This scenic byway in North Central New Mexico consists of a series of connected two-lane roads that encircle 13,161-foot Wheeler Peak, the highest mountain in New Mexico. This area was the destination of feverish prospecting in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Over millions of years, volcanic activity had deposited gold, silver, copper, and lead, […]

In the 2009 documentary The National Parks: America’s Best Idea, Director Ken Burns spoke about the grandeur of a world known as Yellowstone National Park, as well as less familiar National Park Service areas, such as Abó Ruins, an integral part of Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument in New Mexico. Burns once said: “We are […]

New Mexico has some of the best, less-traveled parks in America. Whether you go north or south, east or west, it is so rewarding. This state is rich in history with scenery straight out of Georgia O’Keeffe’s paintings. Everyone loves New Mexico, especially on a motorcycle. I was born in the small village of La […]

The art of creating Damascus steel, that extraordinary blade with the wavy design seen in antique knives and swords from the Middle East, is lost to mankind. Speculation suggests multiple layers of metals were forged, folded, and welded together to form a single blade of exceptional quality. Certain aspects of adventure travel have a similar […]

The Turquoise Trail, a designated National Scenic Byway, is believed to be an ancient path used by native people for traveling between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, NM. Iconic geological formations are plentiful along the route. People of European descent were first attracted to the area in the 19th century to mine precious metals. This ruggedly […]

Following U.S. 285 north from Santa Fe, and then SR 68, riders take the exit for New Mexico 76. The route travels through a landscape that is rich in history, culture, art, and scenic beauty. Points of Interest: Highlights of the three two-lane roads include: SR 76: High desert terrain takes motorcyclists through the village of […]

Our route out of Rawlins, WY, takes us through the city’s center before turning south and heading out of town. It is a great day for riding, with mostly clear skies and cool temperatures, as we enter the Medicine Bow National Forest. Not far from the Colorado border we come upon Aspen Alley, a peaceful […]

“To those devoid of imagination a blank place on the map is a useless waste; to others, the most valuable part.” 
Author, Aldo Leopold As motorcyclists, we are by nature attracted to the lines and dots on a map. However, those blank places that 
Leopold referenced are what make a tour visually stunning. Thankfully we […]

Desert Solitude – Each week RoadRUNNER Magazine is releasing a “Tour of the Week” from our extensive archives. The tour article, along with downloadable maps and GPS files, will be available for free, but only for a week! This week’s Rockville, IN Shamrock Tour was originally featured in the Jan/Feb 2012 issue.

3400 Miles and a Mountain of Memories – It was amazing. A ride along the Great Divide has been a goal of mine for years. The fact that it was a tribute for my father and a fundraiser for Alzheimer’s research made it extremely significant to me personally. You can see the details in my […]

Beginning at the route’s western terminus in San Ysidro, the SR-4 ascends steep gradients into the Jemez Mountains and Santa Fe National Forest. Hairpin turns await riders on the steep descent down the east side of the Jemez Mountains. SR-501 branches off of SR-4 for any riders who want to take a short side trip […]

Each week RoadRUNNER Magazine will be releasing a “Tour of the Week” from our extensive archives. The tour article, along with downloadable maps and GPS files, will be available for free, but only for a week! This week’s Southwest New Mexico Tour comes from RoadRUNNER‘s Jan/Feb 2006 issue.

This loop ride north of Albuquerque, with its rugged natural beauty, pre-historic Native American ruins, and the “Atomic City,” will not disappoint. It features curvy ribbons of asphalt, expansive vistas, and numerous reasons to drop the kickstand. The moderate southwestern climate makes this route ride-able virtually year-round with the appropriate gear.

Finally! Today is the day I leave Oklahoma. I am not so much excited to be leaving Oklahoma, as I am to know that I will soon be home in Colorado, my halfway point on the TAT. I have been on the road for about a month since first leaving Connecticut. I am really looking […]

If you needed any more incentive to attend KTM’s 11th annual Adventure Rally, this video will give you all that and more. The rally will take place September 19-21 in Taos, NM. You can get all the info you need from our previous post here.   Want to receive free Touring Tips, reviews, deals and contests, […]