever experienced.
- Mark
- Mark
I'm learning a bit of that - my inexperience in the dirt had me over thinking this water crossing. I dodged the water and took to the narrow cemented rim. I'm having a blast nonetheless - ::003::
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I would be up for the ride...
I'm in albuquerque, and haven't been on the road your speaking of.
I qould like to see any maps or anything you might have available...
Bart
I'm in albuquerque, and haven't been on the road your speaking of.
I qould like to see any maps or anything you might have available...
Bart
Hey - sounds great. Lets meet up somewhere, I'm sure you'll have a long list of rides to do by next spring. I"m in Amarillo - it doesn't take me but a few hours to get real close to Albuquerque. I had a blast riding in New Mexico last fall. I plan to head back that way next spring. Nice roads and little traffic, off the beaten path.
The site http://www.dualsportmaps.com/ has some good ideas for riding.
I'll dig up my googlemaps links to the route I took last fall and post them here.
edit = fixed map link
The site http://www.dualsportmaps.com/ has some good ideas for riding.
I'll dig up my googlemaps links to the route I took last fall and post them here.
edit = fixed map link
There's a little-known but very cool map published by AAA called the "Indian Country Guide Map" that is great for exploring the N. NM, N. AZ, S. UT, and S. CO areas. Hard to find, but if you're a AAA member, some offices have it on the shelf.
- Mark
- Mark
4 corners area, nice country up there. Do you know if you need a permit to ride on Navajo reservation?
Down here close to home, we need a permit to ride on most of the indian land. if caught without a permit, your vehicle will be impounded.
that dualsport map site is great, thanks for posting the link. I'm looking forward to hitting some of those this summer!
Down here close to home, we need a permit to ride on most of the indian land. if caught without a permit, your vehicle will be impounded.
that dualsport map site is great, thanks for posting the link. I'm looking forward to hitting some of those this summer!
Sorry I'm no help with BIA regulations. I hit a road closed sign down near Mescalero on the reservation, after much thought I turned around. Glad I did if the the penalty is an impounded bike.
When the weather settles- let's pick a road/trail and meet up for a ride? I have nothing bettter to do. ::013:: Looks like there are a few to choose from on that map link. Paved or dirt - I do not care.
Most of the nicer roads I took were in southern NM. But that's because I was east of the mountains. I took a heinous dirt trail near El Capitan NM. Shook me hard enough to chip a tooth. I'll draw a big red X on that route.
Let's keep in touch.
When the weather settles- let's pick a road/trail and meet up for a ride? I have nothing bettter to do. ::013:: Looks like there are a few to choose from on that map link. Paved or dirt - I do not care.
Most of the nicer roads I took were in southern NM. But that's because I was east of the mountains. I took a heinous dirt trail near El Capitan NM. Shook me hard enough to chip a tooth. I'll draw a big red X on that route.
Let's keep in touch.
sounds good!
I think I'm going to look into this little loop north of the Jemez. This is pretty remote, but looks like it's mostly dirt roads and stuff.
The weather has been nice lately, maybe I can squeeze it in next weekend.
::001::
I think I'm going to look into this little loop north of the Jemez. This is pretty remote, but looks like it's mostly dirt roads and stuff.
The weather has been nice lately, maybe I can squeeze it in next weekend.
::001::
::015:: Is there any snow up there in the Carson natl forest?? Got yer mud tires on? Is that route dirt or tarmac?
I Just got back from a 60 miles dirt ride along the caprock. Just beautiful easy riding. Didn't see a single car or truck. The roads are in perfect shape right now. Even the sand is firm or not as deep right now.
I'm taking the bike in for the 12,000 mile service this Wednesday. Will see how things look after that.
Were you thinking of going for Sat & Sunday?
Mike
I Just got back from a 60 miles dirt ride along the caprock. Just beautiful easy riding. Didn't see a single car or truck. The roads are in perfect shape right now. Even the sand is firm or not as deep right now.
I'm taking the bike in for the 12,000 mile service this Wednesday. Will see how things look after that.
Were you thinking of going for Sat & Sunday?
Mike
Yes, at the moment, there is snow up there, and the roads are probably very muddy.
I did a short loop east of the Manzano mountains here, it was pretty tough terrain, and got very muddy in some spots from the snowmelt.
I was shocked to see another bike on the trail. ??? I stopped for breather at the top of the trail, which had some spectacular views, before returning.
Probably only about a 50 miles ride. ::001::
Yes, I was thinking of going both days one of these weekends, maybe mid April. Our windy season is starting up, probably blowing over by you as well.
Spring is right around the corner!
I did a short loop east of the Manzano mountains here, it was pretty tough terrain, and got very muddy in some spots from the snowmelt.
I was shocked to see another bike on the trail. ??? I stopped for breather at the top of the trail, which had some spectacular views, before returning.
Probably only about a 50 miles ride. ::001::
Yes, I was thinking of going both days one of these weekends, maybe mid April. Our windy season is starting up, probably blowing over by you as well.
Spring is right around the corner!
Mike,
Been awhile since I checked this thread, I hope you have been getting in some good rides.
I rode that loop up in the carson forest, it was about 60% paved, and the rest dirt. Not too bad, there was still some snow, and of course MUD here and there. ;-)
I traded in my DR650 for a DRZ400 because I thought i would do more dirt riding, but it is geared so low, I really don't enjoy riding it UP to the mountains like I did with the DR.
I've taken my Tenere off road a few times now, but there is always MUD up there, and it gets pretty slippery. so far, I haven't laid it down. LOL
I have been riding a ton on paved roads up in Colorado on the Tenere though, and it does surprisingly well. I'm really liking the bike.
I'm planning on putting some K60's on it next tire change and I will start getting braver off road, hopefully.
I am also planning on riding the Alpine loop in colorado on my DRZ the last weekend of this month. a pre-ride to taking the Tenere up there.
Bart
Been awhile since I checked this thread, I hope you have been getting in some good rides.
I rode that loop up in the carson forest, it was about 60% paved, and the rest dirt. Not too bad, there was still some snow, and of course MUD here and there. ;-)
I traded in my DR650 for a DRZ400 because I thought i would do more dirt riding, but it is geared so low, I really don't enjoy riding it UP to the mountains like I did with the DR.
I've taken my Tenere off road a few times now, but there is always MUD up there, and it gets pretty slippery. so far, I haven't laid it down. LOL
I have been riding a ton on paved roads up in Colorado on the Tenere though, and it does surprisingly well. I'm really liking the bike.
I'm planning on putting some K60's on it next tire change and I will start getting braver off road, hopefully.
I am also planning on riding the Alpine loop in colorado on my DRZ the last weekend of this month. a pre-ride to taking the Tenere up there.
Bart
Hey Buelligan
I've been wondering how your summer's going. Too hot to think about anything around here right now.
You're going to love the K-60's, I know it. IMO - Those tires, front and rear make those gravel, dirt, rocky roads second nature for the big bike. The only thing I didn't appreciate was the way the front tire will follow the grooves, and tar snakes a bit. Watch out til you get some miles on them.
Glad to hear your getting out in the hills. I've not rode much since my early spring trip from Mexico border to just shy of Abiquiu. Was on the continental divide trail I think US8 on a section marked on the map as "rocky steep', when I came to rest against a boulder, radiator side of the Tenere. God Bless the Altrider crash bars. Had I not had those exact bars, I'm sure I would have torn the radiator clean off the bike. It was a long miserable task backing the bike down the rock field, getting the big bike outa those rocks was hard work. That kind of smack down/close call took the wind out of my sail. Though I want to go back and try it again this fall??? will see. I need to start exercising ::010:: or the easier alternative would be to start riding with another person. I've come to realize I'm just not technically proficient to charge my way through that kinda of stuff without some bruising and bouncing about. ::26:: I was stupid lucky again.
Here's a few picture of the ride.
I've been wondering how your summer's going. Too hot to think about anything around here right now.
You're going to love the K-60's, I know it. IMO - Those tires, front and rear make those gravel, dirt, rocky roads second nature for the big bike. The only thing I didn't appreciate was the way the front tire will follow the grooves, and tar snakes a bit. Watch out til you get some miles on them.
Glad to hear your getting out in the hills. I've not rode much since my early spring trip from Mexico border to just shy of Abiquiu. Was on the continental divide trail I think US8 on a section marked on the map as "rocky steep', when I came to rest against a boulder, radiator side of the Tenere. God Bless the Altrider crash bars. Had I not had those exact bars, I'm sure I would have torn the radiator clean off the bike. It was a long miserable task backing the bike down the rock field, getting the big bike outa those rocks was hard work. That kind of smack down/close call took the wind out of my sail. Though I want to go back and try it again this fall??? will see. I need to start exercising ::010:: or the easier alternative would be to start riding with another person. I've come to realize I'm just not technically proficient to charge my way through that kinda of stuff without some bruising and bouncing about. ::26:: I was stupid lucky again.
Here's a few picture of the ride.
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Mike,
How is the exercising going?
I'm in need of some exercise myself. Had a great adventure the beginning of September, traveled 3000 miles throughout Colorado for 7 days. Lots of fun. Like you, I learned the hard way about tackling some trails by myself. But still a great time, and had a true learning experience.
oops
I can relate to the smackdown, took me awhile to get the bike back up, and I still had quite a few miles to go to get down off the mountain.
We should try to plan a ride next spring/summer. At least we will have each other to help pick up the bikes.
I now have a nice dent in the left side of my tank to remind me...
How is the exercising going?
I'm in need of some exercise myself. Had a great adventure the beginning of September, traveled 3000 miles throughout Colorado for 7 days. Lots of fun. Like you, I learned the hard way about tackling some trails by myself. But still a great time, and had a true learning experience.
oops
I can relate to the smackdown, took me awhile to get the bike back up, and I still had quite a few miles to go to get down off the mountain.
We should try to plan a ride next spring/summer. At least we will have each other to help pick up the bikes.
I now have a nice dent in the left side of my tank to remind me...