A two-wheeled "adventure" in NM...

[Martinjmpr]

This past weekend was the first of what we hope to be many "Triumphs in Taos" event. I went with a group from the Erico Motorsports RAT (Riders Association of Triumph) club and we had a great time.

No pics of the first day, unfortunately: While riding down a scenic highway at ~75mph my small digital camera came flying out of my tank bag and smashed all over the road. I recovered every piece except the one I wanted: The SD card!

Fortunately, I had packed another (much nicer) camera, too. The trip down was great, perfect weather except for some high winds in South Park (where it's always windy) and we rolled in about 5pm.

After a nice meal and some beers we hit the sack and met up with the other riders next morning.

We rode the High Road to (well, from) Taos, which was great, despite some construction.

I think the sport bike guys were envying my Scrambler when we hit the dirt!

We split up after that and me and three others (all on hot sportbikes!) headed up into the Jemez Mountains West of Los Alamos. Awesome ride and we stopped at a great little bar/grille for an amazing lunch!

A photo stop at Abiquiu reservoir and then back home after a long ride (about 310 miles for me.)

This picture doesn't do it justice but the Rio Grande Gorge near Taos is incredible to see.

to be continued...

 

[Martinjmpr]

Day 3...

Next morning (Sunday), we took a big group photo and then split up, most folks heading home.

Since I had another day, I'd decided to go through the 4 corners and then Monument Valley. We stopped at the Rio Grande Gorge bridge for the mandatory photo:

We passed by Ship Rock, which IMO is much more impressive than Devil's Tower in Wyoming. Again, this photo doesn't do it justice so I'll try to find a nicer one when I get home.

Monument Valley. What can you say? It pretty much says it all without words:

To be continued...

 

[Martinjmpr]

Day 4 and last...

Stayed overnight in Mexican Hat, where I enjoyed a wonderful (if overpriced) burger, beans and some ice cold beers. :sombrero:

Next morning, I filled up the bike and headed up to Moki Dugway, UT 261, which also paralells (and overlooks) Valley of the Gods, Monument Valley's lesser-known companion.

The road up to Moki Dugway is plastered with scary signs advertising just how dangerous the road is, but I'd been up it before so it didn't scare me.

Road starts off with a steep incline:

There are numerous turnoffs that make for great photo opportunities:

Red Cliffs of Monument Valley are off in the distance

View from the top is fantastic:

Near home, I hit a major milestone on my Scrambler:

I've got some other photos on my computer at home, will try to find them and post them as well.

 

[DarinM]

Very nice pictures.
I remember the first time I saw the gorge outside Taos. Kind of made my brain shut down for a little bit. I was just innocently driving along in my old Jeep. I had a bad case of mud tire drone hypnosis. My little sister was with me and she kind of made a woofing type of sound as I was crossing this bridge. I looked and was somewhat dismayed to find the ground had completely disappeared. Pretty amazing.
Thanks for sharing your trip.