Roads in New Mexico...??

[live4adventure]

My Father and I are new to Sport-touring, but not riding.  We've been riding sport bikes for some time and we are used to 300 to 500 mile days, two day rides.  We were thinking about going to New Mexico, we live in San Antonio, Texas.  Whats the weather normally like in November, and what are the good routes?? We both just bought C14's and are itching to go some where. Any feed back would be thankful.

[caromin]

NM has some great riding in the northern and western portions of the state, the better roads (ones with curves) tends to be at the higher altitudes which as you know usually means colder riding conditions.  NM can be odd weather wise, during November it usually gets up to the 60s in the afternoons but it's a chilly 40 something first thing in the morning.  Of course there's the odd cold snap or a late fall heat wave that does come through now and then.  Overall, be ready for some cold conditions in the mornings and late afternoons.    

[Daytona-dan]

I just finished up a month long trip. I went through San Antonio to visit my sister during the trip back from the east coast. From her place I hauled across the 10 to El Paso then north on the 25 to Alb. New Mexico. I have to admit, even though the 25 is Interstate it a pretty ride from El Paso to Albuquerque. After that head north further to Santa Fe and Taos on the 285 and 68. From there go west on the 64. The 64 from Tres Piedras to the 84 is wonderful. what a pretty ride full of curves and elevation changes. It was one of the memorable roads on my trip. I have a blog that i need to finish, as I have a few days left to enter, and then I willtry to cross post something here. My blog is www.triumph-travels.blogspot.com    give it a look and look at days 25, 26, and 27. Those are the days from San Antonio to Chama, New Mexico. If ya view the blog, make sure to click on the pictures to have them blow up full screen size.  

[MK96xj]

We've been riding sport bikes for some time and we are used to 300 to 500 mile days, two day rides.  

Hum! sounds like sport touring to me

You would probably get a better response if oyu ask in Region 2 forum.

Oh, we expect your report when you return with lots of pics

[Yamadog]

The Enchanted Circle is nice http://www.newmexico.org/MEDIA/PDF/MAPS/1311-Enchanted%20Circle_map.pdf

Ride up Sandia Crest from ABQ is short but very scenic. You could combine that with a ride on to Santa Fe through Madrid and pop into the famous Madrid Saloon.

The Jemez mountain loop http://www.newmexico.org/MEDIA/PDF/MAPS/1468-JemezMountain.pdfthrough Santa Fe and Los Alamos also good.

High Road to Taos through Truchas, Chimayo etc., is quite good! http://www.newmexico.org/MEDIA/PDF/MAPS/1463-HighRoadtoTAOS.pdf

Additional scenic routes listed here http://www.newmexico.org/directory/loc/bymap/page/DB-category/category/158.html

[zzr pilot]

I used to live in Farmington NM (northwest corner).  The weather would be cold in November there (elevation of Farmington is about 6K).  My suggestion is to head to southern Colorado if you are interested in scenery and twisties.  

Hwy 550  through Durango to Silverton and beyond to Ouray would be ideal in the summer as it is very high and very cold.  From Ouray you can head west and see the Mesa Verde area and then head south again.  They shut the road north of Silverton to Ouray during the winter due to snowfall etc.  This late in the year you would be better off doing the routes the other members mentioned, but keep Ouray in mind for next spring or summer!!

PS.  Ouray is often called "The Alps of America" for good reason!!!

[vguy]

Thanks for the road info. I'm planning a trip to southern Utah this weekend and also figuring out a 4-state (UT, CO, NM, AZ) loop for this spring/summer when all roads are open. Ever since I saw the movie "Off The Map" New Mexico looks  pretty neat. (Also: "The Tao of Steve")

[live4adventure]

It was more like super sport touring.... for me, riding a 2006 CBR1000rr usually at a very high rate of speed for 300 plus miles, can and was painful, but fun.  And I was up for doing nothing after the ride.
Now its a breeze!!!  ,  Thanks for all who have answered so far........

[robertwy]

Check the first couple and last couple of days on my last two trips on my website.  Under the "Trips" button, near the bottom, click on Glacier2006 and then on Colorado2007.  Both of these took us through parts of New Mexico.  I have the maps and photos there.  If you get into Colorado, the Colorado2007 trip has over 2400 miles of rides there with very little overlap.

Ride safe,

[Orson]

We were thinking about going to New Mexico, we live in San Antonio, Texas.  Whats the weather normally like in November, and what are the good routes??

If it's November, you may want to consider Big Bend National Park instead. I've ridden there in January in 70 degree temps.

Don't get me wrong, New Mexico is just about my favorite state, but you gotta remember, when yer talkin New Mexico, yer usually talkin' mountains, and mountains mean high altitudes where it gets downright chilly. Throw rain into the equation and it would make for a miserable time.

Anyways, as far as New Mexico roads go, NM Highway 64 cutting across the top on New Mexico is spectacular. The area around Cloudcroft & Ruidoso is also nice.

[GriffbsXX]

Take a look at HW 152 as well. Mid state, east to west and all the curves you could ask for. Of course, having said that, be careful as there are also rock and sand slides, I found one and lost my right mirror to a large rock.   Cheers...

[travlr]

Nov is getting pretty late in the season for Northern NM.  Since most good roads are at altitude, I'd stay as far south as possible, especially since you are coming in from San Antonio.  

A nice southern loop would start in Roswell looking for aliens.  Then Billy The Kid Country around Ruidoso and Cloudcroft (could get cold here, but great roads.)  South to Alamagordo and White Sands Missle Range (good musuem) and National Monument.  If you overnight in Las Cruces, don't miss Old Mesilla.  North from Las Cruces on I-25 to Hatch.  West on NM 26 then north on NM 27 to NM 152.  A great road across the Black Range to Silver City.  (lunch/coffee at the General Store in Hillsboro.)  Out of Silver City take 180 north to Reserve then Hwy 12 to Datil.  East on Hwy 60 stopping for pie in Pietown and some star gazing at the VLA (Very Large Array).  Just south of Socorro take 380 back to Roswell.  

T

[Jetboy]

Take a look at HW 152 as well. Mid state, east to west and all the curves you could ask for. Of course, having said that, be careful as there are also rock and sand slides, I found one and lost my right mirror to a large rock.   Cheers...

 

15 north out of Silver City as well.

[BigHoss]

Weather in NM during the fall can be fickle,Yesterday it was 84 degrees, today I rode to work in sleet with winds gusting to 45mph, forecast for AM is 26 degrees. Looks like later in the week we will be in the 70's.

One problem with riding the high country is the temp swing, usually as much as a 40 degree dip from day time to night fall. Layering helps but being dry and toasty in a room is best.

Last month was ideal in the high country, foliage was at it's peak and the temp was balmy during the day. There will be some nice daytime weather ahead just try to be situated in warm room at dusk.

I ride year round here and there are only a few weeks that the weather is to crappy for safe riding.

This is last Dec.