A ride up New Mexico Hwy 4 to Los Alamos

Invisigoth · 05-07-2006, 07:29 PM

I was wondering recently - If Tim (or any Pashnit member) rode through New Mexico and wanted advice on where to ride, what would I tell them?

Today, I found an answer! New Mexico Hwy 4 from San Ysidro to Los Alamos.

This road has everything. High desert plains, cliffs, mountains, valleys, meadows, volcanos, hills and sweeping curves. And almost no cars. For every car I saw, there were 2 motorcycles. For every 2 motorcycle I saw, there were 4 bicycles.

To get there (from Albuquerque), slab it north on I-25 for about 15 minutes to Bernalillo. then go west on NM-550 for about 20 minutes to San Ysidro. Turn right on NM-4 and let the fun begin.

Enough with the chatter, lets see some pics.

Invisigoth · 05-07-2006, 07:34 PM

This trip should have taken less than 90 minutes, but around every bend was a new and spectacular view. I was pulling over every few minutes to whip out the camera.

Invisigoth · 05-07-2006, 07:36 PM

And around the next few bends.

Invisigoth · 05-07-2006, 07:38 PM

The scenery changes from high desert cliffs to mountains and forests.

Invisigoth · 05-07-2006, 07:43 PM

Then you hit it. The Valles Caldera National Preserve.

What looks like a giant valley is actually the remains of one of the top ten volcanic eruptions the earth has seen.

The pictures are a little washed out - sorry.

Invisigoth · 05-07-2006, 07:44 PM

Around the next few bends - more views, cliffs and mountains.

Invisigoth · 05-07-2006, 07:47 PM

Shortly before arriving at Los Alamos, I passed Bandelier National Monument. Cliff Dwellings - the original condominiums.

Invisigoth · 05-07-2006, 07:48 PM

Just a few more bends in the road and I am haulin the mail into Los Alamos.

Invisigoth · 05-07-2006, 07:51 PM

One last stop at Camel Rock.

In the movie City Slickers, Billy Crystal almost fell off this perch into the Grand Canyon. Geography is not my strongest subject, but I think the Grand Canyon is at least 6 hours away. Oh the magic of Hollywood.

Invisigoth · 05-07-2006, 07:56 PM

The end of todays ride is just about 30 minutes from Espanola, New Mexico, and the start of the High Road to Taos - but that will have to wait a few weeks.

On a side note: I remember Kimber posting a picture of his very organized and full garage. Not to be outdone - mine is quite full too.

05-07-2006, 07:29 PM	#1
Invisigoth Senior Member Name: James Location: Ventura, CA Motorcycle: BMW R1100RT Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 729	A ride up New Mexico Hwy 4 to Los Alamos I was wondering recently - If Tim (or any Pashnit member) rode through New Mexico and wanted advice on where to ride, what would I tell them? Today, I found an answer! New Mexico Hwy 4 from San Ysidro to Los Alamos. This road has everything. High desert plains, cliffs, mountains, valleys, meadows, volcanos, hills and sweeping curves. And almost no cars. For every car I saw, there were 2 motorcycles. For every 2 motorcycle I saw, there were 4 bicycles. To get there (from Albuquerque), slab it north on I-25 for about 15 minutes to Bernalillo. then go west on NM-550 for about 20 minutes to San Ysidro. Turn right on NM-4 and let the fun begin. Enough with the chatter, lets see some pics. Attached Images __________________ There are 10 kinds of people in this world - those who understand binary and those who don't.

05-07-2006, 07:34 PM	#2
Invisigoth Senior Member Name: James Location: Ventura, CA Motorcycle: BMW R1100RT Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 729	Re: A ride up New Mexico Hwy 4 to Los Alamos This trip should have taken less than 90 minutes, but around every bend was a new and spectacular view. I was pulling over every few minutes to whip out the camera. Attached Images __________________ There are 10 kinds of people in this world - those who understand binary and those who don't.

05-07-2006, 07:36 PM	#3
Invisigoth Senior Member Name: James Location: Ventura, CA Motorcycle: BMW R1100RT Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 729	Re: A ride up New Mexico Hwy 4 to Los Alamos And around the next few bends. Attached Images __________________ There are 10 kinds of people in this world - those who understand binary and those who don't.

05-07-2006, 07:38 PM	#4
Invisigoth Senior Member Name: James Location: Ventura, CA Motorcycle: BMW R1100RT Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 729	Re: A ride up New Mexico Hwy 4 to Los Alamos The scenery changes from high desert cliffs to mountains and forests. Attached Images __________________ There are 10 kinds of people in this world - those who understand binary and those who don't.

05-07-2006, 07:43 PM	#5
Invisigoth Senior Member Name: James Location: Ventura, CA Motorcycle: BMW R1100RT Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 729	Re: A ride up New Mexico Hwy 4 to Los Alamos Then you hit it. The Valles Caldera National Preserve. What looks like a giant valley is actually the remains of one of the top ten volcanic eruptions the earth has seen. The pictures are a little washed out - sorry. Attached Images __________________ There are 10 kinds of people in this world - those who understand binary and those who don't.

05-07-2006, 07:44 PM	#6
Invisigoth Senior Member Name: James Location: Ventura, CA Motorcycle: BMW R1100RT Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 729	Re: A ride up New Mexico Hwy 4 to Los Alamos Around the next few bends - more views, cliffs and mountains. Attached Images __________________ There are 10 kinds of people in this world - those who understand binary and those who don't.

05-07-2006, 07:47 PM	#7
Invisigoth Senior Member Name: James Location: Ventura, CA Motorcycle: BMW R1100RT Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 729	Re: A ride up New Mexico Hwy 4 to Los Alamos Shortly before arriving at Los Alamos, I passed Bandelier National Monument. Cliff Dwellings - the original condominiums. Attached Images __________________ There are 10 kinds of people in this world - those who understand binary and those who don't.

05-07-2006, 07:48 PM	#8
Invisigoth Senior Member Name: James Location: Ventura, CA Motorcycle: BMW R1100RT Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 729	Re: A ride up New Mexico Hwy 4 to Los Alamos Just a few more bends in the road and I am haulin the mail into Los Alamos. Attached Images __________________ There are 10 kinds of people in this world - those who understand binary and those who don't.

05-07-2006, 07:51 PM	#9
Invisigoth Senior Member Name: James Location: Ventura, CA Motorcycle: BMW R1100RT Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 729	Re: A ride up New Mexico Hwy 4 to Los Alamos One last stop at Camel Rock. In the movie City Slickers, Billy Crystal almost fell off this perch into the Grand Canyon. Geography is not my strongest subject, but I think the Grand Canyon is at least 6 hours away. Oh the magic of Hollywood. Attached Images __________________ There are 10 kinds of people in this world - those who understand binary and those who don't.

05-07-2006, 07:56 PM	#10
Invisigoth Senior Member Name: James Location: Ventura, CA Motorcycle: BMW R1100RT Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 729	Re: A ride up New Mexico Hwy 4 to Los Alamos The end of todays ride is just about 30 minutes from Espanola, New Mexico, and the start of the High Road to Taos - but that will have to wait a few weeks. On a side note: I remember Kimber posting a picture of his very organized and full garage. Not to be outdone - mine is quite full too. Attached Images __________________ There are 10 kinds of people in this world - those who understand binary and those who don't.

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