New Mexico and Texas

[Warrior]

Had to go to Wichita Falls, Texas for some upgrade training two weeks ago. Most people either take I-10 or I-40. But being a Pashnit I decide to stay on as many two lane back country roads as I could.

Highlights of my trip were HWY 78 and HWY 152. HWY 82 out of Alamogordo seemed nice, but I went through at night and the numb feeling in my body dampened the experience.

All in all 2200 miles there and back.

Loaded up and ready to go, I'm the master of fitting 10 lbs of sh-- in a 5 lbs bag.

[Warrior]

Making the 3 hour ride to Safford, AZ is usually a prelude to a full days of twisties on HWY 191. Unfortunately time was not on my side, but it sure was tempting. Instead I would have to settle for HWY 78. Lucky for me settling for 78 is not that bad. It starts out innocent enough two lane road working through small foothills, than you reach the 4 level hill. Yes, kindof like 7 level hill but not as tall. Smooth flowing pavement working it's way up the side of a mountain. If this was near any sizable city, it would be squid central. But it's reserved for nuts like us who drive hours to experience a nice road. Or the cyclist who like to punish themselves?

After you reach the top you are immediately in pine trees. You go from desert to forest in less than 5 minutes/miles. Amazing! Then it's a nice pine forest romp to you reach some more foothills.

[Warrior]

When planning this trip I had doubts if some of the roads I planned on taking were actually paved. When looking at HWY 152 online, I wasn't sure because it was so twisty, figured it was a well maintained backroad for the locals. But I was pleasantly surprised when I got into Silver City, NM and asked the gas station attendant. He told me it was and a very twisty road. I said thank you and made my way.

Once you work pass the huge open pit mine you get into the twisty bits. I was lucky enough to be working through it in the late afternoon so I got to see the fall colors in a wonderful golden hue.

But the most memorable part was when I reached Emory Pass, you crest a hill and then greated with a wonderful sight. A road working its way through multiple tiers of a mountain range.

[Warrior]

HWY 152 dumps you out into the Desert and I-25, yup awesome.

Headed down 25 to Las Cruces and turned north to Alamogordo. Here you have Holloman AFB, and some nice roads 3 miles outside the gate. I say this because HWY 82 climbs some 4000 ft in as little as 9 miles making a very fun ride. But it also happens to be a Safety Corridor with a double fine and zero tolerance. I put two and two together and figure our Airmen keep throwing their bikes down the road. Like I said earlier I hit this at night so can't comment two much on scenery. But if you have ridden 243, they are similiar.

[Warrior]

Spent the night in Roswell without getting abducted so it that was nice. But the ride to Wichita Falls was about as boring as you could get. I took 380 most of the time which works it's way through one small Texas town after another. The only let up was when I hit Post, TX. Saw my first hill and curve when I got there. It was such a moment that I had to stop and take pictures.

One good thing I should mention though are the gas prices. As you work your way East into Texas the gas prices keep dropping. I filled up at Sheppard AFB for a $1.93 a gallon!

[Warrior]

The two weeks spent there was mostly partying with a little training thrown in there. While up there I had to order some rear brake pads, and the only dealer that had them were in Lawton, OK. Headed up there and to my suprise I saw some actual mountains. Well, more like hills, but there sure weren't flat. So I started get excited thinking maybe there's a road that runs through them. But low and behold a military base occupies the Wichita Mountain Range. So much for that idea.

After the two weeks I made my way back. I spent the night in Roswell once again, but took a slightly different way back. I wanted to hit 152 again, but was looking for a quicker way to get to Alamogordo. Jumped on 380 to get to Ruidosa Downs. This so happens to be the Billy the Kid highway. But it's also a Safety corridor for 40 miles!? This is a 4 lane highway that gently winds it way through some foothills. I really don't see the point for the safety corridor, but its there so I didn't speed too much.

[Warrior]

Once back on 152 life was so sweet, even stopped and took so more pictures. If you are ever in this area make sure to take a trip on this wonderful road. Really folks it's that good.

[Warrior]

Made it home ok and the Warrior ran flawlessly, so it wasn't that bad. Actually I was taken by New Mexico and plan on taking some summer trips next year.

Try to guess which Sunset is in Texas and which one is in Arizona.

[TKBowman]

My friend & I just rode NM152 on our Carving Canyons 2005 trip (see the separate thread). It was one of the top 3 roads on our trip (along with CO 141 btween Whitewater and Uravan, and Pac HWY 1 north of San Simeon). It's unbelievably twisty and scenic. We did 82 in the daylight and it's not bad either.

[Warrior]

Right after I posted this, I read your trip report. I have to agree, it's one sweet road.