Under the watched eye of both Dave and me, we decided that his rear tire was finished. I believe the last several miles of chip seal over Hwy 180 finished it off and before we rode over Hwy 152, one of NM’s premier twisty roads, it needed replacing. Dave had called Albuquerque and there wasn’t a motorcycle shop there that carried the rear tire size of his V-Strom, so what would be the chances of having one in Silver City, NM? Amazingly they not only had one, but the owner opened the currently closed shop to accommodate Dave’s need. Bear Mountain Motorcycle Shop had the bike ready to go in about 40 minutes and without demanding an arm and a leg in costs!
On to Truth or Consequences but not without a first-hand encounter of the Gila Bicycle Race.
We sat road side and watched as probably a few hundred bicycles passed by with support vehicles in tow, many water providers handing out cold bags of water and the exchange of water jugs as they were thrown from passing bicyclists and gathered up or run over by the chase vehicles. It was surreal to watch. We finally got back on our route but not without seeing several more straggling riders. I am both impressed by bicyclists and awed.
The chip seal on Hwy 152 is brutal.
The vantages inspiring.
Pano looking down at the historic town of Kingston
The road was another highlight of our journey. I was definitely smiling as I remembered that just past the small town of Kingston, was another called Hillsboro. Having ridden this route one year ago gave insight to the speed traps along the way and I recalled a NMHP sitting right on the edge of town. Amazingly he was still there. I wonder if he’s eaten? At least these are two motorcyclists, he couldn’t have for lunch!
The distance between Hwy 152 and Truth or Consequences (aka TorC) is a very short jaunt via Interstate 25. It was the first day without massive winds as we landed at our Alaska friends’ Dave and Annie’s home, at least so it seemed. What a wonderful welcome they provided. Even with several years since seeing them it was again like no time has passed for us. Dave had spent time with them more recently than I had since their leaving Homer, AK, to resettle where Annie’s rheumatoid arthritis was at bay. She had shed her wheel chair and gotten back into gardening and knitting, two things that earlier were not possible. She is a testament to a healthy environment, good food and therapy.
The Rio Grande in TorC
Me and Annie
We ended up in TorC for three days due to the intense winds. We ate awesome meals cooked by Annie and David, and even ventured out one afternoon in their van to tour the area. I was totally stunned by the 60-80mph winds. The visibility was clouded, the van fought the wind, and at our stops we were constantly under fine sand attack. The highlight of the afternoon was eating at Sparkys in Hatch, NM. The food was amazing and the decor irreverent and fun. What a treat!
Wind and dust
Sparkys Burgers
One of the many sculptures outside of Sparkys
The bird feeders at David and Annie’s. They had an amazing array of visiting birds.
The abode
Esme-super kitty
The garden
Annie’s awesome Strada
David and Dave
David and Annie
The wind finally abated enough to allow us a window heading north. We had plans to ride to Magdalena and eat pie and run by the VLA then try to make it to Chinle. Once again it was not in the cards we were holding. We changed direction and instead headed back to AZ by way of Show Low. My good friends Pam and Dean, the owners of the Motorcycle Cafe B&B were out touring themselves, so we grabbed a room in town and holed up. The wind was outrageous and the temps didn’t warm much above 50, so the traveling windchill was icy to say the least.
It was difficult to leave David and Annie’s hospitality and calm in the storm. I’ll definitely be back for a visit and I will come with my currently absent husband Gary as I know he’d enjoy meeting my friends and the amazing ride to get to TorC.
The route:
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