New Mexico

A collection of 54 posts

Accommodations

Review: Historic El Rancho Hotel—Gallup, NM

Riding into the sunset, we followed freight trains into Gallup, NM. The tracks run alongside Route 66 for miles, and we chased them to the soft glow of El Rancho Hotel’s red neon lights. El Rancho Hotel is a true spaghetti Western legend. Built in 1936–37 by R.

The Great American Road Trip Premium Content

Part 3: California Dreamin'

“I’ve got five miles of range left on reserve,” I muttered nervously through the helmet comms to Florian and Caleb as we passed a sign that said the next fuel stop was 24 miles away. “Crap, I’ve got seven,” Caleb chimed in. I still don’t know how

Classic Roads Premium Content

US 70 in New Mexico: An Out-of-this-world Journey

US 70 is a highway that once stretched coast-to-coast through the southern half of the country. Having been rerouted several times, it currently travels from North Carolina to Arizona. Along this historical and scenic road, the 68-mile section in New Mexico between the cities of Las Cruces and Alamogordo stands

Travel Guide

RoadRUNNER’S Favorite Attractions Along Route 66

Route 66 and roadside attractions go hand in hand. At 2,448 miles in length, the Mother Road sure has plenty of wild, wonderful, and weird sights to see. In fact, there might be a few too many. One of the most difficult parts of planning a ride on Route

Travel Guide

Where We Stopped on Route 66 from Missouri to New Mexico

One of the best parts of traveling Route 66 is the abundance of quirky and unforgettable roadside attractions. Here are a few of our favorite stops along the middle stretch of The Mother Road, from our summer 2024 tour The Great American Road Trip leading up to the route’s

Destinations

Gallup, NM—The Gateway to Native America

Considering they’re the original inhabitants of the land, Native American influence can be felt throughout the U.S. However, in few places does it remain as strong as in Gallup, NM. This city of roughly 22,000 residents sits amidst the New Mexico desert, some 20 miles east of

The Great American Road Trip Premium Content

Part 2: The Golden Age of The Mother Road

Three scruffy bikers walked into a bar, boots dusty from the road and their eyes sharp as the edge of a Bowie knife. They weren’t looking for trouble—although trouble had a way of finding their kind. Outside, their Harley-Davidsons sat gleaming in the sun, lined up like stallions

Destinations Premium Content

Tucumcari Tonite! New Mexico’s Gateway to the West

There used to be a certain way to tell you’re approaching the New Mexico-Texas border on Route 66. As you rode on, every few minutes you would pass a sign reading: “Tucumcari Tonite!” Hundreds of these signs, each promising “2,000 motel rooms,” once enticed travelers on the Mother

Classic Roads Premium Content

Explore the Jemez Mountain on Jemez Scenic Byway

This classic route combines New Mexico’s stunning western scenery with curvy mountain roads and fascinating historical sites. SR 4 is my favorite portion of the longer Jemez Scenic Byway.  This route is a surefire recipe for exciting both the senses and sensibilities. Although the designated route is just 90

Travel Guide

10 Things to Do Near Albuquerque, NM

If you’re visiting Albuquerque, you might be wondering what there is to see and explore. From the winding roads of the Turquoise Trail to the ancient petroglyphs of Petroglyph National Monument, there's no shortage of sights to see and adventures to experience within a day's

Classic Roads

Beware the Highway of Death—US 285

Many famous motorcycling roads have nicknames that describe their characters. The High Road to Taos takes you to the mountains, the Skyline Drive shows off the scenery of the Shenandoah Valley, and the various Dragons promise curves aplenty. And then you have Death Highway. It’s exactly what it sounds

Accommodations

Review: Jemez Hot Springs Inn—Jemez Springs, NM

Tucked away amidst the serene landscapes of Jemez Springs, NM, the Jemez Hot Springs Inn offers a tranquil escape for travelers seeking relaxation and rejuvenation. My recent stay at this enchanting inn was nothing short of delightful, as every aspect of the experience exceeded my expectations. From the moment I

Roundtrip Tour Premium Content

New Mexico: The Land (and Sky) of Enchantment

There is an inexplicable sense of magic in the air as soon as you enter New Mexico. This sacred land is a Southwestern gem, a place where the natural world, culture, and spirit are entwined. I wanted to find out what made this place so magical in the first place,

Accommodations

Review: Hidden Springs Inn—Reserve, NM

If you blink, you just might ride right through the town of Reserve, NM, without even realizing it. That’s exactly what happened to me the night I planned to stay at the Hidden Springs Inn. After an exceptionally long day of off-road motorcycling, it was well after dark by

Classic Roads Premium Content

The Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway

Appearing in opaque shades of blue, bluish green, green, and yellowish green, turquoise is a mineral that has been a treasured gemstone for thousands of years. The stone’s value derives from its use in jewelry and other decorative applications. It is usually found in dry climates, which is why

Travel Guide

5 US Destinations for an Early-Season Spring Motorcycle Ride

The winter puts an end to the riding season in many places across the U.S. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, since the cold months are a great chance to maintain your motorcycle or perhaps read that motorcycling book that’s been sitting on your coffee table. Eventually,

City Escape

Riding the Sandia Mountains—Albuquerque, New Mexico

In the high desert of New Mexico you will find one of the state's largest cities, Albuquerque. A city that weaves together a rich tapestry of culture, history, and natural beauty. With a backdrop of the Sandia Mountains and a skyline painted in hues of adobe, Albuquerque captivates

Classic Roads

The High Road to Taos, New Mexico

New Mexico has a colorful history, stretching thousands of years and covering Native American, Spanish, and modern U.S. settlement. The High Road to Taos takes you on a trip through the state’s past—and onto a stunning motorcycling road. While it is well-known, the High Road rarely makes

A Year in Review

RoadRUNNER's Favorite Destinations of 2023

At RoadRUNNER, it's about more than just the motorcycle. It's about where you go on the motorcycle. Simply put, we are addicted to exploring new places and experiencing new things. We often share short articles highlighting specific places across the country that might be of interest

Travel Guide

4 Unique Desert Rides

Deserts possess a unique magic, but their serene beauty often masks inherent dangers. Yet, when you’re equipped for the ride with plenty of water, sun protection, and working high-quality maps, they can deliver unforgettable moto trips. Deserts offer properly prepared riders astonishing vistas and amazing landscapes, with sunrises and

News

How to Find the Aliens Among Us on Two Wheels

Sometimes you want a grander objective for a motorcycle tour than simply enjoying the open road and curves. If you’re after a truly otherworldly experience, why not hit the asphalt to look for proof of alien life? After all, the Congress recently got the most compelling testimony to date

Destinations

UFO Capital of the World—Roswell, New Mexico

Hear the name Roswell and images of secreted-away debris of a 1947 flying saucer crash and a clandestine cover-up cordoned off from the public with chain-link fencing and armed patrols start popping up in your head. There are even dubious, grainy black-and-white photos of surgeons performing autopsies on slit-eyed aliens.

Roundtrip Tour Premium Content

MotoGP 2023

Way back in 2005, my good friend Andrew Ferguson and I witnessed Nicky Hayden win the MotoGP race at Laguna Seca. What a glorious day it was for both him and Colin Edwards, who placed second ahead of Valentino Rossi. Hayden rode Honda and the Yamaha bikes were colored yellow

Travel Guide

10 Best Places for a Moto Stargazing Trip in America

The night sky has always fascinated us. Our ancestors saw the constellations and signs from ancient gods in the stars, while our modern knowledge and technology lets us gaze at distant planets—or look for flying saucers. Motorcycles are excellent vehicles for accessing fantastic stargazing spots. But where should you

Destinations

In Pursuit of Wildness: Petrified Forest National Park

I’m on historic US Route 66 heading east for a small village nestled next to the Rio Grande in New Mexico called La Joya. Each year, I make this journey across the wild west, past little communities and towns with interesting names: Newberry Springs, Oatman, Cool Springs, Valentine, Peach